Questions regarding securing work in NZ with Silver Fern Job Search Visa

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dryburn

440 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 92

#191926 21-Feb-2016 05:10

I tried applying for the visa in 2014 without much luck, the page wouldn't even load. So last year(2015) I planned a month before so that wouldn't happen again.

Now I am in the final stages of getting the Silver Fern Job Search Visa: handed everything in, got a response from Case Officer, now waiting for my passport to be returned. Total Costs about $1500 for the Visa alone.

I have a made a program in excel VBA that filters out all of the jobs from trademe and seek that are from recruiters (500 jobs advertised and around 90 that aren't from recruiters, I have only filtered out 11 recruiters).

I have a few questions, if anyone would kindly take the time to reply or make suggestions, I would truly appreciate it.

1) How likely is it to land a job that has been listed by recruiters? Because I think they just create a lot of noise without many jobs to back the ad.

2) How long are typical NZ CV's? & Which of the two below are likely to land me a job offer?

I have a one page CV that I edit for the specific job that lists everything from intro, previous jobs, qualifications, points about me that are relevant to the job posted, most recent reference details and then my contact details.
Then I have a longer CV that goes very much into detail, and includes passport, ID and Qualifications with statement of results.

3) I have tried the approach of calling the company before sending through my CV, but that was before the getting the Silver Fern Visa. Does this really make a difference? Does making a follow up call help or just create a nuisance to the employer?

4) @BillyBlink I usually state in my cover page that I have an uncle in Auckland who has offered to host me in NZ and have grandparents who are retired in Katikati. Should I mention that I have been investigating NZ for over 2 years and have already found a school that I would like to send my children to and already have ideas of areas where to find a home? And that both my wife and I have researched almost everything about NZ life, costs of housing, electricity, gas, water, internet, food, petrol, schooling, clothing, almost everything. Or that my wife watched the whole season of the Block NZ Season 3 in like 3 weeks?

5) Finally I preferably would like to have a job before I land in NZ. I am obviously prepared to come and look for work, which approaches should I prepare for?

Going from company to company asking if they have any vacancies?
Asking everyone I meet if they know of any positions at their companies?
Standing with a Sign on Queens Street which reads "Have a Degree, Visa, Need Work"?

As you can see I am more than well informed and prepared to do the needful to immigrate to NZ.

Smithy100

181 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 41

#1497746 23-Feb-2016 12:11

The answers to many of your questions will be dictated by the industry in which you work and the level of the role/s you're applying for.

E + R = O

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1184

#1497801 23-Feb-2016 12:59

Assuming some sector of the IT industry -

1) Quite likely if you're the right fit for the job. I've not encountered many cases of 'fake' jobs, though multiple listings for the same job with different 'spins' or from different recruiters is possible.

2) If you can fit all the relevant detail onto one page I assume they're pretty junior jobs you're looking for? More detail is better (as long as you don't make it so voluminous that it's difficult to read), or at least explain the lack of detail.

3) Depends if the job ad said to call, or to contact some other way. If it didn't say to call, or at least provide a phone number, it could be annoying.

4) Wouldn't care where your uncle lives or which school you like, personally.

5) Apply for jobs, but I would suggest allowing some time to be available for interviews. Recently hired for some roles and it was infuriating the number of applicants who provided no information on their availability in NZ for an interview despite clearly stating in the ad that applicants must be available for an in-person interview. They were duly not interviewed regardless how well they may have appeared to match the role.

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 272

#1498269 24-Feb-2016 08:46

1) Recruiters in NZ aren't just making a lot of noise. Treat the job adverts as genuine because they almost always are.

2) It's not the length that is important in NZ, it's the detail. Not too detailed but your one page plus results would be good. Leave out the passport and ID stuff - NZ recruiters & employers don't want that kind of detail. If you get a job offer you may be asked to show your visa but until you are asked, keep your personal privacy to yourself.

3) This is a tough one because a follow-up call is worthwhile for some employers and a PITA for others. Following up with recruitment agencies is always worthwhile.

4) None of this is relevant to your work. Would you talk about this kind of thing, where relatives live, what you know about living in a place, at an interview at home? No? Then don't do it in NZ either 😄

If you apply for jobs before arrival state in your cover letter that you are presently out of the country and arriving on xyz date. Let them know you can make yourself available for a Skype interview, or telephone interview.

I'm not sure if it can be done online, from overseas, but get yourself registered as soon as you can with the IRD (Inland Revenue - the tax department) so you have a tax number. If employment is offered then you will need this number.

Finally, be VERY careful about terminology. The Silver Fern visa is a temporary visa. Even if you move on to applying for the Silver Fern practical, it's still only a maximum of 24 months. While these visas may be a stepping stone to getting a skilled migrant work visa, they are only temporary. Don't say you are immigrating, because you cannot under this visa. Be careful about that immigration word. Immigration departments get twitchy when people use it without having authority. If potential employers ask anything its likely to be, "do you have the right to work here?" Saying you hope to make NZ your home is fine but keeping the distinction between "here for a few years, hoping to settle" and "I'm immigrating" is important.

lxsw20

3689 posts

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+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#1498327 24-Feb-2016 09:40

Elpie: 4) None of this is relevant to your work. Would you talk about this kind of thing, where relatives live, what you know about living in a place, at an interview at home? No? Then don't do it in NZ either 😄

Disagree, I've gone through this recently here in the UK, they like to know you have roots and reasons to stay in the country, and aren't going to get bored and take off in 5 mins. IMO it's good to show an interest in a place you intend to live.

jonb

1796 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 545

Trusted

#1498357 24-Feb-2016 10:37

When I applied for jobs in NZ from UK, I had a few phone interviews, but most success was when I had a definite arrival date and could arrange face to face interviews for then.

dryburn

440 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 92

#1498730 24-Feb-2016 19:34

Smithy100:

The answers to many of your questions will be dictated by the industry in which you work and the level of the role/s you're applying for.

