The Skilled Internationals Meet-Up March focused on how to make the most of networking opportunities, a key skill for the modern day job search. The event, held at Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki, was attended by a varied group from different professional fields, all looking to find work in Finland. “I think it's wonderful that it exists. I'm very interested in what it has to offer. It was great to meet the people involved” said one attendee.
At B3CF, we connect members and our wider network to form partnerships and start collaborations. We are believers in a warm introduction, most often face-to-face, to kick start successful business relationships.
So it didn’t surprise us to learn that “70% of people ended up in their current position thanks to networking” as Joppe Quadvlieg pointed out in his presentation.
The workshop-style event focused the attendees on pinpointing how to express their needs in the initial moments of meeting someone. The exercise did not just highlight the importance of first impressions, but also made attendees reflect on the first phrases of a conversation and how this can affect their possibility of success.
The Meet-Up started out with an explanation of the programme by Etchu Tabe, Programmes Officer at B3CF. This included a demonstration on how to apply for jobs posted on the Skilled Internationals webpage, via a software designed specifically for the programme by Recrur.
These free Meet-ups are directed at being a space where skilled internationals can meet regularly and improve their chances of employment in Finland. They also serve as forum for people to share their experiences and gain new ideas. The programme will be evolving as we progress through the events, with feedback listened to and acted upon. Upcoming events will feature match-making style gatherings with employers and candidates.
Thanks go to Manka Photography for the wonderful photographs of the event. The next Skilled Internationals Meet-Up will be on Thursday 25th April at 4.30pm.
For more information about the programme and how you can get involved visit our webpage. Click any picture to see the whole gallery for the event.
