Job searching can be exciting, but it can also be emotionally exhausting. Uncertainty, rejection, long application processes, and the pressure to "keep going" can take a real toll on our mental well-being, especially when the search stretches from weeks into months.

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked emotional side of job seeking. Together, we discuss the impact of prolonged job searches, common misconceptions about how people "should" feel, and practical ways to cope with stress, rejection, comparison, and self-doubt.

Our guest is Hope Makara, a sosionomi by education and co-founder of MIELI Without Borders, an initiative within MIELI Mental Health Finland dedicated to promoting the mental well-being of internationals living in Finland. Through low-threshold support, community-building, and accessible mental health information, MIELI Without Borders helps create spaces where people feel connected, understood, and supported.

In our conversation, we cover:

• How job seeking affects mental well-being
• The emotional challenges of long-term job searches
• Recognising signs that your mental health may be suffering
• Coping with repeated rejection and lengthy recruitment processes
• Managing comparisons and external pressure
• Building resilience and maintaining motivation when progress feels slow
• Practical habits and tools to celebrate small wins and rebuild confidence

Whether you're just starting your job search or have been navigating the process for months, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical strategies to help you protect your well-being along the way.

Important note: We are not mental health professionals, and this episode is intended for informational purposes only. If you are struggling with your mental health or need immediate support, please reach out to professional services.

Support is available in Finland:

• MIELI Mental Health Finland Support Services – Information about crisis support, chat services, remote appointments, and local crisis centres.

• Contact your local health centre (terveysasema) or occupational healthcare provider (työterveys) if you need ongoing support.

You do not have to navigate difficult times alone.

In the 21st episode of our podcast, we had a honest discussion about transitioning from Academia to the private sector and to a research organization. Our guests are Anastasiya Sergievskaya, PhD in Chemistry, Process Development Engineer at Beneq, and Arpa Ghost, PhD in Chemical Engineering, Research Scientist.

By sharing their stories, Anastasiya and Arpa have talked of their journeys from academia, and shared their experiences and thoughts on topics that many academic researchers go through, among which:

- How to switch to industry and how to gain/present the necessary skills?

- Does having a PhD equal to being overqualified and dificult to employ?

- How to present yourself differently to employers

This episode is not only for those who are already trying to switch, but to everyone who is in academic research and want to know about other options and how to approach them.

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

The 20th episode of The Career Cast - Finland Edition marks the second part of the first thematic episode of a new series! In this we had as a our guest Delfin Vassallo, a Marketing guru, who has worked across several countries and for all kind of company sizes.

This episode is for you if you are interested in working in marketing or if you are also working in marketing, or considering what's the future of the field. Delfin has shared his knowledge, expectations on tips.

With him, in this second part of the recording, we explored:

- AI in Marketing

- Tips to marketing styudents and recent graduates

- Tips to career switchers

- Future of marketing roles in the next 5 years

- Final considerations

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

The 19th episode of The Career Cast - Finland Edition marks the first thematic episode of a new series! In this we had as a our guest Delfin Vassallo, a Marketing guru, who has worked across several countries and for all kind of company sizes.

This episode is for you if you are interested in working in marketing or if you are also working in marketing, or considering what's the future of the field. Delfin has shared his knowledge, expectations on tips.

With him, in this first part of the recording, we explored:

- The Finnish marketing landscape

- How has marketing evolved so far

- If and how sales and data analysis play a role in marketing

The second part will include the use of AI, tips for students and career switchers, and the future of marketing.

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

In this 18th episode of The Career Cast - Finland Edition, our guest, Jenny Moran, communication expert with over 20 years working in major corporations across the US and Finland, has discussed with us about personal branding, starting from the moment she realised it was so crucial for her to build her own.

With her, we discuss of how internationals can get noticed in Finland and what opportunities can arise when people recognise you, both online and offline. This episode does not focus only on LinkedIn but covers the whole area, with an emphasis on how to build your visibility from scratch when you move abroad.

Jenny is also a certified ICF ACC coach and founder of her communication agency cocomoco.co.

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

In this new episode, our 17th, How volunteering can open your doors in Finland, we interviewed Ash B., who has worked in Talent Acquisition for the past four years.

Ash has actively volunteered in Finland and has shared what projects she worked on, what skills she developed during her volunteering, how powerful networking is, and how the experiences led her to switch her career and start as a Talent Acquisition Specialist.

Ash has also shared tips to people who plan to volunteer or are considering volunteering, also a means to develop networks, build skills and move forward, besides contributing to causes that are close to our hearts.

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

In our 16th episode, ATS, AI and CVs: What happens after you click ‘Apply’, we have interviewed Markus Gerstler, Account Executive at TeamTailor, who has explained how ATS systems works.

ATS systems can be very confusing for job seekers and everyone who has not used them for recruitment. What happens to your documents after you apply? Is AI making automated decisions? Is there a better format to use? Can complicated Canva design reduce your chances of getting an interview? He answered these and many more questions!

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kolkkonen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushik-lakshman/ (Editor)

In this 15th episode, Jobs without Borders, we had a chat with Julia Zhukova, founder and CEO at Nerdsbay, a company who offered EOR services (Employer of Records), supporting international professionals in Finland with remote opportunities abroad. We talked about what roles and skills are in demand abroad, what employers from abroad expect, how to look for jobs abroad and how to discuss remote work options, among other topics.

If you are considering working remotely from Finland, this episode is for you! You will get insights based on years of experience.

Nerdsbay also offers free events to job seekers: https://luma.com/nerdsbay?k=c

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kolkkonen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

In this 14th episode, we discussed a hot topic: how to talk money in job interviews. Our guest, Leo Johansson-Stockford, is an experienced recruiter, and talent partner, who has lived in Finland for around ten years, and has worked both in-house and as a consultant.

One of the most common questions when discussing job interviews is how to negotiate a salary and how to know what we are worth. We have covered both aspects, including common mistakes, need for transparency, and more.

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-curci/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kolkkonen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/

In this 13th episode, we discussed with Wei Cui, Business coordinator at the Economic Development and Employment unit of City of Espoo. Wei has a long experience in B2B customer acquisition and for the past four years has been, among other tasks, focusing on sales and account management for international recruitment events.

In this episode we discuss making the first move at events and on the phone! Speifically, how to approach companies at events (recruitment events vs social events), and then we dive into sales techniques when it comes to cold calling. How to start a cold call? What to say? How to answer to objections? How to follow up? Wei has answered to these and many more questions! If you don't know how to talk with companies at events or you have never approached companies directly (or you did it wrong), this is for you!

You can find us on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-lindberg-curci/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kolkkonen/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maija-makinen-sp/