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