Different ways to look for a job

 In our resource bank, you will find lots of useful information to help you get started with your job search. If you have not yet tried any recognition of skills exercises, start with those. Also, it is a good idea to update your basic CV even when you don’t yet have a particular job in mind. You can find CV tips in the next section.

 Since job searching is time-consuming, it’s also wise to think in advance about what kind of job you need at this stage. Are you applying for jobs related to your field of study, or are you looking for part-time work alongside your studies, where the field does not matter as much? Prepare your CV with this in mind. You might have several versions, making it easier to apply quickly for different types of jobs.

It’s worth keeping track of your job search. At the very least, record the deadlines for open applications. If you are applying to many positions at once, also keep a list of where you have already sent applications and update this list as you get responses from employers.

Save copies of all applications you send. You should not send the same application to every employer, but for similar roles, you can re-use some ways of describing your skills. Also, save a copy of the job advertisement, so if you get invited to an interview, you can review what the employer was looking for in that position.

At what time of day are you the most alert? Plan your job search activities for those times.
 

Try to start writing cover letters early and, once you have found a suitable job, check as soon as possible what kind of application is expected so that you can estimate how much time you need. If your most productive time is late in the evening or at night, it can be a good idea to wait and send your application the next morning. Also note that sometimes the job advertisement mentions the exact time when the application period ends.
 

Remember that, like with any task requiring concentration, job searching requires breaks. Breaks help to clear your mind. When you return to your text after a break, you can more easily spot mistakes or awkward sentences. Read your documents aloud if needed – it can also help you notice errors.

You can find open jobs in Finland on many different websites. Work placement and summer jobs for students are published, for example, on Metropolia’s JobTeaser and, for social and health care, on Jobiili. Otherwise, you can look for open positions on Työmarkkinatori and Duunitori. Public sector jobs can be found on Kuntarekry and Valtiolle.fi. Many professional unions collect jobs from their own field on their websites, so remember to check these as well. Specialist jobs are also published on LinkedIn.

New job advertisements are posted on different sites daily, and more and more often you’ll notice that applications are being processed already during the advertising period. Job seekers need to be quick, but at the same time, make sure that searching for open positions does not become a full-time job or a source of stress. Find the routine that works for you – for example, check new jobs in the morning or in the early evening at the end of recruiters’ work days.

Save Links for Interesting Jobs and Make Sure You Have Enough Time to Apply. Filter out promising job ads and make sure you have enough time to apply well for the jobs that interest you.

Different job sites have their own filters for advertisements. Learn how these work on each new site, and decide what suits your needs best. You can use keywords such as:

• Job title
• Location
• Employer’s name
• Degree name

Sometimes it can be useful to remove all filters and look at all positions available in your area. Job titles and descriptions can be unclear, and the same title can cover a variety of roles. This way, you’ll also get an overall view of which employers are hiring, which is a good starting point for exploring hidden job opportunities.

Once you have found the best keywords and settings for you, check if you can save your search and subscribe to email notifications about open jobs. Still, even with job alerts, remember to follow job postings actively so you do not miss opportunities that the alert 

Be proactive and reach out directly to employers, even if there are no jobs advertised. Network actively at events and on social media.

Follow discussions in your field, join professional groups, and keep up to date with the news and needs of employers in your area.

Not every job is advertised publicly. Some are filled through networks, previous applications, or recommendations. Sometimes there’s an urgent need for a new employee, and employers do not have time for a formal recruitment process.

Sometimes, even the employer doesn’t realise yet that they need a new staff member – but a timely approach from an applicant can result in a real job opportunity.

With hidden jobs, there is no specific opening to apply for – you offer your skills to the employer. You could think of hidden job search as selling your skills and abilities.

Sometimes the job finds the jobseeker. Are you visible to employers? This means, for example, updating your LinkedIn or JobTeaser profile and actively sharing about your skills and the kind of job you would like to do. For more help in describing and recognising your skills, check this section of this guide.

Sometimes, hidden jobs are found through your networks. Fellow students, Metropolia staff, and people you meet during work placements and projects are all part of your professional network. Sometimes, job opportunities can also be found in completely unexpected contexts. Make sure as many people as possible know you are looking for a job and what skills you have to offer.

This phenomenon is not limited to Finland – worldwide, networking and the “hidden job market” are well recognised. For example, a LinkedIn global survey in 2016 found that 70% of people hired joined a company where they already had a contact (source: news.linkedin.com). This means the employee either knew someone or had a member of their network at the company, which often helps to ‘get your foot in the door’. In the same study, 80% of professionals considered networking important to career success. These figures show that hidden job markets and personal networks are key parts of finding a job at the international level, too. Many jobs are filled through relationships or internal recruitment, even if the position is not secret – often, news of an opportunity is shared through networks before an official advert appears.

Note that in the United States and elsewhere there’s also discussion about the “myth” of the hidden job market: some recruitment experts point out that, nowadays, most positions are published in some form (for example, on the company’s own career page or in recruitment systems), and the percentage of truly hidden jobs may be less than the outdated “80%” cited in legends. However, the power of networks is visible, as even if a job is advertised, most hiring decisions are still made through networks, recommendations and internal candidates. According to one international recruitment survey, almost 40% of jobseekers found an opportunity specifically through networking.