IT sector

Intermediate/Senior Roles

More specifically looking for developer, support or management roles

Thanks for the reply

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

dryburn

440 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 92

#1498734 24-Feb-2016 19:49

Inphinity:

Assuming some sector of the IT industry -

1) Quite likely if you're the right fit for the job. I've not encountered many cases of 'fake' jobs, though multiple listings for the same job with different 'spins' or from different recruiters is possible.

My reasoning for this is due to the fact that the recruiters post multiple job ads that request you to register online, if you call them they ask if you are in NZ and promptly tell you that they want you in NZ.

2) If you can fit all the relevant detail onto one page I assume they're pretty junior jobs you're looking for? More detail is better (as long as you don't make it so voluminous that it's difficult to read), or at least explain the lack of detail.

Been at the one company for 4 years and before that 2 years and before that another 2 years. I don't do the whole job hopping thing. One page with two columns, I personally think it looks good but may be adding another page wouldn't be bad.

3) Depends if the job ad said to call, or to contact some other way. If it didn't say to call, or at least provide a phone number, it could be annoying.

4) Wouldn't care where your uncle lives or which school you like, personally.

I would think that shows some sincerity towards actually living in and settling in NZ and not trying "fishing" to get a job offer and then leave if I don't like NZ. Basically just mentioning that I have support in NZ and done my research so I am prepared when I finally do the move.

My question was rather how much detail should I add to the cover page?

5) Apply for jobs, but I would suggest allowing some time to be available for interviews. Recently hired for some roles and it was infuriating the number of applicants who provided no information on their availability in NZ for an interview despite clearly stating in the ad that applicants must be available for an in-person interview. They were duly not interviewed regardless how well they may have appeared to match the role.

Totally understand that you have to mention your availability for interviews and start dates in NZ

Thank you for your reply

dryburn

440 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 92

#1498762 24-Feb-2016 20:08

Elpie:

2) It's not the length that is important in NZ, it's the detail. Not too detailed but your one page plus results would be good. Leave out the passport and ID stuff - NZ recruiters & employers don't want that kind of detail. If you get a job offer you may be asked to show your visa but until you are asked, keep your personal privacy to yourself.

Thank you for that valuable insight about what documents to include. I also include a cover page which is one or two pages long,

3) This is a tough one because a follow-up call is worthwhile for some employers and a PITA for others. Following up with recruitment agencies is always worthwhile.

4) None of this is relevant to your work. Would you talk about this kind of thing, where relatives live, what you know about living in a place, at an interview at home? No? Then don't do it in NZ either 😄

If you apply for jobs before arrival state in your cover letter that you are presently out of the country and arriving on xyz date. Let them know you can make yourself available for a Skype interview, or telephone interview.

Well again to so sincerity in moving to NZ, it is a few thousand kilometers away and a lot of people apply from abroad who are simply trying their luck in getting a job offer so that they can get a visa to move to NZ.

The last day of arrival in NZ is in Sept, so I would ideally like to try to use the time leading up to arriving to apply for jobs. Otherwise I might sit in NZ for 9 months without work.

This leads me to the next question, I know that finding skilled work during Dec-Jan/Feb will be difficult, so when is the "hiring season" or the best months to be in NZ applying for work?

I'm not sure if it can be done online, from overseas, but get yourself registered as soon as you can with the IRD (Inland Revenue - the tax department) so you have a tax number. If employment is offered then you will need this number.

From what I have read online, you first need a bank account then you may register with IRD.

Finally, be VERY careful about terminology. The Silver Fern visa is a temporary visa. Even if you move on to applying for the Silver Fern practical, it's still only a maximum of 24 months. While these visas may be a stepping stone to getting a skilled migrant work visa, they are only temporary. Don't say you are immigrating, because you cannot under this visa. Be careful about that immigration word. Immigration departments get twitchy when people use it without having authority. If potential employers ask anything its likely to be, "do you have the right to work here?" Saying you hope to make NZ your home is fine but keeping the distinction between "here for a few years, hoping to settle" and "I'm immigrating" is important.

I will remember that and be more careful, I may have the right to work but not necessarily immigrated to NZ. When is one regarded as an immigrant?

Thank you for taking the time to reply :)

dryburn

440 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 92

#1498764 24-Feb-2016 20:11

Thanks lxsw20 and jonb

I am going to have to decide on a final date of arrival.

Next question:

I know that finding skilled work during Dec-Jan/Feb will be difficult, so when is the "hiring season" or the best months for applying for work?

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 272

#1498882 24-Feb-2016 23:11

You can open a bank account before you arrive. I believe all the major banks offer this service. You will get an account number and can transfer funds into it but cannot move funds out until after arrival when you finalise the account opening process. Here's one bank, for e.g..https://www.bnz.co.nz/personal-banking/international/moving-to-new-zealand

As to the "immigrant" question...
You've been granted the visa after satisfying your immigration officer that you are a bona fide applicant that genuinely intends a temporary stay in NZ. A lot of people use it as a stepping stone towards applying to immigrate to NZ but don't lose sight of the terms of the visa itself. Calling yourself an immigrant and telling people you intend to stay puts you technically in breach of the visa. You don't want to do anything that could call your intentions into question or give immigration NZ an excuse to deny you. You, and your family, become immigrants only after applying for, and being accepted, permanent residency. Hope this helps.