[Dom]

Hi,

I have a dilemma.
We have applied for perm residency and are currently Selected from the Pool.

I am an IT consultant (developer) with 13 years exp in Oracle and 3 in Java. I believe I can get a job easily in NZ. However I was thinking of contracting over there.

However I was wondering if I should get a permie job there to start with and if I did then how does it work - ie I guess they would want some kind of commitment from me in order for them to give me a job ? If so how long are you expected to work for them ? Also on sponsorship - do companies wait for you so that you have time to sell your house in the UK etc ?

cheers

[andrewandjane]

my job waited for me for a few months, and with PR you have to work in the job for three months, then you can get the section 18a restrictions lifted off your visa. i guess it depends on who you are working for and if they out something into your contract eg if they paid all the flights and removals etc, they may expect you to work there for a defined amount of time.

[Kim39]

Just to add to this. If you come in on a WTR then you are with them for 2-3 years, unless you manage to find another accredited company who can match the criteria of accreditation.

I came in only on a WP, but the company waited 18 months for my house to sell.


Kim

[barryp]

I know of a few people who came over and contracted straight away (some are on this very board). But I don't know anyone personally who did that; far more common is to get a perm job and build a record of success here, then contract later if that's your preference. The first perm gig is typically longer than one year, enough time to get that track record. And in my experience, a year is also enough time for people you work with to move on, and poach you at their next engagement. :laugh

My background is similar to yours, and there is an abundance of employment in Wellington and Auckland. Pay is typically crap, and certainly less than you're used to. In addition, most employers/agencies expect migrants to accept a low salary for their first job here, as if they are granting you a kindness by paying you at all. Don't fall for this; negotiate for what you are worth.

We got PR before coming, without a job offer, so there are no constraints on us at all. The extent of the constraint is case-by-case and depends on how much the employer does for you. If you get paid relocation, generally you'll be expected to stay on for several years or pay back a portion of the relocation expenses.

Asking for time to sell house, pack, and move is expected. (I deferred starting by three months for moving and holiday, which I must say is on the high side.) Giving a definite move date helps quite a bit with negotiating a delay in starting.

[Dom]

yeah but I think the difference in pay between contracting and permie over there is quite considerable ? So the idea of 3 years permie is not too inviting at the moment.

We are in the process of PR application - I was wondering if it would be worth getting a permie job for a year to speed up the process or just sit out the emigration process and wait and hopefilly be given PR and go over and contract.

[KerryS]

yeah but I think the difference in pay between contracting and permie over there is quite considerable ?

The general rule of thumb for contracting is that you get an hourly rate appropriate to the annual salary. So, for example, if the job is likely to pay $100K per annum, then you would charge $100 per hour.

[tiefchord]

I think you mean 50$/hour? :)

[Dom]

The general rule of thumb for contracting is that you get an hourly rate appropriate to the annual salary. So, for example, if the job is likely to pay $100K per annum, then you would charge $100 per hour.

I thought that you can get double contracting ? eg I looked at a salary survey sone by some agency - possibly Hayes and it seemed contracting was a more profitable option ?

I would have thought if it was the same amount then nobody would want to do it.

[IanW99]

I thought that you can get double contracting ? eg I looked at a salary survey sone by some agency - possibly Hayes and it seemed contracting was a more profitable option ?

I would have thought if it was the same amount then nobody would want to do it.

$100 dollars an hour is double i.e. $100K is approx $50 per hour.

Ian

[eternalkiwi]

The margin between permanent work and contracting does vary on the location and type of job or industry. IT does possibly have the biggest difference between contract and permanent.

It is possible in some cases to gain a fixed term employment contract (e.g. 1 yr) which pays more than permanent but not as much as a 3-6 month contract.

Shawn

[Dom]

OK nice one. Thanks for all your replies. I think I will be better off sitting tight and if we get the PR then sell up and go over and get a contract.

cheers

[KerryS]

I think you mean 50$/hour? :)

No, I definitely meant $100 an hour. $50 is the sort of sum a project admin or project coordinator would expect to earn when contracting.
A developer, or senior developer (depending on their skillset) would be looking at $80-100 per hour.
Project Managers can earn anything from $100-150.
The IT market for contractors is great!

[Dom]

No, I definitely meant $100 an hour. $50 is the sort of sum a project admin or project coordinator would expect to earn when contracting.
A developer, or senior developer (depending on their skillset) would be looking at $80-100 per hour.
Project Managers can earn anything from $100-150.
The IT market for contractors is great!

Aye - its a no-brainer for me I think ! :cheers