On this page, you’ll find frequently asked questions and answers about the Valtiolle.fi service and applying for jobs with the Finnish government.
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You can search for suitable jobs in the Valtiolle.fi service with a wide variety of search tools and filters. Use the quick links, quick search buttons, search field and filters of the website. You can:
- Filter the search by profession: Use the “Jobs by profession” quick search button on the front page or select a suitable profession from the search filters.
- Look for jobs in certain agencies or with specific employers: Fill in the search field at the top of the page or filter jobs by employer. You can also learn more about a certain agency on the “Get to know employers” page and view the vacancies at the agency on its presentation page.
- Filter jobs by location: Select one or more location in the filters.
- Exclude internships: Select the “Other positions than internships” quick search button or remove the selection “Trainee” in the “Level of the position” section.
- Filter the search by the language of the advertisement: Select your preferred Language of the job advertisement in the filters (Finnish, Swedish or English).
- Limit the search to remote work opportunities: Use the “Possibility to work remotely” quick search button on the front page or activate the filter in the filters section. More details on the possibility to work remotely can be found in the advertisement’s section Other information of the position/Remote work.
Enter the ID (e.g. 12539) in the search field at the top of the page and click the Search button (or press Enter on your keyboard).
On the front page, you can find the buttons “Latest jobs” and “Not too late to apply” with which you can see the most recently added advertisements and those that are about to expire. Advertisements that have been published in the past 24 hours are marked with the “24h” tag.
The grid view shows the jobs as boxes next to each other, providing a visual overview. This is the default vacant job view. You can also activate the list view, which shows the jobs as a clear list, allowing you to see the titles and key information easily. You can set the view in the “View” menu at the top of the page and specify how many advertisements are shown per page (24 or 48).
In the Valtiolle.fi service, the job alert function will let you know by email of any new job advertisements based on your search criteria. Subscribe to job alert notifications by searching for jobs you want the job alert service to notify you of. After this, go to the bottom of the page, give the job alert a name and enter your email address and verify the address as specified in a message sent to you. You will now receive notifications about job advertisements that meet your search criteria directly to your email address.
Check your spam folder and ensure that the job alert is active.
Job alerts are active for six months from the date of creation. If necessary, you can create a new job alert. Each job alert message contains a link to end the subscription.
Start by selecting a job advertisement you find interesting and study the job description carefully. After this, click the “Apply now” button and fill in the digital application form. Remember to submit the application before the end of the application period.
You can search for multiple jobs at the same time, but you need to submit a separate application for each job. Each advertisement (recruitment ID) is processed separately.
Yes, you need to register and create a user account with your email address to apply for a job. In public application procedures, a personal email address is used, whereas in internal application procedures, a state work email address is used.
If you are unable to apply digitally, see the answer to the next frequently asked question.
If you are unable to apply for a job in the Valtiolle.fi job search portal, you can apply by mailing your application to the Registry Office at the address specified on the job advertisement. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.
If a job advertisement is marked as an Anonymous recruitment, your application will be processed without any personal data during the initial stages of the recruitment procedure. The processors of the application will not see the information stored in the anonymous fields of the application form before the process advances to the stage where your contact information, for example, is required. The purpose of anonymous recruitment is to ensure the fair, skill-based evaluation of applicants. Your name, gender, age or other personal information is not essential.
You can fill in the anonymous recruitment application form as with any other application form. The system will hide the following information automatically: your name, date of birth, gender, contact information, native language and photo. Please do not include this information in your cover letter. This allows the recruiters to focus on your qualifications.
You can search for jobs that involve this process on the Valtiolle.fi website by selecting the search criterion Anonymous.
Submitting an open application to the state allows you to apply for jobs in one or more agency without applying for any specific publicly available vacant job. If you submit an open application, you can only be appointed to a job in an employment relationship of less than two years. In your application, you can share the work duties and agencies you are interested in and the city or town you would like to work in.
