Contents. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

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1 C o n t e n t s T h e C o n t a c t P r o j e c t,

2 Contents PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

3 Contents C O N T E N T S Training and education in Finland...5 Applying for education...6 Comprehensive school...6 Upper secondary education...6 Higher education...7 Adult education...7 Financing your studies...8 Financial aid for students...8 Education in Mikkeli...9 Basic education...9 Upper secondary education: upper secondary schools...9 Upper secondary education: vocational training...9 Apprenticeships Labour market training Higher education Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences Universities Open University Concepts related to training and education...13 Tuition arrangements for immigrant students Curriculum, credits and ECTS credits Personal study plan (HOPS) Personalised studies Competence-based qualifications and competence tests On-the-job learning Objectives of on-the-job learning Workplace instructor The Contact Project, 2006

4 Contents Induction, supervision, feedback Training and education acquired abroad...19 The recognition of overseas training and education in Finland Basic information on the comparability of the Finnish and overseas education systems Comprehensive school and upper secondary school Vocational training Universities of applied sciences and universities Comparing your training or education to Finnish qualifications: general information Having your certificates translated into Finnish Official recognition of foreign higher education degrees in Finland Decisions of recognition Cost Decision on the recognition of a higher education degree and its importance Expert statements on vocational qualifications How to find employment...29 Employment opportunities for immigrants What is required of an employee Employment in Mikkeli Hiring personnel is expensive in Finland Preparatory training for the job market, practical training You own goals Work certificate Where to look for jobs? Employment Office Job listings Labour leasing Hidden jobs Job listings on the Internet PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

5 Contents Reading a job application Job application Curriculum vitae (CV) What is a curriculum vitae (CV)? Why is a CV needed? What must be included in a CV? What else should be included in a CV? Marketing letter / open job application Telephone call Job interview What is it? Preparing for an interview The interview Difficult questions To be noted You cannot always succeed Employment issues...49 Temporary employment Indefinite employment contract Full-time employment Part-time employment Probationary period Collective labour agreement Employment contract Pay Pay slip Leave and days off Annual leave Leave bonus Paid absence Maternity and paternity leave The Contact Project, 2006

6 Contents Otheremploymentissues...53 Tax card Occupational health care Illness Work safety Industrial Safety District Accident insurance Employee s obligations Employer s obligations Trade unions Unemployment security Employees representative Unemployment fund, an alternative to a trade union Termination of employment Term of notice Temporary dismissal Reference letter Starting a business...58 Checklist for starting a business Free advice Guidance and advice for immigrants...60 Mikkelin Työvoimatoimisto (Employment Office) International services Jobseekers Centre Työlinja phone-in service Työvoiman palvelukeskus Reitti (Labour Force Service Centre) Links...62 PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

7 Training and education in Finland 5 T r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n i n F i n l a n d Education is valued highly in Finnish society. In Finland, compulsory education applies to all children aged between 7 and 16. Children go to school in the autumn of the year when they turn 7. Comprehensive school takes 9 years, after which children may attend the voluntary tenth grade if they want to improve their marks for the school-leaving certificate. More than 90% of comprehensive school leavers continue their studies in upper secondary education, i.e. in upper secondary schools or vocational schools. Almost 50% of young people go to upper secondary school, and the remainder of them go to vocational school. Upper secondary education usually lasts three years. Pupils in upper secondary school take the matriculation examination during the third year of study. After upper secondary education, you can apply to higher education, i.e. universities or universities of applied sciences (polytechnics). At the higher education level, you first complete the Bachelor s degree, which takes 3 or 4 years. In universities, you can then continue studying for the Master s degree, which usually takes another 2 or 3 years. You can complete the Professional Master s degree in some fields of study of universities of applied sciences. University students can pursue post-graduate degrees and become licentiates or doctors. For additional information on Finland s education system, see the website of the Finnish National Board of Education at Figure: The Education System of Finland (Finnish National Board of Education) Many educational establishments also provide training and education for adults. The objective of adult education is to The Contact Project, 2006

8 6 Training and education in Finland promote the availability of skilled labour and the development of professional skills. Adults may acquire further training or complete qualifications required in the world of work. Further and specialist vocational qualification requires work experience from the field in question and additional training. Adult education promotes lifelong learning and may also be connected to general education and leisure activities. A p p l y i n g f o r e d u c a t i o n Comprehensive school Children who are permanently resident in Finland are required by law to complete compulsory education. The comprehensive school that children attend is determined by their place of residence. Parents must register their children for compulsory education in advance by contacting either the school in question or the Education Service Centre of Mikkeli. The Education Service Centre is located in the City Office building at Maaherrankatu The school year or academic year starts in the autumn (in August or September) and ends at the beginning of summer. It lasts approximately nine months. Upper secondary education Comprehensive school leavers apply for upper secondary schools and vocational institutes through the joint application system. You only need to fill one form to apply for almost any upper secondary educational establishment. Joint applications can be submitted twice a year. In the joint application system, applicants are selected on the basis of their marks. Some schools may also hold entrance examinations that take the form of an interview. Applications for studies that start in the autumn are submitted in the spring, and those who want to start their studies at the beginning of the calendar year submit their applications in the autumn. For guidance in matters related to the joint application system, contact the student counsellor of your comprehensive school or the Employment Office. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

9 Training and education in Finland 7 If you have not completed the Finnish comprehensive school, you can apply through the flexible selection system either in the spring or in the autumn. To apply through the flexible selection system, you have to fill in a special application form, which is available from the Employment Office or the educational establishment to which you want to apply. Educational establishments arrange a language proficiency test to immigrants in order to ensure that the applicants are able to study in Finnish. The applicants are invited to the test. Higher education You have to have completed upper secondary education to be able to apply to a university of applied sciences (polytechnic) or university. If you have not completed any upper secondary education (e.g. upper secondary school, vocational institute) in Finland, you have to apply through the special selection system. The application deadlines may be different from those of the joint application system. Be sure to check the deadlines for the educational establishment to which you want to apply! Universities of applied sciences (polytechnics): Universities: Universities of applied sciences have their own joint application system. Joint applications can be submitted in the spring and autumn. Applications to the Professional Master s degrees and English-language tuition of universities of applied sciences are submitted through the special application system. You can obtain an application form from the educational establishment to which you want to apply. Entrance examinations are usually held in June. Universities have their own application forms, which you can obtain from the university to which you want to apply. Entrance examinations are usually held in June, and they require advance preparation. Access courses for entrance examinations are available in some fields. Adult education Adult education establishments usually have their own application forms, which you can obtain from the establishment to which you want to apply. Applications to labour market training are submitted through the Employment Office. Please contact your personal employment counsellor before applying to labour market training. The Contact Project, 2006

10 8 Training and education in Finland Financing your studies Almost all education is free of charge in Finland. You can also receive financial aid to your studies after comprehensive school. School books and exercise books that you need in comprehensive school are provided free of charge. Schoolchildren who live further than 5 km from the school are provided with free school transport. School catering is also provided, which means that schoolchildren can have a proper meal at school every schoolday. A free lunch is provided also to students in upper secondary education, but they have to provide their own books and other supplies. Tuition is free of charge. Students over 17 may receive financial aid. Higher education is also provided free of charge; however, students in universities and universities of applied sciences have to provide their own books and supplies and pay for their meals. These students receive more financial aid than students in upper secondary education. Financial aid for students Student financial aid = Study grant + housing supplement + student loan Study grant is designed to cover your living expenses during studies. The amount of the grant depends on your age, family status, housing, and studies. Student loan is a loan guaranteed by the Government. You have to apply for the loan from a bank and repay it after you have completed your studies. You can agree upon the repayment schedule and other payment terms with the bank. For additional information, please contact Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland ( PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

11 Training and education in Finland 9 Education in Mikkeli Basic education There are 27 schools in Mikkeli that provide basic education. Comprehensive school is divided into the lower level (six years) and the upper level (three years). Hearing-impaired children can attend a special school called the Mikael School. The Otava Folk High School provides education for tenthgraders, for immigrant children who want to prepare themselves for upper secondary school, and for those who want to complete comprehensive school as distance learning. Upper secondary education: upper secondary schools There are two upper secondary schools in Mikkeli: the Lyseo Upper Secondary School and the Yhteiskoulu Upper Secondary School. Most of their students come directly from comprehensive school. Adults can study in the evening adult classes of the Lyseo Upper Secondary School, in the adult upper secondary school of the Otava Folk High School, and in the web-based upper secondary school. The Otava Folk High School also provides immigrants with preparatory training for upper secondary school. This training lasts one school year (approximately 9 months), during which students complement their comprehensive-school studies and strengthen the knowledge base and skills that are needed in upper secondary school. Studies in upper secondary school are theoretic, and students have to provide their own school books. Upper secondary education: vocational training Upper secondary-level vocational training in Mikkeli is provided by the South Savo Vocational College and the Finnish Youth Institute. The Finnish Youth Institute provides training in youth work, leisure activities instruction, and tourism. Among occupations it provides training for are youth instructors and travel counsellors. The Contact Project, 2006

12 10 Training and education in Finland The South Savo Vocational College is a multi-sectoral educational establishment that provides training in the following fields: Natural Resources and the Environment sector o Agricultural worker, gardener, forest machine operator* Technology and Transportation sector o Metal worker, electrician, painter, driver, car mechanic* Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services sector o Cook, waiter, baker, cleaner, site facilities operative* Social Sciences, Business and Administration sector o Qualification in business administration, qualification in business information technology* Social Services, Health and Sports sector o Practical nurse, hairdresser, special needs assistant in educational institutions* Culture sector o Dressmaker, joiner, artisan, media assistant* * Examples of occupations for which training is provided in the sector in question It usually takes 3 years to complete a vocational qualification. The time may be shorter for adults with relevant education and previous work experience. Both practical and theoretical subjects are studied during the training. Part of the training is provided as on-the-job learning, which refers to targeted, guided studies conducted in the workplace. Students are supervised by an instructor during their on-the-job learning periods in the workplace. Teachers work in cooperation with the workplaces in which students spend their on-the-job learning periods. (For additional information on the topic, please refer to the section On-the-job learning.) The South Savo Vocational College also provides vocational training for adults: vocational, further vocational and specialist vocational qualifications in different fields and continuing vocational education. You can also study languages and data processing and acquire a certificate of hygiene proficiency (in Finnish hygieniapassi), required in the hospitality and catering sectors. Labour market training is also available. Students must cover the expenses of training that they have personally chosen to enrol in; application forms for this kind of training are available from the South Savo Vocational College, Adult Education. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

