On the job (reccy)...

[gorstsmit]

Felt like the existing thread wasn't appropriate anymore having gone past the fact finding 'so they work' stage and gone headlong into the 'lets find out' stage. So, here's the new one.

Currently in transit in Dubai en route to Auckland, already lost track of time, already missing havnig family with me (and no, they don't read this so it's not for her benefit ).

For anyone thinking about it, hopefully it might give you some idea of how things go, career, specialisation differences aside of course. With any luck, there'll be some good news at the end of it, and if not, well it will have given me some comfort that when we do make it out permanently with a visa in hand, I should be able to set myself up meetings and interviews fairly quickly.

Still not forgetting I have had some great help from members here to get atr least one of the interviews - support and encouragement means a lot.

[martyb125]

keep the updates coming and hope the recce turns out to be worth it

[Parsley]

Good luck on the recce and enjoy it!

P

[Sun777]

Here's wishing you all the best mate

[Hagabel]

Good luck and don't forget to slow down and enjoy!!!

[gorstsmit]

So, landed at last in Auckland yesterday afternoon. Managed to speak to OH and my daughter from Melbourne for a few minutes which ws great. This is already the lingest period I've been without them and it feels odd.
Even landing felt different, I actually felt the distance separation for the first time, so that mixed with the feeling that I was potentially landing on and looinng at the place I might call home soon made it a more emotional landing than average.
didnt take long though to look round and see and hear why we loved the place, and this settled me again. Picked up by my good friend Dan (charliesdad) and it's off to Titirangi and his ace bush house. It's not a house made of bush, obviously, just very much in it. Afternoon went in a flash, ate tea and crashed. Made it to 8 pm though which I was quite happy with.
Will get plenty of interview prep done today, check out route to the city, generally make sure I'm firing on all cylinders ready to wow my new employers (potentially) tomorrow.

[JandM]

Titirangi and his ace bush house

Okay, I'm envious...

Have a good time - hope it goes well for you.

[gorstsmit]

So, few days between updates but it's been fairly busy so far.

My first interview at ASB turned out not to be an interview at all, but more if a chat and to tell me I couldn't do that job so deflation well and truly set in early on in that meeting. However, managed to stay super positive and accept the reasons to leave a good impression anyway. Which it must have, as I got a call back yesterday with 2 more meetings set up from other departments who want to see me.
Meeting with Debbie Graham was good, seemed to be thinking there'd be some places I could fit, but in general it was at least useful to go as practice for the ASB meeting and Wednesdays interview. Gets you in to that frame of mind needed to properly communicate your skills and personality.
Wednesday went well, great interview, and will hopefully be getting a call back for the final stage as long ad my personality profiling test doesn't show me to be some sort of psycho ( no offence to any psychos obviously) .
Got a meeting in at BNZ too that could bear fruit.
So, so far so good. Will I get that offer by the time I fly back on Sunday and be able to update the EOI in time fir next selection? We'll see, but it's not an impossibility.
It dies seem though that a direct approach and a willingness to show huge levels of commitment are valued greatly. So if you're thinking of doing this, it does seem to add value to your applications - in my field anyways.
Oh, and my very clever OH has bagged herself a Skype interview for today with a great school fir a perm role, so fingers crossed for her too.
Who knows, we might both have a job by next week and be well on the way.
More news as I get it.
Thanks fir all the best wishes guys!

[JandM]

Well done - sounds as if you're going down well.

(no offence to any psychos obviously)

[Duncan74]

None taken.