A Short guide on how to connect with recruiters online
On the 24th of August 2022, the event “Attract the best talents” was held and organized by
JCI Finland, the DigiMESH project, Turku Business Region, and SHIFT Business Festival. The theme of the event was how to connect online with companies located in Finland. In addition, the International Employer of the Year 2022 award was announced and celebrated.
During the event, the audience could hear how companies and public organizations successfully recruit, onboard, and retain international talents. To untangle the issue, Natalia Mufutau moderated a round table discussion with recruiting experts about netiquette, and how to connect online. The panel experts were
- Hanna Kontinen, Head of Talent & Culture at Brella Ltd.
- Roger Carulla Bové, Manager Product Foundation at Trimble Inc.
- Mari Taverne, Director of talent attraction and migration at the City of Tampere, and
- Jonathon Murphy, Talent Advisor at International House Turku.
All panelists agreed that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital tools in recruitment. Opposite to a few years ago, nowadays most of the recruitment processes and first interviews are done virtually. Social media tools, especially LinkedIn, have become the main channels for companies to connect with potential candidates and job seekers to find out about vacancies. This online approach between companies and job seekers has left the latter wondering how to approach a recruiter virtually. This is particularly relevant when an international talent faces unwritten social rules on how to approach organizations online in a different cultural environment. What is considered acceptable in Finland when connecting with potential employers? And furthermore, how to stand out from the other applicants in the eyes of a recruiter?
The panelists discussed and shared their recruitment processes and experiences of interacting with the applicants. Now we want to share them with you; here’s a short guide with relevant tips. Those tips are general for job seekers but are particularly relevant for international ones in Finland.
1. Demonstrate motivation
The 3D rule: Do (your) Due Diligence: To stand out from the mass, you need a unique selling point for the recruiters. Familiarize yourself with products or services and the company’s mission and values. You can use the information in the cover letter by telling how you can add value to the company and why you are the best person for the position.
2. Be concise and straight to the point
Recruiters do not have much time, and neither do hiring managers. You can contact them in a polite, short, and straight-to-the-point message online. LinkedIn and emails are the most used channels. Usually, in Finland, there is a contact number to call and ask more questions about the vacancy. Contacting the recruiter before sending an application may also be a good way, but you need to be prepared to ask relevant questions and engage the recruiter. Yes, they will know if you are calling just for the sake of it.
3. Work on your LinkedIn profile
In Finland, LinkedIn has become the main channel for recruiting. The recruiters will check the profiles of the applicants. Here are the most effective points you need to check:
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- Polish the personal summary as it is the first line recruiters will check about you
- Make your location visible as not all roles are remote
- Ask for recommendations and endorsements from the people you have worked with
- Be present and consistent with your LinkedIn presence
- If you don’t have work experience in the job you are applying for, make clear why you have such an interest. It can be added in the summary section as well
4. Consider the style of the CV
Every country and every industry have different preferences when it comes to CVs. Colorful graphic design or black and white? With a picture or without a picture? Should I mention my family status, hobbies, volunteering, etc.? In general, the style of CV in Finland is rather conservative and short (max. 2 pages), but different industries have different preferences, so it is a good idea to use some time to research. You can also consider CV clinics offered by universities, International Houses, or NGOs.
5. Cover letter
When you are applying online, always remember to add a cover letter. A cover letter is still the way to appeal to the recruiter. A good cover letter is simple and concrete, you can include concrete numbers, achievements you have made, and feedback from the people you have worked with. Do not repeat what is written in your CV or LinkedIn profile.
6. Be professional
From the first contact when you are enquiring about the role, during the recruitment process, and even if you are rejected – and disappointed – be professional. Avoid negative posting against the company that rejected you on social media channels. Recruiters follow the applicants’ social media activities. Negative postings can turn against you in your next applications.
7. Ask for feedback
It is not game over when you get a notice that you were not selected for the position. You can still contact the recruiter and ask for feedback on how you can improve next time. Returning to the first point shows your motivation, and your CV can stay in the recruiter’s memory.
8. Be curious and open-minded
You may have been working in a certain role in your country, but you may have to be flexible and look for something new. Think of transferrable skills you have learned from your previous jobs. Can they be turned into your strengths to find a new role? Especially if you are planning to change careers, be vocal about what role you would like and ask for support from other professionals in the same role.
9. Continuous learning
Skills needed in the future are increasingly diverse. Whether you are job hunting or in the job, learning is never wasted. Try to keep learning something new that interests you to add to your skill set. Especially in Finland, continuous adult education is quite common. Show it on your LinkedIn profile and get noticed by potential employers.
10. Networking, networking, and networking
If you are in Finland, you have heard this one before. You can start networking with the recruiters and the employers of the company you are interested in on LinkedIn. Always add why you would like to connect to initiate a conversation. Be proactive but not demanding. And see points 1 & 2.
During the event, the Junior Chamber International in Finland announced the International Employer of the Year 2022 competition winners. Launched in 2021 by JCI United with a search for the most international employer in the Pirkanmaa area, the competition has expanded to a national level. The competition gives recognition to the organizations in Finland that have successfully recruited, onboarded, and retained immigrants and international talents. It showcases employer success stories and encourages more organizations to recruit foreigners who play a key role in Finland’s future economic growth.
The winners of the competition were also the panelists in the roundtable event: Brella Ltd, Trimble Inc and the City of Tampere (the department of International Talent attraction and migration). The awards were given by the president of JCI Finland, Mari Männistö. Congratulations to all of them!
Writers:
Megumi Hayashi, Business Advisor at Turku Business Region
Lucia Vuillermin, Vice-Chair of International Working Women of Finland
References:
Duunitori, n.d. Kansallinen 2021 rekrytointitutkimus. Page 17. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BhtiY2gBEkyM9BfMZzHxc9WQSQR4yFx-/view
Franck, M. 2020. Job hunting in Finland: the importance of networks. Finnwards. Available at: https://www.finnwards.com/working-in-finland/job-hunting-in-finland-the-importance-of-networks/