How to find a job in Finland, what professions are most in demand here, how to combine work and study? This is Finland understands the intricacies of employment in Finland.
The employment of an applicant depends on the field of activity, lack of labor resources in a given field of activity, education and work experience of the applicant, knowledge of languages, etc. Help in finding a job can be obtained from the electronic service of the Office of Employment and Economic Development, whose website lists thousands of available jobs. Her address is www.te-palvelut.fi.
The active position of the unemployed person himself greatly contributes to his speedy employment. In addition to the employment and economic development bureau, you can seek help from newspapers, job sites, corporate websites, private recruiting companies, friends or relatives. Submit your resume (CV) to reliable CV banks on the Internet, contact the company directly. It is worth paying attention to the accuracy of your job application and resume. The job application and resume must be completed in fluent Finnish.
The Bureau of Employment and Economic Development provides job search, education and professional development services, as well as related services to promote employment and financial security. Persons who have a permanent residence permit (P), a long-term residence permit (A), EU citizens residing in Finland and those with a temporary residence permit (B) can register with the employment office.
You can also look for a job yourself using the Open Jobs service (Avoimet työpaikat), which lists thousands of available jobs. To do this, it is not necessary to register with the employment office - access to vacancies is open to all applicants.
Recruitment fairs are organized in Finland, including at local employment offices. They are intended for unemployed job seekers registered with an employment office and living in Finland. You can find out whether similar fairs are organized in Russia, for example, at the Finnish consulates.
Local employment offices provide services to unemployed job seekers in Finnish, Swedish, English and partly in Russian. If necessary, it is possible to arrange the presence of an interpreter when meeting with office employees. The need for a translator is determined by law; additional information can be obtained from the employment office.
Finnish Labor and Employment Line Työlinja provides services in Finnish, Swedish, English and Russian. Please note that the service is not an intermediary between the applicant and the employer and does not have any vacancies!
Most in-demand professions
Photo: Tekes
The number of open vacancies depending on the field of activity in Finland varies from year to year, and much depends on the region. There is currently a shortage of social and healthcare workers in Finland. Therefore, in Finland, according to data from the fall of 2014, the most needed are: orderlies, nurses, paramedics, obstetricians, dentists, general practitioners, medical specialists, pharmacists, social workers. The Ministry of Employment and Economic Development constantly monitors the situation on the labor market.
Please note that social and healthcare professionals who received their education outside the EU (European Economic Area) must confirm their diploma in Finland and, if necessary, undergo an internship. You can confirm your diploma at the Finnish Education Authority. A condition for confirmation of a diploma may be additional training and practice. More information on the Education Authority website www.oph.fi.
The right to practice professionally as a licensed specialist in the field of social security and health care is granted by the Licensing and Supervision Authority in the field of social security and health “Valvira”, which also maintains a central register of health care professionals (the “Terhikki” register) to carry out control functions. More information on the Valvira website www.valvira.fi.
About in-demand professions (on the website of the Ministry of Employment and Economic Development, in English).
Requirements for a foreign worker
Finland has a list of short-term professions for which a residence permit is not required - it is enough to have an employment contract and a visa for up to 90 days of stay in the country. These include teachers, translators, athletes, coaches and judges, artists, harvesters and sorters, sailors, scientists, and tour organizers.
- Residence permit with work permit. Non-EU citizens must find an employer in advance and obtain permission from the country's authorities. The application is submitted to the Finnish Embassy or the Finnish police. With the help of a permit, you will be able to work in a certain field: that is, if you lose your place in the company that accepted you, you will be able to get a job in another, but in the same specialty.
- Finnish language. A necessary item for finding highly qualified work. The exception is, perhaps, programmers, for whom in many cases a good knowledge of the English language is sufficient. Finnish authorities often organize 6-month language courses for foreigners to speed up adaptation and master the language at an intermediate level. But jobs involving physical labor (in a factory, harvesting, construction) can be obtained with minimal knowledge of English/Finnish, and sometimes this is not required. For example, when the employer is a person from the former “union”.
- Confirmation of qualifications. Depending on the specialty, this procedure can be relatively simple or longer. For example, doctors are required to confirm their diploma: translate all documents into Finnish, send for approval, receive a notification with further instructions and, possibly, pass a qualifying exam. A list of professions that require confirmation of a diploma, as well as the organizations responsible for this process, can be found on the website of the Finnish National Council of Education.
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According to the country's labor code, the working day lasts no more than 8 hours, and overtime is paid at double the rate. If you have worked at the company for more than a year, you are entitled to leave, during which you receive a salary with a 50% increase.
Required language knowledge
Finland has two official state languages – Finnish and Swedish. If you want to quickly adapt and feel comfortable, not to mention the prospect of obtaining Finnish citizenship, you need to learn at least one of the languages of this country. The field of activity and professional responsibilities determine the level of Finnish (or Swedish) language proficiency required. For example, seasonal workers are not required to have a good knowledge of the Finnish language - although this is encouraged - while a primary school teacher is required to have a very high level of Finnish language skills.
