The team at Helkama Bica, Maija Rasinkangas, Martin Asplund and in front from the left Sven Heilbron and Sandy Minkah Kyei.
Maija Rasinkangas, HR Manager at Helkama Bica, why did you decide to collaborate with Pointer Potential?
In Finland, we have many highly educated professionals who have challenges getting their foot into Finnish companies and work utilizing their full capacity. At Helkama Bica, we need more international people and diversity as we primarily work with global companies. We also have difficulty finding the right competencies and people for our specific open positions. Pointer Potential does pioneering work in helping talented professionals to find better jobs and matching this talent with good companies. They help employers find excellent talent, especially when Finnish talent is unavailable. This international talent also brings an international aspect to a very Finnish working environment and much-needed diversity. I also want us to give a better working opportunity to international professionals living in Finland who may have been unable to find a job matching their education and capabilities.
What did you think about the recruitment process?
The recruitment process was professional and efficient. Everyone in the process always knew what would happen next. We mainly recruit with in-house resources and use our own recruitment channels, so working with Pointer Potential and the particular recruitment channels they use was exciting.
And are you happy with the outcome?
We are delighted with the outcome. We have done two different recruitments through Pointer Potential this year. In both cases, the quality of the talent on the final shortlist was excellent, which was a positive surprise. When we decided to pilot Pointer Potential services, we were not sure whether their pioneering concept would work, however, our experience of both the recruitment process as well as the quality of the candidates has been very positive.
“Earlier this year, we recruited a lovely talented candidate for our Customer Care team. And this spring, we recruited two engineers to our R&D team. We were actually only looking for one but ended up hiring two as the quality of the candidates was so good.”
Would you recommend Pointer Potential to other companies? If so, why and to whom?
I would definitely recommend them! Pointer Potential helps you when you are seemingly unable to find professionals through your normal channels. I think Pointer Potential can help any company, particularly smaller companies looking for specialized experts and companies that want to increase diversity and be one step ahead.
Sandy, tell us a bit about yourself. What did you use to do before joining Helkama?
I am originally from Ghana and I came to Finland to further my studies 11 years ago. In Ghana, I worked with MTN-Ghana, a telecommunication company, as a radio and transmission technician for three years. I hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Technology from Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) and a Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Technology from Arcada. Before landing this current job position as a Product Development Engineer at Helkama Bica, I had worked in different fields. During my studies, I used to deliver newspapers at night before attending lectures in the mornings. I was also doing cleaning and dishwashing at restaurants and offices. During my LUT days, I used to clean at a local S-Market and some of my schoolmates would come around to buy groceries. But deep down, I knew my story would change one day. So after my graduation, I took my Finnish language studies seriously and quit the cleaning job.
How did you experience the recruitment process with Pointer Potential and Helkama?
I saw the job advertised on the Pointer Potential LinkedIn page and applied via their application portal. I have been following Pointer Potential on LinkedIn. Thus, anytime there is a job posting, I get notified.
The recruitment was rigorous as the interviews were in stages. After applying, I got a call from Pointer Potential and had my first interview, and within a few days, I had an interview with Helkama. All this happened within two weeks, including a final interview with Helkama, so the process was quick.
“I was getting feedback relayed to me during the entire recruitment process, and I was impressed with the communication and professionalism with which the process was handled.“
Tell us a bit about your job at Helkama?
I am part of the Product Management team at Helkama as a Product Development Engineer, responsible for product design according to specifications. I create and maintain design and other technical specifications, maintain product information and support manufacturing and quality issues relating to technical aspects of product development.
Management at Helkama Bica is very welcoming and always ready to help you to excel. It’s a very friendly working environment. The managers told me, “anything you wish to learn in this field, from production to designing, just tell us, and we will assign the appropriate personnel to assist you”. I felt this indicated that they really wanted to get me involved in the team. But what has impressed me most in the office is how warmly my line manager and colleagues greeted me my first week – I have never had such a warm welcome in Finland. The induction and training programme was also fascinating.
I finally want to say that after all the cleaning and production line work that I have done, it almost feels unreal to come to the office in the mornings and sit at my desk!
You have also relocated from Helsinki to Turku for this new job. How was your relocation?
My relocation went well, as I started applying for an apartment when I got the job offer. I applied to almost all the housing companies I found in the region. Luckily, I got a flat about 5km away from my workplace. Turku is a lovely city, and the municipality is undergoing a massive reconstruction.
What is your message to international professionals looking for a job in Finland?
Well, I will advise you to keep pushing, have patience and send as many applications as possible. Don’t let rejections deter you from applying for job positions you qualify for. One day, you will get an opportunity and forget about all the rejections. Today, I don’t remember the number of job rejections, I am so happy about my current job position, but it came with perseverance, consistency and endurance.
Moreover, follow Pointer Potential on any of their social media channels. Personally, I look for job advertisements on LinkedIn and build connections there. And I am always trying to upgrade my skills and knowledge.
About Helkama Bica
Helkama Bica is a Finnish family enterprise specializing in marine, industrial and telecom applications. Together with our partner network, we are able to supply globally the full scope of all cabling-related needs.
