[Nettie 2]

:confused: Ok, how's this for a daft one?! We moved here 4 months ago, settling in Taupo, have found a house, acquired a small mortgage, but have no job between us! Now, what I really want to know is how do I go about finding a job? I used to work in a bank in UK (30+ years) and would really like to change direction. Have enquired in local bank in Taupo, but I would like to escape from "leads & targets" get a nice job with no responsibility which I would do to my best ability but then go home & forget! I have absolutely no idea what I want to do except I would love to work with people, couldn't abide the thought of sitting in an office all day with no outside contact. I don't need to earn alot, pin money really (I hope!) I look every day in our local paper but all the jobs that slightly appeal require computer skills and apart from the real basics (like posting on the forum!) and in house programmes ( old bank job) I am totally ignorant. I am quickly losing all confidence in myself and getting slightly het up about it, (never anticipated being in this position at my age) so if there is anyone out there with any advice I would be sooo grateful.:roll :roll

[nickydwuk]

Hi Nettie. Although I am not in NZ yet, the job situation should not be much differerent to the UK. If you are looking for something that does not give you 'targets & leads' and does not involve computers have you given any thought to care work. Not sure how it works in NZ but in the UK you can be a carer that helps people at home or work in a hospital as a Health Care Assistant (or NZ equivalent). You are working with people with no PC's to blight your day and no targets, just making sure the patients are clean, comfortable and well fed.

Just a thought.:yes

[Chiba]

Whacky suggestion - Department of Conservation? They always seem to be advertising for rangers (http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=42183). You can't get much more away from an office job than that! :)

[Nettie 2]

Thanks for the couple of suggestions so far. I definately don't mind "whacky"! Who knows the wackiest may turn out to be the job of my dreams! :yes Like the idea of being a ranger, but not sure if I might not be too old now. How I hate admitting to the age thing especially as I still feel about 16 years old! Keep em coming please, and do we have the equivalent of a job centre here?

[Carey]

If you like working with young people, go and offer to help in a school which could well lead to a job as teacher aid. Rewarding and fun....

[Jezza]

I look every day in our local paper but all the jobs that slightly appeal require computer skills and apart from the real basics (like posting on the forum!) and in house programmes ( old bank job) I am totally ignorant.

I sympathise with this. I grew up in Zimbabwe and computers played absolutely no part in my life. When I came to UK, aged 25, no one could believe I'd never switched on a computer. Every job interview just assumed I knew Word, Excel and Access.

I realised I wasn't going to get very far without them, so I contacted the Jobcentre who put me on to the local college who ran evening classes in basic word processing, spreadsheets and so on. Once you've got that, suddenly you find that many more jobs become possible. I appreciate you don't want to sit in an office, but the reality is that almost everything now, including many DOC jobs, require the use of a computer to a certain extent. So don't let it stand in your way. It might be worth contacting the local college where you are to see if they do courses.

[Chiba]

...and as to computers, you're never too old. My Dad had never touched one until he retired. He took a few classes and now he builds his own, and sets them up for his mates. My Mum followed his lead and took some evening courses, and now proudly says, "email me"!

Go for it!

[Nettie 2]

Thanks guys, re computer sympathy......I am having thoughts along those lines about going and learning more about them. I actually enjoy what I can do and love to mess about to see what I can find, but there is just so much to them I couldn't possibly learn as much as I would like by myself. So, this week, off to look for somewhere or someone with the knowledge (and the patience!) to teach the old dog some new tricks!! :cheers

[IanW99]

Have seen many places offering free computer training courses in NZ, don't know if they are any good, but should be some near you?

For example, found this one in Taupo:-free computer training (http://www.waiariki.ac.nz/freecomputing.asp)

Ian

[Caroline and Dave]

Hi Nettie.
A really good place that may well be able to help you is the Citizens advice Bureau. They will probably be able to put yopu in the right direction
http://www.cab.org.nz/

Hope this helps

Dave and Caroline

[Aussie Pom]

Hi,
Maybe you should start working for yourself? There must something you could do. I don't know if you would find cleaning or ironing to menial but there are always people who need it done, you would probably get paid cash and you can just knock off at the end of the day. You can also bring ironing to your place if you wanted to. Walking people's dogs? That will keep you fit too.
Not sure if that helps.
Gina

[colandros]

saw an ad looking to recruit probation officers in nz,just a thought.

i was also going to suggest some form of care work. you dont need loads of quals to start and depending on the
client group your working with it can be very rewording on a personal level.

[Nettie 2]

:nice1 Ian thank you so much. I have been looking for just that. There was an ad in our local paper for free computer courses, but they omitted to put in any contact details! Hope it's not the same one....doesn't bode well!!;)
I will be going there tomorrow to get started. Thanks again.
I have also thought about starting own business. To my embarrassment, I am very good at cleaning (so my man is always teasing me) don't particularly enjoy it but heh if someone wants to pay me who am I to argue?! I also quite like ironing (sad but true!) so same applies.
If I was to do this and it took off I would so get the last laugh in my family, they think I'm a joke always fussing about with a duster!!! My step son introduced me to a friend once as "the clean one"!!!!! :laugh

[Aussie Pom]

It is me again I had another thought... it was painful. Another thing that people like is for someone to check on their house and feed their pets while they are away or on holiday. You would need police clearance but then you just leave a card in the vet's or an advert in the paper. Obviously you don't get a car with a business name on it to park outside the houses. :laugh
Gina

[Nettie 2]

Thanks Gina,
You must stop this thinking lark I know how painful it can be too! I like your suggestions tho, they are things I wouldn't have thought of myself. (It hurts too much!!) :o Seriously, Thank you, all these things are useful and who knows I may well fall back on one (or all) of them at some time.

[gil]

Nettie2,
Domestic services of all sorts are always sought after (one has NEVER been able to get the staff, and still can't, so there's always hope for us clean, pressed, cooking types ;)).
Personally, I LOVE shop work; I know it's not up everyone's street, but there's usually a demand, not a huge computer literacy requirement and unless you're the owner, you can do a satisfying day or half-day's work and then go home :D
Also, are there any tourist type things around you? Do they need guides, waitresses etc?

Good luck!

Gil

[pinkpiggy]

Hi Nettie - along the lines of what has been mentioned above, the organisation I work (www.Community Living Trust.org.nz) are constantly looking for caregivers/support workers. They cover the Waikato area. You need Police Clearance but no formal qualifications. The care given can be a matter of a few hours support, for a person with intellectual difficulties, helping them to get out in the community.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Nettie 2]

Thanks Gil, yes I have thought about shop work, did it years ago and enjoyed it. The only problem I have with that is the shops in Taupo are absolutely dead at this time of year and I'll die of boredom!! I know the season will be upon us soon and things will probably change then so I could have another look then.
Updating on the computer thing, I went to my first lesson today and it was great!! It turns out I'm not as thick as I supposed, picked it up quite easily.....so far! Another one tomorrow, I can go as often and for as long as I like and it's FREE! I've got to send off my enrolment forms and they send me out a work book which I can do at home or at the college. Who could want more? I should have done this months ago! Hindsights a wonderful thing...
Keep those suggestions coming.

Cheers everyone, Nettie.