How to submit an open application:
- Find the open application advertisement in the Valtiolle.fi service. You can find it via the quick links next to the search field or by selecting Open application in the filters.
- Open the advertisement and click the “Submit an open application” button.
- Log in or register to the service.
- Fill in the application or use a previous application to fill in the information.
- Specify the validity of the application, the maximum period is two years. The application will be deleted automatically after the period of validity ends.
- After submitting your application, you can see it in the Applications section of your profile. You can edit or delete the application whenever it is valid. Remember to save your changes by clicking “Save changes”.
An open application is a good option if there are no suitable job advertisements available but you are interested in future fixed-term positions with the state.
By filling out the application form, the applicant ensures that the employer receives all the necessary information.
Application forms may sometimes be perceived as long and time-consuming to complete (according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Finance in 2021). State application forms include many questions to collect not only the information required for recruitment but also statistical data. This statistical data helps monitor, for example, the realization of equality in recruitment. The questions on the application form also ensure that the same information is collected from all applicants, making it possible to compare their qualifications fairly.
When filling in the digital application form, it is important to fill in all required fields carefully and to include the requested attachments. The form will provide guidance and you cannot bypass any requested fields. The form also has section-specific instructions that you can read by clicking the “Show more” link.
The application may include a section where you are asked to upload a photo of yourself. Not all applications require a photo. If it is possible to upload a photo, ensure that it is in either JPG, JEP or PNG format and that the file’s size is no more than 2 MB.
The number of fields is based on the use of an electronic recruitment tool in the Valtiolle.fi service that allows forming a qualification comparison of all applications and ensuring that the applicants fill in the statutory required qualifications, for example. This information must be provided in a certain format in specific fields so that the employer can process it efficiently.
If you fill in your first application carefully, you can use it as a template later on and you will not need to re-enter the information.
Attachments are uploaded in a separate section when filling in the application. Please note that you can only upload attachments to the application if the recruiting employer has made it possible. The file format of the attachments must be either PDF or DOCX. The maximum file size of an attachment is 2Mb.
The file is too large, you cannot upload it. You can try to make the file size smaller with the free online tool provided by Adobe, for example. After this, you can try to upload the file again.
If an attachment is required in the recruitment process, it cannot be removed from the application, but it can be replaced with another file before the deadline. If the attachment is not required, it can be removed.
Only upload attachments that are requested by the recruiting agency.
Yes, you can save the application form and continue filling it later before the end of the application period. The system will also remind you by email a couple of days before the deadline if you have any unfinished applications saved. Remember to finish and submit the application by the deadline, as only applications sent during the application period are considered.
Yes, you can edit an application you have sent as long as the application period has not ended. Go to your applications, open the application and make any changes. Remember to click the Save changes button so that the information is also passed on to the employer. You can also edit attachments (see the previous frequently asked question).
Please note! If the status of your application is Application cancelled, you cannot edit its information. You can only edit the application after you have re-submitted the application, after which the status of the application will be Application submitted.
You can cancel your application during the application period by clicking Remove application in the Other actions menu. After you have cancelled the application, its status will be Cancelled, but you can submit it again by clicking Submit again if the application period has not ended. This also allows you to edit the application.
If you want to withdraw your application from the recruitment process after the end of the application period, contact the recruiting agency directly, as the application cannot be removed after the end of the application period.
Only Finnish citizens may be appointed to certain posts, according to Section 7 of the Act on Public Officials in Central Government. Your nationality will only be asked when you are applying for a post covered by the aforementioned section of law. These posts include, for example, the posts of judges and Chancellors of Justice.
The recruitment decision can be sent to you in a digital format if you give your consent to this. Without your consent, the agency cannot send the information digitally. Digital service of documents is the fastest and primary mode of receiving the decision.
After you submit your application, you will receive a verification by email from the address noreply@valtiolle.fi. If you cannot see this email, check your spam folder and ensure that your email service provider allows messages from this sender.
