How to land a job in the science industry during difficult times with Flora Kalaskar

Flora Kalaskar has lived in Finland for over 15 years. During this time, she has built a career across science, health tech, and leadership while navigating maternity breaks, unemployment, layoffs, career changes, and new starts. Her journey includes many roles such as bioanalyst, project manager, lab technician, sales and marketing professional, and team leader.

This is not a story about fast success or perfect planning. It is about flexibility, consistency, faith, and learning to move forward even when things repeatedly fall apart. Flora shares honestly what helped her stay grounded, how she approached job searching in Finland, and what she would tell others who are facing rejections today.

To listen to this episode on Spotify, click here. 

What brought you to Finland?

I moved to Finland 15 years ago, in 2010, after getting married. My husband was working at Nokia at the time, and that is how my life here started.

Do I feel at home in Finland? Yes, I do. Of course, when it’s dark for long periods and there is no sun, I miss my family and my home country, India. But Finland is a very good place to grow as a family. Life here has less pressure, and in that sense, it really feels like home.

What is your professional background?

I have a master’s degree in biochemistry. After finishing my studies in India, I worked in a government job as a bioanalyst. About two years later, I got married and moved to Finland.

When I arrived, I had no local networks. No connections. No Finnish language skills. Everything started from zero.

The first year, I focused on learning Finnish. Then I looked for a training position just to practice the language. Through a friend who was doing her PhD at the University of Helsinki, I got a trainee role in a cancer research unit. 

After that, I had a long break due to maternity leave. About five years. During that time, I did not pressure myself to work. I spent time with my children, and I had strong support from my husband.

How did you return to work after?

After those years, I became unemployed and registered with the employment office. Through them, I was guided to different training and mentoring opportunities. I started as a trainee project manager in a startup near the University of Helsinki. 

After about a year, the company that hired me faced funding issues. The project was discontinued, and I was unemployed again.

That pattern repeated many times in my life. Budget cuts. Projects ending. Acquisitions. Layoffs. Each time, I had to start again.

How did you keep going mentally through layoffs and uncertainty?

Honestly, it was not easy.

Three things helped me the most.

• First, my faith. I prayed a lot. It helped me stay grounded and believe that things would change.
• Second, my family. My husband supported me constantly. Having someone who says “it’s okay, things will work out” matters more than people think.
• Third, learning to stay calm. Over the years, I realized that panic and pressure only push you into a negative loop. I learned to slow down, focus, and trust the process.

For mothers, students, or anyone in a transition phase, I really believe this: enjoy the season you are in. Do not constantly worry about the future. Things fall into place when the time is right.

You worked in many different roles. How important was flexibility?

Very important. I was never rigid about job titles.

I worked as:

• Bioanalyst
• Project manager
• Lab technician
• In sales and marketing
• In team leadership roles

Each role taught me something new. At the time, some of these jobs felt like steps sideways or even backwards. But today, in my current team leader role, all those skills are exactly what they were looking for.

If you are in science or health tech, my advice is simple: do not be rigid. If a role is related, even if it is not perfect, take it. You will learn.

How did you find your current job?

Through a governmental job portal, Työmarkinatori. I did not know about the company before applying.

The role was not in my exact field, but about 70–80% of the requirements matched my skills. So I applied.

This is something I really want to stress: If you match even 50–60% of a role, apply. Do not reject yourself.

What was your job search strategy?

I treated job searching like a full-time job. I created a routine.

• Searching.
• Calling.
• Applying.
• Following up.

I went to industry exhibitions. I talked to people. I collected company lists from brochures and contacted them one by one. Every day.

When you stay busy like this, you do not have time to stay in a negative mindset.

Have you ever been hired through networking in Finland?

Not directly through hidden jobs, but calling was key.

Every job I got started with a phone call. In Finland, calling matters. If there is a contact person, call them. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Show genuine interest.

If I were a hiring manager, I would notice those people first.

Did you apply for jobs in Finnish as well?

Yes. Both English and Finnish.

If the job ad was in Finnish, I sometimes used translation tools. Even if Finnish was listed as a requirement, I still applied. In reality, many roles work fully in English, especially in the Helsinki region, even if Finnish is mentioned as a requirement.

What would you tell someone facing constant rejections now?

A few things:

• Build a positive mindset.
• Be consistent.
• Create a daily routine.
• Do not give up.
• Surround yourself with supportive people.
• Avoid constant negative content. I personally stopped reading discouraging job market posts when I was searching.
• Call people. Ask for help. Find mentors. Many mentors help for free.

And most importantly: do not stop believing that your time will come.

Final thoughts

My journey was not easy. But it taught me flexibility, resilience, and patience.

If I could say one thing to anyone looking for a job in science or health tech in Finland, it would be this:

Keep going. Stay open. Stay calm. Learn continuously.
Things do change.

About Flora Kalaskar

During her 15 years in Finland, Flora changed jobs several times due to different circumstances. These constant changes taught her to become wiser, more strategic, and more competitive in the job market. She learned how to handle difficult situations and use practical methods to find a new job in a short time — even without recommendations.

Flora started her career as an unpaid trainee and later moved into roles where she led expert teams and achieved strong business results. This experience taught her to stay humble while still aiming for better and higher career opportunities without giving up.