New job search model

Clients of Employment Espoo, the local government pilot on employment in Espoo, will gradually move to the new model.

• Your personal coach will contact you within a few months to discuss what the new job search model means in your case.
• Until that, you can follow your current plan and continue your job search as before.

The new job search model will apply to you immediately.
We will call you within five days of you registering as unemployed.
We will discuss with you what the new job search model means in your case.

The Nordic labour market service model will enter into force in Finland on 2 May 2022. The model is also referred to as the new job search model or new customer service model.

• Jobseekers seek employment independently.
• Jobseekers receive more support at the beginning of unemployment in particular.
• Meetings with the personal coach will be regular and more frequent.
• Jobseekers must apply for a certain number of job opportunities (0–4) per month to maintain the right to unemployment benefits. The number depends on the jobseeker’s situation and work capacity, and it is always agreed on separately with the personal coach.
• Sanctions are relaxed.
• In the first case of forgetfulness or neglect, jobseekers receive a reminder that will not affect the unemployment benefit.
• Personal trainers will contact jobseekers when it is time to move to the new model. The change does not require any action from the jobseeker before then.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has compiled on its website frequently asked questions and answers on the Nordic labour market service model(external link).

The first three months of job-seeking are important. We will be in close contact with the new jobseeker during that time.

• We will call you within five days of you registering as unemployed.
• We will meet with you face-to-face within a week of the call. There are a total of seven meetings, so every two weeks on average. Some meetings are held face-to-face, others by telephone or online. 
• We will map your situation, goals and service need.
• We will advise on how to receive unemployment security.
• We will inform you about the rights and responsibilities of the jobseeker.
• We will direct you to support services according to your need.
• We will draw up an employment, activation or integration plan.
• We will assign you a personal coach who is a responsible worker appointed to you personally.

The goal for the first three months is to find employment.

In the new job search model, the jobseeker has a job search obligation. It means that jobseekers must apply for a certain number of job opportunities every month to maintain the right to unemployment benefits. Job search obligation is always agreed on with the personal coach.

• As a rule, jobseekers are expected to apply for four jobs each month.
• In some situations, the requirement may be lower or not applied at all. Thus, job search obligation depends on the jobseeker’s situation and work capacity.
• Jobseekers can decide for themselves which jobs they apply for.
• Job search obligation is recorded in the plan. The plan is reviewed every three months.
• When jobseekers apply for the agreed number of job opportunities per month and comply with the plan, they are entitled to unemployment benefits.

In the new job search model, sanctions are less harsh. Reminders are introduced as a new feature.

• If you neglect your job search or do not follow the plan, you will receive a reminder.
• A reminder does not affect the unemployment benefit.
• Its purpose is to remind jobseekers of their responsibilities and the need to comply with them.

• If you neglect your job search after a reminder, you may be sanctioned. Sanctions refer to periods during which the jobseeker is not entitled to unemployment benefits.
• The length of sanctions varies from 5 to 10 days.
• If you repeatedly fail to apply for a job, you may lose your right to unemployment benefit until further notice.
• If you refuse a job, you may be sanctioned for a period of 45 days.

May 2022 will also bring changes to the job search service channels. Työmarkkinatori service(external link) will replace the national te-palvelut.fi website. At Työmarkkinatori, you can

• search for suitable jobs
• create a profile to receive offers for suitable job opportunities.

The Oma asiointi(external link) e-services will remain unchanged.

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