Job situation in NZ

[MetalFaerie]

Hi

I asked a buddy who moved to Chch a few years ago for advice.

Here's what he wrote.

"As far as emigrating to NZ or OZ, both have made it almost impossible for new immigrants to get in.

In Auckland there were 3500 people queing for 100 jobs in a supermarket.  I know couple people who were unemployed for over a year and only reason they jobs gots now is though connections.  Have a look at expat exposed, don't know what advice to give.
I don't know what to say, hope you are well.  Love x"

Please tell me its not all doom and gloom.

Give me some good news.

[Rockhopper]

MetalFaerie firstly 

It is NOT all doom and gloom.  Please go to the NZ immigration site here: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ and have a good look at all the possible options.  If you have skills that are on the shortage list, then you should have no problem getting in.  It might be more difficult if you do not have the skills, but it is certainly not impossible.

I think your buddy just tried to give you worst case scenario.  Sometimes people ask you about these things and then you are afraid to give them overly positive feedback, just in case it blows up in your face.  it is a personal decision (and a big one at that) and nobody can make it on your behalf.

Expats exposed are a bunch of very negative people and you will not get a good balance of good and bad on that site.  There are also a lot less Saffers on that forum.

The queue of people looking for work that your buddy refers to, was for unskilled work at a Supermarket and that was in the middle of the economic crisis.  He certainly gave you a warped and very negative outlook, without explaining his reasons.
 
Don't give up just because one person gave you negative feedback.  Do your research well and you will be able to make an educated decision.  The economy is slowly picking up again and it looks like immigration is also picking up on the number of applications that they accept. 

[SaKiwiBoer]

MetalFaerie - yes.... where do we start???  Who do we believe??? 
An old "buddy" or a bunch of "unknown" people on a forum??? 
Very difficult indeed...
Let me start by saying your buddy is correct. There were + - 3500 people queing for work at a supermarket, but think for yourself... What tipe of people (no offence to anybody) work in a supermarket. Only a very few "skilled" people (butchers and bakers etc) work in a supermarket, and on the other hand a LOT of "un or lower skilled people. So Schalk is also correct. Let me give you another example... Not in Auckland this time. Out in the country a job was advertised for a fairly skilled position about 9 months ago. My wife applied and she is a fairly skilled lady and the company worked through more than 50 CV's and shortlisted 8 candidates. A couple of years ago the same company couldn't get 1 CV for the same position....
Yes the economy is apparently on the up but don't hold your breath yet... there is a steep hill to climb before the worst is over.
Cheers, SAKB

[bezsteyn]

Well..
My Brother in Law went over cowboy 3 weeks ago. 7 interviews in his fisrt week. 3 follow ups early the next week. He should pick up his WP this thuesday. Hairdresser in Wellington.
If my EOI doesn't get picked in 3 months, I will follow in his footsteps.

[SusanJ]

Hi MetalFaerie,

As Schalk and SAKB have both said, the work situation very much depends on what your skill set are. Hubby and I came over on visitor's permits August last year (having had our WP documentation checked by NZIS when applying for an extended visitor's permit) and hubby (teacher & Music Therapist degrees) managed to get a job within 3 weeks, on his first interview! I'm an IT business analyst and I turned down a job after my first interview (also, 3 weeks in) then sat until December before I got work on my next company interview.

My good friend who came over with us, is an office manager/everything else type person (although skilled employment, not on the shortage list) and she got a work offer in November, 3 months in. It was tough for her because employers were put off by her not having a work permit. She really had to sell herself in the interviews and make light of the work permit application process. She however came right in the end because she's just an amazing woman altogether!

Good luck with your process, I hope its an easy and painless one for your family.

Cheers,
Susan

[maanhaarleeu]

Hi MetalFaerie, some people have the ability to ace interviews and others may have the same skills or even more but can't sell themselves as well.
Like others have said on this thread, if you have a skill that is in demand plus if you have always done well at interviews then generally you should not take too long to get employment. 
I would recommend that you have PR before you arrive, because it just takes a great deal of stress away and you don't have to deal with the famous catch 22 job vs work permit fiasco.

