[Mrs Pony]

So I've (& OH) been looking on Seek daily for jobs... and I think I've applied for over 30 jobs... I was a Financial Aid Admin back in the US. Basically getting students and parents to apply for loans and grants (correctly) to pay for school at a Uni...keeping them in budget and making sure the correct funds came in.

Since there isn't really anything like that here in NZ I haven't had any luck with getting interviews. I've looked up StudyLink many times but I haven't seen any job listings on the Ministry site. I had one interview with a temp agency and haven't heard anything. I also had an interview yesterday with a place that I'm REALLY hoping to get into. The people that I interviewed with were really great and I think I would really get along well with the lady that would be my boss (she was really funny). I was told I should hear something by Thursday.

OH had an interview yesterday and will hear something by the end of this week. He said that they were all laughing the whole time, so I think it's very promising! He also got a call on last Friday about setting up an interview with someone else for Thursday or Friday. Since his degree is in Audio Engineering he's a bit limited as well...but we will both take anything! He's applied with Weta and was told that he was over qualified for an Inventory job and that they don't hire Audio dudes and to check out Park Road... who isn't hiring... :uhoh

I got a call back today and will be going in tomorrow to meet some of the people I might be working with, seeing what I would be doing and then I'll meet up again with the lady that would be my boss. They said that I'm one of two... so...hopefully! It's a fixed term position so hopefully if I get it and send it to NZIS that will speed things up... however, I'm sure they will still need more proof of our relationship (which we're working on!).

We're praying that we will have jobs (or offers) by the end of the week... or next week... We need some good luck our way if anyones got some to spare!

[victoria24]

you can join my good luck club if you like? you in welly tomorrow instead of thurs?

[NikT]

Good luck.:)

Nick.:cheers

[castleclan]

Good luck for successful job hunts!

[Janey]

Hi REnee
what are your quals? I have 2 graduate finance trainee positions coming up in the next coming months also have a Management Accountant role available now 32hrs per week. keep a eye on our website CCDHB as we try to avoid agencies now

[drakew]

GL to you.

[Mrs Pony]

went in for my 2nd interview today... got to meet the girls and get a better idea of what the job is...The boss lady will be checking my references today and I'll get another call by Friday.

I also got a call from Randstad (another temp agency) while I was getting ready and I'll go see them tomorrow.

[Arwen]

Looks like things are starting to pick up hun!! :nice1:clap

[CJ22]

Mmm.

[Scibby]

As the wife half of Scibby, I work indirectly in the area of higher (tertiary) education admissions and student affairs, and can really appreciate how hard it must be for you to find work in NZ as a former financial aid officer. I am trying to search online for jobs from here in the U.S. and find the pickings are slim at best. I would like to translate my experience into an education-related consulting or training position, but there are few jobs that fit the bill.

Since my OH works in IT, we're hoping he'll have a better chance in the job market.

Anyway, best of luck to both of you and keep your Pony updates coming!

[Mrs Pony]

I have a job offer!! :raebanana:raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

It's less than what I wanted to make... I asked for like $3000 more a year and she said that they couldn't and that what I was getting was the high end already... BUT the paperwork they gave me said it ranged from about $38-52,000 a year...and well it's more at the lower end of that than the high end...

She's going to be sending me the paperwork ... and the job doesn't start until the 18th of May.. So I guess I can keep looking... just in case... I should have told her that I'm about to an interview... which wouldn't be lying!

Any thoughts about still trying to get the pay increased??

[Georgebulldog]

Great news Congratulations, things are starting to turn for you both I knew it would
:cheers:raebanana:raebanana

[Wonderbob]

I have a job offer!! :raebanana:raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

It's less than what I wanted to make... I asked for like $3000 more a year and she said that they couldn't and that what I was getting was the high end already... BUT the paperwork they gave me said it ranged from about $38-52,000 a year...and well it's more at the lower end of that than the high end...

She's going to be sending me the paperwork ... and the job doesn't start until the 18th of May.. So I guess I can keep looking... just in case... I should have told her that I'm about to an interview... which wouldn't be lying!

Any thoughts about still trying to get the pay increased??

Great news! And in this job market that's a great result! If you have already asked for the extra $3K once and been told no, I think that's pretty much it over as far as the negotiation is concerned. But remember unemployment is rising at a great rate just now, and you have just scored a job, so take it with both hands! As an employing Manager for a large IT firm I know that it is so much easier to find a job when you already working somewhere else, so you can always move on somewhere else in 6 months if it doesn't work out. So go celebrate!

cheers
Bob

[clairelouise]

Yeyyyy way to go Renee!!! You must be sooo happy!! :nice1 :D

[stellachiara]

Congrats!!!

