| In terms of settling into a new country most would | | | | Immigration Service as being in an area of skill |
| agree that finding work is the key element in the | | | | shortage you should be able to successfully search for |
| overall success of your move. Without a job you not | | | | a suitable position while still overseas. In these |
| only lack an income and financial security, you feel as | | | | instances potential employers are usually happy to |
| though you can't set firm roots in your new home and | | | | conduct a telephone or video interview and this will be |
| are not able to settle within a community. Your job is | | | | sufficient for them to make a decision. |
| so much more than a weekly or monthly pay packet, it | | | | Other industries and professions in New Zealand may |
| is where you spend the majority of your time, it can be | | | | have had no prior need to hire overseas staff, such as |
| the source of stress or satisfaction and it is a focus | | | | sales, marketing and administration, and consequently |
| for social bonds and friendships with colleagues. | | | | they are cautious of offering a position to someone |
| The New Zealand Immigration Service has carried out | | | | who is still living thousands of miles away. Many of |
| considerable research in to immigration policy and the | | | | these occupations require local knowledge oand |
| effective assimilation of new migrants and they are | | | | contacts or they need to be filled immediately which |
| agreed that the key factor to successful migration is | | | | means employers cannot wait for residency |
| employment. If you are unable to find suitable | | | | applications to be completed. If you work is such a field |
| employment in your new home, or your skills are | | | | then you could experience problems obtaining a job |
| unrecognized or not required, then despite all your | | | | offer while still overseas. |
| efforts this will only ever lead to failure. | | | | The second, and equally important factor in finding a |
| The ability to find relevant employment makes a new | | | | job whilst still overseas, is your attitude. It may seem |
| migrant a valuable, contributing member of the | | | | obvious that you want to come across to potential |
| community. This is why the Immigration Service has | | | | employers as positive, flexible and committed person. |
| designed the current immigration policy to reflect the | | | | However, what you believe you are doing and how |
| importance of employment. The weight given to a job | | | | you are actually coming across may well be two |
| offer, relevant work experience and skills in shortage | | | | different things. At every step of the process you |
| areas makes employment the deciding factor in the | | | | need to be conscious of how you are portraying |
| success of most residency applications. | | | | yourself and what your actions are saying about your |
| Consequently, for many migrants securing an offer of | | | | attitude. |
| employment is the key to their residency application. | | | | For example, if a potential employer wants to arrange |
| Even those who have sufficient points to gain | | | | a phone or video interview you need to take it upon |
| residency without a job offer often want the security | | | | yourself to organise this from your end with the |
| of a job offer before they pack up everything and | | | | minimum of fuss. If you are unwilling to be interviewed |
| make the big move to the other side of the world. | | | | late at night (as is often required due to the time |
| Looking for suitable employment while still overseas | | | | difference) or are unavailable on the days they |
| can be an extremely daunting and disheartening | | | | suggest you are unwittingly giving the impression that |
| process as you are at an immediate disadvantage | | | | you are not prepared to go the extra mile. This will |
| compared to all New Zealand based applicants. | | | | make a potential employer begin to doubt your |
| It may take a lot of preparation and resolve to | | | | commitment and dedication. |
| undertake this process, however it is certainly possible | | | | Your job is such a vital element in your life and it can |
| to succeed. Your potential success in obtaining such | | | | influence your happiness in so many ways. It would be |
| an offer is largely dependant on two main factors - | | | | short-sighted to underestimate the importance of |
| your occupation and your attitude. | | | | employment in the immigration process. Not only does |
| Certain industries frequently have the need to hire | | | | your job provide you with stability and a steady |
| staff from overseas, such as Teachers, Nurses and | | | | income, it also provides you with a ready made social |
| tradesmen, and consequently they are familiar with the | | | | circle and a new network of colleagues and friends. |
| immigration process. They are used to accepting | | | | As you formulate your emigration plans ensure that |
| applications from overseas based applicants and are | | | | you make finding work a priority - it can be the key to |
| happy to tailor start dates to tie in with travel | | | | successful settlement in your new home in New |
| arrangements. | | | | Zealand. |
| If your occupation is recognised by the New Zealand | | | | |