How I got a job in Finland & What you need to know about networking as a job seeker

Let’s talk honestly. When Daria moved to Finland, she didn’t know anyone. She didn’t have a fancy degree from a Finnish university. She didn’t have a perfect CV or perfect Finnish skills. But what she did have was a strong belief: networking can work — if she worked for it.

And guess what? Daria got every single job in Finland through networking. Not through job boards, not through cold CV drops. Networking. Real conversations with real people.

Here’s exactly how she did it.

Listen to the episode on Spotify.

Here’s a deeper recap of the powerful and practical advice Daria shared in her own words.

It Started With a Belief

I told myself: “If I show up, if I talk to people, something good will come out of it.” So I started going to events. Talking to recruiters. Speaking Finnish, even though I was scared. My Finnish wasn’t perfect — somewhere between B1 and B2 — but I used it anyway. And that made a difference.

Practical Example #1: The Internship

I went to an event. I listened. I paid attention. Then I acted. I took what I learned, updated my application, and applied right away.

Result? I got an internship. Just like that — but only because I did the work right after the event. No waiting. No overthinking.

Practical Example #2: From Coffee Chat to Career

One day, I booked a session with a Head of Talent through a free service. I updated my LinkedIn (it was almost empty before!), got feedback, did my homework, and booked another session. Yes — I was “that person” who kept coming back. But you know what? It worked.

A few months later, that same Head of talent posted a job ad. I applied. She already knew me — because we’d met before. She remembered me. And when the company founder asked her, “Who should I hire?” she said: “Hire Daria.”

Why? Because I had already shown who I am.

Practical Example #3: How I Got Hired as a Career Coach

In January, I met someone at an event. I signed up for their newsletter. I kept showing up. And that’s how I met Lidiia (yes, that Lidiia 😊). We talked. She saw my posts on LinkedIn. She saw my energy, my experience, and how I kept pushing forward.

And in May — I joined Get Hired in Finland as a career coach.

It’s Not Just About “Luck”

People often say: “You’re so lucky!” But it wasn’t just luck. Luck happens when you’re prepared and you show up at the right place. It’s not magic. It’s the result of action.

One of my favorite examples? A student joined a mentoring session I was running. They didn’t just sit quietly. They asked great questions. They shared their story. A few weeks later? The guest speaker hired them! Why? Because they stood out — by being engaged, proactive, and prepared.

So What Is Networking Really?

Let me be honest with you:

It can feel awkward.
It might be scary at first.
It will take time and effort.

But it works.

And it’s not just about getting a job. Networking helps you feel seen, supported, and part of something. You get feedback. You grow. You start to believe in yourself more.

What Can You Do?

If you’re wondering where to start, try this:

Go to events (yes, even if it feels uncomfortable at first).
Talk to people. Ask questions. Listen. Share your story.
Use LinkedIn. Not just to apply for jobs — but to show your authentic self and thus build relationships.
Follow up after meetings. Stay connected.
Be consistent. Don’t give up after one or two tries. Accept that you’ll need to try multiple times.

And please — don’t wait for the “perfect moment” or the “perfect CV.” Just start.

Final Words

You don’t need to be a Finnish graduate. You don’t need a perfect plan. What you need is to start. To try. To put yourself out there, even if it’s scary.

If I could do it, you can too.

Let’s stay connected on LinkedIn. Ask me anything. I might take a bit of time to reply, but I will answer.

Thanks for reading — and keep going. Your “lucky break” is waiting for you to show up and claim it. 💪