Knowing English will certainly make communication easier, both in the workplace and in your free time. But still, do not forget that in most cases the language of communication at enterprises is Finnish. Having arrived to work in Finland, it is possible to study the Finnish language in courses organized by public schools, public organizations and educational institutions.
How to apply for a work visa
Citizens who come to Finland to work for a period of 90 days or more must obtain a special entry visa stamped Seasonal work F1. It is very easy to get it, you just need an invitation from the employer.
You also need to have the following documents with you:
- the applicant’s statement regarding obtaining a visa to Finland;
- photographs in accordance with all rules;
- international passport;
- insurance;
- a receipt for payment of all expenses in the amount of 35 euros.
After all the documents have been collected, you can contact the Finnish Embassy or visa center. Documents must be completed in advance to avoid unforeseen circumstances.
You should also pay special attention to how to get to work in Finland without obtaining special permits. This is permitted for certain categories of people, which can be checked at the visa center before submitting documents. It is important to remember that all information must be real, because the applicant’s information and documents are constantly checked.
Combining work and study in Finland
In Finland, you can study part-time or part-time while at work. To do this, a foreigner must, first of all, find a job. Part-time study opportunities depend on what programs are offered in the community where you want to study. Do not forget about entrance exams and other conditions for admission, such as, for example, length of work experience and knowledge of the Finnish language. Studying can be either paid or free.
Additional information in Finnish and English Koulutusneuvonta.
Top vacancies for Russians in Finland
More than 100 resumes apply for one low-skilled vacancy. Accordingly, finding a job for a Russian worker of the simplest profile is even more difficult. Nowadays, specialized specialists are in demand in Suomi. There are vacancies for the position of “engineer” in different industries - quality engineer, radiation protection engineer, service engineer. Managers and supervisors are needed. Of course, these are offers for certified specialists, and you will have a chance to get into this position if you have unique experience that will make the employer choose you over a Finnish candidate.
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IT specialists
The category of IT specialists is now in trend and this will last for a long time - they will be needed in any country, including Finland. IT specialist is one of the few specialties where the candidate does not need to know a second language (Finnish); he can get by with English. The average salary for this position is 4,500 euros. Finnish leaders are happy to invite engineers from Russia, as they consider Russian technical education to be the best in the world. Most companies of this profile employ a predominant part of Russians and other nationalities; the internal corporate language is English.
Seasonal work in Finland
The most popular type of income for Russian and Ukrainian workers without qualifications and students. Knowledge of the language is not required.
The list of such works includes:
- picking wild berries and mushrooms;
- picking fruits, vegetables, berries (strawberries, raspberries) on farm plantations;
- processing farm fields (preparation for winter, planting seedlings);
- handyman in greenhouses (watering, weeding, spraying);
- livestock or poultry farm worker;
- snow cleaner.
The salary level depends on the volume of work performed or the number of hours worked.
On average, a seasonal worker receives from 1000 to 2500 euros per month. Accommodation and meals are usually provided by the employer.
The earnings of wild berry and mushroom pickers directly depend on the worker’s productivity and hard work. This type of work is recommended for hikers and wildlife lovers who combine active recreation with earning money.
Internship
There is a student's practice in an educational institution. Also, an unemployed person looking for work can undergo industrial training (työkokeilu). If an unemployed applicant is practicing, then when calculating the internship/practice time, certain nuances should be taken into account: does the applicant have a profession, is he unemployed for a long time, how long has he been in practice before, when was the last time he attended courses from the employment office, etc. . On this issue, you should contact your personal consultant at the employment office.
Taxes in Finland
Taxes in Finland are quite high. A seasonal worker usually pays withholding tax on his salary, which is 35% of his salary. Wages also include possible natural benefits (for example, payment for housing, food or telephone). The value of natural benefits in monetary terms is determined by the tax service. Since withholding tax is final, the employee does not need to file an income tax return in Finland. Before tax is withheld, the employer can reduce the taxable salary by approximately 500 €/month, after which a 35% tax will be charged on the remaining salary amount.
If the employment relationship lasts less than one month, the employer can reduce the salary by an amount determined by the tax office and calculated for one day. Further information, also regarding benefits for students, can be obtained from the Finnish Tax Administration www.vero.fi or from the Finnish Consulate. Also see information about seasonal work on the website www.russiaservices.fi/.
Advantages and disadvantages of official employment in Finland
Having official employment in Finland means:
§ the opportunity to receive an official salary at the European level;
§ count on the same labor rights as the local population;
§ the opportunity to count on social protection.
In Finland, direct employees from Russia have the opportunity to find a suitable specialty in the following areas:
§ healthcare;
§ transport;
§ Agriculture;
§ trade and information technology;
§ in other directions.
Many employment agencies that provide relevant services for Russian citizens work on an ongoing basis with Finnish employers, which is why, when an applicant first contacts them, they can provide the most extensive information that is needed.
Working in Finland from direct employers means many offers to sign employment contracts with leading specialists and unqualified personnel.
With the help of specialized websites via the Internet, even students can find work in Finland. There are many seasonal job offers for them.
