Friday, 20 July 2007
18th July 2007
Quite by chance I submitted our new EOI the day before the selection process, so it was selected immediately! Talk about timing. Also the other company who'd interviewed me a 2nd time also want to make me an offer and have pretty much asked me to name my price! My mind is just racing at the moment. However, I went with my gut instinct and signed the offer I received yesterday in order to get the ball rolling. We're so excited now!
17th July 2007
The offer is in and it's way beyond our wildest expectations. Great package and better still they're going to pay all of our removal costs, flights, visa costs, the lot - truly unbelievable. I feel a huge financial weight lifted from my shoulders but then worry about not getting the visa! I update the new EOI I've been working on and submit it with all details of job offer attached and a healthy points total to go with it.
I also arrange to have a chest x-ray done tomorrow as part of the medical, which should then complete that process.
I also arrange to have a chest x-ray done tomorrow as part of the medical, which should then complete that process.
16th July 2007
Monday arrives and the offer hasn't come through overnight. I make a call first thing and they assure me it'll be Tuesday. My fingers are so tightly crossed that I can't feel them anymore....
13th July 2007
Day off today for golf in the morning and then our NZ medicals in the afternoon. We all have to have medicals, although they don't fully examine the baby. I'm really looking forward to getting that out of the way and ticking one more thing off the list. I'm not looking forward to shelling out £522 for the privilege.
The day is made spectacularly good when I find out that one of the companies want to make me an offer! I just don't know how to react. It won't be until Monday, but they want me and I shouldn't accept anything else until I've seen their offer. It all seems too good to be true, but it's what I've worked hard to achieve. No doubt the weekend will drag like hell now...
The day is made spectacularly good when I find out that one of the companies want to make me an offer! I just don't know how to react. It won't be until Monday, but they want me and I shouldn't accept anything else until I've seen their offer. It all seems too good to be true, but it's what I've worked hard to achieve. No doubt the weekend will drag like hell now...
12th July 2007
Well, the two phone interviews went really really well and I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself. Additionally I'm still waiting to hear back from one of the face-to-face interviews last week and I'm trying hard to stop myself from thinking that this is actually going to happen now. All 3 are excellent companies and the roles all excite me in some way.
We've got appointments arranged with movers next week and we've changed estate agents as we don't believe our existing ones are doing enough to sell the house. The new agents also provide a 'To Let' service as we may have to rent the house out initially to bring in some much needed funds. Without the house sale, the move will take all of our money. We always new there'd be a risk and we're just banking on me having something (if not before then pretty quickly when we get there) in order to pay the bills. It worries me a bit, but I'm so determined to make this happen, we'll find a way.
We've got appointments arranged with movers next week and we've changed estate agents as we don't believe our existing ones are doing enough to sell the house. The new agents also provide a 'To Let' service as we may have to rent the house out initially to bring in some much needed funds. Without the house sale, the move will take all of our money. We always new there'd be a risk and we're just banking on me having something (if not before then pretty quickly when we get there) in order to pay the bills. It worries me a bit, but I'm so determined to make this happen, we'll find a way.
10th July 2007
On the phone to agencies again tonight and I have a further 2nd interview now on Thursday night, so I really feel like I've maintained the momentum. I rejected another job as I felt the salary range wasn't high enough given my position, so I hope I'm not getting too cocky now! However, I'm not going to work this hard for 18 ye........(yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah)
There are no new job posts that interest me yet this week - pity because I now have the contacts!
There are no new job posts that interest me yet this week - pity because I now have the contacts!
9th July 2007
I resigned my position today. Having spoken at length to my wife about this we decided that we’re going to take the plunge and move to NZ whether I have a job or not. I was disappointed to resign but given the life we’re aiming for I’m fully focussed on making sure that I leave things in good order and quickly, as we’re shooting for a September move. I leave my role on the 31st August.
We've also now booked to have our medicals. Given that we're going and want to go over on a residence visa, we may as well get this done. It's happening on Friday 13th, hope that's not an omen.
