[msleiners]

Hi Guys,

I m from Brazil and I intend to go to NZ on January/2010.

I have 10 years of experiences with Web/Desktop development and 6 years of .Net (C#/Vb.Net). I look every single day the seek website and I see a lot of opportunities, I realy don't believe that is too hard to get a job.

I hope next year will be better for us.

Good lucky for everybody.

I recommend to save up enough money to be able to live in NZ without income for at least 7 months. And only then make the move.
I hada a similar situation like you (although i have only 4+ yrs exp.). I also was scanning advertisments and was optimistic about many adds (like you) and then i got my PR and was ready to make the move and then i read what actually happens in the market, and this information made me "think again". I decided to stay in my current very well paid job and save, save, save and i will only go to NZ when my PR visa (ie. entrance date) will be close to expiring. At that time i will at least have a lot of buck to cushion myself from stress that comes when one is not able to find a job for prolonged period of time. Maybe you should do the same mate?

[JandM]

Hi Guys,

I m from Brazil and I intend to go to NZ on January/2010.

I have 10 years of experiences with Web/Desktop development and 6 years of .Net (C#/Vb.Net). I look every single day the seek website and I see a lot of opportunities, I realy don't believe that is too hard to get a job.

I hope next year will be better for us.

Good lucky for everybody.
Hello and welcome. :)

I can understand your wanting to be optimistic, and it's good to be ambitious, but do notice what the other posters on this thread have said - they're not making it up.

[Duncan74]

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

[flaviosa]

I have saved money for a while and I'll continues to save money until the end of the year, so, I'll have money to stay in NZ without job for at least 1 year. But won't go with PR will try to get a Job Offer.

How can I get the necessary points to get PR without NZ experience?

How was your process?

[JandM]

How can I get the necessary points to get PR without NZ experience?Everyone's profile is different. Some people will have a larger number of points because of high relevant qualifications, others because of their age, others because of their partner's qualification, others because they will be working outside Auckland, etc., etc.. And of course, if you get a job offer, that adds on points, too.

[Duncan74]

Yep, I've applied for EOI with 155 points, no job offer, no NZ experience. 12 years Uk experience in an area of LTSS an MEng and an MSc. Wife has a BA. So it's possible, just need to work out the best way to focus your efforts to acheive the points that you realistically can get in the timeframe you want.

[flaviosa]

I'm 28 years old, 10 years of Skilled Experience, But I never pass on the Self-Assessment, because all of test that a saw if you don't have NZ experience you can't apply.

[Duncan74]

Flavio,

So can you spend the next few months actually getting some formal qualifications that NZ will recognise?

[M-Squared]

i will only go to NZ when my PR visa (ie. entrance date) will be close to expiring. At that time i will at least have a lot of buck to cushion myself from stress that comes when one is not able to find a job for prolonged period of time. Maybe you should do the same mate?

Looking at your timeline:

Idea to move to NZ - Jan, 2008
Started immigration process - 16 Jul, 2008
Got my PR - 3 Mar, 2009 (no job offer)
Arriving in NZ - Sept 2010 (or sooner if get job)

You'll have to come to NZ to activate your PR before March 2nd, 2010, assuming that's the date in your passport. If you wait until September next year, your PR activation period will have expired. Unless I'm missing something or you mis-typed on the dates. Sorry, I snipped off your bit about "save save save", which is always fantastic advice! Never underestimate how much cash you will need to have on hand when you arrive in a new country, to have to set up all over again. :)

[KerryS]

Looking at your timeline:

Idea to move to NZ - Jan, 2008
Started immigration process - 16 Jul, 2008
Got my PR - 3 Mar, 2009 (no job offer)
Arriving in NZ - Sept 2010 (or sooner if get job)

You'll have to come to NZ to activate your PR before March 2nd, 2010, assuming that's the date in your passport. If you wait until September next year, your PR activation period will have expired. Unless I'm missing something or you mis-typed on the dates. Sorry, I snipped off your bit about "save save save", which is always fantastic advice! Never underestimate how much cash you will need to have on hand when you arrive in a new country, to have to set up all over again. :)

Unless that is when he was offered PR - it's the time from when you get the blue stickers that counts, and you have up to 6 months to submit your passport to get them I believe?

