Recruit an international talent

Finding skilled workforce is one of the greatest challenges in terms of the growth and internationalisation of companies and other organisations. At present, the best employees are not necessarily found through the employers’ immediate networks, which is why it is worthwhile to look beyond the local market. The most potential applicant may well be a foreign national or a person living abroad at the beginning of the recruitment process. When employers consider the option of international recruitment, they significantly increase their chances of finding the best employee candidates.

In international requiting it is worth paying attention to the following issues:

  1. Consider questions related to language skills in advance – what is the sufficient level of language to cope with the task? For example, is it possible to use English at work, but at the same time learn Finnish?
  2. It is advisable to prepare the job announcement in English and indicate clearly if the Finnish language is not a prerequisite for applying for the position.
  3. Encourage students from different backgrounds to apply by showing, for example, how your organisation is promoting diversity and internationalisation.
  4. If you use illustrations in your recruitment, please, take diversity into account visually as well
  5. Also consider the possibility of anonymous recruitment. The purpose of anonymous recruitment is to prevent discrimination in recruitment and to draw recruiters’ attention, above all, to the applicant’s competence and ability.
  6. Read more tips on diversity issue in recruitment from the website of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health: How to promote diversity in recruitment.

Work permits

Citizens of EU and EEA countries are allowed to work in Finland without restrictions. Students from outside the EU and EEA are allowed to work full-time in practical training as part of their studies or in thesis project. In non-study-related work students can work for an average 30 hours a week. The number of working hours can be exceeded in some weeks, as long as the average working hours are no more than 30 hours per week at the end of the year. After graduation one can apply residence on the basis of work or work seeking. Read more about the opportunities for international students to work in Finland on Migri’s website

Matchmaking services

Job Market by the Finnish Employment and Economic Development Office or TE office (TE-toimisto)
JobTeaser is a international job portal if you are looking for University students
Opiskelijatöihin.fi is a regional service for all students in North Savo area
EURES is a job portal offered by EU
Jobs in Finland is a portal offered by Business Finland
Pondi is new privately operated service dedicated to serve job markets in Eastern Finland.

More info:

Role of the employer in matters concerning a residence permit for an employed person, Migri
International recruitment guide , Business Finland
Knowledge on working life, Finnish Institute for Occupational Health