Despite being totally shattered, I maintained focus and got in touch with all of the people that I saw last week. I want to stay fresh in their minds and follow up on the interviews that I've had. I was due to hear back from one today, but nothing as yet, however I do have a 2nd interview now booked in for Wednesday.
We've also now booked to have our medicals. Given that we're going and want to go over on a residence visa, we may as well get this done. It's happening on Friday 13th, hope that's not an omen.
Despite being totally shattered, I maintained focus and got in touch with all of the people that I saw last week. I want to stay fresh in their minds and follow up on the interviews that I've had. I was due to hear back from one today, but nothing as yet, however I do have a 2nd interview now booked in for Wednesday.
8th July 2007
Wow, what a week! Where to start….
Auckland
I only managed 2 appointments in Auckland, however the time there was well spent as it helped me recover from the jetlag. My missing luggage was a concern for a while, but it turned up on Sunday, much to my relief.
In terms of opportunities, there don’t appear to be that many for me and my skills (Programme Office Management) there. The business district feels very disparate and I didn’t get the sense that many senior management jobs come up that often. That said, the people I did meet were very complimentary about my CV and were keen to put it in front of their clients
In terms of the city itself, it was warm (the same temperature and weather as I had left Manchester 2 days earlier and it’s winter in NZ!), but felt like a cross between a small American city and large English town. Crucially, it didn’t really seem to have a ‘heart’ to it and as a result I couldn’t really picture us living there. I’m not saying that it wasn’t nice, it just didn’t feel like the place for us. The transport system wasn’t great and property was pretty expensive.
On the plus side there was a strong multicultural feel to the city with many Japanese, Indonesian and Korean restaurants and it felt clean and safe. More so than any English city I could think of.
With the time I had available in Auckland I did manage to search the web, find a couple of jobs and set up a couple more appointments for my trip to Wellington.
Wellington
Things were more than a little hectic in Wellington and it really was a productive 2 days.
I loved Wellington. Loved the feel of the city which had a buzz about it that I didn’t feel in Auckland. Plenty of shops, café’s, things to do, all in the centre, which you can traverse in about 25 mins. It was clean, well set out, not busy traffic-wise and had a vibrancy about it. At lunchtime it was busy without being crowded, the kind of place I was hoping it would be. It was also a good deal colder than Auckland, more seasonal, although in my whole time there I didn’t get to sample the famous wind.
At my first appointment, they actually prepared me for an interview they’d managed to schedule for me at 4pm that same evening, so instantly I was heartened by the opportunities for me. The further 3 appointments went really well and everyone was friendly, complimentary about the CV and encouraging about my opportunities for employment. The interview went really well and I started to get a view of the way New Zealanders work.
By the end of the second day I’d had 2 further interviews off the back of 4 appointments, all of which went as well as the previous day and indeed on my trip home on Friday I was still fielding calls from interested parties! Furthermore, I had 2 follow up (2nd) interviews arranged by phone for the next week.
It was such a hectic 2 days that with hindsight I’d have spent an extra day in Wellington and less time in Auckland. It drove home to me that you have to put yourself in front of agencies in order for them to consider you a viable candidate. Most of them said that they wouldn’t have put me in front of clients had they not seen me face-to-face. This really proves to them that you’re serious about the move and that you’re plans are in progress.
Oh and BA lost my luggage again on the way home. Note to self, don't ever fly BA again...
Auckland
I only managed 2 appointments in Auckland, however the time there was well spent as it helped me recover from the jetlag. My missing luggage was a concern for a while, but it turned up on Sunday, much to my relief.
In terms of opportunities, there don’t appear to be that many for me and my skills (Programme Office Management) there. The business district feels very disparate and I didn’t get the sense that many senior management jobs come up that often. That said, the people I did meet were very complimentary about my CV and were keen to put it in front of their clients
In terms of the city itself, it was warm (the same temperature and weather as I had left Manchester 2 days earlier and it’s winter in NZ!), but felt like a cross between a small American city and large English town. Crucially, it didn’t really seem to have a ‘heart’ to it and as a result I couldn’t really picture us living there. I’m not saying that it wasn’t nice, it just didn’t feel like the place for us. The transport system wasn’t great and property was pretty expensive.