13 Training and education in Finland 11 Apprenticeships You can also complete vocational, further vocational and specialist vocational qualifications on an apprenticeship. To begin an apprenticeship, you have to have a fixed-term job. You get paid for the work you do, complement your skills and learn new things both in the workplace and in the educational establishment, which provides the theory element of the studies. In apprenticeships, the relationship between theory and on-thejob learning is approximately 20% / 80%, depending on the field of study. The duration and content of the training are determined by your previous education and/or work experience. The more experienced and trained you are, the shorter the apprenticeship training period. All students have a nominated instructor in the workplace who supervises and guides them in their work. During the studies, you demonstrate your vocational skills in competence tests and finally complete competence-based qualifications. For additional information on apprenticeship training, please contact the Apprenticeship Training Centre. Labour market training Labour market training is provided as required. The training is paid by the labour administration. Labour market training is designed for unemployed jobseekers and the over 20s who are under threat to become unemployed. People attending labour market training may receive maintenance allowance in addition to the statutory unemployment benefits. Labour market training may lead to a qualification or focus on the learning of skills necessary at work (IT skills etc). complement the employment plans. Special integration training is also provided to immigrants, with the focus on Finnish language skills. Applications to labour market training are submitted through the Employment Office. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of study places, the provider of training and a representative of the Employment Office jointly select the students to the training. Labour market training may also be preparatory training designed to support students preparing for training, or to The Contact Project, 2006

14 12 Training and education in Finland Higher education Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences The Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences is a multi-sectoral higher educational establishment. It has units in Mikkeli (the Main Campus, the Campus of Culture and Youth Work, the Campus of Social Work and Health Care), Savonlinna (the Savonniemi Campus, the Campus of Health Care) and Pieksämäki (the Nikkarila Campus). You can complete the following degrees in the Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences: Bachelor of Culture and Arts (designer, cultural manager) Bachelor of Humanities (youth or leisure activities instructor) Bachelor of Business Administration Bachelor of Business Administration (tuition provided in English) Bachelor of Engineering (engineer) Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (tuition provided in English) Bachelor of Natural Resources (forestry engineer) Bachelor of Health Care (physiotherapist, chiropodist, nurse, public health nurse) Bachelor of Social Services Bachelor of Hospitality Management You can also complete the Professional Master s degree in the Degree Programme in Entrepreneurship and Business Competence. The Professional Master s degree requires work experience. Universities Open University Several universities operate a unit in Mikkeli, most of these in research. You can complete the Bachelor s degree in Business Administration at the Mikkeli Business Campus of the Helsinki School of Economics. Tuition is provided in English. You can study academic subjects at the Open University in Mikkeli. You can either attend individual courses or complete larger study modules. Tuition is chargeable. Open University studies are accessible to all; there are no basic education requirements. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

15 Concepts related to training and education 13 C o n c e p t s r e l a t e d t o t r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n Tuition arrangements for immigrant students The curricula of all basic vocational qualifications include information on the provision of tuition for immigrants and different language and cultural groups. When starting your studies, please contact your teachers for information on special arrangements for students who are studying for a vocation in a language other than their mother tongue. Please take the following into consideration when undertaking assessment for the certificate: You have to possess the same skills that are required of Finnish students. Depending on the curriculum, the following special tuition arrangements may be available to you: Language studies (5 credits) in Finnish language only. No Swedish studying involved. Finnish may be taught to you in an immigrant group. This will involve studying Finnish as a second language, i.e. not to the level achieved by Finnish students, for whom Finnish is the mother tongue. Please inform your teacher if you have previously studied the field in which you are now studying in Finland, or if you have relevant work experience. You and your teacher can then consider whether you already have skills that will not require further study. This is known as accreditation of previous studies. However, your skills and knowledge must be evaluated in such a way that possible deficiency in Finnish language skills does not affect the mark given. This means that the inability to write in flawless Finnish in a written examination will not affect the mark given to you. You may take the test orally, or you may even take the first competence test in your own mother tongue, using an interpreter. Your Finnish proficiency will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set for students who speak Finnish as a second language; they are not assessed on the same scale as Finnish students, who take the test in their mother tongue. The Contact Project, 2006

16 14 Concepts related to training and education Curriculum, credits and ECTS credits Upper secondary vocational studies are based on a curriculum (the Finnish-language abbreviation used for curriculum is OPS). Different study fields have their own curricula, such as the following: Vocational qualification in social and health care: practical nurse Vocational qualification in audiovisual communication: media assistant Vocational qualification in construction: e.g. builder Vocational qualification in electrical engineering: e.g. electronics assembler Student workload is expressed in credits, opintoviikko or ov in Finnish, (1 credit = 40 hours of study) or ECTS credits, opintopiste in Finnish, (1 ECTS credit = 27 hours of study). Vocational qualifications usually comprise 120 credits, i.e. take approximately 3 years to complete. ECTS credits are currently only used in universities of applied sciences and universities. The vocational training curricula usually consist of the following subjects: 20 credits of common subjects (e.g. Finnish, mathematics, information technology) 90 credits of vocational studies 10 credits of elective studies The curriculum is the same for all educational establishments throughout Finland which train practical nurses, for instance. This means that future practical nurses must learn the same things irrespective of where they study. In adult education, students are not required to study obligatory subjects common to all students and worth 20 credits. If you start studying in a young students group but have previously completed vocational qualifications in your home country, do tell this to your teacher. He or she will then find out if your studies can be accredited towards your degree or diploma, either fully or in part. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

17 Concepts related to training and education 15 Personal study plan (HOPS) A personal study plan, henkilökohtainen opintosuunnitelma or HOPS for short in Finnish, is prepared for all students to assist them to plan their studies. All personal study plans are prepared in cooperation between the student and the tutor. You can ask your tutor to assist and guide you in the planning of your HOPS. Your HOPS must take into consideration that you are not studying in your mother tongue and whether some of previous studies will be accredited towards your degree or diploma. Preparing a HOPS may seem a difficult task at first, but it really is a good tool for planning your studies. P e r s o n a l i s e d s t u d i e s Personalised studies mean that your previous skills are taken into consideration and matched with the objectives of the curriculum. All students are different and their needs to learn and receive support and their learning styles are different. The objective of personalisation is to individually support all adult students in their studies and their preparation for competence tests. C o m p e t e n c e - b a s e d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d c o m p e t e n c e t e s t s Competence-based qualifications are vocational, further vocational and specialist vocational qualifications designed for adults and demonstrated with competence tests. They are not dependent on the manner in which the vocational skills have been acquired (through training, in the workplace etc). The vocational skills required for competence-based qualifications are demonstrated in tests. Competence-based qualifications require students to pass several tests. Competence tests are planned and carried out in cooperation with employers so that students can demonstrate how well they have acquired the vocational skills specified in the requirements of vocational training and required in the world of work. The Contact Project, 2006

18 16 Concepts related to training and education Competence tests are nowadays also used in the vocational training of young people as one of their evaluation methods. Competence tests are usually a part of the on-the-job learning. O n - t h e - j o b l e a r n i n g On-the-job learning refers to practical work periods related to training, be it vocational training or labour market training designed for the integration of immigrants. On-the-job learning takes place in the world of work. It has become an important tool of learning and is used in all vocational training. It is also a way of helping the integration of immigrants. The term previously used for this activity was practical training. time in workplaces, where they learn different practical things as per the objectives of their training. There are at least 20 on-the-job learning credits in vocational training and approximately 4 6 credits in integration training for immigrants. Most of the training consists of studies in an educational establishment, in addition to which students spend periods of It is difficult to learn Finnish if you cannot use it in everyday life. Likewise, it is difficult to learn the skills of a practical nurse if you do not learn to take care of elderly people in a retirement home. Objectives of on-the-job learning Learning is easier if you have clear objectives for your studies. Objectives are set to clarify why and what you study. It is a good idea to divide large objectives into smaller parts or partial objectives, because you cannot learn everything at the same time. The objectives set for your on-the-job learning periods have an impact on the content of these periods. Objectives are determined on the basis of two perspectives: What you must learn = objectives set by the educational establishment and the curriculum What you want to learn = your personal needs for learning PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

19 Concepts related to training and education 17 The general objectives of training are described in the curriculum, which is the same for all students in a particular field. You should also have your own personal objectives. If you study for a vocation, the general objectives are clearly specified in the curriculum of the field of study. If you do not have any objectives when you start an on-the-job learning period, the employer will find it difficult to plan suitable tasks to you. Your workplace instructor is better able to instruct and supervise you when he or she knows what you want to learn and what you must learn. Workplace instructor The employer nominates a workplace instructor to you. You may have more than one workplace instructor if shift work is carried out in the workplace in question, for instance. A workplace instructor is a person who A workplace instructor must provides induction for you on your work, the premises, be an expert in his or her occupation other employees, occupational safety, the rules of the be motivated to work as a volunteer workplace workplace and other important matters instructor be able to supervise and instruct you supervises you during the on-the-job learning period be familiar with your training and its content to a degree be familiar with the general objectives of your on-the- gives you feedback and evaluates your skills job learning period, as well as with your personal objectives work in cooperation with your tutor The Contact Project, 2006

20 18 Concepts related to training and education Induction, supervision, feedback Your tutor visits your workplace a few times during your on-the-job learning period. It is his or her task to ensure that you receive induction training, supervision and feedback on your work during your on-the-job learning period. Your tutor also keeps contact with your workplace instructor. In the workplace During your on-the-job learning period, you have the right to receive induction supervision feedback and evaluation PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

21 Training and education acquired abroad 19 T r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n a c q u i r e d a b r o a d The recognition of overseas training and education in Finland All training or education acquired in a country other than Finland is of benefit when you look for a job or education in Finland. However, overseas training is not always recognised in Finland. When you apply for a job, the employers decide whether they will recognise qualifications obtained abroad. If you apply for training that complements your previous If you completed your studies in another EU country during the last few years, comparison is easier, but if you studied in a non- EU country, it is more difficult to evaluate the comparability of your training. qualifications or for training in a completely new field, the educational establishment to which you apply decides to which extent your previous studies can be accredited towards your new studies. B a s i c i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e c o m p a r a b i l i t y o f t h e F i n n i s h a n d o v e r s e a s e d u c a t i o n s y s t e m s This section describes the recognition of basic, secondary and tertiary overseas qualifications by the Finnish education system. Comprehensive school and upper secondary school In Finland, both comprehensive school and upper secondary school provide general education. Upper secondary school ends with the matriculation examination. If you have completed years of basic education in your home country, it is considered to be more or less equal to Finnish upper secondary school education. The Contact Project, 2006