[CJ22]

You'll be worth a lot more once you have some NZ experience (it makes little sense, but it does seem important to local employers), plus if you have a job you'll be negotiating for any future jobs from a position of strength. Take the job - but keep looking by all means. But if you START the job, plan to stick with it for at least a year. This is a small employment market, where a lot of people know a lot of other people, and it's very easy to get a bad rep. You don't want to look like somebody who will jump ship for the sake of a few grand, even if that's true of 90% of us :)

[Tia Maria]

Request a pay review in 3 or 6 months.

Cheers

Tia

[Arwen]

Fantastic news!!!! Congratulations and well done. :nice1

Have some groovey bananas!!! :bluebanana:raebanana:bluebanana

[Mrs Pony]

Thanks everyone! I had another interview with a temp agency and I told them that I have an offer but it something else came up that I liked better or offered more $$ I would at least consider it.

I was talking to a friend/ex-trainer(coworker but above me)..we will call "Ashley" who is one of my references and she said that my soon to be manager "Sara" asked if I would be ok with working with a lot of women (I laughed here because I think there are 8 in my NEW department)... and Ashley said that I used to work with about 24 so she's sure I can handle 8!! Then Sara asked something about what you would change or something like that... and Ashley said "To get Renee back! But she loves NZ!" THEN! Sara said... "well I guess your loss will be my gain!" ... As Ashley is telling me all this... my phone rang! and It was Sara! Offering me the job!! WOO!

Since we've been here I think I've applied for over 50 jobs... and have only had 3 interviews and 2 were with temp agencys! It's been a bit disheartening getting "thanks but no thanks" emails left and right... But maybe I got all those so I could get this one!

Now if only OH will get his call back! Keep those fingers crossed!

[Wooly_Cow]

Well Done. Like others have said in this market you've done really well..and in a few months with Kiwi experience and (hopefully) an up turn in the market....:clap

[dilanium]

Congrats!!!! :D

[slider]

Congratulations and well done :clap
To win a role in a foreign country and in a declining economy / job market within your time frame - fantastic.

Keep up the good work!

[victoria24]

i bet you're sitting there thinking.. what was i worrying about?

[tea drinker]

Hey! Great news. Well done :nice1

[Mrs Pony]

yea... thank God the lady I'm standing in for got knocked up!! It's only a 7 month gig but hey! It's better than nothing! And maybe if I kick ass at it they will find a place for me permanently!

Now if only OH can get that job! Then I will be a happy camper!

[JandM]

:nice1

[Kalla]

that's fab! well done!! one step closer to a perfect new life in NZ.

[drakew]

Congratulations that is exciting.

[thewoodies]

yea... thank God the lady I'm standing in for got knocked up!! It's only a 7 month gig but hey! It's better than nothing! And maybe if I kick ass at it they will find a place for me permanently!

Now if only OH can get that job! Then I will be a happy camper!

:laugh:laugh:laugh

Well done lost touch with threads whilst settling in here and looking for work

I know the relief you must feel !!! Well done :bluebanana

[Pebbles]

Well done lost touch with threads whilst settling in here and looking for work

I know the relief you must feel !!! Well done

Hear, hear! Good on ya!
I am also very much wrapped up in this job hunting quest. :yes
It's worse than actually working.... Felt like a wrung out mop when I came out of another hour long intake (test and interview) at one of many agencies.

Your story gives me good hope though. And I am past the 50 applications :wah

[Scotty69]

Congratulation :nice1

[M-Squared]

How did I miss this thread? WTG Renee, many many congratulations!!! :nice1 :bluebanana NOW can I buy you that (celebratory) lunch in the capital?

[TheNaylors]

How did I miss this thread? WTG Renee, many many congratulations!!! :nice1 :bluebanana NOW can I buy you that (celebratory) lunch in the capital?

somehow, I missed it too until now!!!

Well done Renee, fingers crossed for Brandon ++++++

[Shones]

Way to go, I am really pleased for you. :clap
Sure you'll settle in so much quicker once you're working.

[DMcG]

Congratulations!

As others have said - NZ employers tend to treat work experience in NZ as more relevant. So even if the pay is not as high as you want, it's easier to take it - learn everything you can about the job - then start hunting for another position after 12 to 18 months.

New immigrants tend to be seen as cheap labour by a lot of companies but you'll be in a far better negotiating position once you've been in NZ for a while.

Dougie

[The Bolers]

Well done, that's fantastic news. My husband and I have been reading all your posts with interest. We are making the move to Wellington in July and have found all your postings really helpful.

Hopefully this will lead to something more permanent for you and fingers crossed for OH

[Mrs Pony]

yea... It's only a 7 month gig so I'll at least have my foot in the door... and my manager said that when it gets closer to the end we will keep an eye our for other jobs to place me in. By then we should have our PR so more doors should be open then too.

Also, something that would never have been done in the US... my manager called up someone in the IT/AV department to see if there were any openings that my OH could apply for! Sadly there isn't but that's just one example of how nice people are here.