On the plus side there was a strong multicultural feel to the city with many Japanese, Indonesian and Korean restaurants and it felt clean and safe. More so than any English city I could think of.
With the time I had available in Auckland I did manage to search the web, find a couple of jobs and set up a couple more appointments for my trip to Wellington.
Wellington
Things were more than a little hectic in Wellington and it really was a productive 2 days.
I loved Wellington. Loved the feel of the city which had a buzz about it that I didn’t feel in Auckland. Plenty of shops, café’s, things to do, all in the centre, which you can traverse in about 25 mins. It was clean, well set out, not busy traffic-wise and had a vibrancy about it. At lunchtime it was busy without being crowded, the kind of place I was hoping it would be. It was also a good deal colder than Auckland, more seasonal, although in my whole time there I didn’t get to sample the famous wind.
At my first appointment, they actually prepared me for an interview they’d managed to schedule for me at 4pm that same evening, so instantly I was heartened by the opportunities for me. The further 3 appointments went really well and everyone was friendly, complimentary about the CV and encouraging about my opportunities for employment. The interview went really well and I started to get a view of the way New Zealanders work.
By the end of the second day I’d had 2 further interviews off the back of 4 appointments, all of which went as well as the previous day and indeed on my trip home on Friday I was still fielding calls from interested parties! Furthermore, I had 2 follow up (2nd) interviews arranged by phone for the next week.
It was such a hectic 2 days that with hindsight I’d have spent an extra day in Wellington and less time in Auckland. It drove home to me that you have to put yourself in front of agencies in order for them to consider you a viable candidate. Most of them said that they wouldn’t have put me in front of clients had they not seen me face-to-face. This really proves to them that you’re serious about the move and that you’re plans are in progress.
Oh and BA lost my luggage again on the way home. Note to self, don't ever fly BA again...
25th June 2007
The schedule is complete and by the end of today the flights will be booked! I have 7 confirmed appointments (the bulk of which are in Wellington) and a lot of keen people to talk to me. I redid my CV based on feedback I’d received and lengthened it from a very British 3 pages to a very NZ 5 pages, which detailed all of my experience and qualifications attained. It’s also a requirement to include 2 referees/references on your CV as these are taken up before a job is offered, unlike the UK where it’s hit and miss.
So, I fly out to NZ from Heathrow on Thursday 28th, touch down in Auckland on Saturday 30th and then the schedule is as below with me returning to Manchester (via Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok and Heathrow) on Saturday morning. That’s a lot of flying (and no doubt a lot of money) so I need to make sure it’s all worthwhile.
Lost in the pursuit of a job is that I need to ensure that NZ is the kind of place that Jules, Ted and I want to live! Pretty important that one. So I’ll be taking some time to find out what the respective cities are like, what the transport links are, what the house prices are like and so on. I’m going to tap up each of the agency people I meet for information as well especially as a couple of them are ex-pats.
So, I fly out to NZ from Heathrow on Thursday 28th, touch down in Auckland on Saturday 30th and then the schedule is as below with me returning to Manchester (via Auckland, Sydney, Bangkok and Heathrow) on Saturday morning. That’s a lot of flying (and no doubt a lot of money) so I need to make sure it’s all worthwhile.
Lost in the pursuit of a job is that I need to ensure that NZ is the kind of place that Jules, Ted and I want to live! Pretty important that one. So I’ll be taking some time to find out what the respective cities are like, what the transport links are, what the house prices are like and so on. I’m going to tap up each of the agency people I meet for information as well especially as a couple of them are ex-pats.
22nd June 2007
God, I’m so tired! I have spent the last couple of weeks in front of the computer late night/early morning, emailing my CV to agencies and phoning to arrange interviews. I’ve been really encouraged with the feedback that I’ve had based on my commitment to be out there. I’ve got a skeleton of a schedule now – fly in to Auckland on Saturday and spend Saturday and Sunday recovering from the jet lag. Remain in Auckland Monday and Tuesday, before flying to Wellington and spending Wednesday and Thursday there, before flying home on Friday. It’ll be a busy week, but I need to make it worthwhile. 2 more appointments (to add to the 5 I already have) and I’ll book the flights.
