[Singel]

24.09.05
By Dr Marie Wilson

Q: My family and I left South Africa for what we hoped would be a better and safer life for us in New Zealand. Well it's been two years and we've had nothing but humiliation, resentment, rejection and bad luck. I'm a legal secretary with good computer skills but every interview I've been for has resulted in "sorry, but you didn't get the job". I've managed to have a few temp jobs to get NZ experience. My husband, a network engineer, is also unemployed. I've never felt so humiliated and my confidence isn't what it should be because of the rejection. I just wish someone had the guts to be honest and tell me the real reason [for not being offered a job]. I've read that there's a shortage of legal secretaries, yet I can't find a job. I've applied for other secretarial positions, but once again, no courtesy of a response to my application.

A: I wish I could say that you are having an atypical experience, but many immigrants experience unemployment and under-employment in a new country but what you are experiencing is not limited to New Zealand. Immigrants in almost every country have similar hopes for a better life, but many suffer difficulty in settling, particularly difficulties in gaining suitable employment, financial setbacks, and "culture shock".

You seem to be doing the right things in your own job search, by using temp jobs to build up local experience, and persisting in your job search. Specialist legal recruiting agencies have temporary and permanent jobs, and many job postings can be accessed through the Auckland District Law Society (www.adls.org.nz).

A specialist legal recruiter might be able to give you advice on your CV and job search strategy, in case it needs fine tuning for this job market.

Maintaining your contacts by attending law society briefings and networking events might be helpful, as well as using community social networks or asking friends who are also migrants to be alert to opportunities for you.

For larger organisations that have reputations as equal opportunity employers, refer to the "members" section of the EEO Trust website (www.eeotrust.org.nz), and pay attention to their award-winners. Even though you are no longer recent arrivals, you can still access Auckland Regional Migrant Services (www.arms-mrc.org.nz) for help.

ARMS provides many services to migrants, including: employment services and assistance with getting a job; individual consultation on complex settlement related issues; and referral to community groups and other organisations for additional settlement support.


Dr Marie Wilson is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland Business School, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.

She writes on employment issues in the Weekend Herald.

[clg]

Interesting article not what I have experienced at all. I have had no problem getting a job and could probably get another very quickly if I needed to. Wellington at least seems very multicultural and it seems like people are just begging for help. I know in my case it probably helps that I am of European descent and it also helps I have statistical skills which are in very short supply here. I work with folks from around the world here are some: Brazil, Philipines, Japan, Korea, the UK and the US. Some of these people are in clerical roles with no technical training.

[Moorf]

I agree with clg - and out of the 7 girls in my training group, only one is a Kiwi - the others come from Canada, Italy, Spain, Scotland and Oz!! :)

[psh12001]

I can only agree with the initial article about not being able to get a suitable job, even though you are trained etc. I am a uk carpenter /joiner with management qualifications and experience, but i am finding it hard to get a job on the tools even. NZ is supposed to be crying out for builders, but i have spent nearly 6 weeks looking now , to no avail.. i think its a case with some of, jobs for the boys and also the threat of us uk builders being more skilled and kiwis not wanting to be in position where they are worst off.

Ill keep looking and who knows i may end up driving taxis too before long...is it any wonder?

paul

[Soon2baKiwi]

"and also the threat of us uk builders being more skilled and kiwis not wanting to be in position where they are worst off". Is this what you think? Are you able to hide what you're thinking? Because if you're not, that's why you're having a problem getting a job. When in Rome.........

[Stu]

Hey mate, move where the jobs are... head to Whitianga! Up at the beach, if you know how to hit a nail with the right end of a hammer, they want you, they want you now!
I thought they were crying out for chippies too, it surprises me.
Stu.

[veronica]

sometimes its not because of being an immigrant that the jobs aren't given. sometimes its because of peoples different personalities and skill at putting themselves across. The only thing I would say that since we have been in NZ at the ski shop we have had quite a few South Africans through as customers, most of them have been lovely people but they do have a brusque, abrubt way of speaking that can be disconcerting, and if you aren't used to this then it may be they don't come across to the interviewer very well. Its a bit the same as with people from the states not using please and thank you in the same situations we do. I can remember when Pete had colleagues from the states over to the UK years ago and when I handed them a cup of coffee they just took it from me, no thanks or anything. when we went to the states I realised that that was the norm and the common useage of words was different although technically the language was the same.

[mechidna]

Its a bit the same as with people from the states not using please and thank you in the same situations we do. I can remember when Pete had colleagues from the states over to the UK years ago and when I handed them a cup of coffee they just took it from me, no thanks or anything. when we went to the states I realised that that was the norm and the common useage of words was different although technically the language was the same.

It is not normal for some of us to say please and thank you, unless of course, i'm not normal. I think it also depends on where you have been raised. Southern states and some of the midwestern states are very much into the "P's and Q's". Just had to throw that in. Not all us former yanks are bad...<big grin>

Michele

[wilson182]

sometimes its not because of being an immigrant that the jobs aren't given. sometimes its because of peoples different personalities and skill at putting themselves across. The only thing I would say that since we have been in NZ at the ski shop we have had quite a few South Africans through as customers, most of them have been lovely people but they do have a brusque, abrubt way of speaking that can be disconcerting, and if you aren't used to this then it may be they don't come across to the interviewer very well. .

I work with a wonderfull lady, who is actually a kiwi but who has lived in South Africa for approx 30 years before she decided to come home. She has developed this habit though, and as veronica says it can be disconcerting if you are not used to it. She is also a brilliant friend to us, and has helped make our settling in SO much easier.

[veronica]

wasn't about good or bad, right or wrong, just a difference I didn't appreciate til I went there.

[Moorf]

Hey Paul (PSH12001)

I need a carpenter, so send me a PM if you are interested in some private work (not huge, but if you're looking...).

Moorf