Joshlin

Having got ourselves all ready to go we have hit an anxious moment

We do not have employment lined up but were quite comfortable thinking that as we are both on the skills shortages list we would be able to get employment relatively easy (taking the fact that we are migrants into consideration) once we arrived (we will have some funds to see us through for approx 4 -6 months)

I have been linking with an employment agent and now she is saying that we could struggle because we have narrowed ourselves down to much - we're going to christchurch.

your thoughts / experiences please - how much do jobs get advertised in NZ, how much do employers like going through agents, when we get there if we start approaching employers how likely are they to see us / discuss options?

I'm in healthcare and my OH is a car mechanic.

Pinkie Pie

Hi Joshlin

I'm sure everything will work out ok for you...have you done any searches yourself to see what's on offer in Christchurch?? Have a look on the website that Pompey Paul set up - it's got loads of job sites on it..

However, not wishing to put a dampener on you or alarm you in any way but a bit of advice that I was given by an expat already living in NZ was to make sure that where we ended up living through work didn't limit us should that job fall through i.e to make sure that we were pretty central as the costs to relocate in order to find work can be pretty steep as we know.

That is one of the reasons for us choosing North Island because when I did a search for OH's job on Christchurch there were three jobs that came up - when I did the same search on North Island there were 9 pages of jobs!!

However, healthcare workers and mechanics are both on the shortages list so you should be ok...

Jasper8009

I live in chch and there are heaps of jobs down here. I got a job after 2 weeks (temp work) whilst i looked around, but found it easy to find work. Masses of garages in chch, plus several lareg hospitals so you will ahve no trouble at all I am sure. Just make certain you bring your cv and references with you (I paked mine and they travelled here by boat!). Some companies use agencies, or websites such as www.seek.co.nz, but there are pages and pages in both Wed and Saturday's Press each week.

Best of luck.

WheelsOfSteel

Worst case scenario, I would imagine you would have to diversify a little. Christchurch is one of the larger commercial areas in NZ. There are plenty of opps.

It's very easy to get dishartned by someone saying something 'off the cuff', but perhaps he had a hidden agenda?

If you were relocating to Te-Anu or such like, maybe you would limit yourself, but not really in ChCh.

WOS

NZ Climber

I came here on a wing and a prayer (working holiday visa with a view to turn it into residency under general skills which i've now done) and my partner had a job offer before we came but it only took me 3 months to find a job and what I do isn't even on the shortage list at all so i wouldn't be too worried.

Try: http://www.seek.co.nz for jobs. It's bloody comprehensive and there's no reason why you can't apply from the UK and remove one minor setback when you actually arrive. You can narrow down the search easily to geographical locations and types of jobs so that you don't have to wade through tons of non-suitable jobs.

Besides, it's a seekers market here right now, employers are screaming out for good people.

Good luck.

livewire

Sorry but I don't know if you've visited NZ or what your reasons for going to Christchurch are. We wanted to live there but ended up in Auckland, a decision that turned out to be totally right for us.

I agree with mizz pinkie, keep your options open and live where the work is. Rent for a while because it makes it easier to move if you have to. Keep things as flexible as you can until you're properly settled.

SteveNZ

Auckland is right for us too - but not for my sister - who has moved (for a job) to a rural area. She has bought a house and is settled (she's the primary wage earner). If she were to lose her job though - her choices would be VERY limited.

My advice is that unless you REALLY want the rural life, then stick to a population centre -Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin)spring to mind as the biggest (in order of north to south, not size)

Steve