[zensamurai]

Hi,

I have studied mechanical engineering (bachelor) and Marketing (Master). As a "non native" seaker, do you think there is a real chance to get a job before EOI (to have more points) ???
I worked for 15 years as a project and sales manager.
Of course I can travel to New Zealand for job interviews, but first have to get some invitations without PR.
Do you think there might be a chance and if yes, how can it be achieved ?

Thanks a lot for response.

cheers

zensamurai

[Anita & Marco]

Hi Zensamurai,
My husband has been trying to apply for jobs via internet, but this will not work. The only way is to get in touch with job agencies in NZ and plan a trip to NZ, so they can make some appointments for you.
Since we want to try a career move in NZ, this is not an option for us. We'll just start from zero.
Maybe someone else has better advice.
Regards,
Anita

[Moorf]

Hello,

Apart from a lucky few who have secured jobs before arriving in NZ, it is VERY hard to get interviews until you are here in NZ.

I think you will see, from many of the posts on the forum from people who have come over here and visited job agencies and companies, that it is much easier to get a job offer whilst you are here. They see it as a bigger commitment on your part if you bother to make the trip.

It's not IMPOSSIBLE to get a job via the internet or by writing direct to companies, but it would be better to invest some money in a trip over here.

Plus, as a non-native English speaker (although I have to say your english is great in your posts) it might also be better to be face to face with a prospective employer.

I hope that helps.

Moorf

[Jon]

I think there's no problems with applying, though I doubt you stand much of a chance unless NZ is so short of employees in your area.

I'm applying for posts as if you receive a p*** off email/letter/telephone call or whatever at least you've got a contact name/address when you arrive in NZ.

A good source of information is yellow pages in NZ for companies. I think the address is as below, but I'll check after I've posted.

http://www.yellowpages.co.nz

Hope it helps you target companies.

Cheers
Jon

[zensamurai]

Hi,

thanks for your answers and special thanks to Moorf for mentioning my knowledge of english language as great (I have been at Jaguar a few times, thus I know you want to be polite, which I appreciate).

But I think I have to specify my request a little bit. I have a wife and two kids. Therefore I hesitate to quit my well-paid job just to move to NZ trying to get a job. But I hope to be succesful with the next steps as follows:

- complete evaluation by NZQA
- IELTS test
- applying with cv and NZQA-result at companies and recruiters
- In case of interest travelling for interviews to NZ
- After job offer sending EOI

I know it won´t be easy, but just want to know, if there is a realistic chance to get a job offer ???
If you can give some advice I would be happy. Perhaps you already know some more "open" recruiters.
And do you think there is a chance in gettinng a job in sales ?

Thanks in advance and cheers

zensamurai

[neilw71]

I think you have to be realistic! The answer to your specific question is "No - you stand very little chance of getting a job in Sales before being here".

Just think of it from the NZ employers point of view - why should they offer a job to a person on the other side of the world and get involved with all the Immigration paperwork, wait months for him to arrive with family, risk that he will have problems/delays selling house etc and also risk that once he arrives he will not settle......vs......a guy who is already here, settled and has no immigration involvement!

I have just spent 4 months trying to secure a job from the UK. No luck although had a few phone interviews - but they all went to people already here. Then the week I arrived, the phone never stopped ringing and I start a great job next week - had 2 very good offers on my table 4 weeks after arriving!

If you have enough points - get EOI in asap. If you need a job offer, then you are going to have to make a sacrifice to get to NZ and either come across for a month to find a job or take the plunge and come here lock stock as many have done!

Good luck with the process - it is worth it in the end! :P

Neil

[xanctus]

zensamurai,
as majority of the people say here, quite frankly it is better if you are in NZ soil. Better chance I think. So good luck.

[zensamurai]

Yes, you are right and I completely understand. But sometimes it´s hard to transfer, what´s in ones mind by language.

Yes, I agree that you have to travel to NZ to get a job and to have some interviews.

But, I am just asking, if there is a chance to get into contact with potential employers from here in first step and if they are interested flying to NZ having interviews, hopefully signing a contract and within a month or two moving there.
The other option is to quit job, move to NZ and realize that there is no one interested.

If there are some tips I would be happy. That I have to go to NZ for interviews and paying the trip is mandatory, of course.

[MB]

Zensamurai,

In the 5-6 months we were waiting for NZIS to process our application my wife (prinicpal applicant) got busy on e-mail and regular mail establishing professional contacts, arranging meetings for when we arrive, etc. Part of this process is that she kept in touch with these industry folks once or twice as our application progressed, letting them know of of our having jumped significant NZIS hurdles.

Of course we have yet to see whether this "path preparing" will pay off in terms of an actual job, but we think it has been helpful. And letting people know of solid milestones in NZIS progress -- as long as you don't overdo this and clutter folks' e-mail inboxes too frequently -- is a good way of demonstrating your consistent and committed journey to being granted work/residence visas.

It sure has been nice to see how my wife's industry equivalents in NZ have referred her to their peers if they themselves cannot help her. And an added plus is that it helps us psychologically when we get encouraging signals and e-mails. :nice1

[neilw71]

zensamurai,

So in answer to your question, I would say "yes" :P

My advice would be to try to take 2 or 3 weeks vacation if you can get away from existing work, to travel over here and research jobs. Before that, I would spend some time on the NZ Yellow pages site or just general Google research on specific companies you may be interested in and on recruitment companies that may specialise in sales position (sorry - I do not know any specifically). Email them with CV and explanation of your circumstances. Once you have a date to come out here - set up some meetings and ask them about the general job situation in your area. You find they will talk to you more once you get here. Remember that recruiters make commission from placing you, so it is in their interest as well!

Good luck

Neil