One week "taster"

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

I am hoping fingers crossed

that my qualifications will come positively assessed from the NZQA within the next week. The four biggest firms in my (very specific) line of business are advertising for jobs (a couple have been advertising for some weeks now). Originally we were planning to go out as a family in Feb 05 and start my job hunt then. I am now thinking that maybe I should contact these firms direct and try and set up some interviews with them in NZ (over a week in, say, September). The idea would be to bag a job offer in autumn, giving me enough time ( fingers crossed

again!) to apply for and be granted PR by Feb 05. This would mean a lead in time from date of offer to taking up job of about 4 months. In my line of work in the UK (professional - accounting/tax consultancy) it is generally typical to be working three months notice, so new employers generally plan on this basis and so a four month wait does not impact on chances of landing a job. What about NZ, is it similar? Would I be going to soon with this plan and should I wait until we arrive as a family, for a much longer period? Or maybe later in the year (eg Nov), but by then the jobs on offer may have been filled.

Thanks as ever.

Lee

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

lee, i'd get on the phone and tell the co's your situation and ask them if 4 months is okay. if they've been advertising for a few weeks they should be keen to talk.

michelle · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Lee

Don't know anything about accounting jobs but all I can tell you about is our experience. Richard is a solicitor and also has a 3 month notice period this is normal in his work. We went out to Oz and NZ in March where he had a number of interviews set up in Brisbane and Wellington. The interviews went well but all the employers said they wanted him to start in around a month. Like you we couldn't get back out for at least 4 months. They all said that a 3 month notice period is unheard of, at least in law, and were not in a position to wait that long for him to return. One job in Wellington was ideal but he decided that he couldn't leave his present employers within a month.

So we returned to the UK without the job offer but having made some useful contacts. Going out certainly had other benefits though as an agent in Oz took him more seriously and a job offer came through last month. Unfortunately a change in the law for English solicitors working in Queensland has put paid to our plans and he had to turn it down.

So to sum up, its probably worth going to show people you are serious about the move and to meet potential employers but if the area you are looking in is anything like law you will need to be flexible on the notice period. Having said that there is a shortage of Accountants isn't there so that might help.

It will also help you decide if its what you really want, look at housing, lifestyle etc

Michelle

Lee&Nicky · I Like It Here Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 70

Thanks for the responses, very helpful.

I think I will call direct and see what attitude is to waiting for the right person. I may go out for a week in September/October in any event, to make contacts, show my face and demonstrate how keen I am to settle in NZ!

Just waiting to hear from NZQA, if that comes back negative then it will be serious rethink time in any event......lordy, I hope it doesn't come to that!

Lee