[Profzane]

Okay, several questions, and hope the answers are yes. ;)

I have worked in the IT Support industry for the last 15 years in the US. I do not have a degree. So at this point to pass the EOI I need a job offer.

I have read through the postings which have been extremely helpful. I thank everyone for their input.

Here is my question. Is it possible for me to obtain a job offer from the US?

I have read where people have done so an many that say you must come to NZ.

Another concern, will the lack of not having a degree diminish my chances of migrating to NZ?

The area I want to reside in will be Christchurch. If I had to Wellington would be my second choice. Nothing against Auckland, but I have lived in enough big cities to not want to reside in another if I can help it.

Thanks for your time and consideration, and I look forward to your replies.

[Ana&Steve]

Is it possible for me to obtain a job offer from the US?
I know it is, as JBHarvey recently proved...but my impression is it's a lot of putting yourself out there and not getting frustrated. They really want you to physically interview, for the most part. I think a special skill within IT also helps.
will the lack of not having a degree diminish my chances of migrating to NZ?
Not necessarily, you could get in on a work visa (once you have a job offer) and work on PR from NZ.
We are in a similar situation, good luck to all of us! :D
Ana
PS You should read through JBHarvey's posts, as he went though alot of what you're asking about.

[gpbenton]

I'm in software development, and although I've had some interest from my responses to job adverts, mostly it is the 'come and see us when you get here' variety. One recruiter has set up an interview for me, but that is a job that seems to suit me to a T - wish me luck on the 15th. :)

I rather get the impression that they have all been bitten before by people promising to move, then backing off the moment they come to make the big step. I have heard that you get more success by making a trip to NZ just for interviews, which I suppose shows a little more commitment to making the move.

Of course, this doesn't mean its impossible to get a job from out of NZ, just my experience. Your luck may vary. :nice1

[Aikaterine]

I'm afraid I'm adding a question, and not supplying an answer. I don't want to hijack, but my question is so closely related I don't think it merits a separate thread.

We are also in the Need-Job-Offer-for-EOI club. So, we will need to travel there "on holiday" to seek employment or try to land an offer before actually visiting. When searching online (via job sites, newspaper listings, etc.), I find so many job offers that say, "You must be a New Zealand Resident or hold a valid New Zealand work permit to apply for this position."

Is this as common as the job search sites make it seem? If so, how does one get around this (either locally or from afar) and find a job offer prior to having a work permit?

[Hope this makes sense!]

Edit: Ooops! I meant to say Hello Profzane! :)

[Ana&Steve]

I think most of the recruitment companies put that disclaimer on the ads, and most of the ads are through recruitment companies! :roll
Our plan is to send the CV's to the recruiters, and straight to companies when we can find them. If you inform the recruiters of when you will be available for interviews, they will be more willing to deal with you.
Good Luck!
Ana

[Anita & Marco]

Hi all,

It seems to be much easier to get a job offer from overseas when you are in any of the skilled shortages areas. When your profession is not on this list, I think it is a very difficult one.

We moved here without jobs (ours were not on any of the lists) and still found jobs within a reasonable amount of time - by far below the level we were before we moved, but that is something we will have to fix in the upcoming years.

When you want to move with a family though, I would be a bit cautious, when you need the job to feed your family. Better secure you a job before moving here.

Making a trip to NZ beforehand is a good idea as well. A lot of people have had at least some success by doing this and on the other hand it is a good way to experience a bit more of a certain area in this country, before you decide on settling.

Good luck,
Cheers,
Anita

[sunkist]

Do you know of any more job sites that don't discourage overseas applicants? As most job ads has (like Aikaterine said) "You must be a New Zealand Resident or hold a valid New Zealand work permit to apply for this position."

Cheers

[eternalkiwi]

Most recruitments do not usually work with applicants who do not have PR or a long term work visa. If your job is in a skill shortage area (e.g Java Programmers) recruitment companies may help you as it would be easy for them to find a company to hire you, or they could add you to their team of busy contractors.

The other bet would be to target companies that would employ people with similar skills to yourself, this way you can communicate directly with the people who will make the final decisions and who your skills would benefit, not a middleman working on commission.

I would also recommend taking a trip to NZ to help secure employment, and also gain a better idea of what NZ is really like. This could also help you decide which part of NZ would provide the lifestyle you seek.

[H & Rick]

My qualifications and experience fall directly in a "skills shortage" catergory but this has not given me any advantage in landing a position remotely.

At first when applying for jobs the response was positive but they wanted to interview me face to face, which is fair enough. However, when we made the trip to NZ and I attended these interviews they were not willing to offer me a position until I was living there. It's like they moved the goal posts !

