[CjChris]

Hey...we're on the road this week (BOP!) but crazy person that I am, I'm still trying to put together job applications before their deadlines.

Quick question:

Has anyone on here ever gotten a job in NZ who didn't have NZ work experience when the job specifications say "must have relevant NZ work experience"??? :uhoh

It's just frustrating that out of a list of 15 specifications, that's the only bit of criteria I don't meet.

Do I bother applying in this case?:confused:

[Pookeko]

I've understood your question to be "is it worth applying?", and I don't have any personal experience of the answer, but if it were me I would probably go for it anyway as follows:

Can you identify why NZ experience would be a must have, or what sort of NZ experience they are talking about? If so then can you answer it with the relevant experience that you do have, plus your understanding of, or similar experience to, the NZ "must have" experience that they are looking for.

For example:

I'm applying for a job which requires NZ experience of building Kiwi Widgets... I would answer that I have 5 years experience building British Widgets and that I have read the Kiwi Widgets Making Manual and I understand the difference (they are made from kauri rather than beech!). I would then say how I have experience that I think means I can overcome my lack of NZ experience or is very similar to the NZ experience they require - in this case that I have worked with woods other than beech for the past two years (in my side-business as a professional whittler :laugh ) and list the examples...
Great example huh! :laugh :p

Good luck with it anyway :)

[blearyjane]

Hi - I have asked similar questions in the past and have been advised to go for it - just specify where you are in the immigration process....

Good luck!

[incredible hulse]

Just say how you are able to take lots of coffee breaks and lower your output to not stand out from the local workforce :exit

[Anita & Marco]

What a good and unfortunately very true comment, IncredibleHulse!

Anita

[Pookeko]

lol IH and I find that to be true here: how to spend more time talking to other people than actually getting your work done. :p

[Nathan]

I've understood your question to be "is it worth applying?", and I don't have any personal experience of the answer, but if it were me I would probably go for it anyway as follows:

Can you identify why NZ experience would be a must have, or what sort of NZ experience they are talking about? If so then can you answer it with the relevant experience that you do have, plus your understanding of, or similar experience to, the NZ "must have" experience that they are looking for.

For example:

I'm applying for a job which requires NZ experience of building Kiwi Widgets... I would answer that I have 5 years experience building British Widgets and that I have read the Kiwi Widgets Making Manual and I understand the difference (they are made from kauri rather than beech!). I would then say how I have experience that I think means I can overcome my lack of NZ experience or is very similar to the NZ experience they require - in this case that I have worked with woods other than beech for the past two years (in my side-business as a professional whittler) and list the examples...
Great example huh! :laugh

Good luck with it anyway


Hi, this is Christine using OH's login (mine refuses to work today for some reason--too old to remember password I guess...and bah! to hostel computers! but we're having fun in Tauranga this week!)

Your example, quite witty I might add, is perfect! Thank you! It helps me see how I can address the issue of not having kiwi experience...I am a teacher, so that gives you an idea of the type of job I'm looking about. I've taught for 10 years in the states, but the specific job here says applicants must have experience teaching in NZ schools..

.but it's not just any old teaching position--it's a bit different because it's made JUST FOR ME! :p It's perfect...and I want it...so I'm gonna go for it!!

I have done research on how teaching here is different/sim to teaching in US; I have researched NCEA levels, etc (although I want to know more, so any current NZ Eng teachers out there, PM me!) Your example tells me that I can at least approach this lack of NZ experience in my cover letter (hopefully) convincingly...I'll never know unless I try, at least!

And I can stand around and drink coffee with the best of 'em!