Seasonal Work Info Materials
International House Aurora organises Seasonal Work Info sessions about job opportunities, finding work and life in Tunturi-Lappi and Pello in Northern Finland.
International House Aurora is being developed through the International House Tunturi-Lappi ja Pello project, and the activities are co-funded by the European Union.
This page contains materials used in International House Aurora's Seasonal Work Info sessions. The materials provide information about job opportunities, finding work and life in Tunturi-Lappi and Pello in Northern Finland.
If you could not attend a Seasonal Work Info session but are interested in working and living in the region, you can explore the presentation materials and download them for your own use.
You can also find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on this page. The questions are based on questions asked by participants during our Seasonal Work Info sessions. The FAQ provides practical information about topics such as finding and applying for jobs, accommodation, language skills and working life in Finland.
Materials for teaching and guidance
Teachers, career advisors and other professionals are welcome to use the materials in their work. For example, the materials can be used when supporting jobseekers, providing career guidance or working in employment services.
The materials can help you introduce job opportunities in Tunturi-Lappi and Pello and discuss what jobseekers should know when considering working in Northern Finland.
Frequently Asked Questions – Finding Work and Working in Lapland
1. Is International House Aurora an employer? Can I send my job application to you?
No. International House Aurora is not an employer or a recruitment company. We do not hire employees for companies. Please do not send your job application to International House Aurora.
If you are looking for work in our region, first find a job that matches your skills and interests. Apply directly to the employer by following the instructions in the job advertisement.
You can find jobs in our region on the Tunturi-Lappi–Pello pages of Job Market Finland and on the Work in Lapland website. The links to the websites you can find below.
International House Aurora provides information and guidance about working and living in the region. We can also help you find the right services and information.
2. Can I apply for jobs in Lapland if I live outside Finland or outside the EU?
Yes. Many employers in Lapland hire people from outside Finland, including people from outside the EU.
If you live outside the EU, it is important to apply early. Recruitment schedules are different for each employer. The schedule also depends on when the employer's season starts.
For the winter season, many employers stop recruiting people from outside the EU by the end of August.
A good general rule is to apply at least 2–3 months before the season starts.
Some employers recruit earlier or later. Follow the vacancies and recruitment schedules of the companies you are interested in.
3. Do Finnish employers offer visa sponsorship? How do I apply for a job from outside the EU?
Finland does not generally use a “visa sponsorship” system in the same way as some other countries.
You first look for a job and apply for it. If you get the job and need a residence permit to work in Finland, you apply for the permit after this.
The process usually works like this:
1. Find a job you are interested in.
Look for suitable vacancies and read the requirements carefully.
2. Apply directly to the employer.
Follow the instructions in the job advertisement.
3. Take part in the recruitment process.
For example, the employer may invite you to one or more job interviews.
4. If the employer chooses you, you receive a job offer or employment contract.
5. Apply for a residence permit if you need one.
If you need a residence permit to work in Finland, you can apply after you have received a job.
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) provides the official and up-to-date information about residence permits and how to apply for them.
International House Aurora does not provide advice about immigration or residence permits. Always check the current information on the Migri website.
4. Can international students living in Finland apply for jobs in Lapland?
Yes. International students living in Finland can apply for jobs in the region.
Employers also offer apprenticeships and paid internships. These opportunities may be especially suitable when the work is connected to your field of study.
If you have a residence permit for studies, check your residence permit decision to see your right to work and any limits on working.
5. Where can I find jobs in Lapland?
You can find current vacancies on the Work in Lapland website and on the regional pages of Job Market Finland.
The links to the websites you can find below.
There are jobs in many different sectors in the Tunturi-Lappi–Pello Employment Area. The number and types of jobs change during the year.
6. Are there permanent jobs in Lapland, or only seasonal jobs?
There are seasonal, long-term and permanent jobs in the region. The jobs available depend on the sector, employer and time of year.
A seasonal job can also lead to longer employment or other opportunities with the same employer.
7. Should I apply for a job if I have more education or work experience than the job requires?
Yes, if you are genuinely interested in the job.
It is not unusual for people applying for seasonal jobs in Lapland to have more education or work experience than the job requires. Some people also come to Lapland because they want a different work experience or want to experience living and working in the region.
Explain clearly in your application why you are interested in this particular job.
