[CuriousPTA]

Hi all

I have been a member for a couple of days now and really enjoyed reading all your questions and advise...

We are Pretoria based and have decided for all the known reasons (but mostly because both hubbie and I are in IT and BEE has become a real career killer) to make to move to NZ.

Hubbie is in IT security (Qualified CISSP with 12 years networking and security expereince) which is on the skills shortage list, but does not have a degree...which means he needs an offer of employment. We have sent his CV to a couple of agencies and replied to a number of ads on Seek. But bottom line - If you are not in the country, you do not stand a chance.

We find it very nerve wrecking to be quitting our jobs and just come over there with no measure of security. Can anyone give us advice? What is the best way to do this?

We absolutely need to be in NZ by Jan 2008 as my daughter needs to start school and I would like to settle her as soon as possible.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[holland]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

My only advice would be that there are lots of people on this forum ( us included) who just have to take the scary jump and take a risk, neither of us have a jobs either....and it is really nerve wracking, but unfortunately you just have to take a leap of faith and hope it works out!!!!!!!!!!1

Good Luck

J and G x

[Mickstim]

Hi Isabel

I know loads of people have done it - including my sons (one of whom was born in Pretoria!), so I think it depends on your nerves and also perhaps if you have enough funds to tide you over in the short term while you job hunt etc.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Barb

[CuriousPTA]

Thank you for the responses. We are working through Protea Pacific and they said the same thing. We are thinking to let Gary go first for November and see if he can secure a job during the month of November and maybe the first two weeks of December. We can hopefully then secure a workpermit before the end of Jan and be there in time for the new school year.

I am just concerned that this might not be the best timing for a job search. Do anyone have views on that? Also, do you have suggestions on the most cost effective accommodation and transport while he is there?

Thanks - It is nice to know that we are not alone in this.

Isabel

[Nick88]

My biggest worry would be how long NZIS shuts down for over Christmas and New Year! That could throw a spanner in the works more than anything else, if you are pushed for time.

[Johnson]

Hi Isabel,

No advice from my side... we've only just started investigating a move ourselves. Just wanted to say hi to a fellow South African.

[Chiba]

Take a holiday and come for interviews. Talk to agents a month or so in advance of your holiday and have them set things up for you. Qualified IT Security people are rare, so if you can get in front of an employer you're in a good position to land something. Hint: Bank of New Zealand were looking for IT Security people recently - it's worth giving them a try for a start (register on their website, etc).

Banks are always looking for good Security people. Hit all of these guys for a start:

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/nzbanks/0091622.html

[CuriousPTA]

Hi Johnson

Nice to meet you! Scary how many people are leaving at the moment. We are about 6 months down the line with gathering of information. If you ever want to chat, pls give me a shout on Messenger: Isabel_boniface@hotmail.com.

Hi Chiba

Thanks for the message. We will definitely be there in November doing just that - hoping to get a job offer in a very short period of time. Thanks for the URL - we will contact the financials to see what they have.

Can you possibly tell me who the big IT employment agencies are that we should be registering with?

Regards

Isabel

[Chiba]

There are a lot of agencies, but the following have been nice to me so far. YMMV.

Hudson (http://www.hudson.com)
Beyond (http://www.beyondrecruitment.co.nz)
Candle (http://www.candle.co.nz)
Absolute IT (http://www.absoluteit.co.nz)

Of course, I've not got a job yet so who am I to recommend anyone! :o

It's also worth reading this thread (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12190) and searching for more. There's a ton of good info in these forums.