22 20 Training and education acquired abroad If you have no vocational qualifications and you apply to the South Savo Vocational College (ESEDU), for instance, it is important that you show your school-leaving certificate to your tutor. This will demonstrate the level of your basic education. Vocational training Vocational training takes approximately 3 years in Finland these days. Post-secondary education that lasted approximately 3 or 4 years was previously also provided in Finland. If you have completed 2 4 years of vocational studies in your home country, you are likely to have achieved a level comparable with the Finnish vocational training. As the demand for professional skills continues to rise, it may be a good idea to update your overseas vocational training by continuing your studies in Finland. If you study for vocational qualifications in Finland, some of your previous studies may be accredited to you. Universities of applied sciences and universities Studies in a university of applied sciences (polytechnic) take approximately 4 years in Finland. Degrees from a university of applied sciences are higher education degrees, but they are more practically oriented than university degrees. University studies last approximately 4 6 years in Finland. This education is scientific and contains a lot of theory. When you apply for a job in Finland, the comparability of a qualification from an overseas university depends on whether the degree was taken in an EU member state or outside the EU (in Russia, for instance) and when the degree was taken. For example, a teacher whose degree was taken outside the EU usually has to study some more in Finland. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

23 Training and education acquired abroad 21 Comparing your training or education to Finnish qualifications: general information How can you know if your previous training or education earns In short, this is what you should do: you the same qualification in Finland? And how can you demonstrate your level of education to a Finnish employer when you apply for a job or to a Finnish educational establishment when you apply for education? This is a difficult subject. For more information, please read on. a. Have your certificates translated into Finnish. b. Ask the Finnish National Board of Education for a decision of recognition for your higher education degree or a statement on your foreign vocational qualification. Having your certificates translated into Finnish You can have your certificates and documents diplomas, testimonials from your employers, certificates of further training translated into Finnish (officially or unofficially). It is important to have your certificates translated into Finnish if they are written in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English. Diplomas and degree certificates often consist of two parts: the diploma or certificate and the supplement that lists all the subjects studied and courses taken, as well as the number of hours studied. Remember to have both the documents translated! The diploma alone is not sufficient. An unofficial translation is translated by someone who is fluent in both the source and target language but is not an authorised translator. All translations made in your home country are considered unofficial in Finland. To have your certificates translated unofficially, please contact Multicultural Centre Mimosa, for instance. Unofficial translations of your certificates may be sufficient to apply for vocational training (ask from the school), and they are usually sufficient to apply for a job. An official translation is translated by an authorised translator in Finland. Authorised translators have a relevant qualification. They certify their translations with a stamp. They may also certify a translation made abroad if they consider that it is a correct translation of the original document. The Contact Project, 2006

24 22 Training and education acquired abroad Official translations are often more expensive than unofficial translations. Their price usually varies between EUR , depending on the amount of text. You must have an official translation of your documents if you apply to a Finnish university and have a previous higher education degree from your home country. An official translation is also required if you want the Finnish National Board of Education to issue a statement or a decision of recognition for your qualification. If you are a healthcare professional, you need a permit from the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs to be able to practise your profession in Finland. Some employers may also require an official translation of your documents. The contact details of authorised translators operating in Finland can be found on the following websites: The Finnish Association of Translators and Interpreters: Finnish translators: Research Institute for the Languages of Finland: O f f i c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n o f f o r e i g n h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n d e g r e e s i n F i n l a n d The Finnish National Board of Education recognises the eligibility of foreign higher education degrees in Finland and acts as the information centre for the international comparison of qualifications. The recognition of qualifications means assessing a foreign applicant s qualifications to determine their right of access into the labour market or further studies in Finland. Decisions of recognition The Finnish National Board of Education decides on the recognition of foreign qualifications for civil service posts in Finland. The eligibility requirements for civil service posts include a certain educational attainment, a certain Finnish qualification, or certain specified studies. In general, foreign qualifications do not automatically confer the required eligibility. Instead, a decision of recognition is required from the Finnish National Board of Education. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

25 Training and education acquired abroad 23 The Finnish National Board of Education may issue decisions on the level of education (Bachelor s, Master s or Doctor s degree) or decisions on the eligibility to work in certain professions, such as to work as a teacher. The Board may also issue conditional decisions, which specify how you must complement your studies in order to be able to work in your field in Finland. If you have a teaching qualification from your home country and want to work as a teacher in Finland, you should apply to have your qualifications recognised. Only teachers with a recognised qualification may apply for permanent jobs, i.e. be considered as qualified jobseekers. You will probably have to study Finnish pedagogics and carry out teaching practice. However, you may work as an unqualified temporary part-time teacher even if your qualifications are not recognised in Finland. An unqualified teacher is not necessarily a bad teacher; being unqualified means that, according to the Finnish legislation governing the teaching profession, your foreign teaching qualification alone does not render you eligible to teach in Finland. If you apply for a civil service post for which the minimum qualification is a Bachelor s degree, for instance, you can prove your eligibility by obtaining a decision on your qualifications from the Finnish National Board of Education. Source and additional information: English Studying in Finland Recognition and International Comparability of Qualifications Universities and other educational establishments decide on student selection and the accreditation of foreign studies as part of a Finnish qualification. The decision on recognition issued by the Finnish National Board of Education does not oblige a university to accredit all your previous studies when you apply for education. If you want to continue your studies in a Finnish university, recognition of qualifications by the Board is not required; instead, you can attach your previous diploma to your application. For information on the study opportunities in different fields, contact the student counselling office of a university or other educational establishment that provides education in the subject that you would like to study. Additional information: English Schools Homepages (Link to the websites of Finnish schools, universities of applied sciences and universities) The Contact Project, 2006

26 24 Training and education acquired abroad Private sector employers evaluate the eligibility of your foreign qualifications in the course of the recruitment process. A decision on recognition by the Finnish National Board of Education is usually not required when applying for a job in the private sector; however, it may help the employer to determine the level of your qualification. Decisions on the right to practise a profession are made by the competent authorities of the respective fields. The right to practise a profession is required, for example, for healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, dentists, X-ray assistants, etc). This requirement also applies to the private sector. Additional information: The National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs Applying to have your higher education degree recognised How to apply to have your higher education degree recognised: You must have an official Finnish translation of your diploma and its supplement, which specifies all the subjects and courses taken, as well as the number of hours studied. If your diploma is written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, English, German or French, no official translations are required; in this case, a certified copy of the diploma is sufficient. Fill the application form of the Finnish National Board of Education Recognition of higher education degrees taken abroad. If your degree was obtained in an EU member state, use the EU application form. If you studied outside the EU, use the UO application form. You can download the form at English Studying in Finland Recognition and International Comparability of Qualifications Applying for Recognition: Forms and Instructions. The instructions are provided in several languages. The application form may be completed in Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, English, German or French. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

27 Training and education acquired abroad 25 If you are a teacher, fill item 5C (Recognition as a higher education degree of a specific title) on page 2 of the application form. If you have completed some other education, fill section 5A (Recognition as a polytechnic degree, lower university degree or higher university degree) on page 2. Attach the following documents to the application: o Copies of the original diploma and its supplement o Copies of the Finnish translation of your diploma and its supplement o A copy of the passport pages giving personal details o If your last name is different in the diploma and the passport, please contact your Local Register Office in Finland for a certificate showing all your previous last names. The copies must be certified by a Notary Public. Take all the documents (original documents and copies) with you to the Local Register Office, in which the copies can be certified. You pay a fee for this service. Alternatively, you can attach copies issued by a foreign authority, verified with an apostille. Send your application and its appendices to the Finnish National Board of Education. The decision will be mailed to you in 2 4 months (cash on delivery). The entire fee must be paid at the post office before the decision can be handed to you. Cost It is relatively expensive to have qualifications recognised by the Finnish National Board of Education. Fee charged by the Board in postage 10 Authorised translation of the diplomas (estimate) 120 Fee charged by the Local Register Office (estimate) The above calculation is an estimate only. The price of the authorised translations of your diplomas may vary, depending on the amount of text to be translated. The Contact Project, 2006

28 26 Training and education acquired abroad Decision on the recognition of a higher education degree and its importance If your foreign higher education degree can be recognised in Finland, you will be given an official decision. If your degree cannot be recognised for some reason, a representative of the Finnish National Board of Education will contact you and let you know of the outcome. In this case, no fee will be charged. the following studies (total X credits): (a list of the subjects to be studied). Teachers may also be required to complete some pedagogical studies: The decision will note your name, the higher educational establishment you attended and the name of your degree. The decision will specify Your education level (a degree from a university of applied sciences, a lower or higher university degree, or a Doctor s degree) gives eligibility to a post for which the minimum educational standard is a higher university degree and possibly The pedagogical studies included in the degree are recognised as equivalent to the pedagogical studies of Finnish teacher training (minimum 35 credits), provided the applicant complements his or her studies in Finland by undertaking teaching practice for one semester and related studies (total 10 credits). Complementary pedagogical studies may be taken in universities and vocational teacher training establishments. The eligibility conferred to you in Finland For teachers, the eligibility is usually conditional: The studies of subject X included in the degree are recognised as equivalent to those studied by a Finnish subject teacher (minimum 55 credits), provided the applicant complements his or her studies in Finland with Additional information: Finnish National Board of Education Tutkintojen tunnustaminen PO Box 380, Helsinki Tel: (09) Fax: (09) recognition@oph.fi; PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

29 Training and education acquired abroad 27 Expert statements on vocational qualifications In addition to decisions on recognition, the Finnish National Board of Education also gives expert statements on foreign vocational qualifications. The statement does not give eligibility to a civil service post but it may be useful when you apply for a job, for instance. The statement describes A statement is not required if you apply for education in Finland. However, it may be useful because it helps to clarify the content and the content of your previous studies the accreditability of your previous studies extent of your studies, as well as whether you have the right to continue your studies in a university of applied sciences, for instance. Your certificate the jobs for which your education gave eligibility in your home country or diploma may alone be sufficient proof of your right to continue your studies. The statement does not make foreign education Finnish. Instead, it helps the educational establishment or employer in Finland evaluate the status of your education. It is not obligatory to acquire a statement, but it may be useful to you, particularly if your education and diploma were recently acquired. If you have recently studied in an EU member state, you can ask your educational establishment to provide you with a Diploma Supplement or a Certificate Supplement. The supplement provides detailed information about your education in English. The Contact Project, 2006

30 28 Training and education acquired abroad Applying for a statement on vocational qualifications How to apply for a statement on vocational qualifications: You must have an official Finnish translation of your certificate or diploma and its supplement, which specifies all the subjects and courses taken, as well as the number of hours studied. Write an application and explain why you need a statement on your vocational qualifications (for example, to explain the content and extent of your previous studies to an employer or an educational establishment, to help you with job-seeking, etc). Attach the following documents to the application: o Copies of the original certificate or diploma and its supplement; o Copies of the Finnish translation of your certificate or diploma and its supplement; o A copy of the passport pages giving personal details; o If your last name is different in the diploma and the passport, please contact your Local Register Office in Finland for a certificate showing all your previous last names. o The copies must be certified as true copies of the original documents. Take all the documents (original documents and copies) with you to your Local Register Office, in which the copies can be certified. You pay a fee for this service. Send your application and its appendices to the Finnish National Board of Education. The statement will be mailed to you in 1 2 months (cash on delivery). The entire fee (EUR 98 + VAT 22% in 2008) must be paid at the post office before the statement can be handed to you. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