6th June 2007
We’ve decided that I’m going to head to NZ in the first week of July. I’m not going to book the flights and accommodation until the last minute, just in case some of the appointments don’t come off, but I’m aiming to be ready for appointments w/c 2nd July. All of a sudden it feels very very real!
4th June 2007
NZ has played 2nd fiddle to our Wedding/Honeymoon which we’ve just returned from, however I now have a list of agencies in both Auckland and Wellington that I intend to contact by way of looking to arrange a trip out there. I’m starting with a consultancy firm I work with here in the UK who also have offices in NZ, which should hopefully be an easy appointment to make.
9th May 2007
When time allows I have continued to search for jobs, by way of understanding who the key recruitment agencies are. The best website to use to do this is www.seek.co.nz that seems to carry listings for all agencies. Encouragingly, there seem to be a number of opportunities in the areas that I’m looking at, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get out there and maybe get something or at least get a feel as to how much risk our moving out there without a job offer would be.
27th April 2007
Well our fears were confirmed today when I received notification that our EOI had not been accepted. As I don’t have a degree I can’t claim the points that go with the Absolute Skills Shortage and as I result our application points total fell under the required limit for being invited to apply. The immigration clerk was very nice in her email and said that given that I didn’t have a degree, getting a job offer was the way forward for us, so once we’re back from the States, all of our energies will be ploughed into that.
Whilst we’re disappointed, deep down we knew that this route was a long shot and that at some stage I’d need to get out there, this email just confirms that. How glad are we that we didn’t shell out £500+ on medicals as well! They’ll be needed at some stage, although they’d have been out of date (they’re only valid for 3 months) by the time we came round to apply again.
Disappointed but not undaunted. NZ here I come!
Whilst we’re disappointed, deep down we knew that this route was a long shot and that at some stage I’d need to get out there, this email just confirms that. How glad are we that we didn’t shell out £500+ on medicals as well! They’ll be needed at some stage, although they’d have been out of date (they’re only valid for 3 months) by the time we came round to apply again.
Disappointed but not undaunted. NZ here I come!
10th April 2007
I phoned New Zealand House again today and was told that with the points total that we had, our application should definitely have been looked at by now and gave the name of a lady at immigration to contact. The phone call to NZ House wasn’t cheap (£1 per minute) and wasn’t helped by the fact that I had to phone back twice more because the email details the girl had given me were incorrect! Anyway, finally sent the email and had it delivered only to receive an out of office notification!
In other news the house will be on the market next week, along with about 20,000 other properties by the looks of it. Selling our ‘unique’ house, may not be as quick as we’d like…
In other news the house will be on the market next week, along with about 20,000 other properties by the looks of it. Selling our ‘unique’ house, may not be as quick as we’d like…
2nd April 2007
Still no word from NZ, so we are now convinced that nothing will happen. Every day I’m checking my email expecting to see something there. I’ve also started looking for jobs and since the last update have applied for 2, however I got no further as I wasn’t in NZ. Getting a job whilst sat in the UK doesn’t seem to be the answer, so I may need to head out there at some stage.
30th March 2007
We finished the work we wanted to do on the house in order to get it ready for sale, so it’s time to go shopping for estate agents!
Not only that, but we're pregnant again! It's going to be December/January we think, so along with selling our house, resigning my job, moving our furniture, getting a new job, finding a new house, settling in a new country and bringing Ted up, we'll have a new addition! Nothing like getting all of the stress out of the way at once!
Not only that, but we're pregnant again! It's going to be December/January we think, so along with selling our house, resigning my job, moving our furniture, getting a new job, finding a new house, settling in a new country and bringing Ted up, we'll have a new addition! Nothing like getting all of the stress out of the way at once!
10th March 2007
Still no news and in that time I’ve booked and cancelled medical appointments twice. As I mentioned earlier, there is just no point risking wasting that kind of money, so we’re sitting tight and ploughing all our energies into planning our Wedding, which is now only 9 weeks away!
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