[Natasha]

Ok so we are almost at interview stage. We just have to fix up the time and date (hopefully next Thursday 28th). Eek!!!

What actually happens in the interview? They want to assess our employability and ability to settle. But are there any things we need to watch out for? What is the next step after the interview if all goes well?

Any pointers would be great.

Ade and Alex

[Bruckner]

If you do a search someone once posted a list of questions they were asked. Greg was asked about where we were thinking of living, any friends or contacts we had in NZ, etc. It was a very short interview BTW, about 10 minutes.

Emily

[CjChris]

Yes, I recently posted my interview questions. If you search my posts you'll find them easily (within the last week).

Basically they (NZIS) want to make sure that you not only have researched NZ thoroughly with regards to settling, working, and making a new life, they want to make sure you have thought everything through in case of hardship money-wise or integrating into society. Be prepared to answer "what if" questions about things not going quite right (for ex., "what if you cannot find a job in your field, what will you do?" to which you might reply any number of things--"I would consider retraining; or I am also skilled as a _______ and would enjoy changing careers; etc.).

They will know if you are not open to change or have not considered all the possible scenarios for your life in NZ from the answers you give. You also will have an opportunity to add anything you wish to the end of the interview. So, my suggestion is find the list(s) of questions on this forum (you can do keyword search on here as well) and write out the answers and talk about the answers with your partner to make sure you can easily articulate responses when the time comes. It sure helped me!

As you are speaking, the interviewer will be typing in your responses; she/he will then pass everything along to the supervisor, who reviews everything and either gives you PR or WTR visa. My case officer said almost no one is turned down if you make it to the interview stage.

I waited only a week and a half for my results-she emailed to say we had been granted PR :raebanana , which is what we'd hoped for (I don't have a job offer and hope to spend a few months in NZ without working until we are settled on a place to live).

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Our case officer said the same i.e that virtually nobody got tyrned down if you got as far as interview, the only question was whether they offerd full PR or a conditional WTR visa.

A lot of my answers were along the lines of "Well we've done a lot of research into that area and compared that with real world examples and questions posed through this forum to ensure what we understand to be the case is the reality for those that have already been through the process and settled" etc.

Quoting use of and membership of this forum was definitely a helpful way to explain how I could be sure that, for example, the salary I was expecting to earn was realistic and that I understood house prices etc.

They will also be keen to understand your inrended methods of 'integrating' and meeting people, as well as dealing with any homesickness issues.

Good luck, and it's not that bad, just concentrate on sounding confident and well researched and you'll be fine.

My interview lasted about 25 minutes but I waffled on a lot about all the planning and research we had done. I'm sure I could have got away with a lot less motormouthing, but then I suppose that showed how 'up for it' we really were.

We got our answer in about five days (PR).

[checkout]

If you dont have a job then they would want to know what research you have done to get a job in your skill area. In case you dont get a job what are the backup plans.. etc . What difficulties you might face in getting the job.

Anyways good luck

[Natasha]

Thanks Guys.

I've already looked into jobs and have a few contacts in my area of work (training). I want to retrain as a clinical psychologist and have contacted Wellington uni and have details of how I can study and of scholarships.

Chris, my OH (Alex) has sent me the link for your phone interview questions so thanks for your input on the forum.

Our interview is now set for 1.30pm on Thursday 28th!!! Alex and I are going down to London for it. We feel that we will do better face to face than over the phone, plus we get to have a day out in London. Guess this weekend will be all about revision of questions.