[NanMan]

Hello my name is Ben, I am 24 and I currently live in the USA, and well I have grown weary of the american dream, the constant thirst for more, the never ending busy schedules, work consuming my life. So my wife and I have decided its time for a change, and not just for a while but for the rest of our lives. I've been looking around at countries and their culture and I just keep coming back to New Zealand. This has to be the place, and so we are planning a trip very soon. But as far as jobs go, I just have had no luck whatsoever doing the online thing. Is it the economy, or is it just not possible to get a job over the internet. I have a degree in business management, and its not really a skill in need, but my wife is close to her nursing degree. Anyways any tips to landing a job from far away, or at least rousing some interest. I know the immigration process but I won't have to points to do a EOI if i dont have a job offer. Where do I start?

[lindreth]

welcome to the forum!
the problem you describe is a common one! I have tried applying for a few jobs online but have been brushed off quickly each time - the common theme seems to be that if you're not in the country and/or don't have a work visa yet, they're not interested. Some people go over on a visitor's visa and try to secure a job offer by getting face-to-face interviews. This might be the route to go if you can swing it.
good luck with your plans!

[TheNaylors]

Hi,

welcome to the forum! I agree with what Lindreth says above...trying to get NZ employers to take you seriously enough to even look at your CV when you can't give them a timeline as such is very difficult.

Have you tried the online indicator for points yet? http://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/

If going down the skilled Migrant Category route, see how many points you would have with you as main applicant and then try with your wife as the primary for once she has completed her nursing as I believe she may get you more points with nursing being on the skills list (someone may correct me later). If you went with your wife bing the main applicant, she would have to register with the governing body over in NZ I believe. She may be more likely to land a job during the whole process which can then be added on to your application to speed things up too.

All the best with your plans,
Julie

[JandM]

Welcome to the forum. :)

As Lindreth says, you're certainly not alone in finding no interest in your enquiries from outside the country. There is a long history of NZ employers finding that they're waiting on someone from abroad, who then turns out not to get their visa, or to get cold feet at the last minute and never make the move. Present day would-be emigrants get the backlash of all this. Employers believe you mean it when they SEE you.

You may be interested in this http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23845 - the account of Neil's recce trip which resulted in a job offer.

You say your wife will soon get her nursing degree. It may be worth investigating whether you'll get more points with her as the principal applicant once she has qualified.

[Mrs Pony]

Welcome fellow American! Good luck!!

IMO - Wait until your wife has her nursing degree and have her as primary on the EOI. You would probably have better luck that way. (Lets see what the nurses on here say)...

[globetrecker]

Hi Ben,

Hello to another fellow American moving to NZ! I first have to tell you that your reasons for considering New Zealand are very much in line with ours. We couldn't be more happy with our decision to leave "the mess of the U.S." and keeping up with the high emphasis on materialism. We spent several weeks on vacation in New Zealand and after coming back to the U.S., we were just depressed at all of the things you mentioned above. We're thrilled to be starting a new life in a beautiful, more peaceful existance. Not that it will be perfect (is there anywhere "perfect"? We're going to see if we can make it great for us). We're 8 weeks out! But I digrees ...

We are in the exact same position: we need a job offer to gain enough points for our EOI. We've found that most all employers want you on the ground in New Zealand first. However, I do believe that nursing is on the long (or short) term skills shortage list. I think if she finishes, you would be in good shape for a job offer.

We're heading over there on our three month visitor visas and looking for jobs. Once a job offer is in hand, we'll go get a general work permit and then immediately submit our EOI (with 150 points we'll be automatically selected) and then go onto the process of applying for permanent residency. I just think it would be difficult not being in New Zealand to get a job. I tried applying for several and they really do want to know you are there, committed and ready to work.

[tea drinker]

Hello and welcome from me too :)

[clairelouise]

Big welcome and cheery hellos from me :D

[NanMan]

Thanks everyone for all the help, it was encouraging to know that people have actually done this! I'll update you as we go, again thanks so much.

[Angel2850]

Hi, and welcome!
Just one little thing to look at, I know that some countries although they will accept a foreign qualified nurse, I know nurses qualified in the UK wanted to go to Aus have to do a year in the UK first...

Not sure if NZQA would have the same stipulations, but might be worth keeping in mind!