31 How to find employment 29 H o w t o f i n d e m p l o y m e n t Employment opportunities for immigrants (Source: Annika Forsander, Anne Alitolppa-Niitamo: Maahanmuuttajien työllistyminen ja työhallinto keitä, miten ja minne. Research report 10 Jan. 2000) Many employers look very favourably upon those who actively seek job opportunities. Most unemployed jobseekers find work through their own initiative. Finnish employers value Finnish work experience and training, which may be due to the fact that employers are not familiar with education systems or the world of work in foreign countries. Many immigrants start with so-called entry level jobs that do not correspond to their training or work experience; examples include jobs in the cleaning and catering sectors (cleaner, waiter/waitress, cook). Entry level jobs are often temporary, and many people eventually find work that better corresponds to their training. Any work experience is valuable, because work usually helps you meet people. Social networks can also be created during leisure activities and practical training. Finding a job is easier if you have the following: Work experience in Finland Training in Finland (additional training or a qualification) Initiative and a positive attitude Good jobseeking skills Social networks; that is, knowing people Good Finnish language skills along with skills in other languages, such as English. What is required of an employee The world of work in Finland has certain special characteristics and unwritten rules: Training is important in all occupations. IT skills are necessary in most jobs. In Finland, home and spare time are valued, and people keep their work and personal lives separate. Social skills are valued in the workplace, where the ability The relationship between managers and employees is often to get along with different kinds of people is important. informal managers are called by their first name. The Contact Project, 2006

32 30 How to find employment Employers often look for employees who know their jobs and are nice people. Prime candidates are reliable employees who have had suitable training and work experience. They are adaptable and flexible, and have good social skills; that is, they have the ability to take other people into consideration and to communicate. There are plenty of temporary employment opportunities in Finland. Temporary employment, which can last from a few days to several years, gives you work experience, helps you meet new people and enables you to get to know different workplaces. Employers prefer rehiring people who they already know; however, one disadvantage of temporary employment is uncertainty. When a temporary job is about to end, you do not know what is going to happen. The first step when looking for a new job is to register as a jobseeker at an Employment Office. When unemployment is accompanied by a shortage of labour, the situation is termed structural unemployment. Workers have been made redundant especially in the industrial sector, where fewer and fewer workers are needed. At the same time, many employers in the services sector find it difficult to find enough trained workers. E m p l o y m e n t i n M i k k e l i Many people who have moved to Finland wonder why the State does not provide them with jobs? One answer to this question is that the State in Finland is not a large-scale employer. In Mikkeli, for example, jobs are found in the following categories: In 2003, the working population in Mikkeli amounted to 20,102 people. Only 10%, or about 2,000 people, were employed by the State (e.g. the tax office, the register office, the defence forces). The town of Mikkeli is a larger employer: about 5,700 people, or 28%, were employed by the city (as teachers, in children s day care and the health centre, at the water works). Most jobs are in private companies: about 10,000 people, or 50%, worked for private employers (e.g. shops, factories, etc.). Around 2,070 people, or 10%, were self-employed. They work by themselves or have employees working for them. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

33 How to find employment 31 The largest private employers in Mikkeli in 2006 are listed below: (Source: THE LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYERS IN 2006 NO. OF EMPLOYEES Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo (co-operative) 460 Järvi-Suomen Portti (meat producer) 345 Helprint Quebecor Oy 300 Oy Mölnycke Health Care Ab 252 Olavi Räsänen Oy 225 (in 2005) Savcor Group Ltd Oy 190 (in 2005) Savonlinja-yhtiöt (bus operator) 200 Ahlström Glassfibre Oy 183 (in 2004) Ensto Control Oy/Ensto Electric Oy 145 Etelä-Savon Viestintä Oy/Länsi-Savo Oy (newspaper publisher) newspaper carriers Kyyhkylän kuntoutussairaala (hospital) 145 Mikkelin Puhelin konserni (telephone company) 123 Suur-Savon Sähkö Oy (electric company) 116 YIT (construction company) 124 (in 2005) Suomen Posti Oy (Finland Post) 154 Etelä-Savon Energia Oy (energy company) 85 Mikkelin Betoni Oy 59 Versowood Otava Oy 61 (in 2005) Sonera (telecommunications company) 70 (in 2005) H i r i n g p e r s o n n e l i s e x p e n s i v e i n F i n l a n d Many workplaces need more employees, but hiring an employee is expensive. Your salary is not the only expense the employer has to pay; he also has to pay many statutory (mandatory) social insurance contributions. These include the following: Employment pension contribution TEL 22.00% Social security contribution SOTU 4.001% Accident insurance premium 0.55% Unemployment insurance premium 2.95% Group life insurance premium 0.10% TOTAL %. The Contact Project, 2006

34 32 How to find employment The total amount is calculated on your monthly salary and is paid by the employer, not by you. Example: By paying the social insurance contributions, the employer guarantees that you will accrue employee pension benefits and unemployment security, and that you will have the required accident insurance at work. In addition, the employer will pay you holiday pay and holiday compensation, so every month the employer must put aside approx. 36% in addition to the actual salary. Your monthly salary is 1,000. Your employer will reserve as total expenses 1, (36% of your salary) = 1,360. In addition, the employer will provide occupational health care, pay your salary during sick leaves, and offer you training when needed. New employees are selected carefully. The employer wants to find an employee that is as capable and suitable as possible in relation to the investment he is making. P r e p a r a t o r y t r a i n i n g f o r t h e j o b m a r k e t, p r a c t i c a l t r a i n i n g Job hunting in Finland can be difficult without work experience. Preparatory training for the job market or practical training through an Employment Office or the Reitti Labour Force Service centre can be an excellent opportunity for gaining experience. Preparatory training for the job market: For those over 25 or who have had vocational training, or receive basic or earnings-related unemployment benefits. Preparatory training for the job market has helped many people find employment later on. Practical training: For under 25-year-olds without professional training who are eligible for labour market support. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

35 How to find employment 33 Acontract is drawn up for practical training and preparatory training for the job market. This contract lists your duties at the workplace. When the contract is drawn up, it is important that you express what you expect and desire from the training. The contract is signed by the person receiving practical training or preparatory training for the job market, a representative of the Employment Office, and the training provider. The contract does not create an employment relationship. The Employment Office will place you in a practical training or preparatory training situation, or you can look for a placement yourself. Those participating in practical training are paid labour market support (työmarkkinatuki) and a maintenance allowance (ylläpitokorvaus) (if certain requirements are met). Those participating in preparatory training for the job market are paid either labour market support and a maintenance allowance, or employment assistance (työllistämistuki) and a discretionary maintenance allowance. Labour market support system, maintenance allowance, and other similar concepts can be hard to understand, even for native Finns. The best way to find out about your own opportunities for receiving preparatory training or practical training is to visit an Employment Office. You own goals The best approach is to set goals for your preparatory training. Think about why you want training in your particular field, what you want to learn, and which skills you want to improve. Improving your Finnish language skills and trade-specific vocabulary are always good objectives, but you will certainly learn other things about your trade. The preparatory training must support your personal employment plan. Talk about your own goals at the workplace. This will make it easier for your employer to assign you duties that meet your objectives. The training will be more meaningful and you will benefit more from it. You are entitled to orientation, guidance and feedback at the workplace. Make sure that a mentor is appointed for you at the workplace. Work certificate Upon request, your employer will give you a certificate of practical training or preparatory training for the job market. This certificate will help you when you apply for a job or for admission to an educational institute. The Contact Project, 2006

36 34 How to find employment Where to look for jobs? Employment Offices and job recruiting agencies offer employment exchange services. The links in this guidebook include addresses of Internet sites with job listings. Employment Office The services of Employment Offices are intended for the employed, the unemployed, those entering the world of work, and the employers. As a client of an Employment Office, you receive individual guidance in job hunting and information about the labour market. You can place a job application in the CV net service where employers look for suitable candidates. The national Työlinja help line gives advice to jobseekers and has information about vacant positions. Employment Offices have an electronic "Vacant positions service which includes all open positions that have been reported to the agency. Jobseekers can also use this service on their own. In addition, Employment Offices offer many other services such as career counselling, and information about training opportunities and professions. Job listings Newspapers have a lot of job listings, especially on Sundays. The largest newspaper in Finland, Helsingin Sanomat, has a special Jobs supplement. Trade magazines often advertise openings in their field. These magazines include publications such as Opettaja (Teacher), Kuntatyö (Municipal work), Kääntäjä (Translator) etc. Labour leasing Employers sometimes hire staff from special labour leasing agencies. For a fee, labour leasing companies offer staff for employment in other companies. You can register as a jobseeker with a labour leasing agency at anytime. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

37 How to find employment 35 The employer and the leasing agency sign a contract that specifies the duration of the employment relationship and the duties of the employee. Many labour leasing agencies hire professionals from nearly all lines of trade (the most common fields are IT, technology and office work). The employee signs an employment contract with the leasing agency. Some leasing companies specialise in certain fields (e.g. catering, construction, nursing). At its shortest, the job can last for a few hours or a few days; however, these employment relationships may be much longer and may last as long as several months. A temporary employment contract may lead to a permanent job. There are many labour leasing agencies in Finland. At least two labour leasing companies have offices in Mikkeli: Varamiespalvelu and VPS-henkilöstöpalvelu. More information can be found on the Internet: Also go to rekrytointi- ja henkilöstöpalveluyritykset Hidden jobs Hidden jobs are jobs that are not openly advertised. Advertising a vacant position requires time and effort, and employers do not always want to start this process even though they may need a new employee. So, how do you find these hidden jobs? It helps to know people. You can hear about jobs and open positions from relatives, friends, and people you share a hobby with. Keep your eyes and ears open. Companies that are expanding will usually want to hire more help. One way of finding a hidden job is the preparatory training for the job market we mentioned above. During training, the employer has a chance to get to know you as a person and to evaluate your skills. For example, you might have language skills The Contact Project, 2006

