[Caco]

Hi guys, my wife and I are from Chile, southamerica and we plan to go to NZ on november 2008, she got a WH visa but I'm older (31) and I couldn't apply for it.
Basically I'm going as a visitor and look for a job hoping to nail one at what I do here, I'm a Commercial Manager (basically sales manager) of a telecom company. I just got 925 on TOEIC and I had an experience years a go working for Canadians, I think my English is good enough.
My wife is a Professional Sommelier, but her english skills are...let's say basic, so her first goal is to study in order to search for a job in her field.
The fact that she's going with a WH and me as a visitor seems kinda strange putting myself on the position of the inmigration people at airport, what do you recommend?
Great forum this one, just what I needed.
Cheers!

Carlos.

[jo b]

Carlos,

email your cv to NZ Telecom. They are always on the look out for good sales managers. I emailed them my cv and they replied saying get in touch when I am on the ground so to speak. This I did and I had an informal interview. They ahd a job for me but unfortunately I lived 5 hours ways from where the job was so had to turn it down.
Although I did have PR which made a difference I suppose but if you are a good salesman I am sure you can 'sell yourself' well.

Good Luck

Jo

[Kim39]

Do what Jo is saying Carlos, cos you may be surprised at the response. In the meantime welcome to the forum. Any questions need answering then this is the place. Played Football last year with a Chilean who went back home this year.

Good luck

Kim

[ourquest]

The fact that she's going with a WH and me as a visitor seems kinda strange putting myself on the position of the inmigration people at airport, what do you recommend?

Hi Carlos, and welcome to this forum! In answer to your question above I think you'll find that immigration will provide you with a visitor's permit valid for three months (it is renewable). You will need enough funds to support yourself for that time and an onward ticket. It is probably wise not to be too open about wanting to look for work, although if you do find some and receive a job offer during your "holiday" then NZIS will have no problem with that and issue you with a work permit.
El problema mas grande will probably affect you later on, and that will be your wife's english ability, but with dedication and a year of working in New Zealand I am sure she'll be fine!
I wonder if anyone else on the forum is from Chile?
Estamos Sud Africanos, y mi hermano tambien (por supuesto) pero mi cunada es Chilena, de Santiago. Ellos viven en Australia.
Good luck with all your plans, and all the best for 2008. I will PM you once your PM facility is activated and let you know more about my sister-in-law's experience in an english country, which has been all good.:nice1

[Caco]

Thx everybody, I will do as Jo says and send them my CV, I'll get flying tickets for both of us to return in 3 months from arrival, even with her WH visa, and of course I will go on "vacation", I will ask on my job for a letter telling that I'm on a long vacation, just in case, I just wanna get all bases covered.
Anyway, that's my plan. I'm selling everything here, house, cars, xbox ( already sold:( ), that way I'll have more than enough funds to sustain us for 9 months ( I'm planning to extend my vacations in case I don't get a work permit the first 3 months) and if I don't get nothing ( hope I will ) It'll be a nice holiday for my wife and I, she will learn english and I'll get to practice mine. I wanna start form scratch, and we are looking forward to be there.
In your opinion, november it's a bad or good month to start looking for a job?

Cheers!:nice1

[ourquest]

In your opinion, november it's a bad or good month to start looking for a job?



From what various people have told us November is not the best month to look for work, but even more so December, as business is nowhere near as active over the holiday period. January it begins to pick up (a bit) and february is much better. But with your intention to extend your visitor's permit (if necessary) it is not as critical. And just in case you needed to know, the funds NZIS like you to have for a visitor's permit is NZ$1000 per person per month (which they reckon is enough to sustain and accommodate you).
Again, good luck with it all!:nice1