The Art of Networking – where to start if you don´t know anyone in Finland?

If you have ever been job hunting, I´m sure you have been told to network. If you have tried to find a job in Finland, you have probably heard that most jobs here are “hidden” and found via networks (1). You might even have first-hand experience that knowing someone has opened the doors for you. There is no doubt that networks are hugely important when looking for work. But where to find these important networks if you are new in the country and feel like you don´t know anyone? 

When I talk about the importance of networks with my career coaching clients, I quite often face a belief that networking means contacting random people and asking them to help you, or even to give you a job. If this has been your method too, you have probably faced mainly silence in respond. Networks build on trust (2) and in general people are more willing to help someone they already know. If you are too direct with your requests for help, it can turn against you (3). Building personal networks that are based on trust takes time (4) and unfortunately, there are no shortcuts. However, there are ways to start, even from the scratch, and here are three steps for you to get started. 

Step 1: Get involved  

Even if your main goal for networking is finding a job, don´t be too focused on purely professional networks (or the lack of them). All personal networks matter, so get involved with people also in other areas of life. If you are new in the country, it can sometimes be easier to start with other social networks, than the professional ones. It´s good to remember that everyone you meet, new friends, neighbors, the girl from the Finnish class, the guy from the cooking class or football team, has their own personal and professional networks. You never know who they might be able to connect you with. 

A study done by Rolle Alho showed that international students have formed important networks to the majority population for example by volunteering, attending networking events and meeting people in their hobbies (5). So, start with finding something meaningful to do, volunteer, study, find a hobby and participate social events. 

• Read more about different study possibilities in Metropolia and elsewhere  
• Course selection in adult education centers in capital area – Ilmonet 
• Sportsnetwork connects people organizing sports & activities with those searching for groups to join. 
• Find a mentor from Luckan´s Fika programme 

Step 2: Find ways to help others

As mentioned before, networks are built on trust and the key ingredients of social networking are trust and reciprocity (7). Instead of focusing on how others can help you, think about ways you could help others. What skills, knowledge, and expertise do you have that could be beneficial to someone else? Could you use your professional expertise to help someone? Helping others can also be a great way of getting references that you can use in your job search later. You may even find potential future customers! Volunteering for NGOs and other associations can also be a great way of networking (6). 

• General information about volunteering in Finland by InfoFinland 
• Finnish development NGO´s on Fingo 
• Facebook group: Volunteer Finland 

Step 3: Be interested in others

I think we all agree that it feels quite nice when someone is showing genuine interest towards us. When they ask questions and pay attention to what we say. When they want to hear about our career stories or the tips or advice we can give. You just simply get a nice feeling about a person who is nice to you. When building networks, be that nice person! Pay attention to others and show interest. Instead of asking for direct help, ask how they did it. Listen and learn from the experiences of others. Whenever you have a chance, say something polite and encouraging. Forbes Councils Member Paul Schaut summarises it well in his blog post:  The art of networking is about following the golden rule — treating others how you want to be treated. “ 

Sources:

1. Sitra (2017). Työelämätutkimus 2017: Somen kautta voi löytää töitä tai tulla löydetyksi https://www.sitra.fi/uutiset/tyoelamatutkimus-2017-yli-puolet-suomalaisista-vahtanut-ammattia-tai-alaa/ 
2. Poutanen, M. (2011). Verkostot väylänä työelämään. Master’s Thesis. Helsinki University. https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/26098/Verkostot%20vaylana%20tyoelamaan.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y 
3. Schaut, P. (2021) The art of networking: It Comes Down To The Golden Rule. Forbes Technology Council. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/12/08/the-art-of-networking-it-comes-down-to-the-golden-rule/?sh=2c824d7b7d54 
4. Finnwards (2020) Job hunting In Finland: the importance of networks in job hunting in Finland. Blog post. https://www.finnwards.com/working-in-finland/job-hunting-in-finland-the-importance-of-networks/ 
5. Alho, R. (2020). ‘You Need to Know Someone Who Knows Someone’: International Students’ Job Search Experiences: Array. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.v10i2.120817 
6. Alho, R. (2020). ‘You Need to Know Someone Who Knows Someone’: International Students’ Job Search Experiences: Array. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.v10i2.120817 
7. Finnwards (2020) Job hunting In Finland: the importance of networks in job hunting in Finland. Blog post. https://www.finnwards.com/working-in-finland/job-hunting-in-finland-the-importance-of-networks/ 

Blogger: 

Riia Hoppania works as a Career Coach in Metropolia SIMHE services supporting highly educated immigrants with their employment and study paths in Finland. She is working in a collaboration project with the employment services of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa-Kerava to increase employment among international professionals in the Helsinki region.