In many companies, it is also possible to move later to positions with more responsibility, such as team leader, supervisor or manager.
8. What does “references” mean in a job application?
References can mean people who can recommend you for a job. For example, this could be a previous supervisor or employer. You can give the employer their name and contact details.
Sometimes “references” may also mean information about your previous work or other proof of your skills and experience.
If you are not sure what the employer means by “references”, ask the employer.
9. Do I need a Hygiene Passport before I apply for a job or come to Finland?
It depends on the job. Finnish law requires a Hygiene Passport for certain jobs where you handle food.
Having a Hygiene Passport before you arrive in Finland can be useful. However, employers understand that a person coming from abroad may not yet have a Finnish Hygiene Passport.
You can take the Hygiene Passport test in Finland. The test is also available in English.
10. Do employers provide accommodation?
Some employers provide staff accommodation, but others do not.
Always ask the employer:
- if accommodation is available
- how much it costs
- what kind of accommodation it is.
Staff accommodation may be shared with other employees. Sometimes you have your own bedroom. In some accommodation, you may also share a bedroom with another employee.
If you need accommodation for your spouse or family as well, ask the employer about this as early as possible.
If your employer does not offer housing, you can check the open market. For example www.vuokraovi.fi
There are also local Facebook groups for housing. You can ask more information about these groups from us if you know you will move to Fell Lapland soon.
11. I have applied for many jobs but have not been invited to an interview. What can I do?
There can be many reasons why an employer does not invite an applicant to an interview.
You can improve your chances by:
- applying early
- reading the job advertisement and requirements carefully
- changing your CV and application to match the job you are applying for
- explaining clearly why you are interested in the job and the employer
- clearly showing the skills and experience that are useful for the job
- clearly stating which languages you speak.
If you already live in the Tunturi-Lappi–Pello region, you can contact International House Aurora for personal guidance with your job search.
If you live somewhere else in Finland, you can contact your local International House, if available. If not, you can contact your empolyment area.
12. What language skills do I need for jobs in Lapland?
Language requirements depend on the job and the employer. Always check the job advertisement to see which languages are required.
For some jobs, English is enough. For example, some customer service jobs may also require Finnish or another language.
Always check the language requirements for the specific job you want to apply for.
13. What salary can I expect in Lapland?
Salary depends on the sector, job, work experience and the collective agreement for the sector.
Check the job advertisement for salary information. If the salary is not mentioned, you can ask the employer.
Collective agreements for different sectors in Finland are also available online. You can search for the collective agreement for your sector to find more information about salaries.
14. What can I do if I have problems at work?
In Finland, employees' rights and working conditions are protected by law. The occupational safety and health authorities supervise that the rules of working life are followed.
If you have problems at work, you do not have to deal with them alone. Information and advice are available.
The occupational safety and health authorities can give advice about topics such as:
employment contracts and other terms of employment
pay, working hours and annual leave
safety and working conditions
harassment and inappropriate treatment
discrimination
questions related to working in Finland as a foreign employee.
If you have a problem at work or you are not sure about your rights, you can visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website or contact their advisory service.
Do not hesitate to ask for help if something at work does not seem right or if you are unsure about your employment conditions.
Questions we did not answer
We left some questions unanswered because they are outside the scope of International House Aurora. However, below you can find information on where to look for more information on these topics.
Details of the immigration and residence permit process.
Information about residence permits and the immigration process can be found on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service: www.migri.fi/en
Environmental responsibility and sustainability of companies.
We did not answer questions about how environmentally friendly companies in Lapland are or how they take environmental impacts into account. We left these questions out because there are significant differences between companies, and International House Aurora cannot provide a general assessment. If you are interested in a particular company, we recommend checking the information provided by the company itself.
Open positions and recruitment situation at individual companies.
Detailed questions about the companies that participated in the event were not included in the general FAQ. For current job vacancies, check Work in Lapland, Job Market Finland regional website, and the companies’ own recruitment channels.
Job opportunities in specific occupations.
We did not prepare occupation-specific answers. For current job vacancies, check Job Market Finland regional website, Work in Lapland, and the companies’ own recruitment channels.
Presentation materials and recording.
You can find the presentation slides from the event on the right-hand side of this page as PDF files in Finnish and English. There is no recording of the event.
Questions related to an individual’s situation.
If you have a question about your own situation, you can contact International House Aurora directly, if needed.
