[piningforthefjords]

So after having been here in Auckland for 4 months (the first 2 of which were involved in sorting house, schools, etc etc) I hit the job hunting campaign trail. Having been an IT Contractor for 10 years with a good range of technical and business experience I thought I would waltz into a job in Auckland.......wrong! Although I have had loads of interviews (all for so called senior roles) I have been told after each interview that I am either too qulaified or likey to be bored!!

I don't think 'dumbing down' my CV is the way to go, as having gained all the experience listed on my CV why should I hide it?

Has anyone else experienced this or am I just in need of some patience?!

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Cheers.

[Milliemoo]

Hi there,

It could be that they think you'd want too much money, and are just fobbing you off with the "we think you'll get bored" speach. The other thing could be the old 'he hasn't got any NZ experience, so he's just going to use us for a few months and then move on'.

The problem my hubby had was he'd be be put forward for 'senior roles' and they wern't, they were just bog standard Java roles all offering around the $80/$85k mark. He ended up taking a lower than expected wage, but after 6 months a new opportunity came to lief and now he's a happy bunny :D

Are you going to the companies directly or using an agencey? Do they they know you're salary expectations?

I think you do need to tailor your CV to the role you're applying for, whether that means beefing up some things while playing down others.

Milliemoo

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Yes, I had exactly this scenario coming from a similar background.

I made sure I made a big play on the fact that the reason for my move was (from a work perspective) to get away from the 'you must dedicate every ounce of your entire being to your employer' attitude that exists in the IT industry at a senior/third level support role in the UK.

Point out that you fully understand that the level of 'dedication to duty' outside normal working hours would be lower and that this meant you would be enjoying your external life much better therefore able to enjoy your working life better as well. In other words go on about improved work-life balance.

The other tac I used was saying things along the lines of realising the scale of the operation you would be involved in supporting/managing would clearly be smaller but that doesn't mean the challenges involved in doing a good job and providing a high quality service to your company/client were any less significant i.e. quality not quantity of service & skill is what is important. Processes and procedures utilised by large companies are readily transferrable to smaller scale operations.

I don't think dumbing down your CV will work. Your CV is what gets you through the door to speak to them, if you dumb it down you might not get thqt far to start with. I did a lot of recruitment and interviewing of staff for my team in the UK and a good CV means I want to speak to you, it's then down to your ability to communicate and general attitude & demeanour that will get you over the finish line i.e. 'are you the right fit' not 'do you have the right skills' - if you didn't have the right skills you wouldn't be sat across the table from the interviewer in the first place.

Seemed to work for me. Hope that helps.

Sam

[skibumwa]

Don't dumb down your resume my friend. As these people have been saying, it's what gets you in the door.

What is your job title you are seeking and what type of experience do you have in your 10 years experience?

Do you have 10 years experience overall doing many different things in I.T. or just one path like as in (i.e.) just doing software development work for 10 years?

Another hint, salaries in Auckland are lower than in Wellington (where I am going) because of the sheer lack of people to interview there. Maybe you are asking too much for salary? I know you are tied to Auckland now, but consider Welly for a future home :). Sometimes also, when on interviews they ask you, "so where do you want to be in 5 years in terms of your career", well that's a hard question. How do you answer that?

With 10 year IT contracting experience, surely you are skilled, but the bigger question is does your CV show everything you've done in clear detail? I'd be happy to read it and comment on it (pros and cons) if you like? PM and I will give you me email address for that.

Also, before you go to an interview make sure the job description is full and precise. If after reading the JD, you think you might be bored in that role, then the employer will easily sniff you out and bluntly say that after your interview with them. When I came down to NZ for my vacation/interviewing trip, I only picked interviewed with companies where I was excited to go, would be able to contribute as well as learn a lot there as well as grow with the company.

Another note: it won't help you much being in Auckland, but Wellington employers are faster to respond, more reliable and desperately need IT professionals moreso that Auckland companies do. Another plus with Wellington employers, then pay more too. They seem more organized when it comes to the hiring process being streamlined too. Keep that as food for thought on your back burner just in case you end up waiting too long in Auckland for a job.

Anyway, yes if you want me to look at your resume, I'd be happy to. :yes I am just sitting here unemployed waiting for my work visa to come in so it would be a good way for me to pass some time to help another I.T. professional!

Best of luck down there my friend...
John

[piningforthefjords]

Thanks for all your replies. I have to say that I am obviously doing most of the things that have been mentioned. I guess I just need to be patient and keep plugging away!

Cheers.

[azm13]

Hi,
wife had the same problem here. Several months went by without a bite. CV was prepared in the manner which was required back home. Had a kiwi friend look at her CV and she sugguested to dumb down the CV. Got 7 interviews within a week and was offered the job from all but one of the companies. Wierd. Seems like a large portion of New Zealand working environment are filled with underacheivers. No wonder productivity is low.

Not sure if this may help your cause though but thought I might share our experience in a simmilar situation.

;)

[Mels]

Hi,

My OH had this 'too experienced' comment from a compnay in Auckland, he assumed that it meant he was too old (at 48).

? what it really means

Mels

[Familyofmonkeys]

Interesting....my OH got more senior role as they desparate for experienced people....but he went direct to company. Agencies seemed to try and convince him to expect lower salary...but he actually got more than expected. Also IMO jobs do not pay less in Auckland for IT, but the focus seems to be slightly different so it may be there are more opportunities for your particular sepcialism in either Auckland or Wellington, depending upon what exactly you do.