Finding the partner company

Tips and instructions for finding a partner company, writing a CV and preparing for an interview

F.E.C. Training program for Business and Cybersecurity Experts, Turku

Employment Process / Marketing Your Own Skills -workshop

To support your employment and independent search for a partner company, we are organizing a “Employment Process / Marketing Your Own Skills” workshop for you. Download and complete the pre-assignment before the workshop.

The workshops will be held on-site in Turku! Participation in the workshop is recommended.

June 9th, 9 AM – 12 PM (Turku + remote option)
June 9th, 1 PM – 4 PM (Turku + remote – in English)
June 11th, 9 AM – 12 PM (Turku)
June 11th, 1 PM – 4 PM (Turku)

Location:

Scandic Hotel Julia

Eerikinkatu 4, Turku

Conference Room Seipel 1

Below you can find tips and instructions for finding a partner company, writing a CV and preparing for an interview. If you need help writing your email, preparing your CV, or contacting companies, we are here to support you!

You can find the downloadable files like brochures and CV templates at the bottom of the page.

Why Should You Find a Company Yourself?

You can secure your place in the program faster
You have more control over the kind of role and company you end up in
Companies value proactive candidates

To be officially accepted into the program, you will need a partner company where you can complete your on-the-job learning period and potentially be employed after the training.

At Opiframe, we help participants find suitable partner companies. However, we strongly encourage you to search for a company on your own – it can significantly increase your chances of getting accepted into the program and finding a job that suits your goals.

Where to Start

Define Your Career Goals
- What kind of role do you see yourself in? (e.g., software development, testing, UX/UI design, IT support, project coordination)
- What industries interest you?
Identify Suitable Companies
- Research companies that offer roles related to your expertise and interests
- Think broadly: IT roles exist across all industries (e.g., finance, retail, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation)

Where to Look for Companies

We recommend reaching out to companies you are familiar with and genuinely interested in — ideally those where you have a personal connection.
Have you, for example, completed an internship at a company that inspired you? Or have you applied for a dream job at an impressive organization but weren’t selected due to a gap in your skills? Do you have friends or contacts working at a company where you would like to work yourself?

Reflecting on these questions may help you identify the right partner company for your F.E.C. collaboration.

Use multiple channels for your search:

Open job portals: Duunitori, Oikotie, Monster, LinkedIn, Työmarkkinatori, company career pages
Hidden job market: Reach out to companies even if they haven’t posted job openings
Personal networks: Former employers, colleagues, friends, alumni
Social media, especially LinkedIn

Note: The company doesn’t need to be located in Southwest Finland (Turku area) if remote work is possible.

Get Prepared Before Contacting Companies

Have these ready:

An updated CV and, if applicable, a portfolio
A short introduction letter, stating:
- Who you are and what you can do
- Why you are applying for the F.E.C. program
- What you are looking for in a company
- What value you bring to the company
- Sample statement to include: “I am currently applying to the F.E.C. training program, which combines expert-level education with a company-based on-the-job learning period. I am now looking for a company to partner with as part of this program.”

How to Approach a Company

Start with a phone call (to HR dep.) (if possible):
- Introduce yourself briefly
- Mention the F.E.C. program
- Explain why you’re contacting them
Send a follow-up email:
- Attach your CV
- Include your introduction letter
- Attach a brochure or document about the F.E.C. program (provided separately)
Follow up in a few days:
- Call or email again to ask if they had time to review your message
- Ask if they would be interested in offering a cooperation opportunity

Tips for Success

Be persistent – don’t get discouraged by a lack of response or a “no”
Research each company before contacting them
Tailor your message – explain why that specific company interests you
Prepare to clearly explain:
- What the F.E.C. program is
- Why the company benefits from joining
- How the process works from the company’s point of view

When You Find a Company

Inform your contact person at Opiframe immediately
If the company has questions you can’t answer, give them our contact details – we’ll be happy to assist and explain the details
We will handle the agreement and formalities with the company

Tips for creating a CV

You can find two CV templates in the downloadable files. Quick and easy templates for creating a CV are also available on Canva.

