[di&ian]

Hi, we're new to this forum and would like some opinions on what we should do next.:confused:

My husband came over in October to visit job agencies in Auckland and wellington, he had lots of positive feedback but as yet, still not job! We have been informed by a HR manager that 50% of the jobs she offers to candidates overseas are turned down at the last minute. This of course must put companies off employing overseas.

We feel as though we are in a catch 22 situation at the moment, he's not being selected for jobs (possibly) because he's not there and we can't get there without a job!

So, would we be taking too much of a risk to come over before a job has been found (our immigration agent seems to think so) or do you think he stands a better chance of getting a job once he is there? (he is looking for a position as a team manager in claims). Being over there would show real commitment. Having said that, we do have two children aged 10 & 8 who we also need to consider, am I right in saying that they will not be accepted in a state school while we have a temporary visa?

It would be really helpful to hear from anyone who has been in this situation or has an opinion on what we should do next.

Thanks :nice1

[Mickstim]

Sorry I can't answer your question (I'm sure someone will), but just wanted to say welcome and good luck.

[dharder]

Hi and welcome to the forum :)

What sort of area is your OH looking for jobs in? Could he come first, find a job, and then the rest of you follow? I believe a number of people here on the forum have arrived in NZ and then found jobs, they will be able to help better.

As far as state schools are concerned, they will take your children, but you'd have to pay a considerable fee.

Good luck with the decision making :)

Daniela

[Bergita]

Hi di & ian

It seems to be easier to get a job while you're in NZ. My husband was there in October (for the whole month) and eventually 2 days before he was due to come back, got offered a job. Most of the recruitment agents won't even submit your C.V to companies unless they've met you. This might not apply to all professions though, I can only talk about I.T.

I know it's difficult when you're married and have children, but it might be better in the long run if he goes on ahead and tries to find a job. I stayed behind with my daughter, and though I missed him terribly, and my daughter had these crazy ideas about divorce (what do they learn at school??????), it turned out to be worth it.

He's back now, and we have this month to sort everything out and get to Auckland.... (did you hear me scream?)

Also, I know the whole immigration thing seems daunting, but maybe you should rethink the idea of an immigration agent? I've read a lot of posts about whether you should go with an agent or not, and the consensus seems to be NOT. Most people here have done it all on their own.

Anyway, good luck, I hope everything works out for you.

[gil]

Hi di & ian and welcome!
Hard to dish out advice as I don't know all of the circumstances, but here goes:
1. Ditch the immigation agent. Unless you have extremely difficult and complicated circumstances, the process is fine to DIY, with the help and assistance of this good (nay, great!) forum's members. My bro-in-law used agents for his family's move to the US and they were expensive and useless, he ended up doing most of it himself anyway. Search on here for posts regarding using agents or not.
2. I could never understand why I wasn't offered a job from UK. Since arriving, I have realised how the employer has to prove to the NZIS how they advertised and couldn't get anyone here and have to follow the rigours of NZIS process. Equally, the UK housing market can make it very difficult to conform to a time frame. We received PR in Nov 2005 and didn't manage to sell the house till Nov 06. None of the jobs we went for were willing to wait endlessly for us! So, either hubbie comes first and gets a job and you follow, or you all come and hope....
3. School fees as International Students are expensive, so you would be financially better off to wait until you can get student visas for the children.
See this link and scroll down to tuition for the fees at our Primary. And you're talking TWO children... http://www.pigeon-mountain.school.nz/international%20students.htm
4. You mention claims departments for jobs....if OH is in Insurance, has he looked at the big companies' websites and applied direct? Off the top of my head:
Vero, IAG, AIG, State, AMI, AA Insurance...have a google.
And good luck and keep us posted!
Gil

[JoanneG]

We're in a similar situation with 4 kids aged 8,6,3 & 20 months.

My OH is making contacts now (IT) and is planning on spending the whole of February, possibly longer in NZ.

We are lucky enough to have relatives in Welly but a friend of ours has just returned and managed to stay in hostels fairly cheaply. They were friendly too and on his return to one place he found a case of beer waiting for him!

It's going to be pretty tough on all of us especially since he will miss one of the kids birthday's but if it gets us there it'll be worth it. We've even discussed the possibility that he will have to stay there to start work and we will join him.

