Wife looking for a job, keeps getting rejected

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gareth41

742 posts

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#173363 20-May-2015 17:08

My wife is looking for a job and has been for some time, but keeps getting rejection after rejection. She's on a one year temp work visa and moved to NZ from Guangzhou, China Nov last year, this is all IMZ would give her at the time when she applied. I'm assuming being on a temp work visa is the problem because companies want someone permanent, but this is no problem because I am a NZ citizen and the work visa is under the partnership category and will be renewed, she will also be getting PR once we've been together here 2 years.

She has worked at the American International High School of Guangzhou as a secretary, so she is basically looking for a secretarial job here. Either that or a job doing interpreting to/from Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Her English is very good as a result of her previous Job in China. Another problem is her qualifications don't seem to apply here.

Anything anyone could offer her would be much appreciated. I can provide more information in a PM.

1 | 2

5052 posts

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#1308667 20-May-2015 17:26

Maybe temping work could be an option until she becomes a PR?

The fact that her temporary visa will (probably) be renewed is probably not certain enough for employers looking for a permanent employee.

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andrewNZ

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#1308684 20-May-2015 17:53

I seriously think temping is a fantastic option for anyone looking for work. You'd be surprised how many people get permanent jobs from temping. Temping got me where I an today.

My last temp job was for "up to 3 days work". The company paid the temp agency to allow them to employ me early rather than wait the contracted time. I left seven and a half years later.

gareth41

742 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1309595 21-May-2015 23:10

Thanks for the suggestions she's been invited to meet with a recruitment agent next week so waiting to see how this goes, by the looks of things temp work is going to be the way to go until she gets PR

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#1309769 22-May-2015 11:18

At what point is she being rejected?

A) Before she gets an interview
Does she mention her work status within this? If so, I do not think it is necessary

B) After an interview
- Does she clarify her work status in the interview? Maybe she is not helping herself in the way she answers questions around her Vias

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1309836 22-May-2015 12:22

gareth41: My wife is looking for a job and has been for some time, but keeps getting rejection after rejection. She's on a one year temp work visa and moved to NZ from Guangzhou, China Nov last year, this is all IMZ would give her at the time when she applied. I'm assuming being on a temp work visa is the problem because companies want someone permanent, but this is no problem because I am a NZ citizen and the work visa is under the partnership category and will be renewed, she will also be getting PR once we've been together here 2 years.

She has worked at the American International High School of Guangzhou as a secretary, so she is basically looking for a secretarial job here. Either that or a job doing interpreting to/from Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Her English is very good as a result of her previous Job in China. Another problem is her qualifications don't seem to apply here.

Anything anyone could offer her would be much appreciated. I can provide more information in a PM.

I know how it feels -- my partner is a very good registered nurse with 10+ years experience and exceptionally good references. Took some time off to raise our kids to school age, now looking for work. Cannot get a job, looking for 6 months now.

The recruitment person at the hospital says they have up to 100 nurses applying for a single job. My partner always misses out (I think because of the time she took off work). And, she spent thousands of dollars and a number of weeks to regain her registration too.

Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1309838 22-May-2015 12:27

gareth41: Thanks for the suggestions she's been invited to meet with a recruitment agent next week so waiting to see how this goes, by the looks of things temp work is going to be the way to go until she gets PR

Don't just go to one, her best bet is to get listed with several agencies.

Amanon

Salami

237 posts

Master Geek

#1314912 31-May-2015 00:07

My friend was on a 1 year work visa after graduating uni. She was originally from HK and we worked together and sent out over 100 CVS all of which got rejected.

It's sad ... Everyone wanted someone with PR or NZ citizenship.

Eventually after a year she left and we broke up.
Very sad.....

I wish companies would give everyone a chance.

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Jase2985

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#1314932 31-May-2015 08:37

but think of it from a companies point of view, do you hire someone who is only likely to be there for a year or hire someone who can be in NZ as long as they like? they want permanent staff, not temporary ones.

it costs them to go through a hiring process.

Sideface

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#1314941 31-May-2015 08:59

It's quite different from the employer's perspective.

Several years ago I was the co-founder of a small startup software development company located on the North Shore of Auckland, and we were looking for a junior programmer at short notice, starting immediately.

We had no time to be worried about visa applications or recruiting agencies with big commissions.

We advertised online, and were overwhelmed with the response - 120 serious applicants in the first 48 hours.

About 30 applicants were overseas or had no NZ visa/work permit, and were immediately excluded.
Another 30 applicants lived outside Auckland, and were immediately excluded.
This left 60 Auckland applicants, and we couldn't interview them all.
So we excluded anyone South of the bridge.
This left 30 applicants.
We shortlisted 10, and chose a candidate who lived within walking distance of our workplace.
He was an excellent choice, and he proved a good and loyal worker for several years.

This wasn't discrimination, it was just a practical approach to recruiting for a small company with limited resources.

Sideface

Salami

237 posts

Master Geek

#1314952 31-May-2015 09:43

Jase2985: but think of it from a companies point of view, do you hire someone who is only likely to be there for a year or hire someone who can be in NZ as long as they like? they want permanent staff, not temporary ones.

it costs them to go through a hiring process.

If she could choose she would stay in NZ and not work in HK. Probably go back for a visit family.

NZ is a much better place to work and play.

I think in general all managers tend to think that just because someone has a working visa it means that they are going to leave in a year. This isn't true.

Jase2985

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#1314957 31-May-2015 09:48

And yes that is true, but you truely dont know what someone is going to do even if they say they are going to stay they may not. until they have residency or citizenship there is no guarantee, and even then its not guaranteed but its just more likely.

Thing is you need to look at it from an employers perspective. What is better/less hassle for them.

quickymart

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#1326781 17-Jun-2015 19:55

My wife had the same thing when she arrived here back in 2004. She was on a one-year work permit as well, and got turned down for quite a number of jobs, before getting a temporary contract, which later became permanent. By this point she had NZ residency and was easily able to apply for other roles.

If your wife can get temp work or some short-term contract it's a good starting point (and gives her NZ references to use).