38 36 How to find employment that would benefit the work environment or other special skills or knowledge that would be useful to the employer. You can also apply for a hidden job by sending the company an open job application that is not specific for any open position. Job listings on the Internet You will find plenty of job listings in the links below. You can look for listings in a specific area (municipality, region) or a special field. The Vacant positions service of the Ministry of Labour This is the most popular service and includes all vacancies reported to Employment Offices. It also has information about labour market training. The same listings can be found at an Employment Office. For more links go to job.fi link site: työpaikkatietokannat o a collection of nearly all Finnish employment and training-related sites, including labour leasing agencies Job listings in the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat Listings published in the newspaper and on the Internet List of links maintained by the Hämeenlinna City Library yhteiskunta Työ. Työnhaku Työpaikkoja Suomessa Eniro job search An extensive, easy-to-use system Uranus career & recruitment service Includes a lot of information about applying for a job and about the labour market in general PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

39 How to find employment 37 Reading a job application Read a job application thoroughly and several times. Give thought to the type of job advertised. Is the style of the ad brief, formal or informal? Job advertisements generally include the following information: 1. Type of job (title, position): What are the duties? What is the position of the job holder in the work environment? Does he/she have subordinates? Does the job include team work or is the work independent? 2. What is required of the job holder, e.g: Language skills, IT skills, special technical skills: Do you need to know how to use a specific programme or equipment? Do your duties involve the use of another language other than Finnish? Education, work experience: what level of education is required? Other skills: organisational and management skills. Personal characteristics: service-mindedness, perseverance You should go through several job listings, even in fields other than the ones you are applying for. You will notice that the ads are often very much alike. Employers often want employees that are flexible, service-minded, committed, motivated, able to take the initiative, and willing to improve their skills. 3. Where is the job located? A large organisation may operate at several locations in Finland 4. Is this a permanent or temporary employment relationship: Is the position temporary (a summer job, for example)? Is it a part-time position? Is the employment contract signed for the time being (in which case it is a permanent job)? Is it a job in the public sector? Also, the ad usually specifies the length of a probationary period (normally between two and four months) during which time the employer and employee can terminate the employment contract unilaterally without advance notice. 5. Pay: Advertisements sometimes specify the pay in euros, or the candidate must make a salary request. Or, the advertisement may specify a collective labour agreement that has been applied to determine the salary (for more information on collective labour agreements, see Employment issues ). 6. Contact person for further information: Further information can usually be acquired from the manager and/or the person performing the duties at the moment. 7. Application schedule and instructions: The application specifies a deadline for filing the application, the date when the work begins, whether the application must be on paper or may be sent by , and whether a form must be filled out on the Internet. Sometimes, copies of references and other certificates must be attached to the application: The Contact Project, 2006

40 38 How to find employment The copies must sometimes be certified. In that case, each copy must be signed by two people, their names must also be printed, and the certification must indicate the place, and the date. The two witnesses can be any adults, such as friends or neighbours. Some professional fields (such as teaching, social welfare and health care) have competence requirements, which means that the applicant must meet certain education requirements in Finland. The qualification for a nurse, teacher or social worker from a foreign institution does not necessarily fulfil Finnish competence requirements; instead, additional training may be required. For further information, see Training and education acquired abroad. Job application First consider the type of a job you are applying for. The application is a response to the job advertisement. In the application, you should explain why you are interested in this particular job and why you would be suited to it. The application must be short (no longer than one page), and a curriculum vitae (CV) should be attached to the application (see below for more information). There is no need for the application to repeat the information contained in the CV, but it is a good idea to elaborate on skills and experience that are related to the job you are applying for. Carefully consider how the personal characteristics mentioned in the advertisement may be relevant to your case. It is good to give examples of situations in which you taken advantage of these characteristics, such as previous jobs or hobbies. Even though you know that you are service-oriented and like to work with people, you must be able to explain how this expresses itself in your work. For example, if you consider yourself hard-working and thorough, how is this evident? In what types of situations are your diligence and thoroughness revealed? Has your previous employer, teacher or some other person praised your diligence? You should mention at the end of the application that you would be happy to tell more about yourself in person (that is, you would like to be interviewed for the job). Be sure to sign the application! A CV is like a book about yourself and your characteristics a job application is the back cover of that book. An example of a job application is included in this guidebook PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

41 How to find employment 39 Curriculum vitae (CV) What is a curriculum vitae (CV)? A CV is not just a list of your training and the jobs you ve had. The words curriculum vitae come from Latin and mean course of life. A curriculum vitae is like a brochure presenting your experience, competence and interests. Competence means the knowledge and skills you have acquired. Competence is gained not only when you study and work, but also in your free-time activities. You should also give thought to the appearance of your CV. At its best, a CV is rather short and does not exceed one or two pages. Include everything relevant to the job you are applying for and leave out everything else. Why is a CV needed? Hiring an employee is an important decision for an employer. It is important for him to know what type of skills and experience the candidates have, so that he can choose the person best suited for the job. The most suitable candidates are usually invited for an interview. The purpose of the CV is to provide information about you and your competence. Therefore it is not a good idea to ask someone else to do it for you, although you can always ask for help and advice. A well-written CV will not go unnoticed! You should write your CV on a computer. If you are not familiar with a word processing program, ask for help. You should prepare for writing a CV by gathering together all your references and diplomas. Set aside enough time for writing your CV properly. The Contact Project, 2006

42 40 How to find employment What must be included in a CV? The following information is essential: Contact information: Who are you? How can you be reached? Education: Qualifications/degrees, further training courses. Work experience: What type of work have you done? What types of assignments? For what organisation? When? However, short lists like that are old fashioned. Employers expect well-thought-out CVs in which job applicants describe themselves and their skills in more detail. What else should be included in a CV? Personal information Education In addition to contact information, applicants usually give their date and place of birth and indicate whether they have a family. You do not necessarily have to specify your nationality, but you can if you wish. An immigrant should also mention how long he/she has been in Finland. Note: Personal information does not have to be listed first. Put it at the end of the CV, so your competence and experience will be highlighted. What type of skills and knowledge has your training given you? Not many Finns are familiar with foreign training systems, so you should briefly explain the following in your CV: What practical subjects have you studied? What were the main subjects? If your studies included a term paper or thesis, what was it about? In what language or languages (if not entirely in your native language) was your training conducted? PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

43 How to find employment 41 Work experience Hobbies and interests Since you are an immigrant, describing the jobs you have had is especially important, as the same profession may involve different duties in different countries. A Finnish employer rarely has the opportunity to contact your previous, foreign employer. A description of your duties will tell the employer in concrete terms what you can do. At the same time, you can show the employer that you really are familiar with the duties in the field, which will improve the employer s confidence in your skills. Occupational titles: Note that occupational titles in Finland may differ from those used in other countries; for example, a technician is not the same as an engineer. Ask for help to find an equivalent title. If you cannot think of a suitable translation, explain your duties, responsibilities, whether you had subordinates, who your superior was, etc. Language skills Your hobbies say a great deal about you and your interests. You and your employer or interviewer might even have some interests in common. Although you know that you are an interesting person, you must also show it in your CV. Be truthful. Do not make up pursuits that you do not really engage in, even from time to time. You probably do have a hobby or an interest, even if you cannot think of it right away. Do you do handicrafts? Do you fish? Do you enjoy picking mushrooms and berries, or do you like other outdoor activities? Maybe you have a pet that you like to spend time with. If you have a family, do you have some common interest as a family? Almost anyone can say that they exercise, listen to music and read, but if you do not describe these activities, you will not stand out from the other applicants. By elaborating on your interests, you tell something about yourself. Mention your native language, and elaborate on your other language skills; for example, describe the situations in which you would be able to use the language. Also, be sure to estimate your oral and written language skills. If you passed the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (Yleinen kielitutkinto, YKI), you can mention it, although few Finns are familiar with language examinations. Language skills can best be described by explaining how you have used the language in your studies, work, hobbies, etc. and that you have read literature in the language. If you exercise or train, explain what type of sports you do. Do you jog? Do you go to the gym? Do you play football with friends? Do you enjoy biking? Or do you belong to a team or sports club? Do you like music? What kind of music do you listen to? Do you prefer a music genre like jazz, Indian film music, Russian folk songs, etc.? Or do you play an instrument such as the piano, violin, or harmonica? The Contact Project, 2006

44 42 How to find employment If you like to read books, what kind of literature do you read? Even if you like all types of books, think about your favourite type of literature. Do your read Finnish books? Maybe you prefer Russian classics? Do you know modern African literature like the back of your hand? Maybe you do not read much, but you like movies. In that case, explain what type of films you like: Silent pictures? Bollywood films? Or perhaps war movies? If you are involved in an association or club, you should mention it. If you spend your free time arranging events, organising meetings, or raising funds for an association, those skills are sure to come in handy in your work as well. Computer skills What else should be taken into account when writing a CV? Think about what the reader wants to know about you. What is important? What is less important? The things you would like to say about yourself are not necessarily the same things the employer wants to know. On the other hand, certain things that you take for granted might be of interest to the reader. Put yourself in the employer s shoes. If you were hiring someone for a position, what would you want to know? What would convince you of an applicant s professional skills? How about language skills? Use short expressions. There is no need for long sentences in a CV. Lists and short sentences are preferred. Computers are needed in a surprisingly large number of types of work. If you know how to use a computer, explain for what you use it for. Word processing and spreadsheet computation are the skills that employers most often look for. However, make sure the prospective employer also knows that you play computer games, edit home videos, or use the Internet skilfully. At the very least, mention the programmes that you mainly use. If you have previously used a computer in your job, you can mention that, too. If you are seeking a job in the IT field, explain your previous duties in more detail when describing work experience, which is also a good place to mention the programming languages, databases, special software, etc. that you have mastered. No misspellings! A Finnish employer is ALWAYS interested in an immigrant s Finnish language skills. Be thorough, correct mistakes, check and ask someone else to check. Keep the language simple; do not copy sentences that are too difficult for you. Ask someone how you could express an idea so that you yourself can understand it. There is no one correct way of writing a CV. Read different types of model CVs. Find the one best suited for you and adapt it to your needs. There is plenty of material on the subject on the Internet, in libraries and at Employment Offices. An example of a CV is included in this guidebook PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

45 How to find employment 43 Marketing letter / open job application A marketing letter or an open application differs from an ordinary job application to the extent that it is not for any specific vacant position. To be able to write a marketing letter, you need to know whom you are applying to. To whom do you address the letter? What type of an organisation is it? What types of jobs do they have? You also need to think about how your skills would benefit the employer. In a marketing letter you state why you are looking for a job in this particular organisation, and you provide a short description of your skills and characteristics. It is a good idea to attach a CV to the marketing letter. At the end of the letter, you should mention that you intend to contact the employer in a few days time. After sending a marketing letter or an open application, you need to telephone the employer. More on the subject under Telephone call below. An example of an open application is included in this guidebook T e l e p h o n e c a l l (source: If you intend to phone an employer even if it has not advertised vacant positions: A telephone call can be used as a jobseeking method. You can make a phone call and ask for further information before writing the application. Or you can market your skills and agree on an interview. If you have sent a marketing letter, it is a good idea to phone the employer a few days later. Find out in advance whom you should talk to. In many companies, a telephone operator or secretary will answer the telephone first. Find out from a telephone book or the company's Internet pages who the right person to talk to would be (company director / head of department / personnel manager, etc.) Do not ask about vacant positions directly. It is too easy to say no! An alternative: introduce yourself briefly and ask if they have use for your type of person and for your skills. The Contact Project, 2006

