Another annoyance is that the agencies tend to advertise really attractive jobs just to get you signed up, most of these jobs do not actually exist. Even being on the skills shortage list does not help.

The problem here I believe is that there is a discrepancy between what the immigration folks say to respective migrants and what the philosophy of the NZ employers is. The fact that NZ employers do prefer to offer jobs to Kiwis is not made clear to those who intend to immigrate here.

I was discussing this very point last week with both Kiwis and Brits and the feeling coming from the Kiwis is that they want those wo have experience here. The exceptions are specialised jobs where they take someone directly from overseas. This fact can be very disheartening to new arrivals but one which should be out there and openly discussed.

The kiwis think they are playing safe by getting one with experience here but the flip side to this is this practice can often become 'jobs for the boys'.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=791263

This recent post shows NZ employers' attitudes to immigrants.

Well after having another interview for an Office Manager job, and apparently I was perfect for it, the interviewer even said so to the agent, However I didnt get invited back for a second interview. Why? I'm not 'corporate enough'

Even the agent was agast, and said they were placing too much importance on insignificant aspects - and he had no problem with me at all and didnt think they knew what they wanted at all.

All I want is a good job and even that seems to illude me.

I give up!!!

that stinks.

hubby went for an interview beginning of Dec last year, tried following it up just before Christmas break and got told the interviewer had already gone on holiday but would get back to him in the New Year. New Year came and went so he followed it up mid January to be told by the bloke he couldn't remember him as it had been a while ago

It's a really tough market out there so hang on in there. In fact you are doing very well getting as many interviews as you are - you are clearly doing something right.

Next time you are chatting to the agent ask him to be blunt with you about any perceived negatives. The 'not corporate' comment is a fob off, probably for a real reason that is not very PC.

I've had 3 interviews so far, the first I lost to someone internally, the second was the start of this thread, and the third just gone.

Like you said I must be doing something right to be getting some interviews, but its obviously not quite enough at the moment to secure the position.

'over qualified', 'not corporate enough' - wonder what they will come up with next time!!

Ellenor R,

You and I are reading off the same page. I had two job interviews on two consecutive days last month.

One I got turned down for but it was, 'very close' this was the only interview I've had that started at 8.30am (I could have had a later one but anyway).

At the interview they sounded suitably encouraging and even asked for permission to contact my referees and asked if I could supply a third referee. All of which I agreed to. However, I still got turned down.

The other one went to someone with more relevant experience. OK, that's probably true (and never mind how I know) but chrissakes, what do I have to do ? The guy that phoned me to turn me down got my name wrong initially too ! He even remarked, 'it's going to sound like a cop out, but we had lots of applicants.'

Even the local employment agencies are useless. I sent my c.v. to two more agencies in January this year. One I got the usual, 'don't call us, we'll call you' the other one just said, 'that vacancy is gone, we will keep your details on file for three months if anything else suitable comes available' I was open mouthed that an employment agency could be so flippant. OK, some of them are next to useless in Britain but even they are starting to look good in comparison.

Vacancies are few and far between in this town. I'm prepared to travel a reasonable driving distance but it seems to make no difference. 'cause it's all just . It's getting beyond a joke but still don't see the funny side.

I have actually found agencies rather hit or miss - a couple I have registered with are very good and have put me forward for a couple of jobs, and also ring if they think they have something suitable temporary wise (usually no though as I want long term temp not short term).

The rest are absolutely useless, but I only registered as it gets past this 'we cant put you forward for a job unless you are registered' b..shit. One agency who I was getting loads of info from, suddenly stopped calling when I turned down an interview for a temporary position - turns out it was the worst temp position ever which was why it was always being advertised and hard to fill (govt dept)

I may have had 3 interviews, but there are dozens of jobs i've applied for and either havent heard a dickybird or got a standard 'thanks but no thanks' and every single one of them I could have done with my eyes closed.

As Snap Shot says 'its getting beyond a joke, but still dont see the funny side' either

But again, these aren't just NZ issues, I've had the same in the UK, worse even.
However, what I did find in Tauranga was that I had little success with advertised jobs, sure I had a few interviews, but 2 of my jobs were because of who I knew, my 3rd job, amazingly was actually through an agency, my interview was with the board members, 5 of them, as I had no experience running a taxi society I was amazed I got the job, but they admitted it was because of my diverse office based work history and that I wore a suit to the interview. I thought the suit would be a given, but it seems some people do not. I then found at my job after that, even though I was interviewing for a field surveyor and a little computer experience (or atleast someone I could train) not one of the men or women dressed what I would call appropriate for an interview.
Again, back here in the UK, in my first stint (9 years) I worked for 3 companies, all 3 jobs were because of who I knew, not because of agencies, I was green around the gills and was looking for an office junior job, I had an interview at an accountants in central London, I was told I didn't get the job because they were worried I would get bored.
2nd stint (just shy of 3 years now) and I've had 1 interview through an agency, 2 interviews from an employer advertised job, got 1 job because I was a kiwi so was the director and my current job because I worked here in 1999, my mother worked here (though in a different part), and I knew some of the guys still, but admittedly, heard about the job through my mother.
Given that in this 2nd stint I have applied for over 400 jobs, 90% of which were agency, that is a poor success rate as most of the time you hear nothing, they misunderstand a CV, make decisions without consulting you, despite being told otherwise, and are generally utter crap.
Sadly, it seems, on my return to NZ later this year, I will have to again rely on who I knew as opposed to advertised jobs, as that appears to the least successful way of getting a job.

Latest excuse 'wanted someone with NZ payroll experience' - so I ask myself why did they bother to interview me when it was clear from my CV that it was something I didnt have.

Yeah, I've had that flabbergasted feeling of, 'why did you bother to interview me then ?'. I don't think they realise how small they make themselves look with their silly remarks and reasons for turning someone down.

I've also had enough of what I suspect is the, 'curiosity' interview as well.

Barstewards the lot of em ! Grumble, grumble, rant, rant.........

It's horrible being treated like this but I took the first job I was offered even though it was a step down. I knew it would give me that all important NZ 'experience' and as most people change jobs frequently here, it was easier to move on after 6 months with the added extra on my cv.

Don't give up....the right job will come along but maybe consider taking a lower role just to get you started. Good luck

I've been offered every job i have applied for, must be the northern charm..

Think theres probably some truth in that as she was getting married, and said she was interested in the fact I used to own/run my own wedding shop.

Already tried this, I was 'overqualified' for some, or didnt even get a reply!!!

Onwards and Upwards!!!