[mechidna]

I talked to my marketing director about a month or so back, he said to submit my EOI, even though I wasn't quite out of college yet. I won't fully graduate until August. Should I go ahead and submit my EOI like he said, or should I wait until closer to August?

I'll have 105 points, without a job offer. But I'm absolutely terrified to go over without a job offer.

what to do, what to do....

[MB]

Hi. Maybe what the Marketing Director has in mind is this, in a nutshell:
NZIS has recently done about half a dozen fortnightly drawings at which the selection point has been 100. It is, of course, an extremely low and noteworthy selection point. Perhaps it will very soon be on its way up again as more and more people hear about the low selection point and submit EOIs in what is arguably a 'self-righting' system in terms of numbers of people applying. Hence, your 105 points may be better-off entered now than later.

Also, bear in mind that with no job offer your whole application process may take months... and even then, if succesful you have, I think, between 3 months and a year (depending on whether you're granted a 2-year open work permit leading to PR, or full PR upfront) to say you want to go. So you may be able to apply for and secure a job in the meantime. Or at least have time to think. Again, if I'm right, why not apply soon?

A wider perspective is this: the current low seleciton point reflects what I understand is a rare state of affairs in NZ (i.e., a genuine shortage of skilled workers). Again, maybe a reason not miss out on the opportunity to get your EOI in ther system.

Take what I say with a pinch of salt, of course. What do others here think? Might this shortage continue for months or years (hence possibly recommending you not to apply in haste)?

You've probably already sone the following but if not:
spend hours on forums like this and on search engines such as Google clicking round, entering search terms, reading folks' experiences, looking at immigration companies' newsletters, and so on. And explore the NZIS site thoroughly. There's an awful lot there to find - statistics, operational manual, policy, and so on.
And don't forget that next week the December enhancements come into play (see NZIS site and posts on this forum). :booby

All the best,
Matt.

[MB]

One footnote: not sure about the situation re. your college qual. not yet being complete. Trust your marketing director more than me, but perhaps double-check with him/her to make sure your EOI won't be put in jeopardy.

Matt.

[mechidna]

Thanks, I think that he did say that you can't tell when the points will be going up again, so it would be good to do it soon.

I'll graduate with a Bachelors degree in computer science in Management Information Systems and I also have a certificate in Database Management with an emphasis on Oracle systems. I don't think I need my qualifications examined because, the way I understood it, it is on their list of recognized list.

I am just not sure. I hate to "jump the gun", but I'd also hate to miss out on an opportunity.

I've also heard that it's really hard for some immigrants to get a job once they arrive.

mechidna

[wayne]

Yes it can be hard for migrants to get a job,the kiwi way places less emphasis on qualifications and more on can-do attitude,you may have to set your sights lower down the employment ladder to start with but its all part of the experience, jump in and enjoy,