What exactly is "eligible to work in NZ"?

[mujambee]

I've seen a lot of job offers that end with a disclaimer that goes like:

You must be eligible to work in NZ to apply for this role.

Does that mean that I need to have a resident's visa or just that I could qualify if need be?

I ask this because unless I get a job offer I can only claim 115 points on my EOI, so I'll need to be extremely lucky to get past the pool.

P.S.: Yes, I know this fits better in a migration forum, but I feel much more confortable among bikers.

[Slyer]

We're much better looking too.
No answer to your question though.

[mujambee]

We're much better looking too.

all that tight-fitting leather . . .

[Okey Dokey]

I don't know the governmental answer, but it seems to me that if you applied and explained that you would be eligible were they to offer you the job then that would be fine.

[Mom]

It is always worth applying for these jobs mate. If they can not be filled from NZ applicants there is a good chance you will be allowed to apply for a work permit and come to NZ to work. I have seen this work really well for a Hungarian fella who came to work in a joinery factory. We could not find a suitable applicant from NZ, he applied and fit the bill. We endoresed his application for a work permit and heypresto he was in. It took him a bit over 2 years and a heap of money but was granted residency late last year.

You would have to be in NZ though for this to work.

[mujambee]

It is always worth applying for these jobs mate. If they can not be filled from NZ applicants there is a good chance you will be allowed to apply for a work permit and come to NZ to work. I have seen this work really well for a Hungarian fella who came to work in a joinery factory. We could not find a suitable applicant from NZ, he applied and fit the bill. We endoresed his application for a work permit and heypresto he was in. It took him a bit over 2 years and a heap of money but was granted residency late last year.

You would have to be in NZ though for this to work.

Did he fit in the "skilled professionals"? I'm a mechanical engineer working on IT, so I know I readily fill in the "skilled professionals" category. I understand that it takes from 3 to 6 months to get a permit when you have experience in a shortage area, but my problem is that I got my degree in a Spanish university, and Sp and NZ don't directly accept each other's degrees.

[rainman]

I don't know the governmental answer

Wouldn't think it's an official "governmental" thing, just shorthand for employers/agents saying "we don't want to have to go through the hassle of helping you through your work permit".

There's a lot of reluctance among many employers about taking on overseas staff. It's harder to assess qualifications, hard to get references for language and cultural reasons, the employee will take longer to adjust to NZ work habits and may need more time to settle in generally... so some people just opt out of all that. Employers aren't that motivated to employ at the moment either, what with the recession on. Why make it harder? And if the candidate is overseas, even worse. I've done lots of overseas recruiting, and had more than my share of time-wasters.

I'm trying to interview a guy based in Kuwait at the moment and I have to admit it is a PITA. Although I'm in the process of working with another guy who, although he isn't here yet, has local phone numbers, is current with the local news, and is making the process easy. Guess which one I want to hire?

[mujambee]

Wouldn't think it's an official "governmental" thing, just shorthand for employers/agents saying "we don't want to have to go through the hassle of helping you through your work permit".

There's a lot of reluctance among many employers about taking on overseas staff. It's harder to assess qualifications, hard to get references for language and cultural reasons, the employee will take longer to adjust to NZ work habits and may need more time to settle in generally... so some people just opt out of all that. Employers aren't that motivated to employ at the moment either, what with the recession on. Why make it harder? And if the candidate is overseas, even worse. I've done lots of overseas recruiting, and had more than my share of time-wasters.

I'm trying to interview a guy based in Kuwait at the moment and I have to admit it is a PITA. Although I'm in the process of working with another guy who, although he isn't here yet, has local phone numbers, is current with the local news, and is making the process easy. Guess which one I want to hire?

So if I read you correctly, your advice would be no to apply unless I'm pretty sure I'll overkill three times over. Right?

