Summer job hunting is shaping up to be a fierce competition this year, with employers anticipating a deluge of applications! The Finnish job market is experiencing a tough period, with unemployment at its highest in 15 years, and this challenging environment is spilling over into the summer hiring season. But don't despair, because there are still opportunities!
Last year, the staffing firm Barona received a staggering 43,000 applications for just 1,000 seasonal positions. That's some serious competition! And this year, they're bracing for even more. Many positions are being filled well before the application deadlines, so it's crucial to be proactive.
Let's take a look at a specific example. Even in the serene setting of Espoo's cemetery, with snow blanketing the ground and temperatures plummeting to minus 15 degrees, summer is already on the minds of supervisors like Sirpa Lehtinen. She mentioned that applications started arriving on the very first working day of the year! Last year, Espoo's parishes received 1,200 applications for summer jobs, with about 800 coming from minors. This year, only 20 positions are available for 16–17 year olds, and 50 seasonal workers will be hired from those aged 18 and over. Because of the sheer number of underage applicants, interviews are often decided by lottery since teenagers typically have little work experience.
But here's where it gets controversial...
It's not just the cemeteries that are seeing a surge in interest. The retail sector is also a major player in the summer job market. The S Group plans to employ around 17,000 young people nationwide over the summer. Meanwhile, the K Group will hire about 5,000 seasonal workers for grocery stores, hardware outlets, and logistics centers. Lidl is also stepping up, with plans to post 855 summer positions across its stores and distribution centers.
And this is the part most people miss...
Speed is of the essence in this summer job hunt. But don't lose hope! Anu Päivinen, a regional manager for Barona, offers some reassurance: "Jobs will continue to open up throughout the spring. Last year, we were still hiring summer staff in May." So, while the competition is fierce, persistence and a proactive approach can make all the difference. What do you think about the lottery system for interviews? Is it fair, or should employers consider other factors? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