More than 400 000 people with an international background live in Finland. In Helsinki alone, every sixth person has a background other than Finnish. Pointer Potential helps companies make use of the enormous potential and competence of international professionals already available in Finland. We support organizations to unleash the power of diversity and prepare hiring strategies for the future.
If you are an international professional living in Finland, you can register your CV with Pointer Potential here.
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The new team at Raute.
Ari-Pekka, why did you decide to collaborate with Pointer Potential, and are you happy about the outcome?
Yes, I’m really happy. Pointer Potential was very helpful and saved us a considerable amount of time in the recruitment process. It was very quick to go through all the great candidates I was presented with. A recruitment process from start to finish can be fairly time-consuming and you never know about the outcome in advance, whether its time well spent or not.
Would you recommend Pointer Potential, if so why and to whom?
Yes, I would highly recommend Pointer Potential to anyone recruiting. Pointer Potential offered a very easy way to understand what kind of potential there is on the open job market and they seemed to have a great pool of candidates, as we were only presented with candidates with profiles that we most needed.
“What happened in our case was that initially, we were looking for one candidate but we ended up offering a contract to nearly everyone on the shortlist – to four candidates.”
A bonus is that if we see potential in the candidates for the future – we can hire them easily after the contract period.
So, if you and your company are considering recruiting from a more diverse talent pool, don’t worry too much if great potential candidates don’t speak Finnish – we are going towards a more global approach in all we do and these talented people are very motivated to learn with you. You may need to challenge your assumptions a bit and have an open mind, but if you do that you are more likely to succeed in your hiring strategy.
Perez is one of the four Pointer Potential candidates that ended up joining Raute.
Perez, tell us a bit about yourself. What did you use to do before joining Raute?
I am originally from Cameroon, where I did my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I also have a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, with a specialization in Sustainable Production from Lappeenranta University of Technology, which is how I ended up in Finland in the first place. I am also a Certified SolidWorks Professional. Before Raute I had a cleaning job with L&T which I quit so I could study the language to find a job more suitable to my education.
How did you experience the recruitment process with Pointer Potential?
The recruitment process was amazing. Applying for the job through the website was very easy as the information needed from me was clear, it only took me about 10 to 15 minutes. The ease of communication, the friendliness of the recruiter, and the fast response rate were great, I got a reply about my application within days and was notified about every step of the recruitment process so I knew exactly what is going on in the process and what to expect.
Tell us a bit about your job at Raute?
My job title is Junior Design Engineer. I am currently part of the Product Data Management Maintenance Team along with some senior and chief designers. My task is to update the models of Raute’s machinery. The purpose is to refine Raute’s system, at the moment I am familiarizing myself with it and with the processes and technologies of the company. Later on, we start doing design modifications to some of the machinery and working on design projects for Raute’s clients.
How has the work been?
It has been great. It is a good working environment, good colleagues, an amazing boss who is very friendly and humble. Even though we are still new to the company, we feel very comfortable because any problem we face, everyone is willing to help us and take their time to explain so we understand.
What does the job mean to you?
To me, this job means a lot.
“It took a lot of rejections for a long time before I could finally get this job. This made me feel very sad because I knew I wasn’t living up to my potential, having a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and working as a cleaner. Getting this job made me feel valued, recognized, and appreciated for my skills and what I can bring to the table. “
It is a great feeling doing something you love in a field you have invested a huge amount of your life in, gathering the knowledge and skills. I also value it because I know I am very lucky to have it, there are so many people who are still searching and hoping to get a job appropriate to their skills.
Is there anything that has surprised you about the Finnish work culture?
First, the employee and boss relationship. It is so friendly and casual. There is freedom and responsibility.
Secondly, the welcoming and smiling nature of the colleagues in the office, they are always ready to help. There is a healthy professional relationship amongst colleagues in the workplace.
Thirdly, the work time flexibility; entering hours between 7 am to 9 am and closing hours between 3 pm and 5 pm.
What is your message to international professionals looking for a job in Finland? Any tips?
Believe in yourself and know your worth. It may take some time, and a lot of rejections, but if you don’t give up, you will definitely find it. Build your connections, take on certifications that prove your skills. It is simple but not easy.
More than 400 000 people with an international background live in Finland. In Helsinki alone, every sixth person has a background other than Finnish. Pointer Potential helps companies make use of the enormous potential and competence of international professionals already available in Finland. We support organizations to unleash the power of diversity and prepare hiring strategies for the future.
If you are an international professional living in Finland, you can register your CV with Pointer Potential here.
Frank Berenschot came to Finland from the Netherlands to be with his Finnish girlfriend, since then he has been interning, studying and working. This is his story.What has your educational and professional journey in Finland been like? I moved here from the...
Yohannes Loga, originally from Ethiopia, landed in Finland to study Media Engineering at Evtek University of Applied Sciences, after having considered Holland as a place to study. What has your educational and professional journey in Finland been like? I have an...
Danny Gilliland was raised in the US where he graduated from Stanford with a mechanical engineering major and has since then worked for tech companies for a decade. He joined his wife in Finland for a work opportunity she received and today Danny works as the head of...