bumpffslam
19th June 2007, 10:13 PM
I've been reading this forum since before we emigrated from the UK 2 years ago. I thought I'd give a short account of my experience and also that from an employers prespective.
I applied for over 100 management jobs in NZ whilst still living in the UK. I got little response despite considerable experience and solid track record. No NZ experience, lack of understanding of NZ cultural issues and not being in NZ for interview were I sensed the issues but no one is going to tell you that!
I eventually did get interest from an agent who turned me down for the role I applied for and then weeks later emailed me about an entirely different role because frankly he had a role that they'd struggled for over 6 months to fill and my military experience from years back was relevant
The company gave me a 90 minute telephone interview in the middle of the UK night which eventually resulted in an invite to interview when we arrived in NZ. The role was working for a civilian contractor providing services at the Army base at Waiouru (I had to look it up on the map), central North Island Plateau, State Highway one. It's often the coldest place in NZ!
I attended other interviews, also meet with the 3 biggest providers of interim managers. Interesting meetings but effectively you are just stock they are trying to sell if they happen on a client need. Don't hold your breath
After the 3-week "recce" of the country, we concluded that we didn't come to NZ to live in a big city. Napier or Queenstown would have been nice but there are no many big mangement jobs in those places and stiff competition from natives wanting to relocate. So Waiouru it was, though we lived in Ohakune - sleepy small town for 8 months, wild ski resort for the rest!
In my role I had 200 staff but continually needed chefs, trades, storemen, grounds, mechanics. Recruitment was a real headache due to the remote location and pay. I tried advising on Seek and via UK ex miltary sites. The response was low in volume and applicants half hearted about emigrating or poorly researched as to likely NZ pay rates. I got fed up with time wasters. The only thing that worked was recruiting Fijian Indians as chefs and then we had to interview in Fiji.
I have recently moved companies and to the Bay of Islands. It's strange that there are not many big permenant jobs going here, yet I work for a big company that struggles to recruit accounts, IT and electricans/linesmen. In the last 6 months we've had one overseas recruit not show and another leave within a day. It's not the company, its people using us.
Frankly I don't now consider people unless they are in country for interview and can demonstrate they'll get through the formalities and show strong commitment to arriving.
My advice if a job is vital to your application is:
1. Be prepared to take a job anywhere in NZ so as to get that vital "NZ experience".
2. Consider what in you CV has most value in NZ
3. Look at the areas where most New Zealanders are reluctant to work.
4. Speak with some of the less obvious but large employers eg NZ Defence Force, outsourcing companies, utility companies.
5. Don't mess employers around - you'll make it worst for others who wish to follow.
I applied for over 100 management jobs in NZ whilst still living in the UK. I got little response despite considerable experience and solid track record. No NZ experience, lack of understanding of NZ cultural issues and not being in NZ for interview were I sensed the issues but no one is going to tell you that!
I eventually did get interest from an agent who turned me down for the role I applied for and then weeks later emailed me about an entirely different role because frankly he had a role that they'd struggled for over 6 months to fill and my military experience from years back was relevant
The company gave me a 90 minute telephone interview in the middle of the UK night which eventually resulted in an invite to interview when we arrived in NZ. The role was working for a civilian contractor providing services at the Army base at Waiouru (I had to look it up on the map), central North Island Plateau, State Highway one. It's often the coldest place in NZ!
I attended other interviews, also meet with the 3 biggest providers of interim managers. Interesting meetings but effectively you are just stock they are trying to sell if they happen on a client need. Don't hold your breath
After the 3-week "recce" of the country, we concluded that we didn't come to NZ to live in a big city. Napier or Queenstown would have been nice but there are no many big mangement jobs in those places and stiff competition from natives wanting to relocate. So Waiouru it was, though we lived in Ohakune - sleepy small town for 8 months, wild ski resort for the rest!
In my role I had 200 staff but continually needed chefs, trades, storemen, grounds, mechanics. Recruitment was a real headache due to the remote location and pay. I tried advising on Seek and via UK ex miltary sites. The response was low in volume and applicants half hearted about emigrating or poorly researched as to likely NZ pay rates. I got fed up with time wasters. The only thing that worked was recruiting Fijian Indians as chefs and then we had to interview in Fiji.
I have recently moved companies and to the Bay of Islands. It's strange that there are not many big permenant jobs going here, yet I work for a big company that struggles to recruit accounts, IT and electricans/linesmen. In the last 6 months we've had one overseas recruit not show and another leave within a day. It's not the company, its people using us.
Frankly I don't now consider people unless they are in country for interview and can demonstrate they'll get through the formalities and show strong commitment to arriving.
My advice if a job is vital to your application is:
1. Be prepared to take a job anywhere in NZ so as to get that vital "NZ experience".
2. Consider what in you CV has most value in NZ
3. Look at the areas where most New Zealanders are reluctant to work.
4. Speak with some of the less obvious but large employers eg NZ Defence Force, outsourcing companies, utility companies.
5. Don't mess employers around - you'll make it worst for others who wish to follow.