Clear and concise
Include information that is relevant for getting an interview
Length: 1–2 pages
Easy to read – for example, font size 12, font type Arial or Calibri. Margin 3 cm and line spacing 1.5
A CV is a marketing tool that helps you secure a job interview
There is no legal requirement to include your age. Only add it if it is relevant to the job application
List each job on a separate line:
- Name of the employer
- Duration of employment
- Nature of the work
- A 3–4 sentence description of what you accomplished in the role
- Jobs older than 10 years usually don’t need to be listed
- If possible, highlight the results and achievements you’ve made in your work. These tell more about you as an employee than just listing tasks you’ve performed
Create a LinkedIn profile. Add the best parts of your CV there. Whenever you meet someone professionally, send them a LinkedIn invitation afterwards

Email Guide

1. List each company (for example, in Excel) along with the contact person’s name and phone number/email.
Also include the date you sent the email, text message, and made the follow-up call.

You can find the brochures for the company and an Excel template for your own contact list from the downloadable files at the bottom of the page.

2. You can use the message template below when contacting employers via email.

Subject: Proposal for Collaboration – F.E.C. Training program for Business and Cybersecurity Experts

Dear [Company Contact Name],

I have applied to participate in the F.E.C. (Further Educated with Companies) training program for Business and Cybersecurity Experts organized by Opiframe. The program combines up-to-date theoretical training with practical, hands-on experience in a partner company. I am currently looking for a company where I can develop my skills and bring added value during the on-the-job learning period of the program.

Why is the F.E.C. training program a great opportunity for your company?

Funded and supported by the employment administration, this program is a highly cost-effective way to bring in new talent – the cost to the company is only €650/month/person (VAT 0%) for 6 months
There is no salary obligation for the company during the training period – the participant joins under a training agreement
The training content can be customized to your company’s specific technological and business needs
The company has the opportunity to evaluate the participant’s motivation, skills, and fit before considering employment
The participant is fully insured by the training provider throughout the program

Structure of the Training Program:

Duration: 6 months
Content: approx. 20–25 days of theoretical training + approx. 95–100 days of on-the-job learning at the company
Key topics include: Utilizing AI and machine learning in software development, Identifying cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, Designing and implementing secure technical solutions, Risk management, crisis management, and continuity planning
The content can be tailored based on your company’s needs

I am highly motivated to develop my skills and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities in practice. If I can prove my value to your organization during the program, I sincerely hope to continue working with you under an employment contract once the training is completed.

Please find my CV and an introduction to the training program attached. I would be happy to discuss in more detail how I could contribute to your organization.

Best regards,
First Name Last Name
+358 XX XXX XXXX
firstname.lastname@gmail.com
LinkedIn: [link to profile]

3. After you have sent the email, send a text message writing:

Greetings! This is [First name Last name]

I reached out to you by email regarding the F.E.C. Training program for Business and Cybersecurity Experts as I am currently looking for a partner company for the on-the-job learning period.

I hope the email sparks your interest in both my skills and the training program, and that you’ll have a moment to respond.

Best regards,
First name Last name

4. If you don’t hear back, call them the next day!

Interview

Preparations

Familiarize yourself with the company

Think about the impression you want to give of yourself
Plan your outfit in advance:
- Jeans and a t-shirt
- Blazer and smart trousers
- Dark suit and tie
- Stand out in a positive way

Prepare and print out questions to take with you:

What will my role be?
What kind of activities is the company currently involved in?
Does the company face any challenges?
What development needs does the company have?
What tasks make up a typical workday?
What kinds of people work here?
What qualities does a good employee have?
Can you develop your skills to match the company’s needs?

In the interview

Be on time – arrive about 15 minutes early.
Announce your arrival – introduce yourself, state who you are meeting, and the scheduled time of the meeting.
Break the ice if possible – use small talk such as the weather, a positive piece of news about the company, or a current event.
Ask questions – you are concluding the assessment phase related to applying for a job or internship.
At the end of the conversation, ask if there are any specific skills you could develop to improve your chances of getting a job at the company.
If relevant, highlight any skills you have that were mentioned during the discussion as something the company needs.
Ask if they know other companies you could contact to learn more about the industry.
Leave your CV and skills portfolio.
Thank them for the interesting conversation and wish them a good rest of the day.

Downloadable files

Below you can download and print materials for finding your partner company.