[KerryS]

Angel,

Thanks very much for pointing this out. My job hunt experiences now make sense.

I also honestly believe it's worth trying to contact companies directly where possible. That at least gets your CV in front of the employer and around the 3 CV point above. The job I ended up landing was one I applied for directly from an ad on trademe or nzherald (I can't remember which). It turned out I also applied for through an agent but he said he had candidates with far better matches to the spec so would not be submitting my CV. I have been SO tempted to contact that agent and have a little fun, but it's a small market and I never know when I may need him. Needless to say, should I ever be in the position of needing to employ someone, that agent will not be handling my recruitment needs ;) - Of course, one of my first points of looking for staff would be ENZ :exit


I had the same experience - two adverts worded very differently for what turned out to be the same job. One told me I didn't have enough experience and that he wouldn't be putting my CV forward to the employer. The other recruiter said he thought I 'may' fit their profile, but he wasn't hopeful. He sent my CV to the employer who interviewed me twice and then offered me the job... so much for all the more experienced and better cvs they had!

I've found recruiters to be very cut throat in the last few months - they don't even want to negotiate on salary for a candidate in case another recruiter has a potential candidate who is willing to work for less. I ended up doing my own negotiations direct with the employer and cutting out the recruiter from that part of the process.

[msleiners]

Looking at your timeline:

Idea to move to NZ - Jan, 2008
Started immigration process - 16 Jul, 2008
Got my PR - 3 Mar, 2009 (no job offer)
Arriving in NZ - Sept 2010 (or sooner if get job)

You'll have to come to NZ to activate your PR before March 2nd, 2010, assuming that's the date in your passport. If you wait until September next year, your PR activation period will have expired. Unless I'm missing something or you mis-typed on the dates. Sorry, I snipped off your bit about "save save save", which is always fantastic advice! Never underestimate how much cash you will need to have on hand when you arrive in a new country, to have to set up all over again. :)

the thing behind the septmeber date is following: they gave me approved in principle on 3rd Apr, so i have to send in my passport until 3rd of October, i intentionally delay the process of sending in the passport so that i get more time... i will only send out my passport in september 15 2009 (i guess 18 days before deadline is than enough) so when they will put in the stamp i will still have 12 more months thus my last entrance in NZ time will be about middle of september 2010

[Angelonthemove]

Recommend agency in Wellington

These guys have been going a while and if you look on their website they are all IT technical so they will appreciate you skills. They interviewed my OH for 2 hrs and really pushed his CV forward despite the company saying he did not think he had the right skills. They got him an interview!

http://www.mccpeople.co.nz/

They have a high rating on this online rate my agency poll and might be others there of interest.

http://www.getstaffed.com/pages/external/rate-my-agency.jsf#Hays%20Information%20Technology

[rnpayet]

Hi all :)

Waiting for my PR! To be approve soon I hope.
Did the interview on the 5 th June

If all goes well, I plan to be in NZ by Sep 09.
Is the IT job market improving lately or still same?
I have various skills in development(.net or Powerbuilder) and support/training.
Also have solid Database programming/Design skills.
What is the prospect like for someone like me?

rnpayet

[JandM]

Hello and welcome. :) You'll probably get some answers to your questions later when NZ wakes up.

[rnpayet]

Hello and welcome. :) You'll probably get some answers to your questions later when NZ wakes up.

Thanks JandM.:cheers

Expected as much. I will probably be asleep by then.
I am in Seychelles and it is GMT +4 time zone!
Will check tomorrow

[zeelandoor]

Hi all :)

Is the IT job market improving lately or still same?
I have various skills in development(.net or Powerbuilder) and support/training.
Also have solid Database programming/Design skills.
What is the prospect like for someone like me?

rnpayet

I guess this is a question a lot of people would like to know the answer to - myself included. I am in IP/MPLS network design and development and would be really interested to know how the service providers in NZ are bearing up at the moment. Not planning to come out until next year and then for a scouting trip to see recruiters etc.

So anyone on the ground at the moment who can give some positive vibes ?

Also - does anyone know if vendors like Cisco or Juniper have much presence in the country? Those two are potentials for me with my backgroud.


Thanks

[Angelonthemove]

No changes in the IT job search for us it's still bad.

