no New Zealand experience

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hernanip

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#220253 2-Aug-2017 10:27

Hi Everyone...

It's been a little over a month since I arrived in this wonderful country. I came here under the skilled migrant category, did my research and has a realistic job-search expectations before coming here. Going over some of the rejection emails one have caught up my attention 'no NZ experience'.

I am curious to know what is special about 'NZ experience' from an IT perspective? In other countries, overseas experience is regarded as an added qualification- it can bring fresh and innovative perspective to a company.

I am wrapping my head around this to find some context. Please don't get me wrong. It's a competitive job market and I believe perseverance will get me there in most cases.

Cheers,
Hernani

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hernanipollaruste/

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#1835505 2-Aug-2017 10:28

I have to ask Overseas experience from where?

Linux

Coil

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#1835509 2-Aug-2017 10:33

Sounds like the typical Catch 22, I assume its just their nice way of saying no. Depends on what "Offshore experience" you have.
I would see something like virtualization being valuable, but a screwdriver spinner - No.
Keep on persevering, Maybe its a case you start at the bottom and work your way up?

hernanip

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#1835511 2-Aug-2017 10:34

Linux:

I have to ask Overseas experience from where?

Linux

Thank you Linux for your reply.

I came from a country where English is our second language, but I have work experiences from the US and Singapore.

Wiggum

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#1835514 2-Aug-2017 10:40

Have you considered doing some voluntary work?

Coil

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#1835517 2-Aug-2017 10:43

Wiggum:

Have you considered doing some voluntary work?

Was thinking the same but didnt know what to suggest.

Wiggum

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#1835518 2-Aug-2017 10:45

Coil:

Wiggum:

Have you considered doing some voluntary work?

Was thinking the same but didnt know what to suggest.

https://seekvolunteer.co.nz/

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marpada

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#1835544 2-Aug-2017 10:51

HR bureaucrats "need" to tick all the boxes, which includes being able to verify your experience and check your references. That's harder for them if you don't have someone who can vouch for you in NZ. Unfortunately some countries have some bad rep for faking references and job history.

Anyway your CV and experience is pretty impressive so if a company passed on you just because of the lack of NZ experience the loss is on them.

frankv

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#1835545 2-Aug-2017 10:51

I think that, for the reasons that you said, overseas experience is seen as good as an adjunct to local experience, but not a complete replacement.

NZ-specific experience in IT would depend a bit on what field you're looking at. If it's anything to do with accounting and invoicing, then NZ's GST is regarded as somewhat of a special case. Similarly, I think the way that we do contracts and hiring and payroll is a bit different. I guess that in NZ people need to be a bit more generalist than specialist, because our organisations are generally smaller. Only very large organisations would have enough work for a full-time Sharepoint/Office365 person (as per your LinkedIn profile); mostly that job would be part of some other role like Desktop Support or Webmaster, for which maybe you aren't as qualified?

It may also be "code" for "potential language or cultural difficulties" (which could also be code for something else... it happens). It's much safer to say that you weren't employed because of "no NZ experience" than because you're a foreigner.

freitasm

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#1835552 2-Aug-2017 11:07

Lack of NZ Experience really sounds like a "we don't sponsor visa" excuse.

Intergen is right now hiring a couple of SharePoint Consultants, Wellington-based. If you're interested, send me a PM.

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gbwelly

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#1835558 2-Aug-2017 11:27

Looking at your linkedin page I don't think you'd be unemployed for long in Wellington at the moment.

Zeon

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#1835638 2-Aug-2017 12:38

IMO generally immigrants are far better workers than kiwis. Not sure if its the current generation but so many people are apathetic, don't want to work hard or lack commitment. That being said for some jobs there is benefit in having more knowledge around local customs etc. - that doesn't necessarily need to come from having "local" experience.

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hernanip

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#1837087 4-Aug-2017 11:45

Coil:

Wiggum:

Have you considered doing some voluntary work?

Was thinking the same but didnt know what to suggest.

Hi Wiggum and Coil,

Yes, i am considering some voluntary work within Auckland.

Have not seen any microsoft technology stack out there, mostly are wordpress and php.

hernanip

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#1839087 4-Aug-2017 12:03

frankv:

I guess that in NZ people need to be a bit more generalist than specialist, because our organisations are generally smaller. Only very large organisations would have enough work for a full-time Sharepoint/Office365 person (as per your LinkedIn profile); mostly that job would be part of some other role like Desktop Support or Webmaster, for which maybe you aren't as qualified?....

agree, back in the days when SharePoint is in the companys' data center the demand for sharepoint developers/consultant are high..

Most companies back then are extending the capability of sharepoint...

noticed in the cloud era, most companies are only using the off the shelf features of Sharepoint...

hernanip

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#1839109 4-Aug-2017 12:08

gbwelly:

Looking at your linkedin page I don't think you'd be unemployed for long in Wellington at the moment.

thanks sir...yes, i do have a scheduled interview from the Office of the Auditor-General(wellington)..:-)

cheers,

hernani

hernanip

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#1839115 4-Aug-2017 12:15

freitasm:

Lack of NZ Experience really sounds like a "we don't sponsor visa" excuse.

Intergen is right now hiring a couple of SharePoint Consultants, Wellington-based. If you're interested, send me a PM.

PM sent. I appreciate for your help. thank you.

Hernani

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