[Debs]

Hi there,
Anyone able to reccommend good IT agencies for Wellington jobs ?
OH is a senior software developer.

We are at the start of the skilled migrant process - huge delays in processing times at London office so we are getting nowhere fast !! Obviously we could get through a lot quicker with a job offer.....

Anyone know of any agencies that might consider us whilst still in UK ??

Cheers in advance for any help.....
Debbie

[Ana&Steve]

If you mean recruitment agencies, our experiance is they don't want to deal with you if you aren't in NZ. Some of the agencies, like Hudson, will help if you are planning a visit to do interviews, (this is our plan, hubby's in IT, too) or are moving soon, but they really want dates you'll be in the country.
Ana

[Smiler]

Debbie

There's a list of agencies on this thread. http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6479

OH was given a job offer while we were still in UK and without PR, but his area in IT is small, so that's not a common thing to happen. We were also able to drop everything and come out really quickly as we had no house to sell etc. The agency was www.iconrec.co.nz

HTH

[johnandbethcox]

Completely agree with Ana's post. I'm in a similar boat as you...waiting for ITA approval, but trying to IT job hunt while still in the US. I have lots of interest from recruiters, but all want to know when I'll be in NZ.

[sizzlingbadger]

Try Neal Andrews + Associates

http://www.recruit.co.nz/main.php?page=210

They rung my husband at the beginning of the week asking if he was still looking for recruitment. They're still desperately short of IT workers at the moment :nice1

[Chiba]

Same boat here. Can't get much interest from here (Japan). Keep getting the, "call when you arrive" line. I can understand it - I'd probably not want to risk hiring somebody who I couldn't get to know first, and the phone's not ideal. Wish some would take up video conferencing! Skype'd do...

[real_sunfire]

Hi Debs,

It will be much easier if you are in NZ as far as recruitment agencies and potential employers are concerned. Saying that many people of this forum have got job offers while outside NZ via telephone/video conferencing interviews. Try some of the big employers like EDS, IBM, Telecom, etc - they are more likely to be willing to consider you.

If you can arrange a job hunting trip to NZ do it. Saying that we moving to NZ on visitor visas (hoping to submit ITA next week) and looking for jobs while when we get out there. The other (and probably safest) option is to wait until you get PR. We were going to follow that route but then my fiancee became pregnant and we were lucky enough to be in a financial position to change our plans.

Rgds.,
Nick.

[carlem]

I was in a similar position a few weeks ago. I work in IT (Business Objects etc) and contacted various agencies hoping to get a job lined up prior to arriving in Wellington. I've been dealing with a Shelley Curham from Manpower and she's been very helpful indeed.

I've been offered a position at the Ministry of Health and start on the 4th December. This was after 2 telephone interviews. I just need to send the contracts back to Shelly tomorrow.

It is possible.

Mike

[barryp]

I found the level of employer and recruiter interest went from nil to quite high once I supplied an actual move date. 'Being there' is the best option, but I think you'll see some doors open once you have a commitment in place - airplane ticket, house sale, or the like.

Like carlem, I found a government job - Applications Architect, Ministry of Justice - and obtained an offer after two rounds of interviews. (The offer came through a few hours ago, in fact!) The department head's first screening questions were intended to establish our seriousness about moving and how much research we had done about the move. If you've done your research upfront, you are much more likely to be taken seriously as a candidate.

Frankly I wasn't expecting to get a job before getting to NZ, but this one was so interesting, and the hiring manager so on top of his game, that I went for it. Anyone with heavy Java/SOA - the group is still hiring! :nice1

[barryp]

By the way, the gentleman who found the job for me is Ian Thomson of the Searchworks agency:

ian@searchworks.co.nz

I found him charming and honest - far more professional than the bulk of the recruiters I have met in the USA.

Celebration time!

:cheers