[Sheldon]

It seems like a lot of people on this forum are struggling to get work. This is understandable in a recession. My question is what is the job situation like at the low end of the market? Assuming one was prepared to do such a job, or was desperate enough, are there jobs out there? Please dont think that I am knocking menial jobs, but most people on this forum are skilled in some way or another, so I realise for a lot of people taking a minimum wage job would something of a last resort.

[Alive&Kicking]

There is always work to do here in the wine industry in Blenheim. Very seasonal and so not permanent, but you can make long hours (if you like) and have a holiday after......

[Sheldon]

Let's assume I moved with my family to Dunedin, and couldn't get work in my field (accounting) - are there jobs out there that I could do while I looked for something better?

[newarrival]

Only my personal experience and feelings- the market in Dunedin is quite small and I found it hard to even get an interview. But, having said that, probably you're work experience is a lot "fresher' and more than I could offer, having stayed at home for such a long time.
I even remember quite a lot of accounting/ accounting related jobs in the paper!
One thing that, I found, is very important in Dunedin is to have a good network- because usually someone knows someone who knows someone.....

I am not too sure about low paid jobs, though, because there are a lot of students looking for jobs as well.

[sweetpea]

Don't know about Dunedin, but in Palmerston North, the number of student (minimum wage, mostly) jobs was down 20% from last year, or so Student Job Search said back in January. Is it worse now? I would expect so.

I agree with newarrival: in Dunedin, you'd have a lot of competition from students for those low-wage jobs.

[Ngeru]

I have seen quite a lot in the media about this over recent months, basically the more unemployed there are the more there are looking for work (any work). I saw a while back an article about a supermarket in Tauranga that was hiring, that got inundated with applications from professionals, but I can't find it right now. It talked about how the economy was becoming imbalanced, because those that usually rely upon those typically part-time and lower paid jobs were not getting a look in.

This article talks of a similar situation in the rise in applications for call centre work:

Call centre Job Applicants Rise (http://www.stuff.co.nz/archived-stuff-sections/archived-business-sections/business/personal-finance-20975/2336725/Call-centre-job-applicants-rise)

It's tough out there at all levels.

[JandM]

It talked about how the economy was becoming imbalanced, because those that usually rely upon those typically part-time and lower paid jobs were not getting a look in.This is currently a big problem for people in Higher Education in the UK, as many of the p/t jobs usually filled by students trying to earn alongside their course, not rack up their student debt too much, are being snapped up by those who can't get currently get what would be their proper jobs.

[dusk]

It seems like a lot of people on this forum are struggling to get work. This is understandable in a recession. My question is what is the job situation like at the low end of the market? Assuming one was prepared to do such a job, or was desperate enough, are there jobs out there? Please dont think that I am knocking menial jobs, but most people on this forum are skilled in some way or another, so I realise for a lot of people taking a minimum wage job would something of a last resort.

The trouble with this idea is twofold:
1. your CV shows that you are way over-qualified (and would probably be bored in the space of a week)
2. employers of minimum wage staff are still looking for people who will stick around, unless the work is seasonal or temping.

A couple of years ago when made redundant CJ and I both found it impossible to get any kind of response applying for shop/restaurant/general office work for just these reasons.

[enb]

I would consider getting a job first before coming across as you might find yourself eating into your savings and struggling to get any kind of job which would be very disappointing to say the least and stressful. Good luck with the job hunt.

[winka]

You should almost always tailor your CV for every job you apply for.
Not make stuff up but massage titles and content to what the role requires.
The skills you have for one job can be totally irrelevant for another.

If you get hard up and are trying to get a more menial job then you may need to appear that you have done lots of that type of work before and wont bail after a month once you land a job in your white collar field.

[dusk]

You should almost always tailor your CV for every job you apply for.
Not make stuff up but massage titles and content to what the role requires.
The skills you have for one job can be totally irrelevant for another.

If you get hard up and are trying to get a more menial job then you may need to appear that you have done lots of that type of work before and wont bail after a month once you land a job in your white collar field.
well yes, obviously - neither of us were daft enough to just send our IT CV's in for office admin jobs :laugh...

same with filling in application forms - there's only so much 'creative truth' you can have without tipping over the edge into making stuff up and being caught out at interview etc

[winka]

well yes, obviously - neither of us were daft enough to just send our IT CV's in for office admin jobs :laugh...

same with filling in application forms - there's only so much 'creative truth' you can have without tipping over the edge into making stuff up and being caught out at interview etc

Indeed.

[akp713b]

Not sure about Dunedin but here in Auckland the job market is awful for low-skill jobs. I am a teacher but I still work part-time at a video shop for minimum wage, a job I had all through Uni. I can tell you from talking with my work mates that many of them have been looking for other jobs for weeks and months with no success and they have applied at petrol stations, KMart, supermarkets etc. The video shop's profits are down 50% this year and they have been cutting hours back all over. Another Kiwi friend of mne has given up and is leaving for the UK to join the Army there. This is a guy with a BA in History. The recession is much worse for the lower-skilled workers.

[Sheldon]

Thanks for the replies - it has given me a clear picture that things are really tough out there. It would seem that those people with jobs in the UK/South Africa should only leave if they have something to go to, or if they have significant savings to tide them over until they find something.

[Flutterby]

Thanks for the replies - it has given me a clear picture that things are really tough out there. It would seem that those people with jobs in the UK/South Africa should only leave if they have something to go to, or if they have significant savings to tide them over until they find something.

Or if they are really desperate to leave! LOL!

[Sheldon]

True - some would prefer unemployment in a cold, damp unheated kiwi shack than employment in Blighty or South Africa, with all the inherent problems that go with those countries.

[Leo]

...some would prefer unemployment in a cold, damp unheated kiwi shack than employment in Blighty or South Africa, with all the inherent problems that go with those countries.

Interesting comment... Could you share with us what the current employment situation is like in South Africa? :yes

[Sheldon]

Interesting comment... Could you share with us what the current employment situation is like in South Africa? :yes



For those without jobs, the situation is tough. For those with jobs, we are having a fairly soft landing in terms of the recession, and it is expected to be short lived, so most people are feeling fairly secure in their jobs. The government has stated that they want to create 4 million jobs by 2014. Of course, pigs will fly. Our unemployment is much higher than the developed world, and we have a large population of unskilled, uneducated people, as well as approximately 6 million illegal immigrants from countries to the north of our borders. (thanks for that Mugarbage). The critical factor for me though, is to assess the wisdom of quitting a job here and moving to New Zealand without a job to go to.

[Gran]

I once heard that there are temp picking, pruning, planting jobs etc in NZ to keep one busy all year round and people move around and do just that, and no doubt have a good time, it would be a good way to sus out all the places. That is of course if things got desparate in your own line.Here a some sugestions, prob best for singles!!!
http://www.seasonaljobs.co.nz/
Gran

[Sheldon]

A good link for singles!