So many people may be wondering if opportunities exist to work as as an expatriate in Finland. The answer to this remains simple and straightforward that, yes, Finland accepts workers in different sectors without discrimination as to what their country of origin is. Provided you are a best engineer, ambitious doctor, proficient researcher, enthusiastic IT guru, tech nerd or whatever it is, working in Finland should not be a big deal.
A sizeable number of companies in Finland each year take in employees from the rest of the world, give them opportunity for self-development and a freehand to explore their potential. But one thing one has to be ready about is adjusting to the fast paced and high performance work environment that defines most workplaces in Finland. When you become the lucky one and gets down to signing that work contract in Finland, just know its a commitment to delivery real results and not just expecting to take in salary with no work. Its just that simple…good pay for every good job done!
Finland comes along as among the most amazing place you can enjoy working in as an ex-pat. This can be due to the fact that their laws don’t support discrimination of any kind. Besides, the Finns are polite people with high levels of honesty which can make anyone enjoy working with them.
Before you think of finding a job in Finland, you should find out the places that are hungry for employees. After identifying the jobs that are in dire need of employees then you can visit the job portals and websites to search for opportunities. Basically, it will make things easy for you as you know the areas you can send your applications.
Job Market for Expats in Finland
There are various sectors in Finland that hire employees from within and even outside of the country. For instance, the service industry takes up a large part of numerous employment opportunities. Additionally, both private and public sectors in healthcare, education transport, and hospitality run short of workers. Therefore, the labour shortages in those industries give room for ex-pats to apply for jobs they can qualify for.
Teaching English is another career opportunity an ex-pat can take in Finland. However, to teach English, you also need to learn Finnish. There’s a significant number of people in the business sector and even school-going kids interested in learning English as a foreign language. Teaching English is now in demand since most public schools only teach Finnish and Swedish.
Furthermore, small and medium-sized businesses are mushrooming all over Finland. This is happening because entrepreneurship is highly promoted. Also, a lot of people are venturing into it. Thus, creating employment opportunities for foreigners in Finland.
Requirements for Working as an Expat in Finland
Working in Finland as a foreigner comes with certain conditions. Basically, it happens in any other country across the globe. Therefore, you have to meet the qualifications put in place by the Finnish government in order to work there.
A residential permit is the first requirement you are supposed to have to work in Finland. The only people excluded are EU citizens and foreigners with valid visas. Remember, the residence permit is applied for online before one can relocate to Finland. However, the process of application depends on whether you have already secured a job or not.
Another thing that you must note is that most Finnish employers don’t recognize previous qualifications for some jobs. For instance, ex-pats seeking medical jobs or lawyers might undergo further training. This is because you should abide by the Finnish requirements when working in those fields.
In addition, you have to be conversant with the local languages. The good thing is that you can learn the Finnish or Swedish language in public institutions for free. Thus, I do not think it is an issue as you won’t have to spend money from your pocket. All you need to do is to allocate some time for the lessons.
Expats should also have a tax card and adhere to its regulations. Working without a tax card can be very expensive for foreigners in Finland. Thus, to be on the safe side make sure you apply for one as soon as you get there.
Finland’s Work Culture
There are a lot of rules attached to Finland’s working life which, the employees and employers should follow. The things regulated by the law are the working hours and the least amount of wages. The others are holidays, paid sick leaves, and maternity leaves among others.
Moreover, the law requires employees to be paid extra wages for overtime. They can as well decline working overtime if they are not comfortable. Workers are also entitled to healthy and safe working places with good working conditions. Are these conditions not favourable? Who would not want to work in a country with such a nice work culture?
Just like in any other country, the employees are mandated to work with etiquette and take their work seriously. They are also required to follow rules put in place by the management. Another thing is that they need to serve the employer’s interests.
Furthermore, punctuality is seriously considered in Finland. The nation has 40 working hours per week and 12 national public holidays. Therefore, in case you get sick as an employee in Finland, you are entitled to a sickness allowance or a paid sick leave
Lastly, employees are obliged not to share out trade and business secrets. The law prohibits that kind of behaviour and if you do so your employer will file a case against you. Also, the central organization of trade unions has an advisory committee that directs immigrants if they have a problem with their employment. This service is available for everyone. Whether they are members of the union or not.
Joining a Trade Union
Remember, as an employee, you need to join a trade union as soon as you start working. A significant number of the Finnish workforce are members of trade unions. In general, Finland has a positive rate of trade union membership, especially in public service. Additionally, your employer can deduct funds from your salary and pay the membership fees. You can also pay on your own if you prefer. Trade unions safeguard the work rights of their members. It can also be handy in times of crisis like the recent covid19 pandemic.
Pros of Working as an Expat in Finland
Working in Finland as a foreigner comes with both advantages and limitations. Being the happiest country in the world, Finns are polite people with a great sense of hospitality. This means that they will freely interact with you.
Moreover, when you work there you will realize that the crime rate is very low. It’s the safest place you can work in the whole world. The Finns are contented with what they have, thus, they do not have to commit a crime to make a living.
Another thing you will enjoy as an ex-pat is a free education for your kids. It means that your kids will get to enjoy free education from primary to tertiary. If have relocated with your family then you are lucky because they’ll get the best education free of charge. Healthcare is also free in Finland. Everyone is entitled to the universal health care provided in the country.
Cons of Working in Finland as an Expat
As much as Finland is a great country, there are some limitations to working there. The first one is the weather. Sometimes, the weather can be harsh in Finland, especially during winter. Unfortunately, adapting to the very cold winter season can be hectic. The long cold nights get boring for ex-pats and can affect their performance at work.
Additionally, funding the Finnish lifestyle is a burden. It means that you can struggle to pay bills even if you earn a good salary. You will have to pay your rent, heating, electricity, water, and other things.
The language barrier is another odd you may encounter as an ex-pat. The Finnish language is known to be the hardest to learn globally. This is because it is not similar to any of the Scandinavian languages. Hence, learning means starting from scratch.