You may hesitate to apply for a job if you think that your Finnish language skills are not yet good enough. However, in many cases there is no reason to hesitate. Not all jobs require you to be fluent in Finnish; having the skills related to the job itself is enough.
“There is no such thing as perfect language proficiency. When it comes to work, what is most important is that you understand your work tasks, are familiar with safety guidelines and know who to ask for help,” says Finnish as a Second Language Teacher Miina Kakko from Helsinki Employment Services.
Learn the language at work
As a new employee, you do not need to understand everything straight away. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can always ask questions at work. If you do not understand something, your supervisor will go through it with you again. You will keep learning more and more Finnish as you use it at work.
“The most important thing is to not hesitate to use the language. Mistakes are part of the learning process. Your language skills are often better than you think,” says Finnish as a Second Language Teacher Kim Lindén.
Helsinki Employment Services help workplaces develop their employee onboarding so that it is easy for employees to understand the instructions that they are given.
“Clear instructions are often brief. In addition to providing instructions, employers need to demonstrate the tasks in practice and make sure that the employee has understood the instructions. This way, the work goes more smoothly and there are fewer mistakes,” says Lindén.
It is a good idea to start learning Finnish while you are still looking for a job. Once you find a job, you can keep practising your language skills outside of work by taking language courses or using Finnish in everyday situations, for example.
We offer support to employers and jobseekers
We support the employment of people who are learning Finnish through the Open doors for work project. We help employers to prepare clearer instructions, recruit people who are still learning the language and support multilingual work communities.
We also organise information sessions for jobseekers, where you can get help with your job search and with learning Finnish for jobs in the retail, tourism, restaurant and property sectors.
“At the information sessions, you can find out more about job opportunities and ask questions related to your own situation. You are also welcome to join the sessions just to listen,” Kakko and Lindén add.
Open doors for work project (in English)
Join an information session
During the autumn, we will be organising information sessions on jobseeking for jobseekers who are learning Finnish. Join the sessions to find out about various job opportunities.
The sessions will be held at Helsinki Employment Services’ offices
- Itäkeskus office: 6 August at 13.00–14.00, Asiakkaankatu 3A.
- Kamppi office: 27 August at 14.00–15.00, Malminkatu 34.
- Itäkeskus office: 16 September at 13.00–14.00, Asiakkaankatu 3A.
The information sessions will be held in clear Finnish. You do not need to register for the sessions.
More information about the information session to be held on 6 August (in English)(Link leads to external service)
More information about the information session to be held on 27 August (in English)(Link leads to external service)
More information about the information session to be held on 16 September (in English)(Link leads to external service)