[nefertiti]

hello all,

I am new to this. I have just joined this forum. My EOI was selected 19/07/06. ITA invitation = 9/11/06. All documents submitted 25/01/07 and last document to be submitted was 20/02/07. So I am just wating for their decision. (London)

I know the whole procedure. One thing confuses me is jobs. I know all application with job offers have more chances to get through. I have been applying for jobs since 2005. I must have surpassed the 200+ applications mark. I just can't get any offers. Everywhere I see that say that you require to be a PR holder or have a WP to apply. I have also applied with agencies and even offers for international candidates. I just can't no where. Its very frustrating Can anyone help please? I am a double IT degree holder. I have experience in Systems (Hardware) Engineering.

Any help with jobs and offers would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Avalon]

I have been applying for jobs since 2005. I must have surpassed the 200+ applications mark. I just can't get any offers. Everywhere I see that say that you require to be a PR holder or have a WP to apply. I have also applied with agencies and even offers for international candidates.

Welcome.

Firstly - it may help to know that it IS very very difficult to get a job offer from outside New Z|ealand. It IS possible - but its certainly not easy.

Most people will want to see you in person - have you considered comining out here on a visit to see some agents and companies in person? That is how most people get known. Otherwise they wait till they get here.

Its very rare to get interviews from abroad. My hubby got one - and a job offer - so it can be done.

You need to do a search through the forum on this topic, theres a lot of info on this topic.

Also - look at your CV. If its not in a New Zealand style - this may explain why you are having problems. Search for info on CV's as well, as If I recall correctly theres some threads on that to help you.

It may also help if we knew where you were (im guessing UK?) and where your work experience was if it was outsuide the UK. Also - where are you hoping to move to once you get here?

That should get us started!

Hxxx

[nefertiti]

Hi Avalon, Thanks for the reply. Would you know where specifically the NZ style of Resume are ? Was your husband also looking for IT job? What agencies did he use ? I have work experience here in the UK. I am looking forward to move to BOP (bay of plenty) - Tauranga. Or perhaps Wellington. Any other help would be appreciated ! Ta ! :o)

[gpbenton]

I was in the same position as you, but once I gave a date for when I was available for an interview in New Zealand, the recruitment agencies set up some interviews, and I had a job offer 10 days after coming out.

Some say that you shouldn't take the first offer you are given, but this looked too good to turn down and was in an area in which I had previous experience, so I took it. So far no regrets whatsoever.:)

Talking to various recruiters, it seems that they have all been messed around by people overseas who haven't realized the difficulties of physically moving house and family and so give up before arriving. Actually being here, even if you have to go back, seems to convince people that you are serious about emigrating.

I used my resume from the US (2 pages), written under the guidance of a professional advisor. There was some comment from some recruiters saying that longer CVs (5 pages) were normal, but the recruiters who found the job I took said mine had all the information necessary.

[nefertiti]

Hi Graham,
Thanks for your advise. I have also given dates to the recruiters of when I would be coming to NZ. Though I just get a negative feedback saying sorry that on this occassion you have been unsuccessful. Its just getting frustrating at the moment. Could you give me some contacts of the recruiters that you contacted ? My resume is standard 2 pages as a lenghty one more than 3 pages are not advisable. As mentioned earlier, I have experience in Tech Support and Systems Eng. :)

[eternalkiwi]

Hello Nefertiti,

Like Avalon mentioned it is difficult to gain work in NZ without being based here. I also have heard of many IT roles being gained by people who were based overseas. Though they are mainly in Software or Project Management related roles.

Demonstrating that your skills and experience are relevant to organisations in New Zealand is important. It can be helpful to be a native English speaker, with a western education, though obviously this is not a necessity.

As you have experienced some recruiters appear to have a preference not to recruit foreigners. One recruiter here in Wellington recently told a friend of mine that as she was not a native English speaker she should feel lucky to have been offered a permanent job that was at a more junior level than the temp work she has had in NZ to date, (and with many glowing reports from past NZ employers) because few of their current clients would be likely to employ her.

Perseverance will eventually achieve your goals.


Shawn

[KerryS]

My resume is standard 2 pages as a lenghty one more than 3 pages are not advisable.


This could be your problem - NZ resumes are typically far more then 2 pages. A recruiter here looks for skills and achievements rather than job descriptions and functions.
Try and expand your cv a bit to include this - PM me a copy if you want and I can advise where you can make some changes. I've been offered every job I've applied for with my resume tweaked to the NZ style.

[Miggy]

Ditto KerryS comments above - My CV was only 2/3 pages long but after advice and guidance it is now 5/6 pages in length. In my experience NZ organisations are looking at not just what you've done but how well you did, the challenges you faced and overcame etc etc. It has taken me the best part of 4 months and 30 job applications to get a very good position in IT - and I'm also a double IT degree holder! Tweak that CV and keep at it buddy it will come good.

[craddweb]

It was the same story for us. Applications done from afar got us nowhere. We came out for a reccie for 11 days 6 weeks ahead of arriving with the kids, cats, furniture etc and hubby was offered 3 permanent jobs by the end of our reccie! We are in Christchurch and can give the names of contacts if you like. We were advised to go to Auckland or Wellington for IT but fancied neither and have found the IT scene in ChCh quite lively! I think the kiwis like to meet you in person rather than see what you offer on paper. Feel free to get in touch if you want any more info.

[nefertiti]

hi craddweb,

Thanks for the info. yeh i don't mind, could you pass me the info ? Ta ! :o)

[nefertiti]

Avalon,

You mentioned in your other forum that your hubby might help some how? Could pass me some info ? Ta ! :o)