Finland
- About Finland
- Working conditions
- Sectors and companies that are recruiting
- Applying for a job
- Major recruitment pointers
- Recruitment Resources and networks
1. About Finland
Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Trade is important with exports accounting for over one third of GDP in recent years. Finland is strongly competitive in manufacturing – principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Finland had been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets avoided the worst of global financial crisis. However, the world slowdown hit exports and domestic demand hard in 2009, with Finland experiencing one of the deepest contractions in the euro zone. A recovery of exports, domestic trade, and household consumption stimulated economic growth in 2010. The recession left a deep mark on general government finances and the debt ratio, turning previously strong budget surpluses into deficits. Despite good growth prospects, general government finances will remain in deficit during the next few years. The great challenge of economic policy will be to implement a post-recession exit strategy in which measures supporting growth will be combined with general government adjustment measures. Longer-term, Finland must address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.
Read more: Information about Finland at www.cia.gov
Population: 5.3 million
GDP per inhabitant (2010): USD 35,400,-
Unemployment rate (09/10): 8.4%
2. Working conditions
Average working hours: Working conditions in Finland are generally outlined in the contract of employment upon the start of your job. The contract will outline all of your entitlements in terms of working hours, salary, holiday entitlement and so on. Workers in Finland are encouraged to use their own initiative in their jobs rather than rely on instructions from above. Most companies have a fairly flat hierarchy and workers are generally good at organising themselves. Finns tend to take pride in their work and like to make sensible use of their time. Teamwork plays a key role in the Finnish work environment, men and women are equal and, in the majority of cases, everyone is on first name terms with each other.
Working hours in Finland
Regular working hours are usually at most 8 daily hours and 40 weekly hours. It is possible to make an agreement with your employer to vary the number of hours you work per week, as long as your total working hours over the course of the month do not exceed 40. Your workplace will provide a schedule showing everyone’s working hours and breaks. In addition, all employees should keep their own record of how many hours they have worked and whether they have been paid correctly.
Salaries in Finland
Factors that determine a salary in Finland usually include the worker’s professional skills and qualifications, experience, and where the company is located. Companies in Helsinki will offer more generous salaries than companies away from the city. Most salaries in Finland are generally collective agreements between the employee and their employer. Workers are often able to negotiate additional allowances with their employer, such as food and travel costs. Finland does not have a minimum wage for the entire country. Instead each industry makes a collective agreement that determines the minimum wage for workers within that specific field.
Read more: Information about Working conditions in Finland from justlanded.com
Legal working hours : 40.0 hours per week.
Length of trial / notice period: Trial period in the beginning of an employment is at maximum 4 months. / Typical notice period ranges from 2 weeks to several months, depending on position and lenght of the employment.
Employment formalities: EU citizens may reside and work in Finland for three months without requesting a work permit. After that, you must register with the local police. To find out more, look at the Immigration Board’s website: Download the “working in Finland” document published by the Ministry of Labour: www.mol.fr
3. Sectors that are recruiting
the private services sector.
Companies that are recruiting: Nokia, Stora Enso, Neste Oil, UPM, Kymmene, Kesko, SOK, Metsäliitto, Outokumpu, Metso, Tamro, Fortum…
4. Applying for a job
Application documents: Typical format of application is to submit a cover letter and CV or to use the own system of the employing company. Keeping the applications simple and precise helps the company to understand the essentials.
Advice regarding the CV: CV can be one or maximum a couple of pages long, containing the personal information of the applicant, education background, career history, language skills and some personal interests. Computer skills are a normal thing to include. Reference persons could be included, or they can be asked for later on.
5. Major recruitment pointers
Business Etiquette/knowing how to behave during interviews:Be clear, consistent and honest. The interviewer will be looking into understanding your background and experience in factual basis, but also get an image of your personality and skills. For all positions, dress rather over conservatively.
Languages you must be able to speak: Finnish, English is also required. For some areas and positions, Swedish is a requirement and Russian and Spanish are typically also appreciated.
Flagship training: Helsinki School of Economics – Technical University of Helsinki – The University of Helsinki – The Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration (HANKEN)
Compensation&Benefits / Taxes: Fixed salary is typically the major part of the compensation, bonus depending on performance is also included in many positions. Mobile phone is a common benefit in many positions. Laptop and cars are also offered but with a participation of the employee if the position does not require extensive travel. Average days of vacation per year ranges between 4-6 weeks.
6. Recruitment resources and networks
Important business networking sites:
www.facebook.com
www.linkedIn.com
www.monster.fi
www.mol.fi
Where to network:
Chamber of commerce, junior chamber international, alumni networks