Log in to the Valtiolle.fi service to see all unfinished and submitted applications and their respective status. In your application, you can also view the job advertisement of the position you applied for by clicking the name of the position, even after the end of the application period.
After the recruitment procedure is finished, you will informed of whether or not you were selected for the position. In addition, the employer may contact you during the process by communicating on the progress of the recruitment. Please note that government recruitment processes often take longer than private sector recruitment processes.
If you have any questions regarding the job or the progress of the recruitment, please contact the recruiting agency directly.
- The contact information can be found on the job advertisement.
- Please note that all enquiries must be made before the end of the application period.
- If the advertisement is no longer available on the website, you can view it by logging in to your user profile in the Valtiolle.fi service.
Special required qualifications are related to certain posts and they are often regulated by decrees and legislation. If a job advertisement includes statutory qualifications and language skill requirements, for example, a specific degree or language skills or other qualifications required for the job, only an applicant that meets these statutory qualification requirements can be appointed to the job. As a rule, the requirements must be met by the end of the application period, with the exception of language skills, which can be demonstrated at a later date, if it does not prolong the recruitment process.
In practice, you can submit an application even if you do not meet the requirements, but your application cannot be considered in the recruitment procedure. Because of this, you should only apply for jobs where you meet the requirements. This makes the application process smoother for everyone.
The job advertisement may also specify qualities that are not required, but will support performance in the job and may improve your chances of becoming selected for the job. These qualities are expressed accordingly, for example: “is considered an asset”, “we expect” or “are best prepared”.
Security clearances are carried out to protect the national security and best interests of Finland. The purpose of security clearances is to prevent unauthorised access to any information that is critical to national security. In a personal security clearance, an individual’s background is studied to determine their reliability. In this case, it is investigated whether the person has committed any crimes or if they have any financial problems that may expose them to extortion or other forms of undue pressure.
Security clearances are carried out only with regard to some positions with the state. If a security clearance is required, it is specified on the job advertisement or in a job interview, at the latest. In some sectors, such as in ministries, a security clearance is required from all persons to be recruited. In a security clearance, it is rare that any matters that affect the recruitment are discovered. Source: eOppiva course: Työtä Suomen parhaaksi, section 6.
A public service employment relationship is formed based on the required, unilateral administrative action involving a recommendation to recruit, i.e. an appointment. The duties of civil servants cannot be agreed upon separately.
The employment relationship is established through an employment contract between the employer and the employee. The legal status of an employee in contractual employment is specified in the Employment Contracts Act (55/2001).
Duties involving the exercise of public authority can primarily be performed only by civil servants in a public service employment relationship. For this reason, such a relationship is the primary form of service relationship used for government employees. Public office relationships are governed by specific responsibilities laid down in the Constitution (731/1999) as pertaining to holders of public office.
It is the duty of the civil servant to act in their office in a manner that meets the requirements of impartiality, independence and equality.
Civil service law is a key branch of law in terms of the management of state personnel. It includes the regulations governing the general legal status of civil servants, i.e. their rights and duties. At the same time, civil service law governs the government’s status as an employer.
According to Section 6c of the Act on Public Officials in Central Government, the advertisement for a position must state whether the post is established in a certain unit or whether it is shared by the agency.
During the validity of the current Act on Public Officials in Central Government (750/1994), central government has moved in the direction of establishing posts shared by the entire agency.
The most significant difference between these types of positions is the ability to move the post. A post shared by the agency may be moved to a different unit without asking for consent from the office holder. Anyone who refuses the transfer can be laid off. A post established in a unit, however, cannot be transferred similarly.
The option of transferring a post shared by the agency to a different location than the one it is in at the time of employment is specified in the Act on Public Officials in Central Government.
In practice, this means that if a position has been established, e.g. in a certain unit within a ministry, it cannot be transferred to another unit without consent from the civil servant appointed to the post.