OH skills for those in similar areas


Roles he applied for and skills of 25 years. Was contracting Powerbuilder Dev at $60-75hr now applying for roles as little as $70k per year/$40hr !!!!

Senior Data warehousing, Senior Database Specialist, Senior Designer, Developer, Architect or similar role in either or all of Microsoft SQL, Sybase SQL, MySQL, Visual Basic, Java, Powerbuilder, or Microsoft ActiveX/ActiveX Data Objects.

No bites yet and the amount of roles have dropped off this week. Govt website normally has 25 plus new IT roles a week, this week was 15. H e used to apply for at least 3-5 roles a week. This last month has been around 1 role a week.

Hope that helps someone.

[rnpayet]

Hi
Hope all works out for you and OH Angelonthemove!
Have you look in other region or just Wellington?

I have 10 yrs + experience, so more for mid level.
I am hoping to find job in Christchurch area, but are willing to consider others.
Anyone from Christchurch?

Will consider Developer/ System Analyst/ Training and Customer Care/ Project Manager/ IT Manager/ It Support Officer roles

I am form Seychelles, so one originally from Seychelles?
I would be interested to know your experience in NZ

[saqib78]

I am BSS Architect IT with about 6 years IT & Telecom exposure of working at Telenor Pakistan. I have submitted my ITA back in APRIL.

I am looking for any opportunity as Specialist, Architect or Consultant. What are possibilities? any reference will be appreciated.

[KerryS]

Roles he applied for and skills of 25 years. Was contracting Powerbuilder Dev at $60-75hr now applying for roles as little as $70k per year/$40hr !!!!



Contract roles always pay significantly more than perm roles though, so that figure is about right for a perm job. (Rule of thumb for contract rate is to earn hourly what the anuual salary would be divided by 1000.)

I'm just about to move into a perm role for the first time in years, and am going to have to take a good look at my finances now I'll be earning less. But, I do get paid holidays and sick pay if I need it! And I don't have to worry about looking for another contract when mine is due for renewal... so there are advantages to going perm, especially in the current market.

[Rabbit]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10580175

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/surviving-the-recession/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502812&objectid=10580169

[sekilau]

It will be good if they can giving extra time for PR->WTR visa holder to look for skilled job. It is recession time.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10580175

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/surviving-the-recession/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502812&objectid=10580169

[ricky1981]

Some good news (just to show it does exist), I got offered a job today and am starting next week :)

[sekilau]

:clap:bluebanana

Are you PR->WTR holder or, you get PR before you come to NZ?

Some good news (just to show it does ex
ist), I got offered a job today and am starting next week :)

[ricky1981]

We got PR beforehand, oddly enough we got the points due to my degree meeting the criteria for being a lecturer even though I told them I had no intention of lecturing. We also saved up about £50k (we're both 27) so I think that proved we were pretty serious which helped us get PR rather than WTR.

[JandM]

Some good news (just to show it does exist), I got offered a job today and am starting next week :)Congratulations! :raebanana:cheers:clap

[ricky1981]

Thanks guys :) good luck to everyone else who is still looking!

[andrewp]

Woohoo! Well done Ricky!

:cheers

[Toonster]

Fab news! Well done! :cheers

[tenacioust]

After 2 months of job searching... finally got an offer.

:bluebanana :bluebanana :bluebanana

[msleiners]

After 2 months of job searching... finally got an offer.

:bluebanana :bluebanana :bluebanana

Congrats

"Those who seek, find"

[ricky1981]

Great news :)

It feels so good to be back at work and be doing something constructive, well done for sticking with it as I know from personal experience it is hard to stay positive.

[Toonster]

Fantastic! Well done you! :clap:cheers

[Sheldon]

Congratulations! It must be a huge relief for you!

[tenacioust]

It was depressing at first. A couple of times, I've gotten to the late stages of interview only to be rejected because someone else with the same skills has that specific industry experience they need (i.e. banking/insurance) which I don't have. In this competitive job market, employers have that luxury to choose. I think it's important to stay positive, which can be pretty hard. To all those who are still looking... just keep trying, never give up, and you will get there. Cheers! :)

[tenacioust]

Great news :)

It feels so good to be back at work and be doing something constructive, well done for sticking with it as I know from personal experience it is hard to stay positive.

