[Tim S]

My partner and I went to Nelson almost 3 years ago and ever since we have been trying to work out ways in which we could make it possible for us to move there. We currently live in Perth, Western Australia and went over to Nelson over Christmas of 2006 and absolutely loved the place. We know that we were viewing Nelson through the rose coloured glasses of tourists and that living in a place is very different to being a tourist in one but after returning home and researching the possibility of living in Nelson we have only become more keen on the idea.

Our main concerns are that the job market in Nelson may be a hurdle to us relocating there on a permanent basis. I am currently employed in the printing trade as a graphic designer and obviously the demand for such an employee in Nelson would be limited at the best of times. In fact since we went over I have only seen the one position advertised on Trademe that I was suitably qualified for (which I applied for but knew I had little chance of getting as I am a non-resident and know there would be many more equally qualified people already living there). So I am prepared to change trades or areas.

My partner is extensively experienced in admin positions so her job prospects would be somewhat better but our concerns are that the current economic situation in Nelson and NZ in general would make getting a job fairly difficult (and next to impossible when applying from here I am guessing?).

My question is, what do others think about the prospects of finding a job after moving to Nelson around February next year? and is this the best time of year to be making the move? I know that Nelson has a peak period both with tourism and associated industries during the summer months and this leads to an increased demand for accommodation during this time so I am thinking April or later may be a better time than smack bang in the middle of the busy period? Although getting a job could be potentially easier when there is more work around?

I know there are a lot of questions (and I have plenty more! :) ) but we are both very keen on making the move but feel the current economic climate may be the only thing holding us back.

My apologies if this is in the wrong section, its my first post so be kind. :) I'd appreciate any thoughts about the topics I raised or moving to Nelson in general.

Cheers

Tim

[dilanium]

I don't know much about Nelson itself, but you may want to try sending your CV into companies who may need people in graphics (regardless whether they've put an ad up) and write a cover letter stating how invaluable you are and why they need to employ you.

Good luck with everything!

[JandM]

Hello and welcome. :)

Only going on hearsay for this, but what people often seem to say about NZ in general is that everything is that is on hold workwise over the summer holiday starts to come back to life in February when the schools go back. It might be good to be there and ready to be interviewed at that point, it seems to me, but people on the spot will no doubt comment, knowing the area. :D

Are you and your partner Australian, Tim, or have you moved countries before?

[Tim S]

Thanks for the replies,
Dilanium: That is a great idea and although I planned on canvassing the local print shops and the like after we arrived, I never thought of sending my CV prior to moving over. Will be great if they are thinking of getting new staff in the not too distant future. Thanks! :)

JandM: Good point too and it makes sense. I know with businesses here they tend to semi-hibernate during the summer school holidays as a lot of staff are on leave etc. and I am guessing accommodation will become a lot easy to find when school goes back too.

My partner is a Kiwi, who jumped ship a few years back, originally from Auckland. I've only ever moved within Perth so it is all new to me.

[thezorbster]

Rental accommodation is definitely in shorter supply over the summer period as lots of 'absent' owners use their homes themselves over this time. You would probably pick up something but I reckon choice would be limited.

If you really want to live here but work in an area where there are few jobs then you have to be proactive and help yourself to make it happen. As Dilanium has said, write/phone/email every single company who could possibly offer you a position. We set our hearts on Nelson but never thought my OH would get an It job here. He sent his cv off to every potential employer we could find and was offered a job via e-mail without even having an interview! A couple of 'employers' I've spoken to recently have said that they are not even advertising positions at the moment as it is expensive and they have plenty of people applying to them direct so join those potential applicants! With regards your partner, this agency may be helpful for her www.fanselow.co.nz/ but there are also admin type positions regularly advertised in the local press.

I'm rarely on the forum nowadays but if you'd like more info please don't hesitate to drop me a pm.

Good luck and go for it!

[macs gold]

Peak holiday period is over by about the last week of January, so a February move should be about right to have plenty of accommodaton available and any employers who are recruiting will be "in the office".

[Tim S]

Thanks for the advice 'thezorbster' & 'macs gold', February does seem like a good time to aim for given what people have said, That time of year would suit us best too as it means we'll have time over Christmas and New year to prepare for the move and ready our house to be sold or rented (still haven't decided on that one).

In relation to writing/phoning/emailing potential employers how long do you think before we move over should we start doing that, I am thinking the sooner the better and probably send an email or letter then follow that up with a phone call? Thanks for the link to the recruitment agency, my only concern with recruitment agencies is that they tend to try and fill each position as quick as possible and put people in positions they are not ideal. Although I guess if they do this too often they wouldn't be around very long as businesses would stop using them.

In relation to finding a rental, is there any government agencies or private companies that help with this in the Nelson region? I found a few internet based ones but don't know how reliable and useful they would be.

By the way thezorbster, I would have asked you these questions via PM but I can't seem to work out how to do it. :confused:

[JandM]

Tim, you don't have the facility to use PMs until you have made five posts on the threads - once you have, just click on anyone's username, and you'll find that PMing them is an option that appears in the drop-down box.

[Tim S]

Thanks JandM, looks like I better post a bit more then. :)

I have gotten my CV into order and will start sending it out to prospective employers this week. I also managed to find a job that suits my qualifications perfectly so I am about to apply for that, good news with that one is they require someone to start around the exact time we plan to arrive in Nelson. So I'll be crossing fingers and toes for that one.

We are going to aim for a late January, early February arrival so we get there at the most ideal time both job wise and accom wise and initially get a rental for around 3 months while we look for a place to purchase, hopefully this will be enough time. We have been looking at property in the region since we come back from holidays there around 3 years so it will be great to actually be able to look with the ability to actually buy something! :)