Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if you are a job seeker and want to know what public services may be available to support your job search. It is also for you if your employment service specialist has suggested training, coaching, a work try-out or another service and you do not yet understand what it means.
The guide is written for Deaf and sign-language immigrants. The goal is to give a calm overview: services are different, but participation is usually discussed with your specialist and often written in your employment plan.
What support services exist?
Job seeking requires your own activity, but you do not have to do everything alone. Employment Services can offer or direct you to services that help with skills, direction, job search skills, work ability or returning to working life.
A service may be vocational guidance and career planning, job search coaching, career coaching, work coaching, labour market training, a work try-out or support for a job seeker with reduced work ability. The suitable service depends on your situation and regional services.
Where should I start?
Tell your specialist what is difficult: CV, language, choosing a field, work ability, interviews, training or finding vacancies.
How a service usually begins
Step 1
You explain your situation to a specialist
This is the next point in the route.
Step 2
Service needs are assessed in a discussion
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
A suitable service is found in regional services
This is the next point in the route.
Step 4
The service is agreed in the employment plan
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
You receive instructions for applying or participating
This is the next point in the route.
Step 6
You follow tasks and deadlines
Follow messages and reply to requests on time.
Step 7
You discuss results in the next meeting
This is the next point in the route.
Training and courses
If your skills need updating or you want to change fields, Employment Services may suggest training. Labour market training can develop professional skills, entrepreneurial skills or support integration. Available training can be searched in Job Market Finland's Trainings and services.
Not every training suits everyone, and training may have selection criteria. Read the conditions carefully and ask your specialist how training affects your job search and possible unemployment security.
Career guidance and coaching
If you do not know what work or education would suit you, career guidance can help you consider options. It can also be useful if you are thinking about changing fields, returning to work or are unsure about your strengths.
There are different types of coaching. Job search coaching can help with job search skills, such as applications, search channels and describing your skills. Career coaching supports finding a direction. Work coaching can give more personal support for finding work or starting work.
Ask for practical support
You can ask for help with your CV, application, interview preparation or finding suitable vacancies.
Work try-out
A work try-out can help you find out whether a certain field or task suits you. It can also support returning to work after a long break. A work try-out is agreed with Employment Services and usually written in the employment plan.
A work try-out is not an ordinary employment relationship. Its purpose is to try and assess suitability, not to replace paid work. Before starting, always ask what the goal is, where it takes place, how long it lasts and how interpreting or accessible communication will be arranged.
Support for reduced work ability
Illness, disability or a difficult life situation can affect what work or training suits you. This does not automatically mean that you cannot work. Employment Services can help assess what support, service or work environment fits your situation.
Support may relate to work ability assessment, returning to work, work coaching, rehabilitative work activities or a certificate for partial work ability. If your health situation has changed, tell your specialist and ask how it is taken into account in the plan.
Entrepreneurship and Start-up Grant
If you are considering entrepreneurship, Employment Services can direct you to advice and services that help assess your business idea and entrepreneurial readiness. Start-up Grant is support for the early stage of business activity, but the conditions and application must be checked from official guidance before starting business activities.
This guide only gives a short overview of entrepreneurship. If entrepreneurship interests you, ask for separate guidance and check how it affects your job seeker status and unemployment security.
If you need a sign language interpreter
Arrange interpreting before coaching, a work try-out, a training interview or a meeting. If Kela has granted you the right to interpreting services, you can usually use an interpreter for public-authority matters and many service-related situations according to Kela guidance.
Tell the service early that you need a sign language interpreter, written instructions or more time. Also ask who books the interpreter and in which situations interpreting is needed.
Related Guides
Next Steps
The core Employment Services route ends here. Next, you can return to your employment plan, check Job Market Finland tasks or continue to Kela, DVV and Migri guidance according to your situation.