IT jobs scene in NZ !

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inderwhoisgill

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#191905 20-Feb-2016 04:08

Hello everyone I'm following geekzone from quite a time and I thought it's best place to ask how difficult it is for a fresher i.e recently graduated person to find a job in IT ? I have done my post graduate diploma in computing level 8 from UNITEC before that I hold bachelors in computer applications. I worked in Technical support and as Broadband install technician before moving to NZ. Jobs that I have applied for till date or are on seek or trademe there are few like 1 out of 100 that doesn't require experience to start with ! I'm just curious to know if fresh graduates aren't hired then how will one gets started! It's not just case with me 20-25 other my classmates are facing same situations. I'm kind of person who would give my 100% in everything and I'll keep trying till another year and two not a big deal but any suggestions welcome ! I'm looking to get into technical support/desktop support/ desktop technician/Administrator roles. I'm very quick learner and quite a tech gizmo. Hoping to get some good suggestions from members here !

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#1496048 20-Feb-2016 06:26

No offence, I'm guessing English isn't your first language. Make sure your CV and cover letter has much better grammar and sentence structure than you have used above! If not, your CV is going to get thrown on the No pile very quickly.

timmmay

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#1496051 20-Feb-2016 07:10

You should look at graduate programs at the larger firms - datacom for example. If you want a job as a developer, join an open source program you're interested in and contribute. Find a way to get experience even if it's volunteer / free.

PhantomNVD

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#1496068 20-Feb-2016 07:48

Desktop support... Sounds like you need a practical cert like the A+ (do they still do that?)

Where do you live? There are many small businesses and schools who need a technicians assistance, and quite likely will be a good route to gaining experience if you willing to work as a volunteer for a while...?

Lias

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#1496119 20-Feb-2016 10:24

To be brutally honest (and politically incorrect) plenty of employers are going to look at a non European name on a CV and just bin it, let alone one with anything less than perfect English skills. Changing your name to "Bob Smith" and taking some advanced ESOL courses might get you better results.

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MadEngineer

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#1496125 20-Feb-2016 10:45

^ Not so much nowadays. I've dealt with plenty of staff from various local IT providers and have come across a lot of people with international names and accents.

If an employer tosses out your CV because of your name that's their loss IMHO.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

BlinkyBill

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#1496126 20-Feb-2016 10:56

There is a shortage of IT staff in NZ. There are plenty of NZ'ers with poor language skills, the OP doesn't stand out against the norm at all.

However it is good advice to prepare a robust and good quality CV for review. Should have no spelling mistakes and a good layout.

But more importantly is a good cover letter that is personalized for the specific job you are applying for. You can do a generic template that outlines your aspirations, but the letter should also outline what you can add to the employer and contain enough personalisation so it doesn't look like a form letter.

Don't use the word 'freshers' though - that has no meaning in NZ. Think about grammar.

You're on the right track - good luck.

timmmay

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#1496146 20-Feb-2016 11:17

We just hired someone who's been in NZ for at least 5 years who's English almost unintelligible. He was highly skilled with good local references. Communication skills are probably more important than any technical skills or experience, if you can't communicate clearly and efficiently you won't get a job regardless of how smart and experienced you are.

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khull

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#1496148 20-Feb-2016 11:22

I would go to the uni job careers support or SJS to help you get started. They will also support you in preparing for interviews and your CV. Then look for graduate position openings (the same people can help you out with timelines but also check the employer website)

MadEngineer

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#1496150 20-Feb-2016 11:24

But you got one!

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

timmmay

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#1496154 20-Feb-2016 11:36

I get the irony, but don't mistake a quickly dashed off informal post trying to help someone when I'm busy with my general ability. Though I never really got apostrophes, mostly because I don't care that much.

inderwhoisgill

12 posts

Geek

#1496203 20-Feb-2016 12:53

lxsw20:

No offence, I'm guessing English isn't your first language. Make sure your CV and cover letter has much better grammar and sentence structure than you have used above! If not, your CV is going to get thrown on the No pile very quickly.

Yes English isn't my first language but I have been speaking/writing english from last 15 years and to be honest it was around 4am when idea of posting this to geekzone came to my mind! I wrote it off in one go and posted, should have looked for at least once before posting. Thanks for your suggestion mate !

inderwhoisgill

12 posts

Geek

#1496206 20-Feb-2016 13:00

timmmay:

You should look at graduate programs at the larger firms - datacom for example. If you want a job as a developer, join an open source program you're interested in and contribute. Find a way to get experience even if it's volunteer / free.

I have enquired about graduate programs at datacom thrice in last 6 months but not a single piece of information from them. I'm willing to work as volunteer/free to gain experience just looking for right place got some offers but all were from web development. Thanks for your suggestion I'll look into some larger firms.

inderwhoisgill

12 posts

Geek

#1496208 20-Feb-2016 13:04

PhantomNVD: Desktop support... Sounds like you need a practical cert like the A+ (do they still do that?)

Where do you live? There are many small businesses and schools who need a technicians assistance, and quite likely will be a good route to gaining experience if you willing to work as a volunteer for a while...?

Certifications like MCSA do the job but these days brain dumps have decreased the integrity of certifications are not much beneficial like they used to be before.

I live in Remuera/Auckland. Yes that thing came to my mind as well will start to look into them any suggestion where to start ?

inderwhoisgill

12 posts

Geek

#1496209 20-Feb-2016 13:07

Lias:

To be brutally honest (and politically incorrect) plenty of employers are going to look at a non European name on a CV and just bin it, let alone one with anything less than perfect English skills. Changing your name to "Bob Smith" and taking some advanced ESOL courses might get you better results.

Haha mostly truth is always harsh ! No offence taken but within past month have been to 4 personal interview which I think is a positive point of view for me. I believe staying with my name and some better communication skills I'll find a good job one day! Thanks

inderwhoisgill

12 posts

Geek

#1496211 20-Feb-2016 13:09

BlinkyBill: There is a shortage of IT staff in NZ. There are plenty of NZ'ers with poor language skills, the OP doesn't stand out against the norm at all.

However it is good advice to prepare a robust and good quality CV for review. Should have no spelling mistakes and a good layout.

But more importantly is a good cover letter that is personalized for the specific job you are applying for. You can do a generic template that outlines your aspirations, but the letter should also outline what you can add to the employer and contain enough personalisation so it doesn't look like a form letter.

Don't use the word 'freshers' though - that has no meaning in NZ. Think about grammar.

You're on the right track - good luck.

Will definitely work on that ! Thanks

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