Oksana is originally from Boryspil, near Kyiv, Ukraine. She moved to Finland when the war began, after her daughter Anna invited her to come here for safety. Eventually, she decided to stay and build a new life in Finland.

First steps in Finland

Before finding a job, Oksana had no work experience in Finland. She was living in Pori when Seasons recruiters visited and introduced job opportunities to Ukrainians.

Seasons supported her from the very beginning:

• creating a CV
• job search support
• finding suitable job opportunities

“Seasons handled everything for me, so I could focus on what matters.”

At the same time, this reflects a broader trend in Finnish working life.

According to HR Specialist Matti Käkelä, more employees are currently leaving the workforce in Finland than entering it.

“This gap cannot be filled by domestic workforce alone. International talent will play an increasingly important role, but it needs to be integrated step by step, taking factors like language barriers into account.”

Taking the first step into working life in Finland

Through Seasons, Oksana started working at a laundry facility. She began with a work trial a few days a week, which soon turned into a more regular job.

“The onboarding was good and the whole process was handled very well. I’m very grateful.”

Her tasks include packing pillowcases and bed sheets. “The best part of my job is the smell of clean laundry. I really enjoy this work.”

According to Käkelä, one factor is often decisive: “A good attitude and willingness to take on different kinds of tasks make it possible to find work quickly, even without prior experience in Finland.”

What is Finnish working life like?

Starting work in Finland felt positive for Oksana: “People are kind and polite.”

She was also surprised by some aspects of Finnish working culture:

• early coffee breaks
• people leave immediately when the workday ends
• breaks are always taken

International workforce also brings clear benefits to companies.

“International employees help develop workplaces. Onboarding and working methods improve, and companies build stronger cultural and language capabilities. We’ve also received very positive feedback on work ethic and attitude,” says Käkelä.

Support that truly matters

Seasons has played an important role in Oksana’s journey: “It’s great that Seasons supports Ukrainians who don’t yet have language skills or work experience in Finland.”

She especially appreciates:

• help with employment contracts
• easy communication
• genuine support in everyday matters

Oksana has also recommended Seasons to her friends, and several of them have already found jobs through Seasons.

Seasons also provides practical support for entering working life. “We organize CV workshops and provide guidance for job applications and interviews. We also prepare candidates for Finnish working culture and interview practices,” Käkelä explains.

Gratitude and new opportunities

Oksana enjoys the nature and the people in Finland. She has made many new friends and feels welcomed.

Through Seasons, she has had multiple job opportunities and has been able to build a new life in Finland. “I am truly grateful to everyone.”

For companies, international recruitment is also a practical solution. “Temporary staffing lowers the threshold to hire. Companies can get to know the employee in practice with low risk, and if everything works well, continuing the employment is easy.”

Käkelä encourages companies to take action: “By trying different options and giving people a chance, companies gain valuable experience to support their decisions.”

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