46 44 How to find employment If you are phoning in response to an advertisement Prepare for the phone call and think about the following: Introduce yourself. Ask if they have a minute and explain why you are calling: I m calling because you have an interesting vacancy. I would like some further information. What can you ask? For example: What duties will the jobholder have? What type of a person are you looking for? You can also ask other questions. When you have the answers, you have a better knowledge of what type of employee they are seeking. This will help you to write a good application. If you telephone after sending an application How will you introduce yourself? Always ask first whether the person has a minute to spare. It is not worth talking to a busy or stressed-out person. If the person is busy, ask when you could phone again. Talk briefly and clearly. Plan the order in which you will ask the questions and how you can BRIEFLY describe your education, work experience and skills. Don t worry. You are not a professional when you make your first call. Practice makes perfect. You can practice phone calls with your friends, for example. You can always ask, in a friendly tone, whether the application has been received. Not all employers want to answer telephone requests. This is mentioned in the job application and should be respected. Once you have phoned the employer, they will remember your name better. Important: Smile when you make a call! A smile can be heard in your voice, and talking to a good-humoured person is always pleasant. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

47 How to find employment 45 Job interview What is it? References and other documents do not reveal everything about the jobseeker. A personal interview will give the applicant and the employer a chance to get to know each other. An employer wants to hire someone who is suitable for the job for both his or her skills and personal characteristics. You very often have to work with fellow employees or customers. In some cases there will be several interviews. The first interview is often conducted by a representative of a recruiting agency. In that case the organisation has outsourced recruiting. This means that processes related to finding a new employer are handled by a special company. It is important to get along with different types of people; even the type of people you would not spend your free time with. Preparing for an interview Performance skills are always useful. You should always prepare well for an interview. Acquaint yourself with the most common questions presented in an interview and think about what you will say about yourself and how you will do it. The interview Interviews do not always follow a similar pattern. An interview can be a short talk or it can last several hours and consist of different parts. Start of an interview An interview starts with introductions. The interviewer extends his/her hand first. Shake the hand firmly but not too hard. Often you are told about the workplace and the job you are applying for. You will be asked to describe yourself briefly. o Plan how you will talk about yourself to the interviewer. What things are important to you? What is of interest to the prospective employer? The Contact Project, 2006

48 46 How to find employment Interview questions Why do you want the exact job that you are applying for? What types of duty would you like to perform three years from now? Why? o Even if your primary thought is to get any job you can, this is not a good motive to give for wanting this particular job. Your desperation does not make you an attractive candidate for the job. o Think about your future in the workplace. Is a promotion possible? Do you want to learn some new skill in your job? o Instead, explain what interests you in this job / work community / company? Do you have experience of How do you spend your free time? What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have? similar jobs, or have you studied something related to it? o The interviewer is interested in you as a person, not just What do you know about this workplace? as an employee. o A short answer is enough. Find out, e.g. from the Internet or your friends, about the company s market position and main products or services. What have you learned in your previous jobs? You usually also get the chance to ask the interviewer questions. Asking questions is not necessary, but it is recommended. You can ask about the interview schedule, when the job starts, the pay, etc. The interview is not the right time to discuss time off! If you know that you will need time off from work, you can discuss this when you start working. o The interviewer is interested in your work experience and what type of a worker you are. Finally, thank the interviewer. Leave the interviewer with a positive image of yourself. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

49 How to find employment 47 Difficult questions Difficult questions are the types of question that you find challenging in a job interview. Examples of difficult questions: Why did you resign from your previous job? There is a two-year gap in your CV. What did you do during those two years? What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? Even though honest answers are valued, criticising previous employers is not recommended. These days, more and more people have experience of being fired. If the gap in your CV is due to unemployment, try to talk about it in a positive way. Did you take classes while you were unemployed? Did you do repairs around the house? In this connection weaknesses mean personal characteristics that you feel need improving. Strengths are personal characteristics that support your skills. Strengths too can be further improved. To be noted It is perfectly understandable that a job interview makes It is quite permissible to ask the interviewer to repeat, if you nervous. Do not be nervous about being nervous. The you didn t hear or understand a question. However, try to interviewer might be a little nervous too. focus and listen to what you are being asked. Be on time! Shake the interviewer's hand firmly (or interviewers' hands, if there are several of them) and look them in the eye. In Give a good first impression of yourself. Even if you are Finland, avoiding eye contact gives a bad first impression. applying for a job in which you will get your hands dirty (as a car mechanic, for example), you should be well groomed Hardly any interviewers do job interviews for a living, so for the interview. By dressing neatly you give the they too may make mistakes. However, always be impression that you appreciate the opportunity of being respectful to the interviewer. interviewed and that you are serious about the job. Do not, however, dress as if you were going to a party. The Contact Project, 2006

50 48 How to find employment You cannot always succeed Even if you feel that you are just the right person for the job you are applying for, there will probably be several applicants and someone else may be chosen. If your application is rejected, that does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with you or your skills. Someone else may have been even better for the particular job. He or she may have had just the right experience of a completely similar job. You should practice applying practice makes perfect! It is easier to talk about yourself and your skills when you have experience of job interviews. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

51 Employment issues 49 E m p l o y m e n t i s s u e s (Source: Congratulations you have a job! The employment relationship between you and your employer is always regulated by certain generally accepted rules. Below you will find some basic information about employment-related issues. Your employment can be: Temporary employment Indefinite employment The employment will end on an agreed date. There is no term of notice the employment ends on the agreed date. The employment continues until either the employee or the employer wants to terminate the contract. The employment The term pätkätyö is used to describe short fixed-term will end after a term of notice. employment contracts. Full-time employment Part-time employment An employee works full days, that is about hours a week. An employee works less than 30 hours a week. P r o b a t i o n a r y p e r i o d New employees usually undergo a probationary period, during which the employer assesses whether they are suitable for the job. The probationary period, usually no longer than four months, starts at the beginning of the employment. During the probationary period, the employment can be terminated without stating the reason and without a term of notice. The Contact Project, 2006

52 50 Employment issues Collective labour agreement Nearly all trade sectors follow a collective labour agreement (TES for short in Finnish), under which employers organisations and trade unions have agreed on minimum terms and conditions of service, such as pay, working hours and leave. Employment contract When you start work, you will conclude an employment contract with the employer. The contract can be either oral or written. A written contract is better, because both the employer and employee obtain a copy, and, if there are problems, it is easy to check what you have agreed from the written document. The employment contract should cover at least the following: information about the employer what the employee is to do or what his/her primary employee s personal data duties are date employment begins daily, weekly or monthly working hours whether the employment contract is indefinite or for a pay, pay day and fringe benefits, if any limited period; if the job is temporary, when the which collective labour agreement will be complied employment terminates with date and signatures of the employee and the employer The employment contract should be signed in duplicate, one copy for the employee and one for the employer. See the model employment contract included in this guidebook PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

53 Employment issues 51 Pay The employer pays the employee for his/her service. Pay is credited to the employee s bank account either once or twice a month. A monthly salary is a fixed sum paid to the employee each month. The salary or wage is determined in the collective labour agreement for the trade sector. The minimum pay for full-time work is EUR a month, EUR a day or EUR 5.55 an hour. The Industrial Safety District (a state authority) ensures that at least the minimum wage is paid. Hourly wages are paid for the hours spent working. Pay slip You will receive a pay slip each time you are paid. From the pay slip, you will see the amount of taxes and employee pension contribution deducted from your pay, and how much will be paid into your account. If you belong to a trade union, the employer will deduct the subscription fee from your salary. The pay slip also shows overtime pay and extra pay for evening and weekend work, if any. Deductions from pay Taxes (pay-as-you-earn tax), employee's pension contribution and unemployment insurance contribution are deducted from monthly pay. Example The employee is paid as follows, assuming that his personal withholding rate is 30% Gross pay 1000 Tax deduction 30% 300 Employee s pension contribution 4.6% 46 Employee s unemployment contribution 0.6% 6 NET SALARY 648 The Contact Project, 2006

54 52 Employment issues Leave and days off Annual leave An employee accrues annual leave during his/her employment. If the employment has lasted less than a year, an employee accrues annual leave at the rate of 2 days for each month of service. If the employment has lasted more than a year, the rate is 2.5 days for each month of service. Leave accrues, if you work at least 14 days during a month. The length of the working day is not relevant. Even if you work parttime, you are entitled to leave. Days off are to be agreed at the workplace. A period of sick leave does not reduce your annual leave. Leave bonus Employees are paid while they are on leave. Leave pay is usually paid at the same time as normal pay. Employees are also given a leave bonus, which is usually about half of the leave pay. It is paid either before or after the period of leave. The collective labour agreements include regulations concerning leave and leave bonuses. Paid absence Sometimes an employee is paid even if he/she is not working. For example, employees are paid during training, if the employer has ordered them to attend training sessions. Some special days are also paid holidays. These include an employee s wedding, 50th and 60th birthdays and compulsory enrolment for military service. Collective labour agreements make arrangements for these in greater detail. Maternity and paternity leave When a child is born, women are entitled to maternity leave and men to paternity leave. Either the mother or the father is allowed to take parental leave after maternity leave. Further information For more information on leave related to childbirth and child care, contact the Social Insurance Institution (Kela). PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

55 Employment issues 53 Other employment issues Tax card Illness When you start work, you have to go to a tax office to get a new tax card. The tax rate will be calculated according to your estimated pay. Give the tax card to your employer. He cannot pay you unless you have a tax card. A tax rate calculator is available at Further information: Mikkelin seudun verotoimisto (Mikkeli Region Tax Office) Raatihuoneenkatu Mikkeli Tel: / exchange If you fall sick, you must immediately notify the employer. A medical certificate is usually not required if the illness lasts less than three days. In case of a longer period of sick leave, a medical certificate is required. Sometimes a certificate from a public health nurse or occupational health nurse is sufficient. The employer pays the employee sick pay. If sick leave is prolonged, the employee receives sickness benefit from the Social Insurance Institution (Kela). If your child under 10 years old becomes sick and you have to stay at home to take care of him/her, you may be entitled to a paid leave. However, remember to notify your employer and to bring a medical certificate regarding your child s illness if it lasts longer than three days. Only one of the parents can stay at home to take care of a sick child. Occupational health care Work safety Occupational health care consists of medical services provided and paid by the employer. Many employers have a contract with a health centre or private clinic. The employer must ensure that the working area and the tools used are safe and do not pose danger to the employee. The employee is entitled to refuse to perform dangerous work. Employers must provide employees with directions and instructions on how to achieve and maintain work safety. Familiarise yourself with the instructions and ask for more information! The Contact Project, 2006

