Hi folks,
I’m hoping that someone who is familiar with IT companies and agencies can throw a little light on job seeking in New Zealand.
We’re going on a recce trip in the middle of February, and we’ve been sending out CV’s and contacting agencies and companies directly. Not getting much response from companies, - but the feedback we’re getting from agencies is that our timeline is too long, (“wouldn’t consider putting you in front of a client company with that kind of delay….”). We’re going to be away from home on this trip for about 2 months, then return home and hand in notice etc., we’re coming up to three months minimum.
The kind of company that is likely to employ Bob is probably one of the big boys, multinational players, (fingers crossed!). His job is fairly specialised and we know that these companies recruit from overseas. I would have thought that a three month timeline wouldn’t have been unreasonable.
Basically the agencies we’ve contacted seem only interested in two things: When can you get here, (like yesterday), and what are your salary expectations. Haven’t delved into the CV or asked what he might be looking for, interested in, or might consider as an alternative.
He has been offered a job over the phone, the agency wanted him to resign before we left and him to stay on in New Zealand when we come out! Very reassuring, - but we really want to have a good look around before making the final decision, both regarding location and job opportunities. (I don’t want to sound over picky, - but the job wasn’t really a particularly good fit anyway).
But really was wondering what the “norm” was in big companies prepared to recruit from overseas. What kind of timescales they would accept?
Also given that salaries aren’t really published on job ads, and the agencies have been quite insistent of knowing what kind of salary he’s expecting, and reading some of the previous posts on this site, - was wondering how much of an element of “price negotiation” was involved in getting a job? In the UK a company tends to make an offer and you either accept or decline, - from what I’m picking up, in NZ you state what you’re looking for and the employer accepts or declines. Is that correct?
Another final question, - are big companies likely to offer a relocation package, or again, do you ask and negotiate? To be honest, we’ve been considering emigrating to NZ for some years now and never expected or budgeted for any relocation expenses. But I see from some of the posts on here, that it is sometimes offered. Is this common? Is it cheeky to ask for it, if it’s not mentioned? If it’s not unusual, what kind of sums are the norm?
Sorry for the barrage, - we’ve done a lot of the general legwork, and just have questions as we get nearer to actual interviews, and hopefully, job offers, - and any advice would be really welcome so that we don’t put our feet in it!!!
We’re looking at our recce trip as the final pass on how we like the country and confirming we definitely want to move and live in NZ. A job offer would be great, - but if the timings are so wrong for potential employers, we’re quite happy to come home and keep an eye out for suitable work from here, and if we get a job offer we know we’re happy about the move and just have to give notice and move, - so the timings drop to a month or six weeks.
Apologies for the ramble…. The stress is starting to show!!!
Many thanks all….
Anji