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