leveller5

Firstly, can i introduce myself. I'm Simon and am currently living in Manchester.

Myself and my partner are planning on moving to Auckland in January. I'm very excited but a bit nervous about how soon it is and how much we have to sort out.

I'm a CIMA qualified accountant, and thought i'd have no trouble sorting out a job before coming over. But the agencies i have registered with are adamant that i won't be able to sort anything until i arrive. Obviously im a bit nervous about leaving a job here to go to a new country without one sorted.

For anyone who has already made the move (accountants especially, but i'd be interested to hear from anyone really) did you manage to sort jobs before arriving, and if not, how did you find a job search upon arrival. And if anyone has any good contacts / agencies i'd be very grateful

thanks in advance for any advice

Si

ukkiwi

Start applying and hope a telephone interview will net you a job. Remember agents may not nesesarry be the best route as they are looking to fill positions quickly while competing with other agents so will always look for the local person.

http://www.seek.co.nz/jobsearch/inde...archfrom=quick

Approach the top 100 companies in NZ directly - list below.

http://www.kompass.co.nz/business-pr...nz_top_100.php

Other options are going over for a reccie to secure a position - taking a sabatical from you current job rather than resigning for peace of mind.

MnB

Hi can't help with advice re job but welcome to the forum, and good luck with your plans!! hope you'll get something sorted soon!!!
B x

Madmaxdeux

May I ask why you are targeting Auckland for your move and if you are open to searching for jobs in accountancy outside of Auckland ?

LukeandJo

Rental prices in Auckland compared to say Hamilton are way higher!!!

teeym

SWMBO is an ACA accountant and we're coming across the same with agencies. We went to see a couple when we were out there and while you can get lucky, the general advice was to come back and see them once you have a visa in place as it makes employers a lot more receptive. Likewise, being in the country also helps for seeing people face to face, but some employers will consider telephone interviews. As soon as we know the outcome of our ITA, then every accountant and his dog on North Island (or the parts where the water doesn't make your hair "funny" anyway ) will be getting CV's and letters.

We're thinking that should it need it, we'd rather stump up for her ladyship to have another holiday out there to try and secure something rather than us both give up work to move out there with no jobs and munch our savings until something crops up.

blackburn lass

Hi,

My OH is over there now, he has been there for 6 weeks, job hunting. Although he isn't an accountant and not looking in that field at all, we have noticed how much more interested in you employers are once you are there. But I do think that him not having a pr visa and going for the work permit from a job offer is making it difficult........and very frustrating!

Good luck

Dawn X

LukeandJo

Seems very much that a reccie over there can make the difference.

BEVS

Bump

How's it going?
Blackburn Lass?
Teeym?
Leveller5?

teeym

Awww - thanks for asking Bevs!

We're very much waiting until we're in possession of (or guaranteed to get) our blue stickers before going job hunting with too much vim and vigour. That said, it was noted with interest that PriceWaterhouseCooper have put up a long term job ad (open until Dec 2010!) for Senior Audit Associates in New Plymouth. It isn't SWMBO's first choice of location (too remote), but as a foot in the door it looks like a pretty pukka option as they would offer excellent NZ-wide opportunities. I'd personally be delighted as I fell completely head over heels for the place, even if it does mean being invaded by the Welsh during the World Cup!

blackburn lass

I'm still here and he's still in NZ. It's now driving me mad
He has had about 6 interviews....this is what happens.....they call him all excited and really keen to meet him, sounding dead positive, so he goes to the interview (usually quite a way away and costing a lot of money transport + hotel), he is in Marton and so far has travelled to Wellington, Auckland (twice), Tauranga and now Taupo. When he gets there they just aren't as keen as on the phone and just want to talk about the town or about England, and he his getting really p****d off with it.

Saying that, and you have got me on a bad day, he his waiting on a job in Tauranga (should here this week) and a guy in Palmerston.

Whats making it worse is Christmas, everyone keeps talking about it. By the time it comes the NZ plan is going to have to be one way or the other. Either we are there with his job in place or he his home with no job. It wouldn't bother me so much if he was away for Christmas (to be honest I'm quite enjoying being on my own) but we have a 12 year old who I don't think would cope very well.

I'm sure it's the same old no work permit problem, Kiwis seem to think it's hard to get one, and trying to explain the Esstential skills needed list is useless as they don't listen. Although a couple of people did know all about it.

So, bet you wish you'd never asked, if you have any advise on the situation please help.

I am having a bad day, I wake up each morning and spend 5 mins trying to work out how I feel about it, some days are really positive and I think he will find a job and others, like today are not so positive.
But one thing is for sure it has made me realise how much I want to be there.
OH is loving the country and knows that I will.

Love

Dawn X

teeym

Chin up Dawn, it'll come good for him sooner or later. Can't offer any real help, but will be keeping fingers crossed for you. What line of work is OH in? You never know, there may be someone knocking around on here who can give you a lead or two?

MnB

Awww (((hugs))) can't offer any practical help but just wanted to say 'hang on in there Dawn' You have been sooooo patient!!! hope it all works out for you & OH.
B x

willand tina_h

Hi to you, welcome to be hope someone can help, just wanted to jump in and welcome you, good luck, always someone on here that can help in some way.


Tina. x

leveller5

hi everyone,

thanks so much for all the responses and welcomes... its good to hear about your stories and theres some good advice as well

MadMaxdeux, I am targeting Auckland as, with it being the largest city, i would assume the job prospects would be best. Yes I would be open to looking outside Auckland as well.

Blackburn Lass, it concerns me to hear that you think not having Residency is a disadvantage... does anyone else have any advice or experience about that? I'm definitely not wanting to get residency without spending a few months working there first - its such a huge step!

I reckon next plan for me is to speculatively start sending my CV to employers. My OH is doing this with teaching jobs and has had varying success.

Final question for now, has anyone here made the move over there without a job and then went on to find one... if so, how difficult was it?

anyways, hope you are all doing well

Si