Starting your job search

When you become unemployed or get laid off, register as a job seeker as soon as possible.

You can register as a job seeker before your unemployment or layoff begins, if you know the date in advance. Register as a job seeker no later than the day your unemployment begins. You cannot register as a job seeker retroactively.

How to register as a job seeker:

• Register as a job seeker in the Job Market Finland e-service. To register online, you will need an online bank account, a mobile certificate or a chip ID card. Citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland can register as job seekers in the e-service.
• Fill in the information carefully. Make sure that your work and education information and contact information are correct.
• Please describe your situation as precisely as possible. For example, tell us about the end of your employment relationship, your studies or your entrepreneurship. Accurate information will speed up the processing of your matters.
• If you cannot use the Job Market Finland e-service, you can register as a job seeker in person.
  
  If you want to register as a job seeker in person, please see our walk-in hours in each regional office below. You may visit any regional office in the area.
  Heinola regional office
  Hollola regional office
  Orimattila regional office
  
  If you want, you may fill in the form of Registering as a job seeker (suomi.fi) beforehand.

See more specific instructions for registration at Job Market Finland webpage.

As an unemployed job seeker, you have various rights and responsibilities. Your right to unemployment benefits may be terminated if you do not comply with all you obligations.

Please see for more information: The rights and responsibilities of unemployed job seekers (Job Market Finland)

Unemployment benefits are financial benefits that you can receive when you register as a job seeker. Once you have registered as a job seeker, your right to unemployment benefits will be checked.

You can receive unemployment benefits from the first day of unemployment. Unemployment benefit is paid to you by either Kela or an unemployment fund.

Please see for more information: Unemployment Security (Job Market Finland)

It’s best to start looking for a job as soon as you know you will be unemployed. Remember to create or update your CV, actively seek out different employment opportunities, and participate in services and events that support your job search.

Please read for more information: Tips for job search

When you register as a job seeker, remember to create and publish a job applicant profile on Job Market Finland. A job applicant profile helps employers search for suitable workers and skill sets, so creating a job search profile will improve your chances of finding a job.

Starting 1st September 2026, creating a job applicant profile will become part of the job search process for all job seekers, and new job seekers must create and publish a job search profile within 15 working days of starting their job search. Those who started their job search before 1st September will be required to publish a job search profile the next time they use the employment services. If the job seeker does not publish their job applicant profile within the specified time limit, the employment authority will publish the profile with the minimum information.

The job seeker’s obligation to publish a job applicant profile may be waived on a case-by-case basis if the employment authority deems that publishing the profile is not necessary or appropriate.

Once you have registered as a job seeker, you will receive an invitation for an initial interview. You will be contacted within approximately five business days.

During the initial interview, you will discuss your situation with an employment specialist and create an employment plan for yourself. Together, you will consider what kind of jobs you could apply for, whether you need training, or whether you are interested in changing fields.

During the initial interview, you will also undergo an assessment for service needs. Together, we will determine what kind of services you might need to support your employment.

Please read for more information: Initial interview and job search discussions (Job Market Finland)

Job search discussions are held with your employment specialist every three months. The discussions can be held face-to-face, by phone, or online.

Between the discussions, you will work on the tasks and goals agreed in your employment plan. At the discussions, your employment plan can be updated and your job search progress will be assessed.

Please read for more information: Initial interview and job search discussions (Job Market Finland)

We offer various services to support employment. Talk to your employment specialist about which service would be the best option for you.

Päijät-Häme Employment Services organizes and participates in several different events that support job search. Browse the events in more detail in our event calendar.

Our services and events are free of charge.