Are Linux systems administrators in demand in NZ?

[ekini]

Hi All!

I’m having difficulties finding a Linux Systems administrator job in NZ.
You might have seen my other post where I was trying to get a visitor visa to search for a job: http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....275&highlight=

So I got a limited visa with Karen Phillips’ help and went to Wellington in June-July 2014. However, I didn’t succeed in getting a job offer.

In fact, there were number of vacancies that fit my skills, experience and expectations, and I got a lot of phone calls from recruitment agents. I was invited to face-to-face interviews three times, got one skype interview, and had 3 interviews for one position, but in the end they hired another candidate who had “less skills but clear start date”.

I also:

1. Tried cold calling. Went to googled organisations with CV in my hand. I always had a positive feedback but nobody wanted to hire me.
2. Emailed all organisations from http://www.rabble.co.nz/. Got one job offer for a fake “permanent” position. That would give me a chance to go to the country and search for another job for 3 months before they fire me. However, I rejected it as I didn’t want to cheat INZ.
3. Went to a meetup and introduced myself: http://www.meetup.com/wellrailed/events/189958392/ . Nothing came out from that.

With all that, I had a new job waiting for me in Russia, and the company had been waiting for my return for almost half a year, because they couldn’t find anyone better in a city with a population of 1 million people.

Now I’m working in that company, and everything is great, except I still dream about NZ way too often.

I am totally sure that I can find even better job with more opportunities in Russia, but I can’t break through NZ visa barrier. And my situation should be quite simple: I just need a job offer to apply for a work visa under LTSSL category.

So my question is: are Linux Systems administrator in demand in NZ? Wellington would be perfect, and any other city would be good. My last CV is always here: http://cv.dementiev.eu
My editable CV, in case someone wants to edit it or make suggestions, is here: http://cve.dementiev.eu .

[rv1103]

To your question of Linux admins being in demand here, fair idea can be gauged after looking at similar position availability in some of the NZ job sites like Seek.co.nz.
You should be able to get good idea after your search in portals as also current salary range.

[ekini]

I've heard that only 1 of 10 vacancies goes to seek/trademe. I monitor seek.co.nz and trademe.co.nz every day, and I see only recruitment agencies there. I'm sure that a lot of companies don't want to pay to agencies or they aren't just big enough to do that, so I think that the websites don't reflect all picture.

But thanks for the help!

[rv1103]

I am not sure if that is correct. But based on my experience in NZ so far, recruitment agencies have quite a chunk of vacancy here through the parent organisation.
I understand that parent organisation may not want to go through screening each of the CV's they might be getting for a position and hence give it to agencies for shortlisting candidates.

After reaching NZ, i have met a number of agencies personally and i can say with some confidence that largely jobs will appear via agencies.
I can only recall of a couple of organisations that i have ever sent directly having seen a requirement.

But these are just my thoughts based on my experience, you will sure be knowing better for your own field of work.

Best of luck!