[ToadFish]

Hi all

Need some advice about what to do. Here's my situation:

We've just been selected from the pool, awaiting verification.
I finish my job at the end of November.

One option would be for me to head out to NZ in December on a tourist visa and start looking for work, while my wife stays here earning the crust.

Is this a good strategy? Assuming I get a job offer, would I be able to stay out there, or would I need to leave the country to allow the time for my application to be verifed and processed?

:?

I'm a bit confused!

Tony

[Moorf]

It all depends on how much you like taking risks!!

Personally I think that what you suggest is a good strategy - and, as far as I am aware, you won't need to return to the UK once you have your job offer - that is what we are doing here and the NZIS has said we can complete our EOI application etc whilst here in NZ - we have simply bought all our certs and docs needed for the process with us. Once we have the job we simply let NZIS know.....

Being on the ground here will greatly improve your chances of getting a job.. they much prefer you to be in NZ and to see you in person (altho some will do telephone interviews).

Just make sure you get a return ticket ;) if you get an open return (for, say, 1 year as we have) you can always use the return part in the future. You might want to consider coming out in Jan as the price of tickets in December is crippling and rising by the day!!!

Hope that helps.

Moorf

[Rimbo]

Take Moorf's advice, best to go out and "network". establish some connections here first, ie talk to agencies in your line of work and let them know the date you are coming to arrange meetings with them. this should follow on to interviews once they know you are commited and on NZ soil.

Helen,
Do you think that the job situation improves after Xmas?
I too am still waiting to tie up loose ends here before coming out, but i'm wondering if popping over in December is worthwhile if employers are not hiring and firing at a good rate.

John

[Moorf]

Hiya Rimbo - 'fraid I can't really comment on the job market over Xmas etc... I would personally skip looking in December and start in the New Year - there will be lots of people on holidays etc so interviews may be harder to get (this is just my personal opinion).

Plus, will cost you an arm and a leg and other precious parts of your anatomy to fly here over Xmas!!

Where are you headed? Chch / Auckland / Other?

Moorf

[Rimbo]

Anywhere. i'm relly not bothered.
Ackl not really top of list, infact bottom. i'm looking to raise the lifestyle thing a few nothces as well as being able to afford stuff i cant offord here.
so i suppose the more remote the better.
i need to find work woth an employer on the Accred. list to gain at least WTR.
time i started posting my CV but i don't want until i have an arrival date. duh, another catch 22 :wah

John

[ToadFish]

Good advice Moorf and Rimbo :mrgreen:

It looks like I'll probably stay here in December and look to get out there in Jan.

Mmm, now what to do in December....

Tony

[Rimbo]

go on as many Xmas do's as you can!

[Moorf]

Toadfish - get those flights sorted ASAP - they are going up in price DAILY....

[Loulou]

Word of warning, apparently many places shut down in January because it is the kids summer holiday.

We are travelling on 5th December, might send Andy to Christchurch to job hunt for a couple of days whilst we (my son and I) enjoy our holiday on the North Island.

We booked our flights in January and cost for 3... bargain price of £1500, now well over £2k nearing $2500.

[Moorf]

We are flying out my sis in law and 2 kids - price = £3200 booked 2 weeks ago with Singapore Air...