Advice on job hunting

[mistermess]

Hi All,

After visiting a number years ago and falling in love with NZ, my wife and I have decided that now is the right time to attempt to move out there. Having filled out the EoI for a skilled migrant visa, it looks like I have (just) enough points to meet the criteria, but the government website suggests that securing a job first is the best way to proceed with this, and makes an application more likely to be successful.
However, looking around on various websites, a lot of the jobs that I would apply for say you must have your visa in place before they will consider you.

Does anyone have any advice on the best places to search for jobs where they are looking to hire from outside NZ? Are there any particular recruitment agents or websites I should be using?
Also, what would people say are the chances of getting a relocation package? Has anyone been able to secure one, and if so, how did you go about it?

If it makes any difference, I'm a senior developer, specialising in databases.

Thanks

[tmg59]

https://www.absoluteit.co.nz/it-jobs/wellington/


https://www.wellingtonnz.com/work/looksee-wellington/


i hope this helps good luck

[mistermess]

Thanks tmg59,

I've been checking around for job sites, but hadn't come across that one. There are a few interesting things on there and I'll keep an eye out.

I have also registered for LookSee Wellington, but it appears to have gone viral so I'm not holding out too much hope of being selected! Fingers crossed though, as it would be the simplest way of getting out to do some interviews...

[npw1982]

Hi, we seem to be in nearly identical situations (and indeed job titles and db specialty!) and I agree it is confusing when asked if you have a visa during job applications. I took to explaining the situation in the cover letter. I also had some really helpful correspondence with someone who had in a similar situation whilst applying for one job (the person who was recruiting a programmer actually), and he stated that without a job offer it is hard to get beyond the EoI stage, and not worth doing much beyond that without one.
Best of luck!

[npw1982]

PS - Also applied for LookSee, but don't hold out much hope as .NET SQL dev isn't very flashy, and it seemed like it was targeted at startupy type things. You never know though.

[mistermess]

Thanks npw - it's good to know other people are in the same boat.
How did you get on with LookSee? I applied, but was told I had the wrong skill set...
Drop me a pm if you want to compare notes.

[npw1982]

I haven't heard back at all yet, I'm not expecting too really, did you chase them up to get information? Was this recently? I noticed the dates had changed so guess they are a bit behind schedule.

Not related but I also didn't make it to the interview stage of a job in the healthcare sector (in Nelson) that was very similar to my current position. I asked for feedback on whether or not this was due to experience/visa status but haven't heard anything back from there either! keep plugging away I guess.

[npw1982]

Whoah just saw that 48,000 people applied for look see!? Oh well!

[Anders]

Having filled out the EoI for a skilled migrant visa, it looks like I have (just) enough points to meet the criteria, but the government website suggests that securing a job first is the best way to proceed with this, and makes an application more likely to be successful.

With regards to your original question, We had just enough points for the SMC visa without job offer and recently received our Residency Visa. If you do not have a job you have an hour long interview where they assess if you understand New Zealand and if you are employable.