Thanks... I can't wait to get back to work for once. Running out of excuses to avoid house work. ;)

[andrewp]

Woohoo. Great feeling! Well done.

:cheers

[JandM]

Excellent news! Congratulations. :nice1

[DejaVoo]

Congrats, it is nice to hear some positive news on this thread. :clap :raebanana

[Scibby]

Very encouraging post

[ricktee]

Congratulations on getting a job offer. You're post is very encouraging and inspiring. Way to go!

[M-Squared]

Fabulous news tenacioust!!! :cheers :clap :nice1

[hosebergine]

Well done Tenacious T - you are indeed tenacious!!

[Angelonthemove]

Well done there is hope for us all:raebanana

[yossarian]

congratulations tenacious and to everyone with job offers! thought i'd drop by to say hi and i'm still hanging in here. i'm still getting interview, which i'm grateful, but just can't seem to land a job :(

hope it will be really soon, as i'm very very near my deadline!

[BkyMonster]

congratulations tenacious and to everyone with job offers! thought i'd drop by to say hi and i'm still hanging in here. i'm still getting interview, which i'm grateful, but just can't seem to land a job :(

hope it will be really soon, as i'm very very near my deadline!

Wishing you luck!

[L00pback]

I can add one more to the plus column as my job offer is in IT.

Been looking since we got here at the end of May and all I can say is I agree with the "keep going" mentality. There is something out there for everyone I'm sure but I was told by agencies that no one would touch me because I don't have a work permit or residency already.

Well all I've got to say to them is that they were wrong, very wrong. I just applied directly and found employers that weren't using agencies. If you think about it, during hard times like this companies want to keep their costs to minimum so they probably don't want to spend on agency fees so going direct might start getting more results.

Lets see how my PR app and work permit app goes.

Alan

[tenacioust]

congratulations tenacious and to everyone with job offers! thought i'd drop by to say hi and i'm still hanging in here. i'm still getting interview, which i'm grateful, but just can't seem to land a job :(

hope it will be really soon, as i'm very very near my deadline!

Don't give up yossarian. If anyone can do it, I'm sure you can too. There must be a good company out there with a job for you.

[tenacioust]

I can add one more to the plus column as my job offer is in IT.

Been looking since we got here at the end of May and all I can say is I agree with the "keep going" mentality. There is something out there for everyone I'm sure but I was told by agencies that no one would touch me because I don't have a work permit or residency already.

Well all I've got to say to them is that they were wrong, very wrong. I just applied directly and found employers that weren't using agencies. If you think about it, during hard times like this companies want to keep their costs to minimum so they probably don't want to spend on agency fees so going direct might start getting more results.

Lets see how my PR app and work permit app goes.

Alan

Well done Alan! I agree with you that most of the interviews are from companies that I've applied directly. But one thing I've learned is that you also need to maintain a good relationship with your job agents. Once every 2 weeks, I'd contact them to ask how things are, any matching jobs for me and that I am still in the market and looking. Just a simple call or email to let them know... 'hey, I'm still here' will do the trick. Often time, after my email/call... they will send a few employers links my way and some even set me up for interviews. I highly encourage people who are still looking to try this. :yes

[yossarian]

hi tenacioust and alan! so you mean by applying directly to employers is to walk-in and ask if they have vacancy and then submit your CV?

thanks.

[L00pback]

Hi yossarian

Yep you can walk in and ask but you can also phone and email. Best to do some research on the company first and try and find out the names of someone that works in HR or in the IT department. If you can personalise it and drop into the email/conversation something about the company and what it's done or doing (like something they are proud of - eg acheivments etc) then they will realise that you've taken the time to research the company. Also worth searching the Intertnet for the name of the person too because you can get some interesting info about the poeple you are contacting too.

Don't just look in the "contact us" section for names but also the news/success stories as they often like quoting people (and hence you'll get their name and position). Also check out any hits for the company that isn't the companies website for the same name phishing reason.

Essentially if you can sound like you know everything about them then they will remember you over everyone else that just drops their CV on their desk.

And I also agree that you must keep the agents on your side too because they are still the main port of call for jobs. The key to them is like tenacioust rightly said keep phoning and most importantly keep on their mind. Be the first person they think of when they here of a job.

I know its easy to say all this but it really does work because you end up standing out in the croud.

