[925dancer]

I am faking a good game as far as friends, family and colleagues are concerned but I am starting to panic slightly!

I arrive in Auckland on 7th March and so far have one agency interview lined up. I fully expected it to be a case of getting there before getting positive responses as being a secretary/PA it's more a case of being on the ground to fend off the competition.

My worry is I won't have much money when I arrive due to a missing cat turning up recently and so taking a huge chunk of money in additional kitty shipping charges! Thrilled she's back but she's expensive. So I need to secure employment, even temporary, within a couple of weeks.

Anyone in a similar role? Maybe in recruitment? What's the market like at the moment for office support staff with experience and great references?

Otherwise I'm ridiculously excited to be going back to Dorkland:D

[Pebbles]

Aah, 925dancer! We'll be arriving about the same time and same field of expertise, though probably not same location (nothing definite yet except North Island).
I have been keeping an eye on SEEK and there still seem to be plenty of vacancies. I registered for daily mails with admin vacancies in my preferred area, rest of North Island.
What has got me worried more is how much of a disadvantage it will be to be the foreign girl. Am planning to go through agencies and would even consider personally dropping my cv off at employers.
Any firsthand experience or tips, much appreciated! :yes

[mcacmartin]

I'm having the same doubts. I'm trained as a Legal Secretary, currently working front desk in a hotel....and have been keeping an eye on all the admin jobs in Blenheim area But they seem to be few and far between. It's becoming a worry. I'd rather NOT go back to retail, but a job is a job is a job right?

I think it's a case of making sure your CV is in the right format and just sending everywhere....absolutely everywhere!

Good luck...and keep an eye out!

[mcacmartin]

Oh....what did you mean when you said that you'll be at a disadvantage being foreign?

[925dancer]

I've started applying just in case I luck out and get an interview before I arrive. I guess my main advantage is I'm heading for Auckland where there will be significantly more jobs than anywhere else.

Then of course there's the added stress of finding somewhere affordable to live (worked out my budget at the minimum salary I would hope to make), that will take my two cats when they come and really with very little time to do it in as it will be far more economical to get into somewhere sharpish than to fork out for short term accommodation!

You wouldn't think I'd been there before would you!:laugh

[Pebbles]

Oh....what did you mean when you said that you'll be at a disadvantage being foreign?

What I meant was that employers might be prejudice against me as English is not my first language. Valid point from employers' point of view though my English is near native and I am probaly better prepared than most...

[JandM]

Well, your English on here doesn't give the impression of being likely to cause problems. And in NZ, I heard all kinds of accents in places of employment. Certainly not all workers are first language English speakers. All the best.:nice1

[gil]

Lots of companies use this agency http://www.cavanagh.co.nz/about.shtml for support staff (I know we do), also Kelly Services. Keep eyes peeled on SEEK and Trade Me Jobs. As ever, being on the ground is more helpful - potential employers want to know you're intentions are solid (we always know they are, but others can't see inside our heads, unfortunately).

Times are tough here, but there are always opportunites for great people with great skills.

Good luck,

Gil

[verdugan]

What I meant was that employers might be prejudice against me as English is not my first language.

I couldn't tell it wasn't until you said so.

Best of luck.

[mcacmartin]

What I meant was that employers might be prejudice against me as English is not my first language. Valid point from employers' point of view though my English is near native and I am probaly better prepared than most...

Honestly I couldn't tell that English wasn't your first language. You communicate very well.

[roseandrob]

I'm a returning NZ citizen and a legal secretary with five years UK experience. I am struggling to find a legal secretarial job in Auckland. There is very little work about and the positions listed on seek.com are agencies listing the same few jobs. I've applied for several jobs and have been told a few times now that my UK experience is not relevant here.

[925dancer]

Perhaps those that are legal secretaries find it harder as UK law is so completely different to NZ law and procedures etc would be different? I don't know, I'm not in that field so wouldn't know. Also there would be fewer jobs as it is more specialised.

I'm hoping as my experience is more general and I am happy to temp until I find a permamnent role this will stand in my favour. I can but hope.

I have one agency interview lined up, although obviously that doesn't guarantee a job, far from it but it's a start!

[Pebbles]

I am confident that a flexible approach will get us jobs. Have never been without work for long anyway and it was surprisingly easy to land this current temp job in Holland (we returned from NZ in September). Had expected more difficulty with this 'crisis' setting in. Let's just go for it! What's the worst that could happen?

Oh, and thanks to all who complimented on my English. Such flattery and the week's only just started :bluebanana

[925dancer]

Hey Pebbles, worse comes to it you and I can find a nice cardboard box to share:laugh

We should meet up for a drink, we'll both be fresh off the boat about the same time!

Can I also say your English is better than most native speakers:D

[Pebbles]

It's a date :nice1

Can I also say your English is better than most native speakers
They should make everyone take the IELTS test, is what I'm thinking :D