joandmike

A chicken and egg situation has arisen. My OH is a Kiwi and we are now looking to relocate to NZ sooner rather than late 2010 when we had originally planned, due in part to the dreadful state of the UK and also to be nearer his parents. However, when applying for jobs he is constantly told he has to physically be in NZ before anyone will see him - even though he is a Kiwi, holds a passport and is a citizen.

My question is - has anyone else had a similar experience and if so, how did they deal with it? Does anyone have a solution as we cannot afford for him to up and leave to look for jobs that may not materialise.

Thanks

Jo

bourbon-biscuit

My husband is a nurse so we looked through the District Health Board websites and had no problems- but then as a MHN it appears he is in demand worldwide

I have heard of a few people in this problem- it might help if his CV clearly states a date he is returning to NZ etc.

Laloo

Hi

I'm an Accountant and will probably start approaching agencies once I receive my ita. What is your OH's profession?

Is there anyone out there who can give advice to an Accountant looking for a job in NZ?

Wooly_Cow

Not sure if they are still running, but I got my first interviews in the UK via New Zealand Employment 'fair' in Earls Court. Second interview was via video link and third one - bizarely on the mobile phone whilst at a camping site in Bognor Regis....still I got the job 24 hours later

A lot of bigger employers will be flexible but it does depend on your skills being in demand. Like the others posted it would help to know in which area you are looking....if its IT or telecom I know of one company thats planning to recruit from overseas next year....mine!

hazeandsteve

You've got to bear in mind that there are people here being made redundant at the minute, so any jobs going would probably go to locals if suitably qualified.
Who you know means a lot at the mo in the job seeking world.
Are you going to a place where he knows people, if so, get his old mates to have a look around and a word with employers.

CAN2NZ

I am a chartered accountant. You really need to be here for interviews. You will be advantaged in that you won't already have a job and so will be able to start immediately.

I have found that to attract anyone good is hard, there seems to be a shortage. Now, to that end, I wonder where you will be moving to and when as I have an opening in Wellington. We are restructuring the role and will then be able to get rid of the guy who is there. He is terrible.

Scouse Dave

I'm recruiting software developers now, but I won't consider anyone who's not actually here for the simple reason that they may never turn up. In the case of your OH, as he's a Kiwi, there's a bit less uncertainty but really, he needs to physically be here first. Sorry.

Depending what his profession is, it might not be too difficult to get work, subject to the usual caveats about flexibility etc. But, as has been said already, remember that there's a recession here too, so limited vacancies and plenty of local (i.e. in Auckland) candidates.

Good luck though!

Laloo

My OH has family in Auckland so we'll probably be looking to move there.

joandmike

He is a site manager in the construction industry which does not bode well anywhere in the world!!

Thanks for all the comments. Still not sure what to do but might have to take the plunge and send him home first - don't think my 7 year old is going to appreciate it! Also might investigate the NZ expos - are they any good?

gedsy

When i first started thinking about n.z. i sent my c.v. to an employment agency in Christchurch they replied immediately and told me to bring 6 of my mates aswell,as they could get them all started. I don't know what you do for a living but if it's a skill i would'nt be too concerned about finding a job. My mate's in Christcurch now and he had the choice of 3 jobs. He's a Sheetmetalworker same as me. Gedsy

theduke

I have employed lots of people from the UK and I would never employ someone without either me seeing them or them coming over for an interview. No matter whether they were Kiwi or not.

The only situation that would differ is if the guy/woman had referees from here who I could speak to or we knew then and they were returning.

Sorry but that is the way!

kiwinow

We are in the same situation moving from NZ to Oz - noone willing to commit until you live there, even if you give a date of moving. As someone said you may never get there, especially the way the economy is now. Be aware that NZ is experiencing the credit crunch right now too and a lot of people are being laid off. I would say defiinitely send him over first to test the water.

viviennef

Can anyone tell me the best IT job websites to look at for jobs there?

Thanks
Vivienne

P2L

My DH is a Site Manager too. We are shifting to ChCh because the work in Marlborough is drying up at the mo. A friend who recruits for BBT says that he is advising people if they have a position to stay put at the mo

having said all that, the big companies are all picking up work still and there is going to be investment in infrastucturethroughout the country, so as expensive as it is, a reccie back to NZ may pay off

Best of luck

Scouse Dave

Have a look at http://www.seek.co.nz. There's also a few advertised on TradeMe (http://www.trademe.co.nz)

Just be aware that, in contrast to the UK, most companies welcome a direct approach, so you will get some responses if you simply mail your CV directly to either the CIO or the HR Department.

On the other hand, if it's MS .Net Development work you're after, you could just PM me....!