[peterg22]

Folks,

I need some advice: I'm concerned about my "skill set" and wonder whether it'll be enough to get me into NZ. The problem is that I've worked in commercial IT for over 20 years and learnt the trade as I go along. I have no formal IT qualifications at all and I don't have a degree.

What I do have are the skills necessary to help bring a small market research division monitoring a few UK shops to an industry leader servicing some 6,000-plus shops worldwide (including NZ) and still expanding. This has included work on both the technical and client-facing sides, but at the end of the day I don't have a piece of paper that says I have skills.

Is anyone in this situation?

Thanks in advance..

[Alan]

You need to think about your job and ensure it is on the ANZSCO list I think it is, and then set about finding yourself a job offer, this should get you the points and the leverage to get in.

[peterg22]

The nearest match I can find is "IT Specialist" which requires a degree. I'm not sure if simply having relevant experience would count at this stage. I'm already starting to apply for jobs and it'll be interesting to see what response I get..

[MaxG]

Has your role been a management one? Not clear from the original post, but

the skills necessary to help bring a small market research division monitoring a few UK shops to an industry leader servicing some 6,000-plus shops worldwide

makes it sound possible. Would 12271 Information Technology Manager be a plausible role? Training and experience are 3-4 year degree and/or 5 - 10 years work experience - so formal qualifications not essential.

[peterg22]

Has your role been a management one? Not clear from the original post, but makes it sound possible.

No.. My time has been split between devising and writing software then installing and supporting it - complete prduct lifecycle. I've had a lot of client contact both on the phone and in the real world, so right now I'm thinking that I need to make more use of my people skills.

Would 12271 Information Technology Manager be a plausible role? Training and experience are 3-4 year degree and/or 5 - 10 years work experience - so formal qualifications not essential.

Possibly, as I've been involved in many aspects of IT - I'll have to check the definition but thanks for the info on that!

I'm also in the process of getting a letter of international recognition from clients in South Africa in order to prove that I've had the experience I claim. I think what I really need to do though is to get an agent who will give me an honest assessment.

[Stephen Jones]

Folks,

I need some advice: I'm concerned about my "skill set" and wonder whether it'll be enough to get me into NZ. The problem is that I've worked in commercial IT for over 20 years and learnt the trade as I go along. I have no formal IT qualifications at all and I don't have a degree.

What I do have are the skills necessary to help bring a small market research division monitoring a few UK shops to an industry leader servicing some 6,000-plus shops worldwide (including NZ) and still expanding. This has included work on both the technical and client-facing sides, but at the end of the day I don't have a piece of paper that says I have skills.

Is anyone in this situation?

Thanks in advance..



I'm in the same boat too....

Steve

[Stephen Jones]

The nearest match I can find is "IT Specialist" which requires a degree. I'm not sure if simply having relevant experience would count at this stage. I'm already starting to apply for jobs and it'll be interesting to see what response I get..

I tried the direct job application approach and found that:

a) I was either ignored, or

b) advised by the agencies that most employers will not even look at your c.v. until you are in NZ.

As most (not all) of us need a job offer to get in this is NOT good news...

Best of Luck

Steve

[peterg22]

@Steve..

I phoned up an agency last night (UK time) and spoke to the MD who also handles Perl, my speciality. She seemed to think that it would not be a problem getting placed but I'm cynical as I've heard this so many times from UK agencies.

Nevertheless, she asked me to provide a full CV including a skills matrix showing levels of proficiency for each skill, which I'll do. If it proves successful I'll eat a koala but she could just be right. At this early stage I'm not going to rule any option out.

I hope you do well though and maybe we'll have a beer in NZ!

[Stephen Jones]

@Steve..

I phoned up an agency last night (UK time) and spoke to the MD who also handles Perl, my speciality. She seemed to think that it would not be a problem getting placed but I'm cynical as I've heard this so many times from UK agencies.

Nevertheless, she asked me to provide a full CV including a skills matrix showing levels of proficiency for each skill, which I'll do. If it proves successful I'll eat a koala but she could just be right. At this early stage I'm not going to rule any option out.

I hope you do well though and maybe we'll have a beer in NZ!


Thanks for this. Was the agent you spoke to in NZ?

Keep that beer cold!

Steve

[peterg22]

Yes, it was an NZ agency - ITmaniacs. To be honest I'm fed up with UK agencies putting me up for jobs that are totally unsuitable. I certainly wouldn't trust them to find me a job in NZ!!

The beer's still cold - I've had one already and there's one behind the bar for you.

[Stephen Jones]

Yes, it was an NZ agency - ITmaniacs. To be honest I'm fed up with UK agencies putting me up for jobs that are totally unsuitable. I certainly wouldn't trust them to find me a job in NZ!!

The beer's still cold - I've had one already and there's one behind the bar for you.


Hopefully I'll be there in NZ to drink it before Christmas!
Cheers!

Steve

[dharder]

To be honest I'm fed up with UK agencies putting me up for jobs that are totally unsuitable.

Actually, that has been exactly my experience here in Auckland. I got the impression they sent me for interviews for jobs that had been around for a while, and they were just throwing whatever CV at it they could find.

I had three interviews through agencies, and all three I had no idea why they sent me. I mean, everyone was really friendly and they didn't think it odd I'd sit there, but my skill set was so obviously not what they were looking for.

This is Auckland, and I think the IT market in Wellington might be slightly different. But on the whole, I found the agencies here a big disappointment. Most of them didn't return calls, didn't respond directly to my queries about advertised jobs, and some of them simply sent email templates with a set of standard questions back after I registered with them and answered most of those questions. I found one notable exception, they didn't get me a job, but seemed professional and nice.

In the end, I gave up on agents and applied directly. I applied to four jobs directly, and got two job offers out of that (and accepted one of those).

Good luck,

Daniela

[peterg22]

Hopefully I'll be there in NZ to drink it before Christmas!
Cheers!

Steve

Likewise, but if I'm a bit delayed make sure you stay in the bar until I get there :laugh Incidentally, are you going to the New Zealand Expo in London on April 5th? It's a pity it's not a bit sooner but it could prove to be a great networking opportunity. Here's the link (http://www.expo-newzealand.com/). Unlike the Australian one which is by "invitation only" you just need to preregister and buy a ticket. I'm printing out a bundle of CVs to take along..

[peterg22]

Actually, that has been exactly my experience here in Auckland. I got the impression they sent me for interviews for jobs that had been around for a while, and they were just throwing whatever CV at it they could find. I had three interviews through agencies, and all three I had no idea why they sent me. I mean, everyone was really friendly and they didn't think it odd I'd sit there, but my skill set was so obviously not what they were looking for.


Where have I heard this before? :( Mind you, eternal optimist that I am, I sometimes think that you/I might just possess a quality that the employer's looking for, and it's good interview practice anyway. Look at it this way.. if you get sent for a totally unsuitable job and can b*llsh*t your way through the interview you know that you're good!

This is Auckland, and I think the IT market in Wellington might be slightly different. But on the whole, I found the agencies here a big disappointment. Most of them didn't return calls, didn't respond directly to my queries about advertised jobs, and some of them simply sent email templates with a set of standard questions back after I registered with them and answered most of those questions. I found one notable exception, they didn't get me a job, but seemed professional and nice.
In the end, I gave up on agents and applied directly. I applied to four jobs directly, and got two job offers out of that (and accepted one of those).


I sometimes wonder if it's better to network in non-obvious places, and make use of NZ IT forums. I'll give these agencies an opportunity and then it's time to use other options.

Thanks for the info though.. it's confirmed what was already forming in my mind and early knowledge is always good!

[Stephen Jones]

Likewise, but if I'm a bit delayed make sure you stay in the bar until I get there :laugh Incidentally, are you going to the New Zealand Expo in London on April 5th? It's a pity it's not a bit sooner but it could prove to be a great networking opportunity. Here's the link (http://www.expo-newzealand.com/). Unlike the Australian one which is by "invitation only" you just need to preregister and buy a ticket. I'm printing out a bundle of CVs to take along..


Hi, Yes I should be there for that one. Thanks for the link

Steve