How to attract and integrate international tech talent to Finland
...and what we learned from the experts!
Spoiler alert: It’s more than just saunas and sisu! So, what’s the secret sauce to get international techies to set their GPS to Finland?
We recently brought together industry leaders Tarun Sharma from Nokia Ventures, Niilo Säämänen from Wolt, and Melanie Dower from Supercell at the Nordea campus for an insightful panel discussion. Moderated by Sofia Pohls from Finders Seekers, the conversation focused on a pressing question: How can Finland position itself as the ultimate destination for international tech talent?
As Niilo Säämänen puts it, “There are no borders in tech. You have to hire international from the get-go.” And he’s right – if we want the best, we need to cast our net wide from the start.
Finland as a destination: Beyond the dark and cold
Let’s face it, Finland isn’t just about dark nights and cold winters. We’ve got a lot going for us! Sofia Pohls presented the results of our Tech Talent Survey in Finland highlighting the reasons why tech talents choose Finland as a destination. High quality of life, stellar education, safety and wellbeing, work-life balance, and the Finnish nature ranked high in making Finland a great place to live. So why are we still facing challenges in attracting and retaining international talents in Finland?
One of the biggest pain points? The lack of English-speaking school spots for older kids, which Melanie highlighted: “We need more English-speaking spots in schools for older kids, and better support for spouses. It’s tough for families to stay if they can’t integrate.” If we want families to stick around, we need to make it easier for them to plant roots here.
Money is important, but people also want to experience life like a local, mentions Niilo. Forget the stiff office lunch and invite your new colleague on your next hiking trip. Show them how to celebrate Vappu (1st May Day - national labour day), or take them mushroom picking, for a dip in one of our countless lakes, or go sauna and ice swimming. Your favourite activities can be the best icebreakers! It’s these shared moments that turn acquaintances into friends and help newcomers feel like they truly belong, adds Melanie.
High quality of life, stellar education, safety and wellbeing, work-life balance, and Finnish nature, are reasons why international tech talents choose Finland.
Innovating in a competitive market: What companies need to know
The demand for international tech talent is booming and everyone is working hard to build an A team, mentions Tarun. Finland is a highly educated society with a large pool of skilled engineers, but finding experts in fields where venture investments are going into is not that easy e.g. AI, Quantum, Space Tech, Climate Tech, ESG to name a few.
Finland has what it takes to attract talent. But it’s not just about getting people here, it’s about making them want to stay. “We need to be bolder at showing how cool Finland is”, adds Niilo.
To compete on the global stage, we’ve got to showcase what makes Finland unique. We need to invite global talent to join and help create new opportunities. We’ve got innovation, a high tech culture, a top-notch education system, and a society that actually knows what work-life balance is, reinforced Tarun. Let’s use it all in our communications.
Take Wolt, for example. Niilo explained they’ve gone from 10 to 700 tech employees and have managed to create an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. With 50 nationalities represented in their Finnish offices, they’re doing something right.
Their trick? Focus on what each person brings to the table and give them the resources to shine, no matter where they’re from.
As Tarun and Melanie emphasised, “Finns are incredibly open and helpful. Ensuring internationals feel heard and have a voice is crucial for integration. Different opportunities for interaction build bonds and long-term retention for companies – and Finland.”
“People want to experience life like a local. Forget the stiff office lunch and invite your new colleague on your next hiking trip.”
A call to action: Embracing diversity for a better future
The panel wrapped up with a message we can all get behind: diversity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. Companies with diverse teams are more innovative, better at problem-solving, and just plain better. Finland has the potential to be a leader in this space, but it’s going to take some work.
For businesses and policymakers, the roadmap is clear: invest in creating welcoming workplaces, support international employees and their families, and shout from the rooftops about Finland’s strengths. By doing this, we can make Finland the go-to destination for the world’s best and brightest – and maybe even convince them to stay through a couple more winters.
Here’s your check-list for attracting and integrating international talents and building a more inclusive culture:
Hire international. Expand your job search beyond Finland to attract your target tech talent.
Invest in your employer brand to highlight both your key selling points and Finland's.
Invest in having a person responsible for relocation and family support (like Supercell has done with Melanie's role. At the very least, relocation support beyond just the first months.)
Organise cultural events: Food brings people together - have international food days, where different nationalities can share their cuisine and traditions.
Organise events for families. Give them opportunities to meet other families to help them better integrate their spouses and children to Finland.
Provide opportunities for employees to experience Finnish pastimes and hobbies together.
We can all contribute to making our international peers feel more welcomed and at home in Finland. Even a small action can make a big difference. If you’re a Finn reading this, don’t let your new colleague eat mämmi unsupervised. It’s the least you can do.