Good luck, keep going, keep positive and above all don't give in. Every rejection you get is the companies loss not yours.

Alan

[Arwen]

Great advice there Alan, especially from someone who has just 'been there and done that'. Your advice will be very valuable to others currently searching.

A little sentence at the end of your post, indicates that you have a job offer!!! Well that's fantastic my friend!!! Why don't you annouce it loud and clear so that everyone can give you some well earned 'nana's. :nice1

Here's mine. :bluebanana:raebanana:bluebanana

[IanW99]

...
A little sentence at the end of your post, indicates that you have a job offer!!! Well that's fantastic my friend!!! Why don't you annouce it loud and clear so that everyone can give you some well earned 'nana's. :nice1

Here's mine. :bluebanana:raebanana:bluebanana

You mean like this one...Job Offer! (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=26099)

Ian

[Arwen]

Oh my giddy aunt Ian!!!:D How come I missed that????? I'm becoming more and more 'dotty' as the days go by!!!:exit

Thanks for that bud. :nice1

[L00pback]

You mean like this one

Hahahaha, that'll be the one then....:)

Don't worry Arwen, it happens to us all eventually. :nice1

Alan

[yossarian]

thanks alan, ill try that! :)

[Clappy]

Time for an update I think although there is no good news to report on our front.

For one position I applied for last month there were over 100 applicants so the numbers of applicants has not improved since February.

They narrowed that down to a list of 20 people for them to phone with the intention of inviting 5 of those in for interview.

I didn't get any further than that but it is the furthest along the recruitment process that I have got in the seven months that I have been here so I suppose you could say things are looking up. :(

[andrewp]

Bugger! What line of IT are you in Clappy?

[Clappy]

Bugger! What line of IT are you in Clappy?I'm a Business Analyst - 6 years experience with software systems development and 3 years with implementing business change projects. All within financial/investment companies.

It would appear that there has been virtually no new project work started so far this year so my skills have not been required.

One or two have started to appear since the beginning of June and a few Project Managers are also being requested now so I am hoping that is a sign that things are starting to move again.

But given the numbers of people that are available now it is going to take a long time to mop all that unemployment up. One recruiter that I spoke to said I might as well forget looking until next year. :(

Although I did not like his attitude overall and so would take anything he told me with a pinch of salt.

[ricky1981]

I've still kept an eye on Seek since I got a job and it really does seem like there are far fewer jobs recently :( anything that does come up is likely to get a lot of applicants so I would suggest contact companies directly and trying to build up a network even if they don't have any jobs.

Tough times at the moment :(

[andrewp]

... so I would suggest contact companies directly and trying to build up a network even if they don't have any jobs.

Them be wise words!

How's your cabling ability? The bunch I work for have grown from 6 to 38 in 6 months. As a result we have out-grown our current offices. We're looking to move so I'm probably going to be looking for someone for a month or so to help out with cabling and helping me prep the new offices. No definite plans yet, but will post here if anything does materialise.

[Syed]

I have over 6 years of mixed experiences as System administrator (Windows, Linux, Solaris), Network Engineer (Cisco, H3C - CCNA, CCNP, VoIP), Product manager (Enterprise IT and networking solutions in H3C-3Com) and Sales Manager/Account manager (Rosenberger) .

We have been offered WTR->PR, but due to bad economic situation in NZ, we are delaying it. Recently there are many listing on Seek and Trademe which match my skills, but we are still worried. In the mean time, few recruiters suggest us to travel to NZ and get ready for interviews.

Any idea or anyone in the forum can help me? Appreciate PMs

We would love to reach NZ in October...Should we just move or wait till Feb 2010...Really confused

[Syed]

"Hello Syed,

Recent reports show that business confidence is at its highest level in over four years. 26% of companies, against 12.6% in July, expect sales and profits to increase over the next 12 months. This is a clear sign that the country’s economy is on the road to recovery. This is good news for people like you who are planning to move to New Zealand.

Skilled migrants continue to play a crucial part in New Zealand’s economic and social development, as the country maintains its struggle to overcome severe skills shortages along with an increasingly ageing population. This is the conclusion drawn from findings by the Equal Opportunities Trust, which showed that areas such as health, engineering and IT are still suffering from shortages. Click here to read more about the report."

