What is better looking for a job online from oversees or to take a risk?

[Elsa]

I have recently been granted a permanent residency via Family stream in NZ and I am currently looking for a job there. So far, I have only applied for couple positions in my field and have not received any feedback yet. However it would be great help, if you could share your experience/opinion on the following topics:
1) Would it be useful to get my qualifications assessed by NZQA? I have a degree in chemistry from Lithuania and more than 6 years’ experience, which includes 4 years working in the UK.
2) 2 month notice period - is it a problem? I was told that the notice period which I am required to give may put off many of the potential employers, as they often want people to start as soon as possible? With visa already in pocket and family already living in NZ, I could jump on the plane straight after my notice period, if only I had an offer.
3) Would it be better to take the risk and travel to NZ without a job offer, and hope I will find something in my field? I have very good job here in the UK, therefore it seems very scary to give it all up without a job offer in NZ.

I just want to hear your thoughts on these topics.

[JandM]

1. I doubt that it would make much difference. It's INZ who want qualifications looked at to see if people are good enough for Residence under SMC, but I believe most employers make their judgements on a wider basis - yes, your qualification, but also your work experience and references, how fast you've been promoted, and, quite simply, if they get a good impression of you.

2. Possibly, for some. But if an employer is even willing to look at hiring an employee from abroad, they must already be building a waiting time into their planning, because most foreigners would have to get a visa from scratch as well as working out notice, so you, with your visa already sorted out, would be at an advantage, I should THINK. But be aware that there are very few NZ employers, except in very specialist areas, who routinely consider applications from foreigners who are still abroad. There is an in-built preference for being able to look someone in the eye and shake their hand, to check them out.

3. See last answer. But with Residence, you can take any job at all that you're offered - it doesn't have to be a skilled one - so if nothing exactly in your field were to be immediately available, you could take something to keep you ticking over while you look around and take the time to put out feelers to companies and agencies.

Nobody can tell you what you SHOULD do - it's a matter of following your instinct, really.

[girlwithanewf]

What kind of job are you looking at? In which field? That would help people on the forum give you more advice as whether employers in this area routinely recruit from outside NZ or not.

[Elsa]

Thanks for your responses, I really appreciate them. Of course I realise, that nobody can tell me what I should do and after all it is all in my hands, however I like to hear other people thoughts before I make my own mind up. I am a toxicologist/ consumer risk specialist and looking for positions in regulatory chemistry in the following fields: pharmaceuticals, medical devices and agrochemistry.

[girlwithanewf]

I would keep on looking for jobs, contact companies etc. Maybe LinkedIn might be useful. Personally I would be reluctant to give up what you say is a very good job in the UK on the off-chance you might get a job in NZ. You are perhaps more interesting to employers in NZ in your current job and with a visa, then unemployed in NZ. Just my thoughts though.

Good luck! It will be worth it!

[KerryL]

Would it be better to take the risk and travel to NZ without a job offer, and hope I will find something in my field?

I was just going to ask this very same question! We have just received our PR visas and thought we would wait until one of us secured a job in NZ before moving over there so we didn't have to live off our savings. I have had one phone interview for a job I applied for before we got our visas (which I didn't get), but it was in Christchurch and they are more desperate to attract workers than Wellington or Auckland, so I think that's why they were giving me a chance.

I'm worried that if I apply for jobs in Wellington/ Auckland, they might not consider me as we are still in the UK and they have a lot of applicants who actually live in NZ. We could be over there in a month so it's no different to them employing someone already in NZ who would have to give a month's notice anyway, but they wouldn't be able to interview me face-to-face, so that might put them off!

I really don't know whether it would be better to risk it and move over there without a job. Has anyone else done this?

[dharder]

It seems like quite a small area, quite specialised especially in NZ. I think your best bet might be to stay where you are and try to network, get some personal contacts (as someone said linkedin maybe?) If you have a relatively specialised and small field in NZ (just like everywhere else I suspect), in my experience most positions will be filled with people someone knows, or has heard of, or who has contacts, etc.

Good luck

[Jerry Maguire]

I am tussling with the same question... there is no option but to move to NZ and then begin a job search. It will surely be hard (I have 2 young kids too). You gotta give your self $X and Y months and some sort of approach to job finding. If you know folks there in NZ then that helps in settlement for sure and saves you $$ too.

Response to overseas applications, in my experience, is quite poor. So, after a lot of deliberation, discussion w/friends in NZ and thought, I will resign in March end and move in early May.

My 2 cents

[KerryL]

Eek you are so brave Jerry Maguire!

I still think what girlwithanewf says "You are perhaps more interesting to employers in NZ in your current job and with a visa, then unemployed in NZ" is right though. That's how employers see things here in the UK. A gap in employment never looks good on a resume.

It's only been a week since the closing date of the one job I applied for and the other one hasn't even closed yet so I will wait and see. Maybe if it gets to June and we still haven't got jobs we will have to take the plunge.

[Jerry Maguire]

Issue is two fold, as I see it. Again, everyone's situation is unique.

1) Job season: While I dont buy the theory that says opportunity to get jobs decreases as the year progresses, i.e. best time starts from March on wards; I am worried in the sense that my profile is that of BA/PM and I understand there is 'sufficient' glut in the NZ market for such a skill set. If there is an iota of truth this theory then I dont want to take a chance and maximize my opportunities.

2) I cant stay in Malaysia anymore. Just cant. I moved here 5+ years ago for a better pay and to move out of India but now, with 2 kids, its time to move on. Malaysia has been good to me. But the weather, constraints, current office environment where new boss is completely turning things in downward spiral, falling exchange rate of Ringgit, ... I could go on.

I dont think this kind of gap on resume looks odd at all; a few months. Its easily explainable. Folks migrate and when they do, such gaps can happen (best if they don't but not alarming if they do).