On working in Hämeenlinna from my perspective and my observations.

This is not a very easy subject to describe shortly for the purposes of this website. I can, however, share with you a few of my observations after having lived in Hämeenlinna for some time now.

I know that finding a job is a crucial thing and I have gone through all the stages from becoming unemployed through different kinds of work try-outs, up to finding a job that perfectly matches my profile.

In the process of getting employed in a smaller city, as Hämeenlinna is, you need to understand a few things. Firstly, be aware that Hämeenlinna is not Helsinki, and Helsinki is not London. What does it mean? It means that Finland is a small country with a relatively short immigration history. Finding a job is not an easy thing, no matter what they say. Native Finns are not yet accustomed to foreign work power, especially in smaller cities. The whole process takes time and as I observe, it is on a very good track. We may get impatient and complain about the system, but I can understand that decisions must be taken wisely and gradually.

When you are looking for a job, you need to be very active and flexible. Reconsider your skills and strengths, check the job market for open positions. Think how your qualifications match current need on the Finnish market. Try to stand out of the line. There will always be a Finn before you, with Finnish language skills that you might feel you don’t have and that’s OK. Same situation is everywhere else. As an immigrant, you must operate on at least 150% of your power and believe in yourself. If you find some interesting vacancy, apply for it. Don’t worry about your language skills if you have some and can already understand some Finnish. I found sending my CV a good exercise as each time I had to polish it more and more. The same when I was invited for an interview. I remember my first interview in Finnish and how terrified I was. I didn’t get that job and it was first time in my life I failed at an interview. Then, there came more of such failures. I tried to treat each interview as a good opportunity to train my Finnish language. It really helped me a lot to gain some self-confidence to some point and to observe the way interviews are conveyed in Finland.

A lot of people talk about networking as a key to success but I am a bit septic over this issue. I mean, it is definitely good to meet people but maybe not everyone is so open to go and make new acquaintances. Internet might seem a good solution, but I don’t believe it brings much in terms of finding a job through services such as LinkedIn, if you are not a specialist in a field.

I would suggest trying different options for yourself. You can take a short time work try-out and see whether you might be a person they need for a longer time. You never know what in future it may bring. During a work try-out time you will meet different people, and they will remember you. I was contacted after half a hear after my one work try-out as someone was looking for a person with my skills and I was thus linked to them.

On this website you’ll find links to many different work agencies and websites with job offers. You may also google out companies in your area that seem matching your professional profile. Call them, or send an email, look around if you know someone who might know someone… Ask a Finnish friend to help you get through to the company. Maybe your Finnish friend would agree to call the company and introduce you? Maybe he or she may ask if it is possible for the company to meet with you in person?

Be active, be patient, be outstanding, be flexible, built your self-confidence, be success-oriented, observe work market. Be brave.

Never be shy or stop believing in yourself. There is always spring after even most depressing winter.

Read more about work try-out (työkokeilu), wage subsidy job (palkkatuki) and apprenticeship contract (oppisopimus) HERE.