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Finding work and starting a job in a new country can be a bewildering experience. Many things will be different from your previous working experience. Sometimes you can feel confused and anxious. It helps to have plenty of information so that you’re better prepared for settling into work.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2008
Since writing this article in 2007 and moving to New Zealand in 2008 we have experienced first hand how hard it is to find work in New Zealand under the Work Permit/Visa programme. Before travelling or moving to New Zealand to find work be aware of the following:
There is one golden rule that becomes very confusing... To work in New Zealand legally you have to have a Work Permit. To apply for a Work Permit you have to have a job offer/offer of employment from either an Employer who is willing to complete an 'Approval in Principal to Employ an Overseas Worker' (form 1112) and pay a fee, or an offer from an Employer who is an Accredited Employer. When you apply for any job, you are confronted with the question 'Do you have a current Work Permit?' and when you say no, you are told that you have to have a work permit to apply for work. Catch 22.
There are 425 accredited Employers in New Zealand. These are Employers that do not need to apply for approval to hire you. The current list can be found in the menu on the right. If you approach an Employer that is not on the accredited Employers list, or apply via a job site like seek.co.nz and you don't have a Work Permit, your chances are less than 1% in finding work.
The only sure way to get a job in New Zealand is to apply via the Skilled Migrant program and to do this you have to get 100 points or more WITHOUT a job offer. This will give you a chance of getting an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for residence.
The International credit crunch has created a 60% drop in recruitment in New Zealand as at October 2008. Research this fact before committing to coming over here. The skills shortage is still here, but companies are not hiring people from overseas. There are enough unemployed New Zealander's already here to make up the numbers at interviews.
Work opportunities
Finding a job
Conditions of employment
Employment agreements
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