See also: Work in the USA for Russians vacancies 2021 without knowledge of the language with housing
In conclusion, we can say that finding a good vacancy for Russian citizens in Finland will not be difficult, so you can count on a decent salary level.
Labor legislation
All laws of the Republic of Finland, including the Unemployment Protection Act, are presented in Finnish and Swedish on the website www.finlex.fi. If a Russian-speaking applicant wants to clarify any issue regarding the legislative side of the protection of the unemployed in Finland, he should contact the employees of the Russian-speaking labor and employment service of Finland.
Finnish labor and occupational safety legislation applies equally to everyone working for Finnish employers, regardless of their nationality. Finnish laws on overtime pay, working hours, regular holidays, wages during incapacity and minimum wages based on binding collective agreements apply to posted workers.
An employee who quit voluntarily and registers with the employment office will not receive benefits for the next 90 days of unemployment (karenssiaika). You need to have a very serious reason for your own dismissal so that the bureau employees consider it justifiable and do not make a decision on deprivation of benefits.
Industry unions of employers and employees negotiate wages and other terms of employment through collective bargaining agreements. Typically, collective agreements negotiate terms that are, from the employee's point of view, better than those provided for by law. Almost all collective agreements agree on shorter working hours, longer periods of payment of wages during incapacity and vacations than are provided for by law. In most industries, all employers are subject to a mandatory collective bargaining agreement.
An employee can find out on the basis of which collective agreement his employment contract was made from the agreement itself (if it is made in writing), from the labor representative in his work team, from his trade union (if the employee is a member of a trade union), as well as from the authorities involved in protecting workers' rights (työsuojelupiirit). Additional information about working conditions in Russian on the website of the workers' rights protection authorities www.tyosuojelu.fi
To successfully search for a job in Finland, the applicant is required to:
- Confirmation of your qualifications. Diplomas received at Russian universities in the European Union, including Finland, are not valid. For example, a holder of a diploma from a medical university needs to translate all necessary documents (including a diploma) into Finnish. These documents will need to be sent to the State Immigration Office of the Republic of Finland. After some time, you should receive an invitation to take the exam to confirm your qualifications. If you manage to do this, you can count on a successful career in Suomi.
- Residence permit (residence permit). This is a mandatory requirement for citizens of countries that are not members of the EU. The Finnish company you are going to work for can help with this. However, you will only be able to work in the specified specialty.
- Knowledge of Finnish or Swedish. In Finland, in addition to Finnish, the official language is Swedish. If your plans include a successful career in the country of Suomi, knowing both of these languages is an additional bonus for you. If you are looking for vacancies in Finland without knowing the language, you should not count on a decent job and a decent salary.
Additional Information! Foreign citizens are allowed to work without a residence permit only in short-term vacancies (harvest workers, actors, musicians, etc.). In this case, it is enough to conclude an employment contract and have a Schengen class C visa in hand.
To obtain a residence permit, you need to contact the Finnish embassy. List of required documents:
- international passport
- two photographs 45X35;
- insurance valid in the EU (coverage amount - 30,000 euros);
- letter from the employer (the letter must indicate all the terms of the employment contract).
- certificate of payment of the consular fee in the amount of 550 euros.
The submitted package of documents is reviewed within 3 months. If the answer is yes, then the received residence permit will be valid for 12 months. It can be extended for another 5 years in the future. This will depend on your performance during the first year.
Important! If you have an EU Blue Card, you do not need a residence permit. In this case, you have the same rights as Finnish citizens.
So, if you are no longer satisfied with your current job and want something new, try to find a job abroad. Finland is a very promising option in this regard.
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One of the spouses has a job in Finland
Moving the entire family to Finland, provided that one spouse has found work in the country, is possible provided that all family members have a minimum subsistence level. Let’s assume that if an employee goes to work alone, then his salary should be at least 1000 euros per month (after taxes, data for 2015).
If a married couple enters the country, their joint income must be at least 1,700 (after taxes). If there are children in the family, then each child must be provided with at least 500 euros per month. Thus, if a family with two children enters the country, the spouse’s salary must be at least 2,600 euros after taxes.
Text: editorial staff of the “This is Finland” website, updated January 2015.
Salary levels
Typically, the salary of a qualified employee starts from 1200 euros per month. I would like to note that the text of the vacancies indicates the salary before taxes. Here are a few examples of salary before deduction:
- teacher - 1600 - 1800 euros;
- driver - 2200 - 3000 euros;
- school teacher - 2800 - 3500;
- IT worker (not top position, but middle staff) - 3000;
- nursing staff - 2800;
- dentist - 4500.
As you can see, quite decent salaries. Read about how to pay taxes in Finland in my previous article.
Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss anything and receive a phrase book in English, German and French as a gift. It has Russian transcription, so even without knowing the language, you can easily master colloquial phrases.
Is it worth learning the language in order to live in Finland and have a good job? I think yes. For all these jobs, a good level of Finnish is essential. How to start a family in Finland? Read in one of the previous articles.
Do you have questions about working in Finland? Write them to me in the comments to this article. I was with you, Natalya Glukhova, have a good day!
