It’s not like me to be big-headed and blow me own trumpet… but I seem to be struggling to find my niche in the NZ job market. I was turned down from a job last week due to them believing I was ‘too’ technical (god forbid) and would have got bored in the role as it wasn’t techie enough for me! Jeez.
Just as I’m entering my twilight years in this intial NZ stay, interest seems to be gathering pace. It’s almost as though the little blighters know I’m offski next week. “Build ‘im up… then knock ‘im down”. Yesterday I got a call from an IT recruiter requesting an ‘informal’ interview on Monday, followed by a ‘formal’ cavity search no doubt. And just now… I applied for a pretty decent sounding job down in Wellington and was called by the recruitment agency pretty much immediately. We spoke at length as to my superb experience and background 
. However, she thought I may be ‘too’ (yes… that word again!) experienced for the role, but she has forwarded me on nonetheless. It’s a role at BNZ, and sounds quite similar to what I was doing back in the UK… but in a more beautiful place!
So there you go. It’s not easy this job hunting lark. Don’t ever believe it is. Regardless of skills and experience, you need patience to find your niche and the right job.
Bummer. Just had confirmation that I’ve been turned down for the job I was interviewed for last Monday. Weird, as I felt it went really well… but hey… you never do know do ya?!
Think positive Simon – just wasn’t meant to be… lucky escape… fate… blah blah blah!
Starting to get all worried like. I have just over 2 weeks left in NZ before I fly back to the UK. However, I spent today searching the job scene and applied for a few more positions. A friend advised me a couple of weeks ago to have patience and make sure you fire off a 2nd wave of applications if nothing comes of the first batch. Monkey see. Monkey do!
The whole job application/interview/feedback process just seems blinking slow over here in Auckland. Keep chipper mate!
So here I am. Easter Sunday in Auckland. Over half-way through my New Zealand escape ‘checkpoint 1′. I fly back to the UK in under 3 weeks for my sisters wedding in London, and am hoping to have some solid news on the job front to go back and regale friends and family with.
However… this Easter break is grinding it all to a halt. You see, the whole country seems to come to a juddering stop when it’s a bank holiday. Absolutely nothing is open… offices, shops, bars, supermarkets etc etc. That’s great when you have a 4 day weekend – and two 4 days weeks either side! But when you aren’t working, and are keen to hear feedback from various interviews you have had… not so great!
I’m starting to get itchy-feet now. Very conscious that my spell in NZ is drawing to a close for now. The aim was to have a job sorted by the time I leave. I know there’s still 3 weeks dear friends. Really hope I get news early this week. So in the meantime, my Easter Sunday is being spent searching for more jobs and applying for a few more cheeky ones. “C’mon Jesus… give me a break”. I didn’t need this religious ‘holiday’ right now!
… and I really don’t know why I persist with the wink emoticon. It’s just a habit. As Will from the Inbetweeners once said:
The Winky Face is the mark of a moron!
Since my last posting, yours truly has attended his first job interview in Aotearoa. The job search is definitely moving up a gear, which can only be a good thing. What with the British Pound currently paddling to stay afloat against the Kiwi Dollar, I need to start earning the local shekels pronto!
Not only did I have an interview on Wednesday just gone, but I have another one with a different company lined up for Monday. So, at the very least, muggins here seems to have an attractive CV. Which is nice!
Mincing along to my interview
And not only that dear readers… I have a very suave and sophisticated suit to match. While walking to the interview in
Ponsonby the other day, I like to think I resembled
Daniel Craig playing James Bond. However, I was probably more akin to
Mr Benn mincing down the road in sheer excitement as to what crazy adventure he was about to embark on in the fancy-dress shop!
We shall see what comes of the interview I had the other day. At the very least, I felt I gave a good account of myself, and now have another iron in the fire too. Whatever comes of it, it’s all positive and very definitely a step in the right direction, and has really given me a boost to my confidence and self-esteem by knowing that my skills and experience seem to be attractive to Kiwi employers. I know NZ is where I want to be, and where I want to pursure me sweet ‘lil dreams… a job is required to start off. Boring I know, but a blooming necessity.
Onwards and upwards… just as the mighty Tottenham Hotspur are doing as we speak! “Spurs are on their way to Wembley… Tottenham gonna do it again…”
