IT job in Christchurch - is't possible?

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sherpa

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 16387 7-Oct-2007 15:03

Hi,

I'm new to Geekzone and new to New Zealand. I came to Christchurch 2 months ago with working holiday visa hoping I'll find some development related role and get working visa etc...
I have recent master's degree from the most prestige Czech university, 1.5 years of commercial Java and web application development, before I was freelance C++ programmer for 2 years and I have also some experience with web stuff like CSS, Drupal etc... And after concentrated job seeking still nothing happened, almost no interviews except that useless at recruitment agencies no chance to show that I really know something. Ok, I'm an immigrant, my English is not excellent (although good enough for work), but still...
Do you think there is chance to find something in Christchurch? Could it be significantly better in Wellington (but I would prefer to stay in CHC)? Does anybody have any tips what to try? For me it seems that almost all job offers are covered by recruitment agencies and Java without J2EE experience is like nothing although I'm sure I could manage it easily and this is really desperate. So what do you think about situation at New Zealand IT job market?

Thanks.

alasta

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Reply # 89945 7-Oct-2007 15:23

I recently read that HP is planning on hiring new staff in Christchurch in the forseeable future, but I don't know what timeframe they have on it.

sherpa

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 89949 7-Oct-2007 15:36

alasta: I recently read that HP is planning on hiring new staff in Christchurch in the forseeable future, but I don't know what timeframe they have on it.

Yea, I know about that and they had some vacations listed. I have applied for some Java position but I even didn't get any reply from them. I really don't understand why.

Thanks for the tip anyway.

alasta

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Reply # 89961 7-Oct-2007 16:34

sherpa: Yea, I know about that and they had some vacations listed. I have applied for some Java position but I even didn't get any reply from them. I really don't understand why.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to ask an expert such as a recruitment agency or career counselor to go over your CV and give you some constructive critism? In my experience people often miss out on interview opportunities because of simple and easily avoidable mistakes in their CVs or covering letters.

Anyway, good luck with your search and if you get disheartened just remember that persistence is the key to finding a job.

rcw

30 posts

Geek

Reply # 90165 8-Oct-2007 19:54

I'm not familiar with the Christchurch job situation but there are IT jobs around.

I'll second the advice on getting your CV reviewed.

Also, New Zealand is an active but a fairly small market so it can take longer to find a right spot. Limiting your search to Christchurch definitely puts you at a disadvantage (though it may well be worth sticking it out if that's the place for you).

Find companies that look interesting to you and make contact yourself. Don't depend on recruiters or vacancy postings. Plenty of the best companies don't advertise unless they're in a very serious bind. If they're not hiring it's entirely possible someone at one of these companies would be willing to spend a few minutes talking with you about the local software dev market. If they don't have a spot for you they might well know someone who does and you can at least get advice from them on how to improve your odds. And then you've made a useful contact.

Don't give up too soon. I know you're in a difficult spot.

Best of luck.

KevDaly

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Reply # 90170 8-Oct-2007 20:29

Obviously keep looking in Christchurch, but be prepared to move if necessary (the job market in Christchurch has always tended to be a bit on the sluggish side).
While I hate to say it, at a guess the best market for your skillset is probably Auckland...unfortunately Wellington is dominated by government jobs (a last resort, trust me) and financial services.

Anyway, see if you can get some more freelancing work to start with...with any luck you'll find clients who don't care too much about your physical location. It's at least worth a try.

sherpa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 90180 8-Oct-2007 21:04

rcw: Find companies that look interesting to you and make contact yourself. Don't depend on recruiters or vacancy postings. Plenty of the best companies don't advertise unless they're in a very serious bind. If they're not hiring it's entirely possible someone at one of these companies would be willing to spend a few minutes talking with you about the local software dev market. If they don't have a spot for you they might well know someone who does and you can at least get advice from them on how to improve your odds. And then you've made a useful contact.

Thanks for advices rcw. What do you think about the best contacting method? I love e-mail and consider it to be the most appropriate but some people I have already sent something just like you recommended even didn't reply and there are some companies I was thinking about (Jade, Tait) which even do not have any reasonable contact. What is more usual in New Zealand - just send e-mail or do something more direct like call there or even go to the company personally without any appointment to try to talk with somebody? (I was encouraged to do it but still I feel quit uncomfortable about it.)

rcw

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Reply # 90187 8-Oct-2007 21:40

How best to make contact - that's a difficult one. Also, I'm not from New Zealand so my advice might not be correct (maybe others on the thread could help out) but I suspect it is:

email is probably best; you do want to make it clear that if no openings are available you'd be very happy to get a chance to speak with someone for a few minutes to learn more about the local market

if you get no reply at all, phone or visit -- you've mentioned that English isn't your first language; do whichever you think you can present best doing. Myself, I'm not good on the phone and tend to come off better in person or email. Ask to make an appointment to see whoever might be willing to give you advice and be prepared in case they are willing to speak to you right then.

Prepare some specific questions. Your goal is to get advice and learn about the local software dev community. Don't be shy about bringing up the topic but if they have a job you might be suitable for they'll probably tell you.

--

It's possible that a visit (instead of email at all) is the right initial approach -- not sure. I'd be curious to hear what others have to say.

sleemanj

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Reply # 90314 9-Oct-2007 19:41

I don't think email is the right approach. Personally, I would be sending letters, written specially for the company in question (not a form letter) with a copy of your CV. Bonus points you could follow that up with a phone call in a couple of weeks.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

Batman

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Reply # 90776 12-Oct-2007 08:03

email is not the right approach. phone calls to job ads are - checked out trademe? newspaper? walk ins are a bit of a lottery draw but might mean you could be at the right place at the right time. a bit guarded about letters, but howabout letter+phone call (both to the correct person, not the secretary's secretary for example)

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

Batman

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Reply # 90777 12-Oct-2007 08:07

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=5000-&sidebar=1&selected141=&140=&selected155=&154=&144=90000&144=2147483647&153=java&142=&x=70&y=9

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

sherpa

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 90783 12-Oct-2007 08:37

joker97: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&mcat=5000-&sidebar=1&selected141=&140=&selected155=&154=&144=90000&144=2147483647&153=java&142=&x=70&y=9

I know this, of course. And almost all items there are by recruitment agencies and they are absolutely useless... At least for me.

EvilSteve

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Reply # 90789 12-Oct-2007 10:13

Im not all that experienced in finding jobs or getting them, ive only had 3 and ill probably have alot more but you said that although your english is acceptable for a job in it, it might not come across so well during an interview, where as in your posts you sound like you know what your talknig about, with no trouble with the language and come across reasonably clued up. i think written contact first (email/letter etc) could be a good move for you.

i also think applying even when there isnt an advertised job opening isnt a bad idea, i work for an electronics manufacturing company and we advertise jobs internally first and if theres not much interest its then put in the paper and often in house applications arent the best people for the job anyways

just my uneducated 10cents