56 54 Employment issues Industrial Safety District Eight Industrial Safety Districts operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health supervise compliance with work safety. They also offer advice if you have problems with working conditions or other employment-related issues. Mikkeli belongs to the South-East Finland Industrial Safety District. Further information: Työsuojelupiiri,Mikkelin toimipiste (Industrial Safety District, Mikkeli office) PO Box 180 (Jääkärinkatu 14) MIKKELI Tel: Accident insurance The employer is obliged to take out a statutory accident insurance for the employees. The employee will be compensated in case of an accident at work or an occupational disease. Employee s obligations Employees must carry out the employer s orders perform their duties carefully and within a reasonable time comply with safety regulations in their work avoid the use of alcohol at the workplace observe the law and the regulations in their collective labour agreement and employment contract PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

57 Employment issues 55 Employer s obligations Employers must treat the employees equally take out statutory insurance policies pay an amount at least equal to the minimum wage specified in the collective labour agreement inform the employees of significant issues concerning the workplace attend to occupational safety allow the employees to assemble for meetings at the workplace ensure that working hours are observed and that higher pay is given for overtime work observe the law, collective labour agreements and the employment contract concluded with the employee Trade unions Employers and employees have established national organisations that attend to their interests. These are called trade unions. Among other things, they draw up collective labour agreements. Central organisations for trade unions in Finland are SAK, STTK and AKAVA. Further information: Employees organisations are called trade unions (ammattiyhdistys or ammattiliitto). The various trade sectors have their own trade unions, including Palvelualojen ammattiliitto PAM (Service Union United), Terveys- ja sosiaalialan koulutettujen järjestö TEHY (Union of Health and Social Care Professionals), Opettajien ammattiliitto OAJ (Trade Union of Education). If an employee belongs to a trade union, he/she pays a subscription to the union. It is usually subtracted from pay. Trade union subscriptions are tax-deductible. The subscription is usually about % of pay. It is common to belong to a trade union. Ask which trade union your co-workers belong to. Ask your trade union about the various benefits for members, such as legal aid if you have problems with your employer, and discounts from insurance charges, petrol, boat fares, etc. It pays to belong to a trade union! The Contact Project, 2006

58 56 Employment issues Unemployment security When you are a member of a trade union and have paid the subscription for 10 months, you can receive an earnings-related unemployment benefit if you become unemployed. The earnings-related unemployment benefit is calculated on the basis of your pay, and it is therefore higher than the unemployment benefit paid by the Social Insurance Institution (Kela). For further information, contact your trade union. Unemployment fund, an alternative to a trade union If you want unemployment security but do not want to belong to a trade union, you can join an unemployment fund. An unemployment fund will pay you an earnings-related unemployment benefit if you become unemployed and have been a member for at least 10 months. For further information, contact the Yleinen työttömyyskassa YTK (Unemployment fund for all employees). Employees representative The annual membership fee in 2008 is 67. There is usually an employees representative (shop steward) at the workplace. He/she is familiar with employment issues and will assist the other employees if they have problems with these issues. Find out who the employees representative is at your workplace! Further information about YTK is available on T e r m i n a t i o n o f e m p l o y m e n t An employer can give an employee notice, that is, terminate his/her employment. However, the employer always has to have a good reason for dismissing an employee. There are a number of reasons for dismissal, including a bad financial position resulting in the need to reduce the workforce. Another reason may be the employee s improper conduct or bad performance. Reasons for dismissal owing to unsatisfactory performance: neglect of duties refusal to work intentional negligence unauthorised absence dishonesty causing damage to the employer unsuitability for the job intoxication at the workplace PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

59 Employment issues 57 Employees may resign from their jobs and do not need to justify their resignation. When the employment contract is terminated, the employee will receive pay in lieu of leave if he/she does not take the accrued leave. Term of notice The term of notice is usually specified in the collective labour agreement, and its maximum length is six months. When an employer gives notice to an employee, the term of notice is 1 6 months. The term of notice depends on how long the employee has worked for the employer. When an employee resigns, the term of notice is from two weeks to two months depending on how long the employee has worked for the employer. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated without a term of notice. The fact that the employer feels that the employee is not skilled enough for the job is a sufficient reason for dismissal. Temporary dismissal An employer can temporarily dismiss an employee. During the lay-off, the employee does not work and does not get paid. However, his/her employment is not terminated, and after the temporary dismissal the employee is re-engaged. The dismissal can last up to 90 days, and it can be cancelled or broken off. Employees are paid unemployment benefit while they are laid off. Reference letter When you stop working for an employer, you can ask for a reference. The reference letter will state how long you worked for the employer and what your duties were. At the request of the employee, the reference will include an assessment of the employee s skills, diligence, and behaviour. However, nothing negative about the employee will be included in the reference. For you, the reference letter is an important document that shows that you have worked in Finland. It will help you when you apply for a new position. The Contact Project, 2006

60 58 Starting a business S t a r t i n g a b u s i n e s s Do you know how to establish a company in Finland? C h e c k l i s t f o r s t a r t i n g a b u s i n e s s (Source Having a strong will is the key to successful entrepreneurship. Once you have that, the next stage is careful planning and taking care of certain statutory (mandatory) matters. This checklist will help you get started: Your own desire to start a business. Check whether you need a licence for your business Prepare a business plan (you can get help from Enterprise activities. Ambulance and taxi operations and security Agencies (Uusyrityskeskus) and Employment and Economic services, for example, are subject to a licence. Cities, Development Centres (TE-keskus). municipalities, regional governments and ministries grant Choose the form of company (sole ownership, general these licences. partnership, limited partnership, limited company, Submit a start-up notification to the tax authorities (register cooperative). as liable to value-added tax and in the prepayment register). Submit a basic declaration to the Trade Register before Arrange bookkeeping and take out the required insurance starting operations. policies. F r e e a d v i c e If you have a good business idea and you would like to discuss it with an expert, you can get free advice from the offices listed below. They will also tell you about financing options. The Employment Offices offer training for prospective entrepreneurs. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

61 Starting a business 59 Further information: Mikkelin seudun elinkeinoyhtiö/miset Oy (Mikkeli Region Business Services) Mikpoli, Patteristonkatu 2 C Mikkeli Tel: miset@mikkeli.fi Mikkelin seudun Uusyrityskeskus ry Dynamo (Enterprise Agency) Director Pekka Teittinen Patteristonkatu 2 C Mikkeli Tel: Mikkelin Työvoimatoimisto (Employment Office) Porrassalmenkatu Mikkeli Tel: The Contact Project, 2006

62 60 Guidance and advice for immigrants G u i d a n c e a n d a d v i c e f o r i m m i g r a n t s Do you need guidance and advice in issues related to training or employment? In Mikkeli, help is available from the following sources: M i k k e l i n T y ö v o i m a t o i m i s t o ( E m p l o y m e n t O f f i c e ) Porrassalmenkatu 29, Mikkeli, tel: International services EURES adviser Pirkko Nyström gives advice to immigrants and those looking for a job or a traineeship post abroad. She also gives assistance in matters concerning work permits. Citizens of countries that are not members of the European Economic Area (EEA) need a work permit to be able to work in Finland. Appointments tel: Jobseekers Centre The centre offers a variety of equipment and resources for independent job-hunting. If you need advice in jobseeking or using the IT equipment, the personnel will help. The Jobseekers Centre is open for all those looking for a job Mon Fri 9:00 15:45. For further information on the services of the Jobseekers Centre, tel: You have the following equipment and material at your disposal to assist you in the jobseeking process: Computers with Internet connection Telephones for contacting prospective employers Photocopier and fax machine Model job applications, guidebooks and material to help you in independent job-hunting PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

63 Guidance and advice for immigrants 61 Työlinja phone-in service Telephone advice about jobs and training opportunities tel: residence permits and how to apply for a work permit tel: T y ö v o i m a n p a l v e l u k e s k u s R e i t t i ( L a b o u r F o r c e S e r v i c e C e n t r e ) Kunnanmäki 7, Mikkeli, tel: (015) The Reitti Labour Force Service Centre offers help for the longterm unemployed and those jobseekers who find it challenging to get a job. Labour Force advisers, a social worker, a public health nurse and a psychologist work in cooperation at Reitti. Labour Force adviser Johanna Ilmoni assists immigrants at Reitti, tel: , johanna.ilmoni@mol.fi. The service centre offers you: an individual employment plan personal, comprehensive support and counselling personnel to assist you a route to the world of work The Contact Project, 2006

64 62 Links L i n k s General information for immigrants: Important basic information for immigrants about Finnish society, 13 languages Extensive information about the public administration and services Plenty of information about benefits available in different life situations: Information about taxation and tax rate calculator Home pages of the city of Mikkeli Information for those moving to the Mikkeli area Employment Office, also in English Vocational education in Mikkeli: Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences Helsinki School of Economics, Mikkeli Business Campus, courses held in English PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

65 Links 63 Open University South Savo Vocational College Finnish Youth Institute Otavan opisto KOPASE: Web-based service that introduces adult education opportunities available in South Savo. Also in English. Other education: Community College of Mikkeli, e.g. Finnish language courses Workers Educational Association, activities and courses, e.g. Finnish language courses The Contact Project, 2006

66 64 Links General information about education and training: Extensive information about training opportunities in Finland, also in English Index of English-language education in Finnish educational institutes Information about apprenticeship contracts: Skills requirements for different qualifications, assessment of your own skills Recognition and International Comparability of Qualifications, also in English Material about professions and self-knowledge in simple Finnish Finnish language Finnish for adult immigrants Material of Supisuomea TV series (Finnish language course) Finnish language reading comprehension exercises Finnish language material, advanced level PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

67 Links 65 Free dictionary, translates Finnish words into several languages Dialang provides flexible support for anyone learning the language. You can test yourself in reading, writing, listening, grammar and vocabulary. There are 14 different languages. Trade unions: Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (AKAVA) The Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) Unemployment fund for all employees (YTK). An alternative to trade union membership. Jobseeking: The Vacant positions service of the Ministry of Labour This is the most popular service and includes all vacancies reported to Employment Offices. It also has information about labour market training. The same listings can be found at an Employment Office. Job listings in the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat Listings published in the newspaper and on the Internet The Contact Project, 2006

