[victoria24]

I've applied for loads of jobs over the last 10 days, some with accredited employers. I've stated that I will be in new zealand in 3 weeks time and that with a job offer I will be fast tracked for PR. I know that I am a great candidate for the job descriptions but still feel stuck in the chicken and egg quandary of visa vs job offer. I've even stated that I could start work in a month. what more does a hard rockin amigo have to do?

[gil]

Being here will help more Neil. Just to let you know, job ads in the Herald's Careers 09 spread at the weekend (running again this weekend) were attracting hundreds of calls, compared to the tens they would normally. It's competitive out there at the moment. However, businesses are still hiring great, skilled people, so keep positive. I went through simialr before we came, stating when I was arriving etc, but once on the ground, it took me 3 motnhs to find something (bear in nind we arrived just before Xmas).
I'm sure you will feel worried and elated in equal measure in the weeks/months to come, so hang in there and look forward to getting your feel on terra zealandia!

Gil

[victoria24]

thanks gil, i spoke with steve the other day (nice guy btw) and need to co ordinate dates but am struck down with flu at the mo and need a clear head to be organised!

[Janey]

Hi Neil
we had the same the thing is Kiwis do like to meet you, once I had been here it seemed to make it easier there was the odd employer who took the cchance but looking back if I took those jobs I would be vast underselling myself keep at it just think a few weeks to go and you will be in lovely sunshine keep your chin up. Gil is right though the market is more competative where as 6-12 months ago lots of people were happy with contracting this is no longer the case the contract world is drying up and therefore these staff are looking for an income, an example is we advertised in November a Management Accountant usually 5 applicants we had over 20
best of luck

[victoria24]

thanks for the motivating words janey. looking forward to seeing you guys next month and to hear of your experiences

[WANZLittles]

I'm in the same baot victoria24, I have applied to several jobs down there, to no avail. We were planning on heading down june/july, but unless I get some interviews, I would like 6-10, we won't be making the trip.

[gil]

WANZLittles, many people on here have arrived and been able to arrange a good number of interviews for that coming week. I had spoken with a lot of people before arriving here, and on the day we landed, I rang again and had thre appointments for the next two days. NZ employers and recruiters really are less keen to book time with someone who is not here yet, I don't know exactly why and can't really understand it myself, but it is how it is.
Persoanlly, I wouldn't make having 6-10 solid interviews my make or break criteria for a recce trip. Feel free to ignore me though, as we never did a recce trip or even a holidya visit, so what do I know!

Gil

[Ana&Steve]

We went on a reccy in 2007 and (Steve) did interviews in Welly for 11 days. Though one company had him in for a 2nd interview during that time, none made a job offer in the end. Our plan was to move anyway and continue the job hunt knowing it could take 3 months. (Then it turned out we couldn't sell our house anyway, but that's another story)
I know some people come back with multiple offers, but I just wanted to point out that's it's also normal not to initially get one and you should maybe have a plan for that instance.
That said, here's hoping your part of the 1st group and have to fight employers off with a stick!:D

[M-Squared]

TBH, companies don't want to hear about you getting PR, even if they're accredited. They just know that getting PR will take a long time. I got a work permit first after I got my job offer, then after my first day of work, lodged my EOI per the recommendation from NZIS. PR takes waaaaaaaaay too long! Just say that you'll stay put, and apply for a work permit straightaway (having already got your police certs and meds done), then you'll be in like Flint. :nice1

[victoria24]

I love the old Our man Flint movies:nice1

[victoria24]

thanks for all the encouraging replies...
i know some of you have done the old "we're off on a visitors visa and sort it when we get there" route and my question is, what is a reasonable amount of cashola for a motivated family of 4 for the average 3 months it seems to take to get sorted including allowing for slippage? i mean just the money to survive in NZ for 3 months?