can anyone help

melcastiger · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 7:35 am Post subject: can anyone help

we are wanting to emigrate to New Zealand but all this stuff regarding skilled migrant category confuses me (trust me it doesnt take a lot), my better half is a qualified electrical/mechanical engineer and using that points calculator we only seem to manage to get 90 points because there doesnt seem to be a shortage of engineers but if he has a job offer it goes up to 140, but how can you secure a job from 12,000 miles away and how can the company keep a job open for you for months on end till you get your visas and looking on this forum it seems that people have lots more points than us, anyone know what are chances are?

andy · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:41 am Post subject:

Hi
The chances are slim of getting the job offer but it is possible. We got one in the panelbeating industry and it was held open. Our visa officer told us that if the job offer is open until a specified date that he would ensure that the application is pushed through to enable us to make the date. This was under general skills but I would assume this applys to the skilled migrant cat. too.
We called what seemed like every panelbeater in NZ! We asked if it was ok to send/email them a CV and maybe call back in a few weeks to discuss any vacancies that may arise in the future. They were mostly very nice and we ended up with 3 offers.
It is best to tell them roughly when you plan to arrive rather than saying eventually or someday!
We used vartec to make all the calls (http://www.vartec.co.uk/)
It was worth the cost of the calls. Good luck.

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:57 pm Post subject:

Hi

It is difficult but possible..It took me and my wife three months of trying until one company, who was having trouble recruiting highly qualified staff (PhD Biochemist), did a telephone interview with her lasting 2 hours and offered her the job subject to satisfactory references. They have held the job open for her until we get a work permit or PR. I will wait until we get our children settled before I find work (Chartered Chemist). I think you should pool your combined resources/qualifications and experience and both look for work to get a foot hold!

One of the main problems you face is that NZ employers can't see you face-to-face so try forwarding some good pictures with your CV or use a web cam if you have one! We were prepared to fly out for a second interview if needs be after an initial interview with prospective employers.

Bottom line is you can't beat being there face-to-face! From an employers point of view you can understand there reluctance to employ someone they have never met before....thats the dilema!