Good news for all of us:)

[JandL]

Hopefully I can use some of that positive news in a year or so when we have recovered financially enought to re-attempt the move.

[mcleanja]

Hi Guys

After being here just over 2.5 months seeing almost 20 recruiters getting nowhere with them, applying for jobs daily on Seek & TradeMe, I found permanent employment on my own. I did do allot of follow-up calls when submitting my CV and a bit of customisation of CV content for each job I applied for. I also found its allot about presentation here and selling yourself, some people don’t even bother to read your CV so you have to have your story well worked out and have a "game" plan when you go for interviews, I even had to sit a couple of tests as part of the interview process so had to be well prepared for interviews. All I can say to those out there in the IT market is try to network with friends and tell them you are looking, I picked up a couple of lead that way.

Good luck

Cheers
Jamie

[nifta]

interesting article on the current state of IT in NZ

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3034993/IT-salaries-remain-static

[Dom]

My latest one I was applying for stated 3 key areas - I have 14 years experience in one of them and over 6 in the other 2 (they asked for 5 years). I was easily qualified for the job (Oracle Forms). I had the interview, it went well, they asked for a reference - I got them a great reference. I got a call from teh agent today and they said they weren't progressing it further !!!

I couldn't believe it. I told them I had to give 5 weeks notice in my current job before the interview and they said they didn't mind. Apart from me saying I wanted a 6 month contract I really don't understand why they did not give it to me. I've asked the agency to get me feedback.

my experience in interviews here are not good. One place I went for I think they were after someone with more management experience. They said "but if you want to work for us we can offer you an analyst programmer position) (for 25k LESS than I was already on and for a job that I did 14 years ago after graduation - that quite frankly was insulting.

Another one they said good interview but we wanted someone with more Java skills (then why even interview me as my CV states clearly how many years experience of each skill).

As i say, I don't understand it. Some people have wondered if it's where they are from as to why they aren't getting jobs and I understand where they are coming from. Similarly my wife has been to numerous interviews only not to get them or be offered some job she did X years ago.

If someone knows why Kiwi jobs are so hard to get I would like to be enlightened. Luckily both my wife and I do have jobs out here. I'm just putting it down to the recession and there being more candidates they can choose from that can tick all their boxes and more.


cheers

[cappuccino]

In my experience, we often have to take a step backwards in our career just to get the first job. It gets easier after that to change jobs and move back up the ladder because you now have that all important 'NZ experience'!!

Also, it is quite acceptable to change jobs every couple of years here unlike the UK where it was more frowned upon.

I am in my third job in 18 months in the IT world, and have gone from the bottom of the pile and treated like 'cr@p' in a private company, then onto a mediocre job in the government and now in a management position in a well respected organisation.

[petri]

I am in my third job in 18 months in the IT world, and have gone from the bottom of the pile and treated like 'cr@p' in a private company, then onto a mediocre job in the government and now in a management position in a well respected organisation.

A rhetoric question, how will that look in the next kiwi interview? Any thoughts?

Here in Europe I would be suspicious if one has had three jobs in 18 months.

[cappuccino]

A rhetoric question, how will that look in the next kiwi interview? Any thoughts?

Here in Europe I would be suspicious if one has had three jobs in 18 months.

As per the second paragraph in my post, it is much more acceptable here to change jobs regularly.

[KerryS]

A rhetoric question, how will that look in the next kiwi interview? Any thoughts?

Here in Europe I would be suspicious if one has had three jobs in 18 months.

As Cappucino said, it's completly acceptable to have changed job here - especially within the IT industry, where it can regarded negatively if you don't (stale skills, lack of market experience). Many people contract, and so contracts can often be for short term projects - I have several 6 month stints on my CV, and have had no problems in getting jobs, even in the current market.

I think the interview process here they depend a lot on personality, to ensure a good fit with the team. That's always been my experience, although that is project management rather than as a developer, so a role in which people skills are much more important.

[Dom]

I don't think I have a problem in the interviews. All of them have either said it was a good interview or have intimated that by me going to the next stage. But you can see why I start to question things when I have more than the required skills, have had an excellent verbal reference provided and have got through the interview stage ....At the moment I believe there is no skills shortage in Wellington for IT as the employers are being very choosy. Perhaps they did not like the colour of my tie .... !