Currently I'm just trying to get the feel of the country, learning as much as I can of it and figuring out how much I'd need to earn there just to make the move possible. I'm planning on a trip there on June/July to see it firsthand, so as you can see this is going to take time. But if just from the beggining I deem it impossible I may just start looking elsewhere.


BTW, what kind of applicants are you looking for

[rainman]

So if I read you correctly, your advice would be no to apply unless I'm pretty sure I'll overkill three times over. Right?

Currently I'm just trying to get the feel of the country, learning as much as I can of it and figuring out how much I'd need to earn there just to make the move possible. I'm planning on a trip there on June/July to see it firsthand, so as you can see this is going to take time. But if just from the beggining I deem it impossible I may just start looking elsewhere.

Depends on your skills and the specifics of the job sector you're looking for - I only really know the part of the market I'm looking at - but generally if the employer is saying "NZ ready only" it's for a reason. Feel free to apply - you have to be in to win - but be realistic about your chances.

BTW, what kind of applicants are you looking for

Very, very, very, senior Unix/Storage infrastructure wizards. Maybe.

[mujambee]

Depends on your skills and the specifics of the job sector you're looking for - I only really know the part of the market I'm looking at - but generally if the employer is saying "NZ ready only" it's for a reason. Feel free to apply - you have to be in to win - but be realistic about your chances.

Fact is that many of those offers state that they are happy to recruit overseas, but you have to blah blah blah

Very, very, very, senior Unix/Storage infrastructure wizards. Maybe.

Had to try

[mujambee]

I believe that, despite my expertise (and I am an expert), my best bet would be languages, Spanish is my native language and I can also use Portugese, and am able to read French and Italian.

[Tank]

If you currently dont have the 'rights' to work in NZ already then applying directly to roles may not work out - as employers may think it too hard and too much work (unless you really are filling a niche role).

I would recommend good agencies depending on what kind of work you are looking for.

We often hire skilled folk from o/seas and 90% of them we get via agencies as it does help make the process easier.

[Jiminy]

It's generally there to discourage non-serious applications. Feel free to apply, but you won't have much chance to get the job, especially if you are not in the country. And know the procedures for getting a permit to show that a-it's easy and b- the company won't have much to do.

Keyword-skills here work best (Java, Unix, etc). Titles or general skills won't help, neither will languages (unless you are really really lucky).

Also, in my experience, a lot of job agencies post ads for jobs that are not confirmed yet in the odd chance that the position gets created at the right time. So contacting companies either directly or through friends/conferences/etc. works better.

If you have a Spanish university degree, you should be able to get it rated by NZQA to the equivalent NZ university. I don't know the process, though.

Good luck

[YellowDog]

mujambee - The advice you have been given about talking to agencies is an excellent one. I came to NZ on a six week holiday. I wasn't looking for a job. My wife got a job so I thought I would look also. The agency presented me as someone able to work in NZ. I got the job and they then sorted out a 2 year work visa for me in a matter of 3 days. I was amazed how much influence they have with the relevant government bodies. We had already applied for PR and understood that you could not apply for a work visa whilst your PR application was being assessed. This was not the case at all. It may not now be as easy as it was 2 years ago. The other option to consider is a 'Work to Residency Visa'. Provided you find a job this is a lot easier and you don't have to worry about being 'fished out of a pool' with less points than you would like.

You are doing the right thing by coming out here as you will get a chance to get a good look and feel for the place. Perhaps you will also be able to attend some job interviews. Regarding your English, it appears to be better than 90% of the posters on this board, so no worries there :-)

The only problem I see is that you are coming to NZ at the worst time of the year and may get put off. The standard comforts Europeans take for granted are not so common out here. In saying that, everything you would need to be comfortable is available so noone is going to stop you living with the comforts you are used to.

Good luck.

[firefighter]

you need to be black, and /or from the islands, with no real intent on working, just bludging from the dole. If your white and with a trade-sorry N.Z does'nt want you.....(I have real examples of this should anyone out there doubt it)