leandra21

Hello! I have been reading this Forum for a long time and I think is time for me to introduce myself and to ask the questions that I have regarding relocating to NZ. We (family of 3) would like to move back to Auckland in the very near future because the in-laws are getting old and we would like our son to spend more time with them.My husband is a Kiwi ,I have a permanent visa for NZ and our son was born in Auckland.We lived in Auckland for 3 years and we left 8 years ago to be closer to my family (big mistake...).My husband has been looking and applying or jobs for 9 months solid but so far he has got just 2 Skype chat (not even interviews!).He is an Operations Manager for a big retailer in London and he has been very surprised regarding the response (or the lack of it) considering his experience and the fact that he doesn't need a Visa to work in NZ.My question is for the forum members that managed to get a job offer before getting to NZ;how long did it take you? I am aware that it is different for everyone but 9 months and not even an interview?

cappuccino

Snap shot will be along shortly, it's her favourite topic!

Most people find it easier to get interviews/be taken seriously once they are actually on NZ soil so you should find it easier once you get there. Good luck

leandra21

Hi,thank you for the prompt reply.Unfortunately there is no way we could move without a secure job to go to

bearskin

When I was in the UK, I applied for a vacant position over the internet, and had a phone conversation with the person doing the hiring, but I don't think it would be normal to actually get the job without meeting the person - i.e. being in NZ in person?

FWIW, I got a job within a week of landing in NZ when I came here, but that was back in 2003.

leandra21

Thank you Bearskin. My husband is willing to fly over for the final interview to seal the deal if needed but we can't realistically up sticks without a job in the pipeline.Just curious to know how the people that had to get a job offer before getting a Visa managed to do it and how long it took.

MrsFychan

The Warehouse is always advertising, not sure if that is the sort of place he would be able to work.
to be honest unless you give a little I don't honestly see it happening. maybe your husband should fly out for a couple of weeks, with feet on the ground he is available for interviews at a drop of a hat plus he can see his family so win win situation.
my husband landed on a Tuesday and had a job in the bag on the Friday, but that was IT. he had been doing Skype calls, before he came over, with agencies who apparently were putting him through for jobs but seems that wasn't exactly the truth in the end and it was just numbers on their books.

leandra21

The Warehouse is one of the companies that we check every week for jobs . We don't pay much attention to what the agencies say (we found that they are generally C--P !) We talked about him coming over for a couple of weeks but it is a long shot trying to get and fit interviews in a couple of weeks while in NZ.Also the little money we have saved we would like to use as a deposit for a flat.

Purrball

I suspect you might have to change your expectations and strategy around this.

Not only is it insufficient to just look for roles that are advertised, persistent networking is often needed to get a foot in the door to uncover roles that may not even be advertised. While LinkedIn and Kiwi expat networks can be a good place to start, being there in person counts for much more. Not only are you available for face to face meetings, you're seen as someone willing to commit to the long haul.

I think for certain types of specialised and/or technical professions, or those roles in great demand where local candidates are thin on the ground or non-existent, then NZ employers will take a punt and make an offer to an overseas candidate. However, although your partner is an expat Kiwi, being away for eight years is long enough for NZ employers to see him almost as an immigrant, particularly without the dreaded recent 'New Zealand experience'.

It's quite possible that they may see London experience as not specifically relevant or mappable to their operations, unless it was for an international retail chain. With some Kiwis, there also seems to be residual resentment that returning expats expect to waltz in and command big bucks. Don't underestimate the tall poppy syndrome. All in all, seen from their point of view, it's not a particularly compelling value proposition.

Try and see it from an NZ employer's point of view: they have a problem, a pain point to solve. Recruitment is time-consuming. They need to get someone suitable into a role as quickly as possible, so they can get back to doing their job. They're likely to look locally first, to someone who knows the business landscape well, can rock up for an interview at short notice, who can hit the ground running and whose references can be easily checked by a phone call. That's who you're competing against.

Flying out for an interview is a long shot. What happens if you don't get the role and you're asked back for another interview elsewhere in another couple of weeks?

So, I don't think you can take shortcuts on this. To your partner: Save up a bit more, go out there by yourself, travel and spend lightly, stay with family or friends if you have to, hit the bricks and make job-hunting and networking a full-time activity, be prepared to compromise and take a temporary lower position or in order to consolidate and rebuild, consider another town… and once you've found a role and have bedded in a little, then get the rest of the family to join you.

leandra21

Thank you for the reply.I guess we will have to find a long way home somehow.

Snap Shot

Sorry, feeling a little bit bruised after my most recent turn down for a job about half an hour ago.

I got told that any of the candidates could have done the job but it just came down to the, 'gut feeling' of the interviewer regarding team fit.

What's the betting the successful candidate was a New Zealander ? Anyway, sour grapes and all that.

MrsFychan

Sorry to hear, yet again snapshot -

I hear a lot of "team fit" and obviously if, like in this case, how are they going to monitor that with out the normal "coffee met" type interviews or the more formal ones

Snap Shot

Thanks. I'm just sitting here with a face like a smacked _rse.

No doubt I'll get over it, just like all the rest of the turn downs for jobs that I've had.

Although, this is kinda taking the, um, yeah that. Now that I've had so many turn downs for work albeit over a period of four and a half years.

Is it time to go home yet ?

Snap Shot

Leandra21 - I've sent you a long boring PM.

Snap Shot

I've got all that and it's still no go for me. It's so frustrating.

However, it's not my thread and it's not all about me so I still say:

Purrball

Good luck. Perhaps some of that contingency fund for a flat deposit might better used for establishing a beachhead over there. Sometimes, you have to spend to make money.

In the meantime, being more proactive, doing deeper research and making contacts in the specific line of business would probably pay dividends for when you do arrive. Ensure that you're on LinkedIn with a comprehensive work record and that you put a good photo of yourself up there, because you probably will be Googled and that you use that platform for reaching out, building leads and seeking advice. Also check out trade-type magazines and websites. Remember that agencies will be doing the same thing, but hoarding that information for themselves.

While it's sometimes difficult to bypass HR, don't underestimate the power of a good personalised cover letter with a speculative approach, especially if you can rejig it and your CV to emphasise NZ experience and nationality, returning with your family to settle down and so on … and with an emphasis on achievements: what value you bought to the businesses you've worked for and what you bring to the table now.

I'm an expat Kiwi, been in the UK for 26 years. If I had to return to NZ, I'd be doing the exact same thing. It wouldn't guarantee success, but it sure would improve my chances.