[JoSmiff]

This is great news congrats:clap

I'm so pleased things are starting to look up for you.

Jo

[magcats]

I'm a bit behind, too, but had to say, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I keep getting worried about making a move when the economy is so awful, but you give us all hope! Best to you both!

[ant7jen]

See, things are going in your favor! Your starting to get established now and get some normality back in your life. Brandon has a good chance to get a similar decent job offer soon and you will both be on your way to PR. I would do whatever it took to get PR and after PR, shoot for the moon! You guys are still young and have all kinds of crossroads to go down. Look where the road has brought you to, the sky is the limit.

[Mrs Pony]

OH is at another interview as I type! Praying that he gets a job soon because it's going to be really difficult if I'm the only one working and we're running out of money fast than we had hoped...

As far as things going in our favor... I'm not so sure about that... :(

[pleccy2000]

GREAT NEWS!!! well done for your persistence!

[Mrs Pony]

Well that Interview was a waste for OH... they thought that he had PR already and the literally told him that it wasn't going to work since he doesn't have PR yet... They have more interviews that they are going to do... but We're pretty sure that he wont be getting that job either...

Now we're both depressed... :(

[Wooly_Cow]

Keep you chin up guys! Things will work out.

[victoria24]

why would he have to have PR if he has a permit? Can he evidence his PR application and explain that the offer would fasttrack. Thats what I did :nice1

[Mrs Pony]

The interview was with the British High Commission... One of the guys got up and left and came back and ended the interview and told him that they couldn't hire him because he didn't have PR... I think it was just one of there rules... Or he just REALLY didn't like OH which I think is unlikely... but I might be a bit bias!

We called Immigration and they said that if OH was offered a 1 year job offer they would extend the WHV until the end of that contract.

PLUS... Under the Skilled Migrant thingy... OH would have to get a job doing something within the Audio field... which this job wasn't ... so even if he DID get the job... I don't think it would help with getting PR...

[alancoll]

Congrats on the new job. Hubby will have one real soon, hang in there!

[Sheldon]

Just remember every door that closes brings you that one step closer to the open door!

[Mrs Pony]

about to finish up my 3rd week... still enjoying it...

OH is still looking for work... anything he can get at this point... :(

[Sheldon]

Would he consider something like McDonalds? At least he would be earning an income, and it would remove some of the anxiety. The same thing happened to me a few years ago on a working holiday in the UK. After 3 weeks of looking for a "real" job, I took a job in a shoe factory at the minimum wage. My whole attitude and mindest changed, just because I had a sense of purpose, and wasn't sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. 2 weeks later, I got a job that suited my qualifications.

[almdudler]

Would he consider something like McDonalds? At least he would be earning an income, and it would remove some of the anxiety. The same thing happened to me a few years ago on a working holiday in the UK. After 3 weeks of looking for a "real" job, I took a job in a shoe factory at the minimum wage.

I think we are almost at this point. Hubby is helping my dad out with his business but we need something more solid. You know...he might not even hate working at mcdonalds, he would probably just get chubby on their food!

He has applied for about 20 IT jobs in the last few months, had 3 interviews (2 with recruiters).

Fingers crossed.

[Kanga]

Any port in a storm I guess. Recession will blow over :)

[Mrs Pony]

yea it's starting to get to him... I mean even the simple office jobs he can't even get a call back for... and he's done them before (here actually) so it's not like he can't do them... In the mean time he's writing a screenplay! Maybe we'll sell that baby and neither of us will have to work! hehehe... ok I still would... I get bored easy... :)

[mikey and tor]

I have pm'd you.

[Sheldon]

I think we are almost at this point. Hubby is helping my dad out with his business but we need something more solid. You know...he might not even hate working at mcdonalds, he would probably just get chubby on their food!

He has applied for about 20 IT jobs in the last few months, had 3 interviews (2 with recruiters).

Fingers crossed.

I say go for it! Often, but not always, it's a question of swallowing your pride.

[Leo]

Just remember every door that closes brings you that one step closer to the open door! :nice1 :nice1

Having returned empty-handed from a 2-month foray last year, I have experienced (...and still am experiencing) this frustrating roller-coaster ride...

The state of our global economy, dearth of jobs, coupled with my lack of PR/Work Visa meant that the odds are stacked (... heaped!) against me. At times, I wondered if the recruiters/employers were merely being polite by not clearly spelling out to me that I probably stood a snowball's chance of making it through hell with regards to landing a job in NZ.

In spite of this, I keep doing my very best in pursuit of my NZ dream, to keep my chin up and persevere.

Perhaps, a less threatening and more constructive means of realizing our NZ ambitions may be to adopt an entrepreneurial approach? :)



"Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. it's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere." BARACK H. OBAMA