***-O-Rama! The Southern man's letters are stressing me out!

[smcspan]

This morning when my husband kissed me goodbye, I had just finished reading “The Southern Man’s” weekly newsletter.  I told him he must please try to find a job in NZ.

He laughed at me and said it’s going to be me who has to find the job since I’ve got the degree (technically, still working on it through Unisa).

I’m not so sure it’s that easy anymore!

The last few weeks letters have been quite depressing! But none more so than this week’s.  He talks about his highly skilled client, who is in NZ, who literally holds people’s lives in his hands so specialized his job is, he has the correct age, close family living in NZ… and still immigration told him that NZ people should be able to be trained for this job.  (The client eventually did get his PR, but it looks like it was a massive struggle!)

So… how much more will we struggle that is still in SA, never even been to NZ for holiday, no close relatives (my husband’s cousin lives in Auckland… not sure it’s exactly close family), do not have a job offer and not in specialized employment.

I’m studying towards an Accounting degree, but honestly, not sure if I’m going to become a CA, CIA or CMA.  Would a National Diploma level 6 be enough?  I will continue with my studies towards a level 7 honours degree, but honestly, I’ve got a clock ticking in my brain! I’d rather get there sooner than later and continue onwards from there.  Plus, I’m not sure I’m clever enough to beat those young ones in NZ with their MBA’s etc.  There isn’t exactly a way to prove that I can do the job better than the next kiwi…

My husband on the other hand, he has a specialized job.  He is the branch manager for a removals company and oversees the relocation of Fine Arts.  He works with galleries, art collectors and imports and exports art works.  He does not have a degree or formal qualification, and even though I’ve nagged him, he doesn’t feel the need to study.  He’s more the hands on type of guy.  But how would that translate on our points…

I was so proud of myself when I finished my exams in November, holding on to this dream that we will one day make it!  It is really tough studying and working, but all those late nights I kept telling myself it is for our own future!

The other thing is, we were planning a trip to Thailand in August next year, but I thought we should rather go to NZ to see what it’s like.  But man, my realistic husband had to put it into perspective for me - it’s really expensive and my surname was unfortunately not Oppenheimer and I didn't get married to one, so wouldn’t be able to do that trip, and then come back, pack up and go again on the odd chance that we do find employment on our trip.

I just didn’t bargain on the reality that slapped me in the face! I want to continue on my dream cloud of happy endings!

Please someone out there, give me some hope!

[2GatJakkals]

Might it not be that Southern Man is making things sound much harder than they actually are, to scare you into using his services as an expert, rather than trying to do it on your own?

Seriously, if ever I should use an immigration agent, it would preferably be someone with a slightly better attitude towards the people on whom he depends to get his applications approved.  I do not understand how that attitude of his can do him or his clients any good?

[SaKiwiBoer]

My husband on the other hand, he has a specialized job.  He is the branch manager for a removals company and oversees the relocation of Fine Arts.  He works with galleries, art collectors and imports and exports art works.  He does not have a degree or formal qualification, and even though I’ve nagged him, he doesn’t feel the need to study.  He’s more the hands on type of guy.  But how would that translate on our points…

Please someone out there, give me some hope!

Ask your hubby to be clever. Tell him to get letters of recommendation from each customer that he sends Art for. Once he's got Art Galleries and Art collectors saying how good he is and how happy they are with his services(and I mean a lot) then he can start contacting Museums in NZ, like Te Rapa, Rotorua's museum and ACKL's one as well. I know they all "share" their art amongst each other for exhibitions etc and somebody needs to "look after" that stuff. Maybe that way he can get a job when here or maybe (this is a longshot) even from SA.
 
SAKB

[Savayla]

I agree with the top two posts.  Although I enjoy SM posts, don't let him scare you at all.  Immigration is quite straight forward, but it is the waiting and the juggling that is difficult.  That is something your agents cannot do for you.  Unless it is a difficult case, which yours does not sound at all, then you do it yourself.  The money goes into your pocket. 

As for your husband, my husband is the same.  He has been in IT for  himself with no qualifications for 10 years.  He got really good letters from all his clients, and although he didn't even have a paycheck to show them as he was self employed, none of this was ever questioned. 

As for your holiday, if you fly Air Malaysia, you can have a stop over for as long as you want.  You can fly to Thailand and have your holiday for as long as you want (we did  6 weeks once ), then you simply fly on to NZ.  Maybe a week will put you at rest.  Then fly back home. 