68 66 Links Eniro job search extensive and easy to use, job listings from various sources Uranus career & recruitment service Includes a lot of information about applying for a job and about the labour market in general, including an international discussion board For more links go to: job.fi link site: työpaikkatietokannat o a collection of nearly all Finnish employment and training-related sites, including recruiting agencies List of links maintained by the Hämeenlinna City Library yhteiskunta Työ. Työnhaku o Plenty of links to job listings and jobseeking sites Career planning: Career planning site for adults Model documents for jobseekers instructions and models (job application, CV) PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT Guide for Immigrants

69 ANSIOLUETTELO ANASTASIA TIKKANEN HENKILÖTIEDOT SYNTYMÄAIKA JA -PAIKKA: 18. lokakuuta 1971, Viipuri PERHESUHTEET: naimisissa, lapset 8 ja 13 vuotta TYÖKOKEMUS marraskuu 2005 syyskuu 2006 Mäntyharjun kunta Mäntyharju Toimitilahuoltaja toimitilapalvelut, koneellinen lattioiden puhdistus ym. siivouspalvelut, asiakastyö palvelutalossa kesäkuu 2000 heinäkuu 2002 Posuda-Dom Viipuri Myyjä myynti ja asiakaspalvelutyö astioihin ja keittiötavaroihin erikoistuneessa tavaratalossa maaliskuu 1997 toukokuu 2000 Vyborg Opt Viipuri Myyjä / operaattori aloitin Viipurin tukkukaupan myyjänä / kassana koulutuksen myötä ylenin operaattoriksi, tehtäviini kuului laskutus, varastokirjanpito ja myöhemmin myös tilien hoitaminen KOULUTUS syyskuu 2004 lokakuu 2005 Mikkelin ammattiopisto Mikkeli Puhdistuspalvelujen perustutkintoon valmistava koulutus puhdistus-, siivous-, toimitilapalvelut, asiakkaan kohtaaminen ja avustaminen koulutuksen aikana olin työssäoppimisjaksoilla kahdessa eri työpaikassa yhteensä 12 viikkoa tutkinto suoritettu viitenä erillisenä näyttönä elokuu 2003-kesäkuu 2004 Mikkelin aikuiskoulutuskeskus Mikkeli Maahanmuuttajien ammatilliseen peruskoulutukseen valmistava koulutus SÄHKÖPOSTI: ANASTASIA.TIKKANEN@SÄHKÖPOSTI.FI OMAKATU 6 C MIKKELI PUHELIN (040)

70 suomen kielen opinnot, matematiikka, yhteiskuntatietous, ATK, kuukauden työssäoppimisjakso Päivätoimintakeskuksessa yleinen kielitesti yleistasoarviolla 3 (hyvä) elokuu-joulukuu 2002 Mikkelin aikuiskoulutuskeskus Mikkeli Aikuisten maahanmuuttajien kotoutumiskoulutus suomen kieli, yhteiskunta- ja kulttuuritietous, ATK, kuukauden työssäoppimisjakso Mikkelin Sokoksella syyskuu 1994 toukokuu 1995 Ekonom Viipuri Talousalan täydennyskoulutus kirjanpito, tietojärjestelmät ja tietojenkäsittely syyskuu 1987-kesäkuu 1990 Ammattikoulu nro 189 Viipuri Elektroniikka-asentaja elektroniikkateknologia, materiaalitekniikka, mikropiirikarttojen piirtäminen HARRASTUKSET Maalaan akvarelleja, luen modernia venäläistä ja suomalaista kirjallisuutta ja huolehdin kunnostani polkupyöräilemällä päivittäin useiden kilometrien lenkkejä ERITYISOSAAMINEN KIELITAITO: äidinkieli venäjä, hyvä suomenkielen taito (YKI 3), saksan alkeet TIETOTEKNIIKKA: MS Office ohjelmat, Word, Excel, Power Point, sähköposti ja internet. Olen käyttänyt myös joitakin kirjanpito- ja myyntireskontraohjelmia MUUTA: hygieniapassi suoritettu SÄHKÖPOSTI: ANASTASIA.TIKKANEN@SÄHKÖPOSTI.FI OMAKATU 6 C MIKKELI PUHELIN (040)

71 Maximillian Lambert AVOIN HAKEMUS Tiitiäistie 75 A ANTTOLA p syyskuuta 2006 sähköposti: maximillian.lambert@sähköposti.fi Eija Suomalainen Porrassalmenkadun Kahvila Porrassalmenkatu 25 z MIKKELI AHKERA APULAINEN PORRASSALMENKADUN KAHVILAAN Kävin viime viikolla asiakkaana kahvilassanne ja kiinnostuin paikasta. Olen reipas ja ulospäinsuuntautunut 25-vuotias mies, olen muuttanut Mikkelin seudulle kaksi kuukautta sitten Keravalta. Tulen hyvin toimeen erilaisten ihmisten kanssa ja minulla on kokemusta asiakaspalvelusta. Olen tottunut napakkaan työtahtiin. Uskon, että minusta olisi teille paljon hyötyä kahvilassanne! Olin kesätöissä apulaisena Lounasravintola Appeen keittiössä, jossa tehtäviini kuuluivat esivalmistelu ja tiskaus, tilojen siistiminen sekä keittiön että salin puolella. Sain paljon positiivista palautetta omaaloitteisuudestani asiakkailta ja työkavereilta. Aikaisemmin olen ollut myös työharjoittelussa elintarvikekioskissa, jossa tein mm. myynti- ja siistimistyötä. Opin myös kassakoneen käyttöä. Olen saanut baarimikon koulutuksen kotimaassani Belgiassa. Ehdin tehdä tätä työtä kahdessa eri hotellissa noin vuoden verran ennen Suomeen muuttoa. Harrastuksiini kuuluvat jalkapallo ja postimerkkien keräily. Keravalla olin mukana maahanmuuttajien urheilukerhossa ja osallistuin mm. muutaman paikallisen urheilutapahtuman järjestämiseen. Luonteeltani olen avoin ja positiivinen. Työntekijänä minua on pidetty ahkerana ja luotettavana sekä reiluna työkaverina. Tulen mielelläni kertomaan itsestäni lisää mahdollisimman pian. Tulen ottamaan teihin yhteyttä lähipäivinä. Ystävällisin terveisin, Maximillian Lambert Maximillian Lambert LIITE: Ansioluettelo

72 Kadri Karuks TYÖHAKEMUS Poppelitie MIKKELI elokuuta 2006 kkaruks@sahkopostiosoite.fi IMPORT-Fin Oy Brahentie RISTIINA Viitaten ilmoitukseenne Länsi-Savossa Asiakaspalvelutaitoinen huolitsija Olen kiinnostunut huolitsijan tehtävästä yrityksessänne. Olen työntekijänä vastuuntuntoinen ja pidän työskentelystä ihmisten parissa. Ulkomaankaupan ammattitutkinnon huolinnan suuntautumisalalta suoritin Kotkan ammatti- ja aikuisopistossa kaksi vuotta sitten. Koulutuksen jälkeen olin äitiysloman sijaisena Hirvensalmen huolinnalla. Hoidin huolintatoimeksiantoja itsenäisesti ja opin tuntemaan entistä paremmin ulko- ja sisäkaupan tullimenettelyjä. Alkuperäiseltä koulutukseltani olen talousinsinööri. Olin seitsemän vuotta suunnittelutehtävissä Eesti As:n tuotantolaitoksessa Narvassa ennen Suomeen muuttoa. Osallistuin mm. tuottavuuslaskelmien ja budjettien tekemiseen. Suunnittelijan työ vaati tarkkuutta ja kykyä hallita kerralla useita samanaikaisia prosesseja. Tehtäviini kuului myös jonkin verran yhteydenpitoa yrityksen kansainvälisiin kumppaneihin. Käytän tietokonetta päivittäin esim. tekstinkäsittelyyn, taulukkolaskentaan ja tiedonhakuun internetistä. Englannin kielen taitoni on lähes yhtä sujuvaa kuin venäjän ja suomen osaamiseni. Äidinkieleni on eesti. Harrastan lentopalloa ja valmennan paikallisen urheiluseuran 8-vuotiaiden ryhmää. Lisäksi käyn kerran viikossa englanninkielisessä keskusteluryhmässä. Kerron mielelläni lisää henkilökohtaisesti. Ystävällisin terveisin, Kadri Karuks Kadri Karuks LIITE: Ansioluettelo Länsi-Savo Haetaan asiakaspalvelutaitoista huolitsijaa. Hakijalta edellytetään atk-taitoja, hyvän suomen kielen taidon lisäksi englannin- ja venäjänkielen taitoa. Hakijalle on eduksi kokemus tullimenettelyistä ja tunnollinen työote. Noudatamme puolen vuoden koeaikaa. Yhteydenotot ja hakemukset sähköpostitse osoitteeseen: harri.huolitsija@importfinland.com Emme vastaa puhelintiedusteluihin Lisätietoja: Yhteystiedot: Yrityksen nimi: IMPORT-Fin Osoite: Brahentie 46, RISTIINA

73 TYÖSOPIMUS Työnantaja Työntekijä Osoite Henkilötunnus Postinro ja -toimipaikka Puhelin Työntekijä sitoutuu korvausta vastaa tekemään työtä työnantajalle tämän johdon ja valvonnan alaisena. Työtehtävät (pääpiirteittäin) Työsuhteen alkamispäivä / 200 Työsuhteen voimassaoloaika toistaiseksi määräaikainen ( / 200 saakka ) Määräaikaisuuden syy Koeaika on kuukautta, jonka kestäessä kumpikin osapuoli voi purkaa työsopimuksen ilman irtisanomisaikaa. Palkka Palkka työsuhteen alkaessa on Muut palkkausta koskevat ehdot Palkanmaksukausi Palkka maksetaan päivänä Työsuhteen päättyessä maksetaan palkka noudattaen, mitä on sovittu palkanmaksukausista.

74 Muuta Muut ehdot Työaika Säännöllinen työaika on Epäsäännöllinen työaika on h/pv h/vk h/kk Vuorotyö, työajat Poikkeuksista sovitaan erikseen Irtisanomisaika Muut ehdot 1. Työntekijää velvoitetaan noudattamaan täydellistä vaitiolovelvollisuutta työnantajaan ja hänen perhettään koskevissa henkilökohtaisissa asioissa. 2. Muissa kohdin työsuhteeseen sovelletaan yleisen työlainsäädännön määräyksiä. Tätä sopimusta on tehty kaksi samansisältöistä kappaletta, yksi kummallekin sopijapuolelle. Päiväys ja allekirjoitukset, päivänä kuuta 200 Työnantaja Työntekijä

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