Communities connect companies and employees

Recruiting international specialists from abroad may sometimes seem like a big leap. If this is the case, remember that you can also find an international expert that meets the needs of your company here in Finland.

• Thousands of international students study in Finnish educational institutions, and too many of them end up leaving the country after graduation in search of better opportunities.
• There are also international experts working in Finland who would like to advance their careers and are interested in new job opportunities.
• Often foreigners studying or working in Finland also have a partner with professional skills and know-how.

It is worth it to utilise the potential that already exists in Finland as it saves you resources that you would need for recruiting from abroad.  Professionals already living in Finland are often adapted to our society and familiar with our work culture, which reduces the need for orientation.

Societies of international talent and educational institutions in different fields act as bridge-builders between international employees and local companies. They organize various gatherings and networking events, as well as training that provides a forum for meetings.

In addition to events, these societies also offer other concrete ways for bringing together professionals and companies. Language training, LinkedIn training, job search guidance, mentoring programmes and work-oriented courses are key tools that help international experts to find employment and adapt to the Finnish work environment and culture.

For companies, these societies provide information and support for the recruitment of international employees. Moreover, they help with work permit processes and building a multicultural work community, for example. The societies also help companies to network with potential professionals and provide information about the cultures of different countries and the related working habits.

Employees can often join various international groups and communities that help them to integrate better into Finland. It is also in the employer’s interest that international employees find a community for networking and for enjoying leisure activities.

Support provided by communities to a foreign employee is important, especially in the beginning. Therefore, it is a good idea to inform international employees of various international communities, hobby groups and social media groups, for example.

Companies should develop their capacity to recruit international employees. Many companies also recognise the managerial need to acknowledge international employees better. In fact, managerial training usually improves companies’ capacity to recruit or temporarily hire foreign employees.

In building an international team, language training also plays an important role – in order to retain a foreign employee, it is important that the hosting team has good enough communication skills in the required language, such as English. The foreign employee, on the other hand, is in a much better position to adapt to their work environment if they have a passable knowledge of Finnish or Swedish.

Communities of international experts working in Finland are an important part of the networking of employees and employers. They act as a link between international professionals and companies looking for talent.

Check out what the communities have to offer!

• Expats & Foreigners in Finland
• International Working Women of Finland
• International Mothers in Business  
• Conscious Entrepreneurs’ Community
• HY Career Services
• Talent programmes: University of Helsinki and Aalto University
• Pointer Potential
• The Shortcut
• Diana Ry, Diaspora Academic Network for Africa
• Think Africa
• Demola
• Bloom Ry
• Nerdsbay
• Startup Refugees
• Integrify
• Herizon