How to Look for a Job?

Start with these:

1) What is your expertise? What are your strengths?

2) What makes you stand out from the other applicants? What makes your skills special compared to the other applicants?

3) Write these down and create your CV (Curriculum Vitae, resume, ansioluettelo).
Write your own personal marketing letter /application letter". You should always write a new CV focusing on each vacancy. Each vacancy has its own requirements and you should explain how you fill them. Do you have relevant previous work experience? Have you completed courses in the field? etc. Also be prepared to show evidence (certificates, diplomas etc.) to support your CV if asked.

4) Check out and research information and prospectives about employers in the region you are interested in. Use various sources and ways for job hunting. See the links below. Think about the languages used in the job: Will you be communicating in Finnish or in English with colleagues and customers?

5) Take action! Fill application forms. Send CV:s and personal marketing letters. Phone employers afterwards to remind them of yourself and ask what is happening. Meet and contact employers. Take part in career fairs and events. Be actively involved in various networks and in contacting people (networking). Join associations, guilds, societies, unions etc. and stay in touch with your teachers and researcher in your own field.

6) Be active! Keep on trying! Get back in touch after some time and ask what the situation is. Show that you are motivated and enthusiastic. Ask for a possibility to get a job interview.

7) Continue your studies and practice of Finnish. "Finnish small talk" skills are always necessary. Even everyday language can be enough and is a good start.

Keep in mind:

• In Finland direct contact with the employer is the best way to proceed. It´s ok to be in touch with "the boss" (the one who will be your superior). Finland is a "self-service country". You have to be active yourself.
• Don´t exaggerate your skills, keep to the facts, be polite. Don´t ask for personal favours.
• Employers are recruiting because THEY NEED the job to be done not because YOU NEED a job, money, experience etc.
• Employers are in a hurry.
• Communication culture should be like business style, not casual language.

Internship - practical training period

If you have an obligatory internship or practical training period in your studies, you should contact your internship contact person (teacher, coordinator etc.) at your department or study program. Targets and demands for the internship qualification are based on your own degree requirements. So your department or study program will approve your internships periods and places. Also practices about how to seek for a internship placement vary based on in which study field you are. In some fields there are direct contacts to practical training employers and in some fields you should be active yourself and contact employers.

Globalplacement.com is a free internship programme service for students. The website is offering thousands of internship positions worldwide and is funded by the European Union through the Leonardo da Vinci programme.

The international internship portal provides:

- students the opportunity to easily find internships,
- in any field of education all around the world,
- internships are both paid and unpaid,
- internship periods vary from one to twelve months.