[Carl and Liz]

Hi Everybody,

We're expecting our PR sometime this fall but thought we might leave a bit early and start the job search. I'd appreciate any comments you might have on the following questions:

1. How did the NZIS/potential employers respond if you applied for a job while you were in NZ on a visitors permit with no PR or work permit? Is this acceptable? Does it take long to obtain a work permit if you receive a job offer?

2. Did you apply for work while still in your home country, and, if so, what was the response?

3. Did you use a recruiter or look for jobs on your own?

4. Did you experience any negative reactions because your were an immigrant (especially an American)?

5. We'd love to hear from you if you have experience in obtaining process manufacturing/chemical engineering or legal/resource management/political/government employment.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Liz and Carl :P

[Moorf]

Hi Carl & Liz

We left the UK with no PR and having merely been "selected" with our EOI. That was in Sept 04, we finally received our PR in March 2005.

1. How did the NZIS/potential employers respond if you applied for a job while you were in NZ on a visitors permit with no PR or work permit? Is this acceptable? Does it take long to obtain a work permit if you receive a job offer?

We found no problems with employers and recruitment agencies applying for jobs with no PR and on a visitors visa. Our story was that we came for a holiday, liked it, and wanted to see if we could get a job. Once a job offer had been received it took hubby a day to get a work visa (his employer had a few forms to fill in etc and then it was back to the immigration office and he was processed immediately. He is in I.T (software developer) so timings may vary depending on your occupation.

2. Did you apply for work while still in your home country, and, if so, what was the response?

Yes, we made tentative enquiries and a few applications online, but the general reply was "see you when you get here". That seems a standard response, but then you have to assume they are looking for some commitment that you will be coming to NZ, so best to job hunt when you get here. Some people in certain professions have managed to get jobs from the UK - nursing / teaching are two that come to mind.

3. Did you use a recruiter or look for jobs on your own?

Both. The recruitment agencies were pretty useless (we're in Christchurch) and one recruiter actually advised hubby to go direct to employers and look in the paper! The job he has he got by answering an ad in the paper - he applied for several and was offered them all.

4. Did you experience any negative reactions because your were an immigrant (especially an American)?

Not at all. We're not American, we're British, but no negative experiences except it takes a little getting used to being called an immigrant as in the UK I saw this as a negative word (I know, bad but true).

5. We'd love to hear from you if you have experience in obtaining process manufacturing/chemical engineering or legal/resource management/political/government employment.

Well, I got halfway through this post and realised I have no experience in any of the above but hope the info I've provided is helpful nonetheless!

All the best
Moorf

[DLW]

Hi Liz & Carl,

We did obtain the services of a Recruitment Consultant, but to be honest they weren't that useful. They seemed very enthusiastic about one particular offer and when we weren't interested in that one, they didn't play ball. We secured a job on our own but due to a clause in the contract we undertook with the consultant we had to cough up a percentage fee on employment, even if the job wasn't secured by them!
- I think this is pretty standard! so beware.. It's sticks in your throat a bit paying them your hard earned dollars for nothing!

I would advise you to make tentative enquiries and advise prospective employers of the dates you will be arriving - being here is everything ...(Is that an advertisement?????)

As for Chemical Engineering / Process Manufacturing... NZ is vastly under staffed in these areas, but saying that there isn't that much manufacturing, compared to the UK, and I presume the US.... so you might not be able to pick and choose your location. There are plenty of jobs in this field in Taranaki. where do you want to live? My husband is in Instrumentation and works at a Pulp & Paper Mill in Waikato.

We came to NZ on Work visas and gained PR here, it was a relatively smooth process. I think if you have a profession in an area that is in need of people, an employer will help you no end gain the appropriate permits etc.

Good Luck. :nice1

[shagen]

Hi Liz and Carl,

1. I visited potential employers while I was on a visitors visa and they really did not mind. It was me who was worried. Some were even willing to help with obtaining a work permit if necessary. Most were interested in when I would be available to start work. I think it all depends very much on what line of work you are in.

2. I applied for work with prospective employers and recruitment agencies but most would not want to budge until I started enquiring over the telephone and having a date when I will be in NZ. It makes all the difference when you tell them you will be in NZ on this particular date and want to see them. Equiring in general did not really work. When you are physically here, things are very different.

3. I found using recruiters a lot easier as you spread wider. I found that a lot of jobs aren't usually advertised. If you have contacts here with companies, then that shodul be better. If not, going through a recruiter locally makes a lot of sense.

4. None at all!

5. I come from a manufacturing background and found it hard to get a job that is related to manufacturing. Service industry jobs are easier to come by.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

[clg]

Liz and Carl,

I am responding here to some of the questions you raised in your other post. We are actually like you in the sense we just wanted out of LA. We started talking seriouly about it two years ago and submitted out EOI a little less than a year ago. We had never been to NZ when we applied.

Here is my job search experience. I am at a univeristy now (we have very good football team which should be a hint!), I have a PhD in Environmental Policy Analysis and a background in statistics I work as an administrator. I have wanted to go back to policy work though and so keyed in on Wellington and working for government.

I found that applying for jobs saying I would be coming out soon did not really get me anywhere, lots of tell us when you are here responses. At that point I did not have any exact dates, just a general timeline. I decided to plan a trip to see the place (figured we should visit before moving there!) and interview. I found that once I started contacting people and told them that I would be in welly for a specific week and that I was moving out in August I got a much better response. I did not have a work permit or PR at that point but did not expect any problems and I stated that in my cover letter.

I talked to people about policy roles and could have gotten something there but my stats background is a rarer skill so I managed to find a sort of policy/statistics role that pays better than just a straight policy job, better match for me too. I interviewed on the phone before coming out and then met with a pannel while in Welly. I got a call about 2 hours after the interview offering me the job and they added a relocation package which really made my day!!!

I have not had any problems with an anti-american bias though there is a strong - you need to be here and we need to believe you are serious bias.

Avoid recuirters if you can and contact companies/agencies you are interested in directly. I had better results that way.

I don't think you will have a problem getting something in the legal/resource management/political/government employment area, just look around at lots of government ministry pages also see www.jobs.govt.nz

I would suggest not applying for things until you are 100% ready to commit and have firm dates in mind for moving.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. I will also PM you my phone # if you want to talk.

Chris