Picture of Inspired by your leap from accounting to TA! How does Nokia recognize potential in candidates taking bold career steps?

Inspired by your leap from accounting to TA! How does Nokia recognize potential in candidates taking bold career steps?

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Hi Rana! I’m a recent graduate who applied for the FPGA Designer role at Nokia’s Canada office. I’ve built expertise through coursework and projects, but I lack industry experience. Your career leap inspired me to bet on my potential. How can I demonstrate readiness to grow at Nokia like you did?

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Ililli T. asked a question to Rana M.

Category: Career progression

Date asked: Thursday, January 30, 2025

Last reviewed: Thursday, July 3, 2025

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Rana M.

Talent Acquisition Partner

Hi Ililli,


It's truly a pleasure to connect with you on our Insider platform, and I sincerely appreciate how you resonated with my career journey and story!


In my case, Nokia saw my potential, even though I didn’t have direct industry experience. While I may have been new to telecommunications, I brought a transferable core skill set that aligned with the role’s requirements. During the assessment process, I made it a point to illustrate how my previous experiences could relate to the position at Nokia. Connecting the dots between your current expertise and skillset and the opportunity is really important. I also conveyed my reasoning and passion for joining the telecommunications industry.


I hope this information has provided some valuable insight. I am wishing you all the success as you embark on this exciting chapter of your career journey!


Warm wishes,


Rana


Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Amar C.

Hi Rana and Ililli,

It’s inspiring to read both your journey, it really resonates with where I am right now.

I’m a recent graduate with a strong interest in digital design and verification, and like Ililli, my experience so far has been limited to university coursework and projects. While I haven’t had the chance to gain formal industry experience yet, I’ve been actively building skills through hands-on lab work, team-based hardware projects, and by self-learning tools and methodologies commonly used in the industry.

I’d love to get your advice on how someone like me without a formal internship or work history can stand out. What are some practical things I can do now to build credibility and signal my readiness to grow at a company like Nokia?

Thank you both for this great discussion. It's incredibly motivating to see how bold transitions and authentic passion are recognized at Nokia.



Sincerely,
Amar

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Picture of Rana M.

Rana M.

Talent Acquisition Partner

 

 

Hi there Amar,

 

It’s inspiring to see such a proactive mindset right from the beginning! Building credibility early can lay a powerful foundation for long-term growth—especially at a globally recognized company like Nokia. Here are some ways you can make a lasting impression:

 

 Showcase Your Skills with Purpose

  • Certifications & Courses: Take advantage of LinkedIn Learning to earn certifications in areas relevant to Nokia
  • Build a Portfolio: Even in non-creative fields, you can document academic projects, case studies, or personal initiatives to highlight your technical and strategic thinking.

 Practice Meaningful Networking

  • Engage on LinkedIn: Follow Nokia and professionals in your target roles. Comment thoughtfully on posts and share relevant articles—adding insights that demonstrate your interest and understanding.

Demonstrate Initiative

  • Contribute Beyond Your Role: Volunteer for cross-functional projects or company-wide initiatives aligned with Nokia’s values, such as digital transformation or sustainability efforts.

Tailor Your Applications

  • Ensure your CV and cover letters clearly showcase your skills, motivation, and relevance to each role.

 

Best of luck with your search!

Thursday, July 3, 2025

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