[cyclewife]

  Metalfaerie
Glad to see new members joining here.
Tell us more about yourself and your situation... we are nosy on this forum 

[MetalFaerie]

Hiya  Cyclewife

Wrote a seriously long intro on the Choosing NZ section ( I think that's the one anyway)

Currently in the Vale(Jhb East), hoping to excape ASAP.  Thinking about Auckland because I want to to live in a vibey place and the weather looks milder.

And you?

[cyclewife]

I'll go check out your previous posts..
In Centurion, currently looking at ANYWHERE... have friends in Christchurch - but shewwwww... it's cold there. currently 1 degree...snow on the mountains...eish!
Hope to go over next month to "feel" for myself...

[SaKiwiBoer]

Well, Rotorua was 0 this morning and Whakatane was -1 and we're on the NI and a fair distance from the nearest snow which is at Whakapapa other side of Lake Taupo. But I have to say it is a stunning day with clear blue skies. Don't let the SI frighten you. It is apparently overall stunning there as well. Cheers, SAKB.

[SusanJ]

Currently in the Vale(Jhb East), hoping to excape ASAP.  Thinking about Auckland because I want to to live in a vibey place and the weather looks milder.

MetalFaerie,

Judging from your name, I think Wellington will be more your cup of tea.
Its a gorgeous little city, way smaller than Auckland, with a much more alternative vibe i.e. many more Doors types walking around and certainly alot more by way of "cultural" happenings i.e. theatre and shows. The weather is alot worse (or so I've been told), but then, it all depends on what type of weather you prefer.
Personally, we'd rather be in Wellington but Auckland's where the jobs found us so we're here (for now...)

[SaKiwiBoer]

It seems Wellington is like the SI... Nobody wants to go there initially, but once they're there they very rarely want to leave. Don't know why...         ,    .
Cheers, SAKB.

[MetalFaerie]

Heya

I'm leaning towards Auckland because the weather looks nicer and it's a cosmopolitan city. 

Susan, you are right, I was indeed a 'doors' girl, it's where I met my hubbie, but we're too old (or not in the mood) for that now.  We prefer snuggling at home or chilling with friends.

Though I would love to visit Wellies, just too much of a wuss to put up with the cold all the time.

Maybe I'm just feeling that way because its fffrrrreezing in Jozi right now.  Brrr.

So where are you guys based and why did you choose that place?

Ciao

Karen

[SusanJ]

Wellington is the "windy city" of NZ. I know they had a *** summer this last year (ask Schalk!). Other than that, I don't think its THAT much colder than Auckland over winter. Bu then, I don't live there and am trying to convince myself of that for potential future moves... 

Know what you mean about being too old for the Doors - we also grew into snuggling and spending time with friends. Though I must say, we certainly miss having a great club with great music to let our hair down in!
There's nothing like that in Auckland (that we;ve found, so far...)

We're based in Auckland. We came over on visitor's visa, were applying for jobs in Auckland and Wellington and first job that came up was in Auckland (hubby's found work at a special needs school in Pukekohe, about 45kms south of Auckland). I found a job in Auckland too and for now, we're staying here and have settled in nicely for a while. Ultimately, we want to make a move Southwards and find a little spot on the South Island to open a restaurant with a twist... All we need to do is win the $11 Mil jackpot this weekend and we're sorted!! 

[SaKiwiBoer]

Ultimately, we want to make a move Southwards and find a little spot on the South Island to open a restaurant with a twist... All we need to do is win the $11 Mil jackpot this weekend and we're sorted!! 

     
SusanJ - you are hilarious!!!     
(serious now) Sorry my dear but the money you played was just an investment in my retirement fund       
  Cheers, SAKB.