{"id":79,"date":"2022-08-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/variousvariables\/2022\/08\/25\/the-art-of-networking-where-to-start-if-you-dont-know-anyone-in-finland\/"},"modified":"2024-10-01T12:39:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T09:39:22","slug":"the-art-of-networking-where-to-start-if-you-dont-know-anyone-in-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogit.metropolia.fi\/variousvariables\/2022\/08\/25\/the-art-of-networking-where-to-start-if-you-dont-know-anyone-in-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Networking – where to start if you don\u00b4t know anyone in Finland?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have ever been job hunting, I\u00b4m sure you have been told to network<\/span>.<\/span><\/b> If you have tried to find a job in Finland, you have probably heard that most jobs here are \u201chidden\u201d 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\u00b4t know anyone?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Get involved\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even if your main goal for networking is finding a job, don\u00b4t 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\u00b4s 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A study done by Rolle Alho<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n