Old General Skills Category

calin · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 18

I applied for residence under this old GSC in june 2003 with no job offer included. Two weeks ago I recieved a notice from the visa officer, telling me that my case was postponed for 6 -12 months, and advicing me to look for a a job in NZ. Whenever should I recieve a job offer my application would be assesed immediatly.

My feeling is that, although legally Job Search Visa still exists for people who applied under old GSC, they don't want to give it anymore.

I'm sure there are many people who applied under old GSK and were not lapsed. What course do you think these applications would have?

Jenkins · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Calin,
My friend's case is similar to yours. However, she was asked if she wanted to pull out her application. With all these confusions in the policy, she decided to withdraw her application (and refunded her money). But this option was presented to her late last year. Im not sure if they're still considering this for other applicants.
By the way, my friend decided to just go to NZ on holiday visa then try her damn luck on getting a job offer.

calin · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 18

Thank you Jenkins!

You're the only one who answered me so far.

Only one answer... it seems that people in my situation are not very optimist. They don't feel like posting answers.

I am an IT specialist with 6 years experience and I am 30 years old. I've sent my CV to several recruitment companies. Most of the time I recieve the same answer: "I'm sorry but I can't help you as you're not in NZ. Feel free to contact me again when you're in NZ".

It's obvious that we, overseas people, can't get a job offer in the usual way (aplying for a job posted through a recruitment company). This makes me post another topic.

Jenkins · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2004 8:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Calin,
Same thing here. My husband sent his CV to more than 20 companies and no one seems interested in hiring someone from overseas. We are so tempted to also try to go to NZ as tourist then apply for a job but we find it risky. Having no relatives nor friends there makes it really scary (although I know Kiwis are nice people).
Good luck to us
-Jenkins

jodie · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:06 am Post subject:

Hi all,

My partner and I are also in a similar situation regarding applying for
a job in nz. I spoke to an agency last week and he advised that we go
over on a working holiday visa (you can get one if you are under 31) and
try and get a job whilst over there, but I've looked on the NZ
immigration site and it's seems like you can't get a permanent job on
this visa, only a temporary job. So I suppose once we got a permanent
job offer, we'd have2 apply for a work permit (that's valid for 3 years)
and then do either WTR or apply through the SMC. (Extra points for NZ
work experience etc.).

But we are a bit wary about doing this - does the NZ immigration frown
upon people going this route as they are entering the country under
false pretences - ie - pretending to come on holiday and then getting
permanent work and applying for residency? Or are we being a little to
worried? Rolling Eyes

Like you, we feel that going over with no job offer or residency etc is
a bit risky, but again find that employers are not interested unless you
are in NZ..... Confused

Jodie

rebecca · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:06 am Post subject:

Hi all

My partner and I were in a similar situation. He also works in I.T and struggled to get anywhere with a job application unless he was in NZ.

He booked his flight and contacted a few recruitment agencies to let them know he was on his way. As soon as he landed in Auckland his phone was buzzing with people wanting to meet with him. He went to a few interviews and was offered a higher position than he applied for.

He signed his contract this morning, then went straight to immigration for his work permit, which was issued within 2 hours.

He contacted the airline, who moved his return flight to next February. I fly out with our daughter on April 6th.

I.T professionals are in BIG demand over there, and the salaries aren't bad either.

We have fretted and fussed and lost more nights sleep over this decision than you can imagine, but when it happened it was a breeze. I know we have many more hurdles to jump (residency is next)! but this has proved to me that it's not as stressful as it first seems.

Good Luck to you all xxxx Nice One

calin · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 18

Thank you Rebecca,

It's nice to hear about success stories.

Can you tell us more about your partner's IT field of activity and experience?
This would help us compare our situation with yours.
I was advised to get to NZ and look from there for the job too.

Calin

jodie · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:35 am Post subject:

Hi Rebecca,

It's good to hear that it's worked for somebody! How long did it take for him to get a job? Was he on a holiday visa? The immigration service didn't mind that he had arrived without a work permit then?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is the route we are planning on going down in the next few months...

You said he has moved his flight to next April - why has he got to come back? I thought a work permit was valid for 3 years? Have you automatically got a permit now that he has?

Thanks,

Jodie fingers crossed

rebecca · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 5:45 am Post subject:

Hi

Nige flew out on a normal holiday visa, and they never mentioned anything about that at immigration. They did know the day he got to NZ and the flight too, which was spooky!

He is an MSCE network engineer. Over here he ran a network maintenance company for 10 years. He was applying for jobs as a network engineer as our advice had been to aim low and work his way up once he had NZ experience, but as I say they made him manager anyway! From arriving in NZ he was offered a job within 3 days.

He kept the return flight so that he can come back should he need to, you lose the money if it's cancelled so it's best to hang on just in case.

You must be in NZ. Like I said earlier Nige had contacted people here, let them know he was going to NZ and once he got there he was almost fought over.

Everyone he has dealt with so far has been fantastic, from the recruitment agents, to the car dealers and estate agents. They give you 100% attenton, and they'll bend over backwards to help.

We intend to get over there, get settled and after a year or so apply for residency. That's different battle altogether but hopefully the EOI list will have calmed down by then. Without the job offer and experience points we wouldn't stand a chance. Being in NZ at the time of applying is our only option.

Good luck to you all xxx