Nea Mäkinen, a Bachelor of Social Services, knew how to apply for jobs. Even so, finding a suitable position proved difficult. At the Niemikoti Foundation’s Valtti Coaching service, she gained new perspectives on job hunting and, above all, someone to explore her options with. In the end, one tip about hidden job opportunities made all the difference.
People sit on the morning train on their way to work. For them, going to work is an ordinary part of everyday life. After a period of unemployment, being among them felt particularly good to Nea.
“Initially, it felt really nice to be on the train at the same time as everyone else. When you’re unemployed, it’s easy to start feeling that you’re no longer part of society.”
Finding a job brought much more than an income into Nea’s life. It gave her days structure, a sense of achievement and the feeling that her skills mattered.
The path into working life had not been entirely straightforward. Nea graduated with a Bachelor of Social Services degree in 2023 and had worked, among other roles, as a housing support counsellor and an instructor in work activities for people with intellectual disabilities. She knew how to look for work, but finding a suitable position was difficult. The job needed to match her qualifications while also allowing her to work in a way that suited her personal resources and capacity.
Ultimately, the support that made the difference came from the Niemikoti Foundation’s Valtti Coaching service. It wasn’t about learning job-hunting skills from scratch, but about fresh perspectives, encouragement and one particularly useful tip.
Sometimes all you need is someone to think things through with
Nea first heard about Valtti Coaching in a daily activities group at a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Laura, an expert by experience who visited the group, introduced various services and offered to accompany anyone interested on an introductory visit. Nea chose Valtti Coaching.
“I didn’t really know what they did there. I thought, I’ve already got a degree in social services and I know quite a lot about job hunting. Could this kind of coaching really offer me anything?”
Her doubts turned out to be unnecessary. At Valtti Coaching, Nea worked with coach Pasi Tuominiemi. He remembers her as an exceptionally active jobseeker who already had strong job-hunting skills.
“Nea was very well informed and knew how to apply for jobs. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to write a CV or a job application. Even so, finding the right job was difficult,” Pasi explains.
Together, they began exploring new possibilities. What mattered particularly to Nea was not having to figure everything out on her own.
“It was good to have someone to bounce ideas off. I already had ideas about where I could apply, but together we could look at them from different angles.”
The coaching also provided space to discuss the emotions involved in job hunting. Nea was invited to several interviews, but she also experienced disappointments and some unusual situations.
In one interview, her young age was openly questioned. In another, she was surprised to find herself in a demanding group interview rather than the individual interview she had expected. The applicants were asked, among other things, to solve hypothetical client situations. Job hunting was sometimes exhausting, despite her skills and motivation.
One tip opened up a new direction
The turning point came when Pasi told Nea about social enterprises and employment opportunities in the third sector. Until then, she had mainly looked for jobs on conventional recruitment websites. Now she began approaching associations and other potential employers directly.
“I hadn’t realised it was worth sending unsolicited applications to associations. I actually sent out 30 to 40 applications. I went through every organisation where I thought I could do work in my field.”
These were so-called hidden job opportunities: positions that may never be publicly advertised.
“I feel that one link was what made the difference,” Nea says.
Her initiative paid off. Nea found a job at an association where she could put her social services qualifications to use in a wide range of tasks. Her employment was made possible through a combination of wage subsidies and the association’s other funding. Finding the right job was therefore not only about skills and persistence, but also about the employer having the financial means to hire her.
Work brings structure, achievements and a sense of belonging
In her new job, Nea has been able to take on many different responsibilities. She leads activities, organises excursions, runs her own art group, helps put together art exhibitions and updates the association’s social media channels and website. Her work also includes helping with food distribution and meeting the people who visit the association every day.
Connecting with people has been especially meaningful. “There are so many different kinds of people there, each with their own personality. It’s a really close-knit community, a bit like a family. There’s something very human about the work.”
Employment has also brought something Nea considered particularly important during unemployment: a regular daily routine.
“Routine is really important. Even if you don’t always like it, without it many things just don’t work out.”
Working has also strengthened her sense of belonging to society. Encouragement from colleagues and experiences of success have been important.
“We give each other a lot of praise, both staff and visitors. It makes you feel good. I try to remember to compliment others too.”
Coaching doesn’t end when you find a job
Nea and Pasi have stayed in touch since she started working. They have caught up over the phone and talked particularly about managing her energy and wellbeing at work.
This has been important to Nea, as returning to working life after a break made her nervous.
“I wondered whether I’d wake up on time in the morning, how I’d manage at work and whether I’d have enough energy to get through the working days. Even though I’ve worked before, there’s always a certain amount of pressure.”
At Valtti Coaching, support does not automatically end when someone finds employment. Coaching is planned individually, with no predetermined duration.
According to Pasi, this matters because not every situation that may arise at work can be anticipated during coaching.
“Sometimes it’s only once someone starts working that you discover what kind of support they need. We can continue meeting and talking, or, if necessary, take part in meetings with the employer as well.”
Nea considers this possibility particularly valuable.
“A lot of services end as soon as you get a job. But that isn’t necessarily enough for everyone. It was reassuring to know that support would still be available afterwards.”
Meaningful work, but an uncertain future
Nea has thoroughly enjoyed her job. Working in the third sector has helped her discover something she would like to continue doing in the future. However, her contract is fixed-term, and the association’s funding situation threatens its continuation. Based on current information, her employment will end at the end of the year.
“I’m really happy that I’ve had the chance to work there. It’s a wonderful place, and there’s nothing they can do about the funding situation. But it is hard having to constantly think about the fact that the job will soon end.”
Nea hopes to continue working for an association or foundation in the future. She is also interested in roles as an expert by experience.
Pasi points out that everyone’s path to employment is different. One person may need support with job hunting, another with identifying their work capacity and strengths, and someone else with education or staying in employment.
“People come to us from very different situations and educational backgrounds. The most important thing is to find the right way forward for each individual.”
Nea’s story shows that difficulties finding employment are not always caused by a lack of skills or effort. Sometimes what is needed is a new perspective, a suitable working environment, financial opportunities for the employer – and someone to walk alongside you for a while.
“Don’t think there’s something wrong with you”
Nea wants to share her experience particularly so that more people can find the support they need. She hopes that employment coaching services will become more widely known and that experts by experience will be more involved in helping people access them.
“It was really good that I could come to my first visit with an expert by experience. Going somewhere new on your own can feel difficult.”
She encourages people to approach coaching with an open mind, regardless of their education or previous work experience.
“Anyone can need help sometimes.”
What would Nea say to herself a year ago, when finding a job seemed uncertain?
“I’d take things a little more easily. I’d trust that work opportunities would come along eventually. And above all, I’d remember that there’s nothing wrong with me just because I can’t find a job right now.”
She wants to share the same message with other jobseekers.
“Sometimes you feel inspired and think, this is going to work out. Then one door closes, and the next one, and the one after that. But at some point, a door finally opens. You just have to keep trying.”
Niemikoti Foundation – Valtti Valmennus/Coaching
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