4 common CV mistakes international candidates make when applying for jobs in Finland

There isn't one perfect CV format for every country, and you don't need to rebuild your CV from scratch just because you're applying in Finland. But you should understand what the market expects and make sure your CV is clear, relevant and easy for the employer to read.

A few things worth checking:

• Length: one to two pages is usually a good length.
• Headings: clear sections such as Work experience, Education, Skills and Languages help a recruiter find what they need quickly.
• Personal details: your date of birth, marital status, ID number, religion and full home address are not needed. A city or area is enough. A photo is common but optional; if you include one, keep it professional.
• Profile text: a short introduction at the top that says who you are, what you can do and what kind of job you are looking for. Adjust it for each application. See our profile summary guide.
• Simple layout: too many graphics, tables or skill-rating bars can be hard for automated application systems to read.
• Tailoring: highlight the experience that matches the job. Sending the same CV everywhere is usually less effective than a few well-fitted applications.

Recruiters read "team player", "hard-working" and "excellent communication skills" all the time. Instead of telling an employer what kind of person you are, show it through your experience and achievements. Use numbers and real examples wherever you can.

Good things to include: what you achieved, what you learned, feedback you received, and figures such as customers, budget, team size or percentages.

For international candidates, language can be an important part of the application. If you speak Finnish, English, Swedish or other languages, make your actual level clear, and be honest.

• Use plain words. Descriptions like Native, Fluent, Good and Basic are easy for any employer to understand. Level codes such as B2 or C1 are mostly familiar to language teachers and learners, so Finnish career-services guidance generally suggests plain descriptions. You can add the code in brackets if you like.
• Mention that you are learning Finnish, even at a beginner level. It shows motivation and is a positive signal to employers.
• Don't overstate. Employers may test your level in the interview.
• Leave out languages that are very basic and not relevant to the role.

More detail: How to show your language skills on a Finnish CV.

This is one of the biggest challenges for international candidates. Your degree, job title, qualifications or previous employer may make perfect sense in your home country, but a Finnish recruiter may not immediately understand what they mean. Don't make the recruiter guess.

• Describe your employers. Add the industry and, if useful, the size of the company.
• State your degree clearly, including the field and level, such as a bachelor's or master's degree.
• Explain unusual job titles in plain words, or describe what you actually did.
• Connect it to the role. Make the relevance of your experience to the Finnish job clear.

If you work in a field where your qualification needs official recognition, check the requirements with the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI).