[Kalla]

hi guys

thanks for all the help and support so far - been GREAT!

we have just submitted our ITA and in preparation for our interview which I'm certain we will eventually have as we don't have a job - i've been preparing answers to the questions that have been posted on this forum (again, thanks, what a great resource).

what i just wanted to ask was any advice about answering these questions.

for jobs: is it enough to say that we've done internet research and contacted a few agencies/companies who have said to contact them again once in New Zealand? just worried this isn't enough research on jobs, but we've hit a dead end with jobs - been faced with a common response by everyone - ie, contact us again when you have an arrival date.

for plans/where to live etc: we have no idea - do you think we should fix on a location and say for example, wellington because we have friends there OR is it enough to say we'll start in Auckland and move to wherever a job comes up (because that's the truth, we'd prefer North island, but it will depend on employment). worried this makes us look non-commital or badly prepared.

does it work in your favour if you have relatives and friends over there (and do they follow this up at all). not that i want to lie or anything, but we do have family in NZ, but they are distant relatives who we've not seen for 20 years or so. so techinically, yes we do have relatives, but they probably wouldn't recognise us if they met us now. but if i mention that we have relatives it might make us look like we have more of a support system.

any other tips??

I'm overthinking this I think, but we've come so far, I dont' want to fall down at the last hurdle.

thanks so much!

[JandL]

for jobs: is it enough to say that we've done internet research and contacted a few agencies/companies who have said to contact them again once in New Zealand?

It all depends on your job type. If your in IT for example online agencies is 90% of the job market covered. If you are a teacher I'm sure there is a specific site/magazine/paper you buy which is well known. As long as you have researched the places relevant to you job, there is nothing else you can do :).


for plans/where to live etc: we have no idea - do you think we should fix on a location and say for example, wellington because we have friends there OR is it enough to say we'll start in Auckland and move to wherever a job comes up (because that's the truth, we'd prefer North island, but it will depend on employment). worried this makes us look non-commital or badly prepared.

You don't have to make stuff up for them, they just want to know you have a plan. As you say, your plan is to start in Auckland to get your kiwi-experience due to more jobs. But being able to move about it also a good thing as they will ask what you will do if you cant get a job, and one good answer is that you can move anywhere in the country.


but if i mention that we have relatives it might make us look like we have more of a support system.
We don't know anyone there, its wasn not a problem. I'm sure you would gain kudos for having a support network, just tell them the truth. You have relatives that you haven't seen for a while who you could ask questions from.


any other tips??

Relax, if you got this far they are very interested in letting you in. If you have done your research, have skills/experience that they want then it will just be a formality.

[Susan&Dennis]

I second the above post...one thing that also came up during my interview was what I knew about the cost of housing...do a little research on flat/house rent/purchase. Might be good to mention that, since mortgage rates are beginning to fall (about a couple of percent in the last few months), it should make home-buying easier. If there's an area you'd like to live in, for a particular reason, mention that--but also say that you'll go where the job is...and if you have a Plan B for a job, mention that. They'll ask.

If you have some cash reserves, mention that. If you've ever visited NZ, mention that.

Don't oversell the relatives, but just having them there is a plus--and mention the area they live in. You are so right in wanting everything to be aboveboard--good on ya.

You'll do fine. Cheers, S.

PS: Why not reconnect with the relatives now? Might be great for everyone, whether you would "need" them or not.

[rizjunior]

I am too in same boat, waiting for interview which will obviously come one day. Here is what I think.

I was in contact with one or two recruiting agencies and all of them asked whether I have a visa or can I come for interview, my answer was no, so they advised me to let them know my arrival date and they will arrange interview with employer. Just search few recruiting agencies and send them your CV (though you wil get same answer as I did) and then in interview tell CO what they said. This is a scenario like who came first egg or chicken. Without visa you can not get a job and without job you can not get a visa. IMM people understand this.

About housing. Just look few estate agents on Internet in the area you are interested to live and ask them rent and availability of accommodation etc, keep the record in writing to tell CO if he/she asks. You should have a general idea of housing, and also look at the schools in same area if children are accompanying you.

Good to be flexible in job if you don't find in specific area, someone already mentioned above to move where good job is.

Also good point to mention any savings or money you are taking with you. Friends and relatives will have good impact on interview(my thought only) as this will help in socialising with people question 9if it comes).

AND lastly if you manage to write questions and answers, please donot forget to send me as well..................