Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Has anyone managed to secure a job whilst living outside NZ?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    England
    Posts
    29

    Default Has anyone managed to secure a job whilst living outside NZ?

    Has anyone managed to secure a job in NZ whilst living outside NZ?

    I'm getting more and more worried that employers will overlook us for jobs because they can't interview us face to face! We've had a few rejection emails with the stock answer "we had a large number of applicants with more relevant skills etc., etc." when we both have around 15 years experience and are overqualified for the jobs we've been rejected for! I think it might be their polite way of saying "we'd prefer someone who already lives in NZ" but they're not allowed to say that!

    Ok it's only been 3 and a bit weeks since we got the visa, and no perfect jobs have come up yet (i.e. what we are doing now), so it may just be because the jobs we've applied for aren't directly what we have experience in (e.g. veterinary laboratories not hospital ones), but I'm still really concerned.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Scotland to Wellington
    Posts
    1,454

    Default

    Yes, and without a visa before offering positions. This was however in the university sector where it is normal to advertise and hire from a global pool of applicants.

    Keep on trying - good luck!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    England
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by girlwithanewf View Post
    Yes, and without a visa before offering positions. This was however in the university sector where it is normal to advertise and hire from a global pool of applicants.

    Keep on trying - good luck!
    Thanks! That's good to hear!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12

    Default

    I have just recieved my job offer, and without a visa as well. I went to a "working in" event and all the companies there had positions to fill, and obviously willing to help people relocate!

    My interview was via skype - i had no luck applying to jobs from websites etc; but would recommend the Expos!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    England
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Thanks! I wasn't really sure what those expos were about but I suppose it does give you a chance to meet employers face to face. I will have a look if there are any coming up.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    12

    Default

    The next London one is in March, and Glasgow and Manchester.

    There were quite a few employers at the last one I attended, construction, trades, engineering, IT, teaching and healthcare mostly but there should be info on the Working-in website. Also lots of presentations and stands about financial stuff, lifestyle, pensions, moving costs etc etc... was very good and well worth the trip. I took a handful of CVs with me to give to employers and recruitment agencies there

    https://workingin-events.com/

    If your healthcare it looks like Accent Health Recruitments may attend - so maybe contact them?
    Last edited by Savahl; 20th February 2016 at 01:07 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Hi KerryL

    I am in very similar position to yours. I have NZ permanent residency, a science degree and over 6 years’ experience from which 4 gained working in the UK, where I am currently based.
    For about three weeks I have applied for several positions in my field and other related disciplines, but so far I have only received the rejection emails with the same answer "we had a large number of applicants with more relevant skills…’’

    What makes me even more disappointed that in one particular case where my skills matched 95% of what they were looking for, I was rejected because they had ''a large number of applicants’’. However a week later they were re-advertising for the very same position just after the add was expired. I appreciate that kiwis are protecting their job market and the local applicants should be considered first, but in some cases I wish they would consider the offshore applicants just a little bit more. I have very strong family ties with NZ and would be able to jump on the plane tomorrow, but at the same time I have worked so hard to build my career in the UK, that it would be silly to give it all up without a job offer. I am so desperate to be re-united with my family that I am prepared not only to take a step back in my career (as long as it is within scientific field), but to cover the travel expenses in case I was invited for a face to face interview.

    Let’s keep positive and hope for the best.
    To be fair 3 weeks, is not a long time!
    Last edited by Elsa; 23rd February 2016 at 04:35 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    new zealand
    Posts
    153

    Default

    Hi Elsa,

    Sorry to hear you haven't been successful in finding a job.
    From my own experience whats happening with you is nothing out of the ordinary, kiwis like you said like to give jobs to fellow kiwis or with people that have kiwi work experience.
    I can understand you don't want to risk your career in the UK but I think you will find that when you can write a kiwi address and phone number on your CV( Kiwi format) they will be much more keen have a closer look at your application. Also having registration with the NZ counterpart of whatever job you are in can look good. I have just recently registered with the NZ Physio Board and included that in my CV and actually have a couple jobs lined up now. ( have worked in NZ before,short time though )
    At last you can always try to get an internship and from there a lot of opportunities arise because NZ is a small country everyone knows each other and a lot of jobs are advertised through word of mouth there.
    unfortunately a lot of people that move to another country find themselves having to work there way up again. Its the price you have to pay to sometimes... to live in paradise ...
    good luck !

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Thanks Ice once again for your advice and I am also happy to hear that you have been more successful of finding a job in New Zealand.
    I had one very positive interview with a NZ recruitment agent and he explained me the reasons, why kiwis are not very keen to employ people who are not physically in New Zealand. These reasons are as follows:
    • Bad experience with such applicants in the past – many leave the company who helped them to come to NZ within one year for several reasons (better jobs, returning back home, using NZ as a gateway to Australia)
    • Delays - unfortunately there are people, who think they can jump on the plane within the given time scale and be in New Zealand to start a new job, but in reality they haven’t considered many things - like selling a house, transporting pets, leaving family, especially the older relatives, etcetera - it all takes time to sort out, and this often takes more time than initially anticipated. If you are already in NZ, it is less likely things like that would happen.
    • Different culture and attitude to life – Kiwis are very proud of who they are, they work hard, but they also like to have a little bit of fun at work and enjoy socialising in general. Not all cultures/ personalities share the same values, and of course kiwis would prefer to give a job to somebody, who at least have worked in NZ and knows whats what.
    • There are too many applications from applicants without a valid work permit – there are websites, which asks you to tick a box, if you have rights to work in NZ, but there are still many sites, where the HR people need to look though every single application to see the applicant has a visa or not. In case of 200 or more applications from abroad, it is difficult.
    • Just can’t be bothered - Believe or not, but many people don’t want to calculate the time difference to avoid calling the applicant at night. They receive applications from all over the world, from so many time zones, therefore it is easier to stick with NZ based applicants only.

    And to be very truthful I understand these reasons very well, it is just difficult for me as the main bread winner of the family to give up job without the security of landing a new one.
    9 years ago I and my kiwi husband were struggling financially. It was very hard living in London with a small child and struggling the make the ends meet. I managed to turn everything around when I entered uni when our son was just 9 months old, I graduated and now because of my job we can afford to rent our own house, go on holidays every year, etcetera. And yes, I know, I will have to sacrifice my current career, I am prepared to do that as long as I can stay in the scientific field.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    new zealand
    Posts
    153

    Default

    Yes that sums it up pretty well ! That makes things more clear and I can completely understand why you would not want to take that big of a risk and leave all these things behind that you worked so hard for. Probably would do the same thing and not leave until I had a job lined up in your case and I am sure you will find one (over the internet) if you give it enough time...

    • There are too many applications from applicants without a valid work permit
    I think thats a major reason, since you have permanent residence already ,did you put that on top of your CV ?(in BOLD haha) so everyone can see that you don't need to be sponsored anymore...

    Other then that I mean keep trying...visit expos like someone mentioned above and if you can travel to NZ for a month and go on a job hunting marathon then some opportunity might arise there, like I said NZ is a small country and a lot of people know other people that might hire .

    I wish you all the best and I am sure you will be successful. You really don't have to stress too, I have to activate my visa soon so that it won't lapse (12 months time) and you have permanent residence right of the bat so thats something positive right ,little bit jealous there .

    Good luck
    Last edited by ice; 23rd February 2016 at 12:53 PM.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •