Frequently asked questions

At what age can I apply for summer jobs at PKO?To apply for a summer job, you must be at least 14 years old in the application year. Summer jobs at PKO have no maximum age limit.How long can my summer job period be if I’m a lower secondary school student?We only employ lower secondary school students for the two-week ‘Earn and Learn’ (Tutustu ja tienaa) summer trainee programme. This is to ensure that you’ll have enough time to rest during your summer holiday.What jobs can I apply for if I’m under 18 years of age?There are either two-week or one-month summer job placements for people under the age of 18. If you are already studying for a profession, we can offer you a longer summer job period. It is considered an advantage if you apply for a position in your own field of study. For example, if you’re studying hospitality, it’s an advantage if you apply for a summer job in a restaurant or at an ABC service station. Certain tasks require you to be 18 or older, such as checkout duties or working in licensed restaurants.Can I apply for a summer job if I’m a young person with special needs and require significant support?Yes, you can. Every year, we employ a large number of young people with special needs. Don't forget to let us know with the application if you have these criteria, so we can take them into account when making our choices. Each year, we also hire instructors to guide the work of young people with special needs who require significant assistance.You mention that you also hire summer employees based on social criteria. What does this mean?Social criteria are also taken into account when selecting summer employees. When the job and the applicant are a good match, we also take into account factors such as financial or other challenges within the family. That’s why the application gives you space to openly share your personal circumstances. There is no separate quota for applicants hired on social grounds, but these criteria affect dozens of selections every year.Can I apply for a summer job at PKO if I live outside PKO’s area of operation?Yes, you can apply. Just make sure to explain why you’re interested in working with us, and for example, how you plan to arrange your accommodation during the summer job period. PKO is happy to hire young people from outside the region for summer jobs, provided they are able to stay in North Karelia during the summer. A typical situation is that you can stay with your grandparents, for example. This helps reduce loneliness among the elderly and promotes the wellbeing of young people.How does the application process work?All summer job applications are submitted through a single link. Please note that you cannot apply for a summer job with PKO if you don’t have a personal email address. We communicate about summer jobs and all other recruitment matters directly with the applicant only. This means you cannot use your sister’s or mother’s or anyone else’s email address. We hope that your email address clearly indicates both your first name and last name, and that it is otherwise appropriate.How does the application process proceed?After submitting your application, you will receive an email notifying you that your application has been received. We review applications throughout the application period and invite some applicants to interviews as early as during that time. Make sure to monitor your email throughout the process, as it’s our only channel of communication with you. You should also check your spam folder – sometimes our messages end up there. Similarly, you should make sure your email inbox isn’t full so that new messages can be delivered.How do I know that my application has been received?We will send you a confirmation message once your application has been received. If you don’t receive the confirmation message, please check your spam folder! Can I edit my application?Unfortunately, once submitted, the application cannot be edited. Once you have created an applicant account, you can request to have your application deleted and then submit a new application. Take your time when filling in the application. Complete all the required fields, attach your CV if you wish, and answer any questions.Can I send my application and CV by email?Due to the high number of applicants, and to ensure fair treatment for everyone, we can only accept applications submitted through our recruitment system.Why are your interviews usually group-based and face-to-face?We aim to interview as many young people as possible, as we believe that being invited to an interview is a valuable and educational experience for them. Group interviews are the most effective way to interview large numbers of people. In addition, we aim to interview as many young people as possible in person. We believe that face-to-face encounters have become increasingly meaningful, which is why we prefer live interviews.What kind of jobs do you offer?At PKO, we offer a wide range of summer jobs, including positions as a salesperson, chef, waiter/waitress, café worker, restaurant staff member, receptionist, floor attendant, service station employee, hairdresser and beautician. Some roles require relevant education or previous experience in the field – for example, positions as a hairdresser, chef or receptionist. Certain tasks also require you to be of legal age, such as working at the checkout or in licensed restaurants. We also offer roles that allow you to work across multiple sectors. If you’re open to this, please mention it in your application. Your work week may include tasks such as working as a salesperson in retail, as a service station employee at ABC and as a floor attendant in a hotel. During a two-week trainee period, the tasks are more limited, and the aim is to give you an introduction to the industry. We aim to give even our two-week trainees a broad understanding of the workplace and its variety of tasks by, for example, scheduling shifts to include different roles within the permitted working hours. Summer jobs are available at ABC service stations, S-markets, Sale stores, Prisma stores, Sokos stores, S hair salons, our restaurants and our hotels. You can read more about job descriptions here.How will I know what I’m supposed to do at work?PKO’s summer employees always receive thorough induction training for their role. You don’t need to have extensive work experience to get a summer job at PKO, as you’ll receive thorough induction training for your role. A customer-oriented mindset, strong interaction skills and a positive attitude will take you far.When will I find out if I have got a summer job?The recruitment process for summer employees progresses at a different pace across our business areas. As a responsible summer employer, we aim to keep applicants as well informed as possible.How much do summer jobs pay?Employment-related matters such as salary are regulated by laws and the collective agreements of each sector (e.g. collective agreement for the commerce sector, collective agreement in the hotel, restaurant and leisure industry). The employee signs an employment contract before the start of the employment relationship. The contract outlines the agreed role, salary, terms and duration of the employment, weekly working hours, duration of the trial period and other important details. We always pay salaries in accordance with collective agreements. The amount of pay depends on factors such as years of experience, job role and education.What kind of shifts do people work during the summer?In the ‘Earn as You Learn’ summer trainee programme, the working hours may not exceed six hours per day, must be continuous and must fall between 8 am and 6 pm. In regular summer jobs, employees work all types of shifts at the location (all days of the week and all shifts).

Frequently asked questions

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Social criteria in summer job applications

Summer jobs