The other benefit to us is that while he is over there, not earning, we will still be receiving our UK Child Benefit & Tax Credits. So it makes more sense financially too.

Best of Luck to you - it's not an easy decision!

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

All good advice - especially ditching the agent and reiterrating that finding once you're here is much easier in general. I ahve certinly seen many TL claims jobs advertised and i've only been looking in Hamilton (although not for a TL claims job - maybe I should !)

Can't add anything other than best wishes.

[Chiba]

We have been informed by a HR manager that 50% of the jobs she offers to candidates overseas are turned down at the last minute. This of course must put companies off employing overseas.

You know, that's really made me think! I got a job offer a few weeks ago after interviewing during a trip to NZ. I start in December. The recruitment agent has been *really* attentive during the whole process. She's a nice person anyway, but did seem to ask, "are you sure?", quite often. Your comment makes a lot of sense! I guess if 50% of overseas applicants get cold feet, then she's got every right to be nervous. Those are bad odds! I also found that agents seemed to play hard to get, prior to us getting PR and going on an interview trip. Again, understandable - they want you to show some commitment before they spend time pitching you to clients, with whom they have to keep a relationship in the future. In fact, one agent out-and-out said something like, "now we've met you, we can send your details to clients, because we know better what kind of person you are".

It's Catch 22, for sure.

[Cat Woman]

My OH and I were lucky enough to be able to sell up and move wihout jobs once we got PR. We have no kids so we had less of a risk I guess.
We found that we couldn't even apply for jobs without PR and we could'nt get PR quicker without jobs - hey ho - such is life.
We have been here almost 2 years now and never looked back

[di&ian]

I can see this site being my best friend over the next few months (and beyond hopefully).

We are in a lucky position with regards to our house, my friend who is parting from her husband, will be moving in as soon as we're ready to go, her parents are putting up a bridging loan to buy it until hers is sold, quite lucky I think!!

From reading some of your replies I think our best option will be for Ian to come over for a month or so in the new year (assuming nothing comes up in the meantime) while I keep the children in school here. Unfortunately he has to give 3 months notice at work so he will have to hand it in sooner rather than later to stand a good chance of employment in NZ , employers won't wait that long for his notice period.

We are seriously thinking about your comments re immigration agents (was surprised you all say the same thing). They haven't done much to help so far, apart from telling us what we wanted to hear - that we qualify for a visa! But they do have all the documents needed from us, apart from our medicals.

It's so lovely to have support from everyone, thank you!

[gil]

I can see this site being my best friend over the next few months (and beyond hopefully).

We are in a lucky position with regards to our house, my friend who is parting from her husband, will be moving in as soon as we're ready to go, her parents are putting up a bridging loan to buy it until hers is sold, quite lucky I think!!

From reading some of your replies I think our best option will be for Ian to come over for a month or so in the new year (assuming nothing comes up in the meantime) while I keep the children in school here. Unfortunately he has to give 3 months notice at work so he will have to hand it in sooner rather than later to stand a good chance of employment in NZ , employers won't wait that long for his notice period.

We are seriously thinking about your comments re immigration agents (was surprised you all say the same thing). They haven't done much to help so far, apart from telling us what we wanted to hear - that we qualify for a visa! But they do have all the documents needed from us, apart from our medicals.

It's so lovely to have support from everyone, thank you!

Very lucky on the house situation Di, I agree. Thta's one less worry, and a MAJOR one at that!
Bear in mind that NZ virtually closes down over the holiday period and things don't really get going until end Jan/early Feb. There is always a HUGE job spread in the NZ Herald in Jan, not sure of the exact dates, but all the recrutiment agencies try and get as much in there as possible, I will check if I can find the dates.
Sorry to harp on on the agency front, but they have have the documents because you did the legwork to get them. They don't do anything that you can't do for yourselves. And I know it's personal choice, but the £ you're paying will convert into lots of lovely $ that are very useful this end in the early stages.

Anyway, all the best,
Gil

[Angelonthemove]

All agencies (that are any good) will see applicants whether they are local kiwis or immigrants, they will then send a cv off to a company. Most agencies write a one page document on why they think you are suitable for the role. Although sometimes they do interview you over the phone if the job is hard to fill.

ex recruitment for my sins here in NZ.

good luck all, we took the gamble and came on visitors visas, not easy but worth it in the end.