Not getting call for Interview

[nks_33]

One month has been passed since I arrived in NZ. Currently I am not residing in Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch. Applied to more than 35 Software Engineer positions. But no luck. I got no interview call. Whats going wrong with me?

[Karen Phillips]

Hi. It may be nothing wrong with you at all - it could just be the job market! What is your field and where are you looking right now? Have you looked at New Zealand-style CVs to see if yours matches? Also, have you tried the "Kiwi" way of knocking on doors of likely firms and introducing yourself? It's not an easy thing to do for most people, but in the end, it can create an opportunity. Try to keep positive. If you would like me to look at your cv and see if I can suggest any small changes that could help improve your chances, send me a Private Message. I will not be wanting to charge you for this! Cheers. Karen

[RedVee]

That's a really kind offer from Karen, I would take it up

Just a small point, but it might be worth addressing if it is the case with your CV. A lot of people are far less tolerant of what they see as poor English when it is written, far more than when it is spoken. Some non native speakers, as good as they are, tend to mangle the syntax a bit. I'm as bad when I try to speak French - to me they have it all the wrong way round =p. And my pronunciation here is probably dreadful. I'm still trying to get my tongue around Pauatahanui Inlet, which is where I'm living in a from next week - so I just say Whitby instead!

So, for example, it is not "one month has been passed" its "one month has passed". And there is nothing "going wrong with you" but maybe "what am I doing wrong" or something is "going wrong for you". I know this sounds petty but if you are in a competitive market then any perceived flaw might be enough to get you selected out of a shortlist. I now work with many other migrants who speak entirely understandable, sometimes poetic and sometimes comedic English due to the way they phrase it. But their written English language is not as good sometimes

As Karen says, knocking on doors and saying hello helps people see you as a person and gives you an opportunity to make a connection. Firing off CVs is really not the Kiwi way. I also wonder if you have sent out 35 how much tailoring you can be doing to show that you have looked at that company in some detail and that they are a preferred employer - rather than you just getting a job, any job.

Good luck to you because I am sure you have valuable skills to use here.

[bond]

I think it is quite normal in NZ for companies not to respond, even with an acknowledgement that they received your CV. These are the little things that you will need to get used to living in New Zealand.

[shawankit]

If you like a job advert , research the company and if you really think it's a right fit to your experience then pick up the phone and call the recruitment agency and discuss before you send your resume and cover letter.
Tailor your cover letter and resume to highlight the section that the company going to be interested in in your resume (The quick chat with recruitment agency would provide enough hints to tailor your resume).

[david.fluid]

That's a really kind offer from Karen, I would take it up
I know this sounds petty but if you are in a competitive market then any perceived flaw might be enough to get you selected out of a shortlist.

^ THIS.. I can not stress this enough. You are in a very competitive situation and you should look to address anything that might give you an edge. Language can be an easy area to be particularly dismissive in, especially as the majority of HR "gate-keepers" will more than likely be native English speakers.

Best of luck with your job search. What technologies do you specialise in?

[nks_33]

Thank you for your kind advice.

Best of luck with your job search. What technologies do you specialise in?

ASP.Net

[david.fluid]

Send me a private message NKS_33. I am always on the hunt for skilled ASP.net developers!

[alishah]

NKS_33, Any luck?

[nks_33]

NKS_33, Any luck?

Yes, started working from this monday.