02 Job search

Where to find jobs?

You can find a job practically anywhere. It is a good idea to follow job sites or social media and meet employers at recruitment events. You might even get a tip about a job from an acquaintance or other network. Contacting an employer requires groundwork and a dash of courage, but it can open doors either now or in the future.

Career support by the university

Universities publish job ads and internship or theses work offers in their own portals. They also invite employer to campuses for students to meet and discuss career opportunities. Make sure to use the opportunities on your own campus actively.  Get to know the Career Services offered to students in your own university. 

Make yourself visible

Employers are often actively looking for suitable candidates themselves, so it is also important to be discoverable. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. We have put together some tips to help you get started in your search for a summer job, internship or thesis placement. 

Job offers via university Career Services

Each university has its own portal, where they publish job ads and internship vacancies as well as thesis placements for their students and recent graduates. Most universities use the JobTeaser service and the rest use the Valo Jobs service.

You can access the portal of your own university via your university's website. You can also find links to all portals through the Aarresaari website of university Career Services.

Links to job portals of each university

Career support at the university

University Career Services offer a wide range of tools for you career plans and job search. Make sure to get to know the offerings in your own university. 

Job portals and recruiters

In Finland, there are many different job advertising websites and recruitment companies. Some of these services are specifically aimed at recruiting young professionals and talent. 

To make your job search easier, we have compiled a list of suitable job sites and recruitment companies on this page. Some recruitment agencies are also included.  

TE-services, municipalities and the government

Työmarkkinatori.fi

Kuntarekry.fi
Valtiolle.fi

Job portals

Barona.fi
Duunitori.fi (-> Jobs in English)
Ework Group
Jobilla.com
Jooble.org
Jobly.fi
Oikotie.fi
Rekrytointi.com

Recruitment companies

AcademicWork
Adecco.fi
aTalent Recruiting
Barona.fi
BoltWorks
Clevry
Compass HRG 
Eezy.fi
Eilakaisla
Games Jobs Finland 
HR4 –Accountor
Maximus 
Palkkaaminut.fi
Poolia.fi
Selekta
StaffPoint

Meet the employers

Many universities organise various recruitment events for their students and recent graduates. These events often take place between November and February, which is the best time to look for summer jobs. Events and fairs are a good and easy way to meet employers and gather information about job opportunities.  

The best way to get the most out of recruitment events is to prepare in advance. Familiarising yourself with the communication channels of the companies that will be attending will provide a good basis for discussions at the fair. It is also a good idea to reflect on your own aspirations and skills before the event, so that you know how to tell employers about yourself.

Recruitment events for students are organised both at universities and nationally.  

Aalto Talent Expo at Aalto University
DuuniDay event at LUT University
Pesti Career Day at University of Oulu
Yrityspäivät at Tampere University
Contact recruitment event at University of Vaasa

National recruitment event Contact Forum for all students in higher education

In addition, there are also some smaller, field specific events where you can meet employers. Some events may also be organized online. 

Social media in job search

If you want to succeed as a jobseeker in social media, you should check out LinkedIn. It allows you to create your own professional profile, which will accompany the different stages of your career and support your job search.  

You can search for employers, jobs or hidden vacancies that interest you and network with people of your interest. LinkedIn also provides a wealth of information about the different jobs people are doing in your field. You'll also find lots of different industry groups to join, depending on your interests. 

Read more about LinkedIn in section 03 Documents

Find suitable platforms

In addition to LinkedIn, which is a professional networking and interaction platform, you can also find job opportunities or interesting employers on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or Facebook. It is worth looking into channels where experts in your field are active and that the employers you are interested are using for communication. ** LINK Find out more about how to use LinkedIn under Job application documents.  

On Facebook, you can find a number of recruitment sites for employers and recruitment services. Many employers target their recruitment marketing on Facebook specifically at students and recent graduates. Follow the companies you are interested in, and you will be informed about vacancies as soon as they become available. There are also groups on Facebook that publish job vacancies from different industries and regions. These groups make it easy to keep track of the jobs on offer. 

Use keywords and hashtags

On social media, you should search for jobs using hashtags such as #hiring, #recruitment, #jobs, #vacancies, #careers. You can also limit your search by region, such as #jobs #finland or even #jobs #vaasa. 

Spot the hidden jobs

A hidden job is a job opportunity that has not been advertised. It can also mean a job that only materialises when the employer and employee meet at the right time, in the right place. Research shows that around three out of four vacancies are filled through this veiled market, i.e. without an open call for applications.  

Despite their name, hidden jobs can be an easier route to work than open positions, as there is often less competition.

Make a plan

The search for hidden jobs is best supported by planning. So first think about what you're interested in and what kind of job you're looking for. Also think carefully about what you already know and how you can showcase your skills. Then you can start looking for jobs where your skills are needed. 

Don’t be afraid to contact employers you are interested in and tell them about your skills, interests and motivation. Choose the employer carefully before contacting, get to know the company and find a suitable person to approach. You should also think about why you would want to work for that particular company and what added value your skills would bring to them.  

Ask about opportunities

You can approach interesting employers at recruitment fairs, by sending an open application and CV, or by contacting the recruiter directly. Sometimes it's only when you put your case directly to an employer that they realise they need someone like you.  

If your skills are not in demand at the moment, make sure you make a good impression and stay in the employer's mind. A suitable position may open up unexpectedly and you may be contacted by the employer! 

Make yourself visible

Being discoverable on social media, especially LinkedIn, can also be useful when looking for a hidden job. Many recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent that fits the profile they are looking for. It is a good idea to create a LinkedIn profile for yourself and carefully describe your skills and interests.  

Don’t be afraid to network and be active in various social media groups. If a job search or online campaign related to your job search comes naturally to you, it's worth a try. Sharing your website or video can give you visibility that can lead you to the right employer. 

Follow the news

A good way to get tips on hidden jobs is to follow current news. Which companies are expanding abroad, which have just received funding or which have had a change of CEO? Changes in companies signal opportunities for new roles to emerge. You should also follow news about start-ups and growth companies. These may need new talent but do not yet have the resources to run large recruitment campaigns. 

It is worth updating your own information at regular intervals on the websites of the various recruitment and direct search companies. It is also worth keeping open applications active on the companies' own electronic systems. Recruiters also go through existing vacancies when they are looking for talent for new positions. 

Build your networks

Not all jobs are publicly listed, so make sure you use your own networks when looking for a job. Talk openly about your job search to your friends, relatives, study and hobby buddies – in other words, anyone in your network. Ask them if they know of any job opportunities.  

Someone from your university staff, such as your professor, can also be a useful contact for finding a job. Don't forget the networks you've built up through leisure activities, which can also be useful when looking for a job. Don’t feel shy about sharing your job search on your social media channels.  

Find your way

Networking is not just for the hyper-social; everyone can find a way to network that suits them. Networking is very versatile and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Choose the networking channels that suit you, such as LinkedIn or other social media channels, or even attend trade fairs or conferences in your field. Many events are also organised virtually. 

Networking is a two-way street – if you share your knowledge, skills and help with others, these favours will come back to you. It's worth making a habit of networking and maintaining relationships. It increases your chances of hearing about new job opportunities. 

Suitable jobs for TEK members

TEK offers a platform for employers and recruiters to advertise for open positions and job offers. Join our TEKrekry LinkedIn group to receive the posts for current openings in technology and architecture.