[BaldyBeardyBloke]

I notice the Opportunities New Zealand Expo '06 is coming up in October. One in London and one in Manchester.

Has anyone had experience of these previously ? They appear to be a good way to get to speak to recruitment agents and potential employers directly, as well as giving the opportunity to quiz the NZ immigration service face to face.

Living in Scotland, north of Edinburgh, at present makes it a long way to go if they're not much cop, so any previous experiences or guidance most welcome on the subject.

On the other hand, if these people make the effort to come over here every year they must think it worthwhile I suppose, which has to be a good sign.

They do have a web site, but it doesn't tell you anything really other than when and where info.

Thoughts anyone ?

[Leccy-Lee]

I went to the one back in march, and whilst i found it interesting and useful in terms of picking up some leaflets and newspapers, recruitment wise there was no-one there representing Electricians, 2 agencies took my details though, but havent heard from those at all since.

But to be fair i did see lots of people with familes etc finding it much more useful, with correct recruitment, banking and property / movers (all which isnt an issue for myself)

Either way i probably will attend again in october, never hurts...(but then its easy for me working in/around London)

[marcia]

In our case it was definately worthwhile, it was where kev first met the people from Palmerston North City Council who he had an interview with on our reccy trip in Jan and have since given him the job offer.

there are loads of freebies and information from different companies as well as the employers.

In our case it was a day well spent!! :nice1

[StevieD]

Depends on what you are after, both career wise and emigration wise. If you are looking for masses of employers then it isn't for you. It isn't like a jobs fair, more of a mixture of banks, immigration and a few recruitment companies. Not having been to the London EXPO, I felt that the Manchester one last year was a bit disappointing, considering we had been given good reports on the London EXPO. However, we already had our PR, and it was an exercise in leaflet collection, giving CV's out to people and just having a nosey around.
If you've never been, it is a good exercise, even if it is just to hear the 'iccent' - it certainly gees you up! :laugh

But coming down from Edinburgh, that would be down to you!


Steve

[Pip]

Hi, we went to the london one last sep.

It was really useful as at that point we knew nothing about the process, EOI's/ITA's etc etc , also the immigration people run a seminar that takes you through the process. They also had a Q & A session at the end, and that was really useful. The most reassuring thing was the immigration officers assuring us they are human, and not to stress if there's a particular box on the form that doesn't seem to make sense, just to do our best, explain anything on additional notes with our application.

Employers were mainly hospitals and IT agencies, but was useful just to pick up copies of local housing papers, application form for banks, info packs on areas etc. (We got a great booklet on Christchurch and its surrounding areas which is now proving very useful)

Not sure if I would go again now we've submitted our ITA, - but for anyone thinking about applying, is a great way to get loads of information and printed copies of the EOI to review without the hassle of printing, so you know what the form is going to look like before you start.

Hope that helps!

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Thanks one and all, useful viewpoints.

Very encouraging that the recruitment people are heavily into looking for IT professionals, as that's what I do (not sure how 'professional' I am, but IT support is what I attempt to do all day), so for that reason alone it seem like a no brainer to show up.

Great to hear that Chrischurch as a destination is well represented too as that's our preferred location, although we've not set a location preference in stone, Chch is just the top of a long list. As long as it's in NZ that'll do for me !

Thanks again one and all.

Will post a response once we've been (I know it's a few weeks away yet) in case anyone else is wondering, or possibly contemplating the Manchester event the following week.

BBB

[High]

Hi BaldyBeardyBloke

My husband and I went to one in March and there were a lot of IT recruiters (he's in IT). They interviewed him even though we told them we're not going to NZ until Oct!

Might be good idea for you to go and take your CV with you - get your name out there.

[katandbob]

Hi BaldyBeardyBloke

My husband and I went to one in March and there were a lot of IT recruiters (he's in IT). They interviewed him even though we told them we're not going to NZ until Oct!

Might be good idea for you to go and take your CV with you - get your name out there.

yes take plenty of cvs, and be prepared to have aching arms when your carrying the leaflets and freebie pens etc :D

There were not many representing Metal workers when we went to Manchester but the IT / Construction/building /Civil engineering/Mechanical engineering and carpentry seemed popular....well with the mass of building etc I am not supprised.

lots of stands for Health industrys as well.

Banks, and Harcourts were there, but they are the most expensive of estate agents and the emails they sent us while we were in the UK were of the "Blue Book" houses....ie MEGA $$$$$ not very helpful, but internet searches show up easily.

oh and dont take a bulky coat, as it gets hot and you will end up carrying it too :o I was shattered at the end of the day, but the best bit was meeting the NW crew there for a beer :cheers

Kat

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Encouraging stuff, thanks.

Reference to CV's is a good point. I am planning to take my CV anyway, both in printed format (plenty of) and electronically on a USB pen drive or similar.

One point though - do they expect the CV in NZ format ? Not investigated this just yet, but I've noticed a few references to the fact that NZ employers expect to see your CV in a certain format (i.e. different to the usual UK style).

Probably not a major issue, but I guess it could be helpful to show I'm aware of the differences and have gone out of my way to re-format in advance. I'm probably answering my own question here, but other opinions always gratefully received.

[Smiler]

Hi BBB

I'd take your CV in NZ format if you can. It might make you stand out from the others on the day. ;)

Take a back pack for all the freebies and leaflets you'll collect, leave your hands free to grab that job offer with both hands. :D Otherwise take as little as possible to enable you to get round, it can get very busy, crowded and extremely hot. If you have a chance to leave the little bbb's with someone, do so.

Good luck. :clap

[Andy-Dee]

We are going to go to the Manchester Expo in October and take along some CV's

I have seen a bit about some eployees liking very detailed CV's going into gtreat detail detail over 3-4 pages but what is the NZ format?

I'm a Project Manager working mainly in IT but also change management projects.

Andy_Dee

[Debbie P.]

Does anyone know the exact date of the London one? I've found 2 sources, one says its 15th-16th October, the other says 13th-15th October - not much good for anyone who's working.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Yes, it's 13 - 15th October (Fri, Sat, Sun)

see http://www.expo-newzealand.com/

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Re NZ format. Lots and varying info. OH started a thread elsewhere on this forum - link:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7780

Plus, from within that thread:

go to "Career Seekers" and scroll down to "Tips for Success", http://www.frogrecruitment.co.nz/

These seem to be useful bits of info.

Basically, the summary of all this is to get as much detail in as possible - 5 or 6 pages is not unusual for an NZ CV, apparently. Other than that, the format is personal info first, working experience next, starting with most recent, then education (i.e. as per UK). Only other thing is to include referees which will be followed up.

[Annierobrigado]

We are going to go to the Manchester Expo in October and take along some CV's

I have seen a bit about some eployees liking very detailed CV's going into gtreat detail detail over 3-4 pages but what is the NZ format?

I'm a Project Manager working mainly in IT but also change management projects.

Andy_Dee


hullo andy_dee

if it's not too much trouble, could you please get in touch with any member of the organizing committee that puts up these expos, and ask for me at least the name and his/her email address, i would like to write to them and ask if they could do an expo here in asia, particularly in the philippines if it's feasible for them?

i'm in your debt. thanks very much.

enjoy your day in manchester
annie:yes