I've never willingly made myself unemployed before but in order to make the move I'm going to have to ...... although it flies in the face of my better judgement. :roll

[Ana&Steve]

My qualifications and experience fall directly in a "skills shortage" catergory but this has not given me any advantage in landing a position remotely.

At first when applying for jobs the response was positive but they wanted to interview me face to face, which is fair enough. However, when we made the trip to NZ and I attended these interviews they were not willing to offer me a position until I was living there. It's like they moved the goal posts !

I've never willingly made myself unemployed before but in order to make the move I'm going to have to ...... although it flies in the face of my better judgement. :rollGood info, something to bear in mind when we go for our reccy/job hunt.
Ana

[andrewandjane]

im not in IT but i attended a general interview in UK for a number of jobs with one employer through drake international(employment agency), then had two phone interviews direct with the department i would be working. didnt have a visa or anything. it was just that there where a number of jobs that needed filling so they had started to advertise outside NZ. so it can be done, just a case of keeping your eyes out, I saw mine by accident when i was looking for a new job in UK.

may be worth having a look on international recruitment agencies as they will be advertising for post that are harder to fill and will take poeple without a visa to begin with.

Drake international have been really good with me an very helpfull etc have a look at their website
good luck

hopefully i'll get my visa in feb
Andrew

[Mal]

I am in IT (Systems Administrator) and am in the same position as you, no quals but lots of industry experience. I was fortunate enough to get a job offer remotely, and have settled in here pretty well. So, it is possible!

Mal

[jnathan]

this is Highly contradictory that employers require people residing in NZ, is there any explanation about it from the NZ Immigration? moreover, What is the best way to search jobs for IT professionals being lived abroad but aspirant of NZ Immi?

[goodonion]

I don't know if that's the "best" way - I can only tell you what is my experience with looking for jobs from overseas.

Over the last two months or so I emailed a few recruiting agencies, without attaching a CV, only specifying my IT experience in general (No degree..) and asking if they handle job seekers without a visa or a permit.

I got a reply from a number of recruiters (not all..) saying they did, and asking me for a CV and when I'll be available for face-to-face interviews.

Sent the CV with a date I'll be coming to New Zealand (that's next month actually) - and got replies from some of them (the number dropped each stage of the way, but I was ready for it..) saying they can arrange for interviews with employers (presumably - the employers know that I need a job offer to get a visa) - and asking for a definite possible start date.

It is my impression that some employers are aware of the catch22 - job offer/visa situation, and want to know that if they extend a job offer to you - you will actually make the move in a reasonable time.

One of the recruitment agents told me that a reasonable timeframe for you to start working after the job was offered is about two months.
This is not a problem in my case, since all I need to do after I (hopefully) receive the work permit is quit my job and my home-lease (no kids and no need to sell the house).

I did get the impression that it's best if you have a definite date when you're available for interviews, as it shows you're serious about the move.

Hope this helps!

[Ana&Steve]

I like your post, goodonion, very encouraging. :)
Ana

[M&J]

Thanks for the post GoodOnion.

It's good to know someone else is thinking along the same lines as us. OH is in IT and were about to contact recruitment agencies to try and arrange interviews during our visit in March. We were advised by a friend already in NZ that employers would ask the million dollar question when can you start??? We were hoping if we said 2-3 months from job offer, to enable time to tell everyone and sort everything out, would hopefully be ok.

Keep us posted on how you get on. Are you looking in a certain area?

[goodonion]

M&J - you are correct, as far as I can tell, the start date is the million dollar question.
What we are trying to do is get as much as possible sorted before we go (exactly a week from now :nice1 ) and make sure that if I get a job offer - I'll be able to start two months later.
This means I may have to go alone initally, as OH needs some more time to quit her job (we're talking severance pay of almost $30000 for her, so we don't want to write it off..).

I also got a lot of help from http://www.wellington.govt.nz/

I wrote them with my CV and they forwarded it to a few recruitment agencies.

As for the area - we set our minds on Wellington. I've been there a few years ago and quite liked the place.

[Profzane]

Now this is what I was wanting to read. You have given me hope. The site which was referred to me was http://seek.co.nz I am always amased of what is available. Drake International ey? I will keep that in mind.

Cheers.

im not in IT but i attended a general interview in UK for a number of jobs with one employer through drake international(employment agency), then had two phone interviews direct with the department i would be working. didnt have a visa or anything. it was just that there where a number of jobs that needed filling so they had started to advertise outside NZ. so it can be done, just a case of keeping your eyes out, I saw mine by accident when i was looking for a new job in UK.

may be worth having a look on international recruitment agencies as they will be advertising for post that are harder to fill and will take poeple without a visa to begin with.

Drake international have been really good with me an very helpfull etc have a look at their website
good luck

hopefully i'll get my visa in feb
Andrew