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Thread: ICT - Software work in the Christchurch area

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    United Kingdom
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    Default ICT - Software work in the Christchurch area

    Hi Everyone,

    I am trying to get an independant feel for availability of software work in the Christchurch area. I am an experienced C# software developer. The recent earthquakes and recession are concerning me a little. I am signed up with SEEK and regulary see work in Auckland and Wellington but not so often in Christchurch. I am flexible on location but really want to move to the South Island to pursue my mountaineering hobbies!

    Agencies in the area have told me there is plenty of work but I always take this advice with a pinch of salt.

    Thanks,
    Matt

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
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    531

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    Hi Matt,

    Personally I'm a little disappointed with the availability of IT jobs in Christchurch.

    I'm a PHP person and don't know for certain about C# developers specifically. I'm sure you're also aware, being on Seek, that there are some listings for C# developers but most of the listings appear to be placed by agencies and they seem to be rather generic, so I'm not entirely convinced that the jobs actually exist. "CV fishing" appears rather common here at least in the IT industry. I've been here for four years and over the years I often get emailed or called up on the phone for a "situation update and possible job opening", sometimes for roles that I'm entirely unsuitable for (but still in the general IT area)!

    Prior to the Sept 4th (2010) earthquake, the economy is slow but picking up. Sept 4th changed the mindset of many IT companies and most became very cautious with hiring. Feb 22nd earthquake, which did the most damage to Christchurch city, saw many companies relocating and further downsizing and the June 13th shakes only adds more uncertainty to the fragile employment market in the IT sector. With the scientists here cautioning residents to be prepared for the possibility of further large earthquakes in the region, I understand that companies prefer to keep to a smaller size and contract out jobs as and when they need to. In fact, most of my developer ex-colleagues are now out on their own as contractors because they couldn't find a job, and apparently are doing okay from their own networks of ex-employers and clients.

    I read from this forum somewhere sometime in the past that it's often not about what you know, but who you know in NZ, and in this instance I feel that it's particularly true.

    All the best,
    Kelvin

  3. #3
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    Nov 2010
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    United Kingdom
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    Hi Kelvin,

    Thanks for the info. I must admit that I am a little worried as I have not yet managed to secure work and face the prospect of coming out without a job in February. Seems strange given that the reason I was given a visa is due to an apparent skill shortage. I have also found out that the majority of NZ employers require face-to-face interview and securing work over the phone is nearly impossible unless you happen to have very specialist skills. Moving to Christchurch following the quakes seems a little crazy but we really want to be on the south island to make the most of the mountains.

    Matt

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    New Zealand (Wellington)
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    33

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    Another PHP dev here. You'll have no problem finding work in .NET jobs around Wellington, and having just returned from the MS TechEd conference there are definitely jobs for you out there. I wish I knew it! Expect competition, but you have to be here first. It's a contradiction, but for whatever reason, if you can't make yourself available in 24 hours they don't want to talk to you. Think about it from their point of view - they don't want to invest time (and money) in an overseas applicant if he's not actually going to show up. They hear it all the time - they want to see a commitment on your part that you'll be there when you say you are. If you say "I'm arriving on September ##" instead of "I'm thinking of coming in December", you're much more likely to score an interview with someone. Don't burn all your offers from overseas, or there won't be anyone to chat with when you get here!

    I helped build this tool that might help you out: Canterbury Job Matcher

    I came over without a job offer, but your chances are very good if you're keen to live dangerously for a bit. Just save up for a couple months and rough it!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    88

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    C# / SQL here. I can recommend an agent who has treated me superbly. I came out to NZ just over 1 week ago with no job. I was in the agent's office on Monday morning, was at a job interview by the afternoon, was offered the job within 48 hours and had my first day in the office today. Not a schedule for the faint hearted, but there most definitely are .net jobs here in Christchurch.

    Finding somewhere to live is a whole other ball game (see my recent thread), but it is do'able.

    RR

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    UK-To-NZ
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    Quote Originally Posted by tavarua1977 View Post
    Hi Kelvin,

    Thanks for the info. I must admit that I am a little worried as I have not yet managed to secure work and face the prospect of coming out without a job in February. Seems strange given that the reason I was given a visa is due to an apparent skill shortage. I have also found out that the majority of NZ employers require face-to-face interview and securing work over the phone is nearly impossible unless you happen to have very specialist skills. Moving to Christchurch following the quakes seems a little crazy but we really want to be on the south island to make the most of the mountains.

    Matt
    In fact you are 100% correct.
    Secondly, Face to Face interview cost fortune to candidate and estimated cost goes around £3000 incl (Air ticket, Hotel, food, transport etc). On the other hand, for employer zero cost unless they hire you and pay commission to agent.
    Personally, I like face to face Interview and Skype doesn’t reflect true essence of good interview conversation. I would like to see my place of work and team, where I might be working for life. I would also like to know how much interest employer have in me and my skills sets? Do they really appreciate my big investment to appear in front of them and show up my full determinations? These are very important point for any candidates and employer. End of the day both need each other.

  7. #7
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    Oct 2010
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Posts
    531

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    Just thought I'll update this thread with a very recent experience I've had as it might be helpful (or not) to Matt.

    I responded to a job advertised on Seek through a recruitment agent and gotten an interview. The agent told me that while the client is actively searching for a .NET person, they are exploring the possibility of hiring a non-.NET person who has good experience in another language. During the interview with the potential employer (a very small creative agency) they told me that they had been searching for a suitable candidate for a long time but there is apparently a lack of .NET developers in Christchurch, hence they are willing to hire someone else without an awful lot of experience in .NET but who they think can pick up the skills rapidly.

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