Don't get despondent.  If I was in your shoes, I would apply now if you have the points, or start applying for jobs, and then see if that works.  If it does, then you can get over there sooner, you can survive on one salary, and you can continue to study over there. 

Keep your  chin up !!

[yusuf]

I agree with the top two posts.  Although I enjoy SM posts, don't let him scare you at all.  Immigration is quite straight forward, but it is the waiting and the juggling that is difficult.  That is something your agents cannot do for you.  Unless it is a difficult case, which yours does not sound at all, then you do it yourself.  The money goes into your pocket. 

As for your husband, my husband is the same.  He has been in IT for  himself with no qualifications for 10 years.  He got really good letters from all his clients, and although he didn't even have a paycheck to show them as he was self employed, none of this was ever questioned. 

As for your holiday, if you fly Air Malaysia, you can have a stop over for as long as you want.  You can fly to Thailand and have your holiday for as long as you want (we did  6 weeks once ), then you simply fly on to NZ.  Maybe a week will put you at rest.  Then fly back home. 

Don't get despondent.  If I was in your shoes, I would apply now if you have the points, or start applying for jobs, and then see if that works.  If it does, then you can get over there sooner, you can survive on one salary, and you can continue to study over there. 

Keep your  chin up !!

Sorry about the thread hijack 
Savayla, quick question, Did INZ happen to call/email any of those clients?
I did freelance work for about a year and I am afraid that INZ calling those clients would cause them to worry about my leaving the country. Any thoughts?

[Savayla]

Yusuf.  Not to our knowledge.  They would have let us know.  The letters were good, the companies had websites, telephone numbers, etc etc.  Everything was authentic.  I think they probably phone when they are a bit worried about something or something does not make sense. 

[smcspan]

Thank you guys!

I feel much better since this post!

I also thought of applying in June/July when I get my degree and then we will be in a better position when we apply for jobs. 

My husband works with many forwarding agents and have some good contacts in NZ too.  He previously worked in houseware relocations.

My long lost family member is quite high up in one of the banks, and his sister suggested that I contact him once we are in the pipe line.

I don't want to get philosophical here, but I honestly think that we will be successful! In my minds eye, it is just so crystal clear that we will go.  I know we will.  Whether it will be a smooth sail and a bed of roses is probably debatable, but nothing that is worth it in the end ever is.  Plus, we are really still young(ish).  We can make it.

Lol, on the other hand, it's helped me through some traumatic stress the last semester and just wrote in for another 6 subjects as from Jan! If keeping faith in us going to NZ is getting me through University, I'll keep believing because I'll soon enough have that elusive piece of paper that enriches lives!

So... not taking everything I read to heart.  If it's meant to be, it will be!

[yusuf]

Yusuf.  Not to our knowledge.  They would have let us know.  The letters were good, the companies had websites, telephone numbers, etc etc.  Everything was authentic.  I think they probably phone when they are a bit worried about something or something does not make sense.

Thanks. That's what I thought too. I just needed an experienced opinion.

[SaKiwiBoer]

Yusuf.  Not to our knowledge.  They would have let us know.  The letters were good, the companies had websites, telephone numbers, etc etc.  Everything was authentic.  I think they probably phone when they are a bit worried about something or something does not make sense. 

Thanks. That's what I thought too. I just needed an experienced opinion.

... but don't be surprised if they do because we have found that not all the CO's do things the same way.
It seems they all operate differently.
Just saying,
SAKB

[Savayla]

... but don't be surprised if they do because we have found that not all the CO's do things the same way.
It seems they all operate differently.
Just saying,
SAKB

You are absolutely right.  Our CO was unbelievable.  We could contact her whenever we wanted, she was friendly and super helpful.  But, we did hear a story of this one family whose CO was such a witch, that a complaint was eventually made and she was replaced by another, which added to the stress and the time.  This was in the South Island though. 

[yusuf]

Yusuf.  Not to our knowledge.  They would have let us know.  The letters were good, the companies had websites, telephone numbers, etc etc.  Everything was authentic.  I think they probably phone when they are a bit worried about something or something does not make sense. 

Thanks. That's what I thought too. I just needed an experienced opinion.

... but don't be surprised if they do because we have found that not all the CO's do things the same way.
It seems they all operate differently.
Just saying,
SAKB

Hi.
Thanks SAKB and Savayla.
I took a decision to inform the companies, and get up to date letters, just to be in the safe side. They may be upset but its better they know now. It's not like I currently work for them anyway, besides the odd bit of support from time to time.

[Capey]

Take a deep breath and that leap  of faith...it is easier than it may seem!