5 reasons to make the move now

If you subscribed to our email newsletter, chances are you’re seriously considering packing up your life and moving, working, living and playing in Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

But you haven’t done it quite yet.

So this month, we’re telling you why you need to make the move – now.

1. Winter is coming

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, winter is coming. Unlike Game of Thrones, it doesn’t mean murder, mayhem and naughty stuff but, as a lot of Working Inners can attest to (being British expats ourselves), winter isn’t a desperately fun time. Short days, an abundance of darkness, and bad weather inevitably leads to a six-month long hibernation. Not fun. However over in Australia, Canada and New Zealand…

2. An enviable lifestyle

As spring blooms in the southern hemisphere, its enviable lifestyle comes to the fore. Now, for the next six months, Aussies and Kiwis are making the most of the long, hot, sunny days – whether that’s surfing, hiking, BBQ-ing, beaching, ocean swimming… the list goes on. It may also be coming into winter in Canada, but Canada does winter really well. With its blankets of snow, it’s a winter wonderland – no more hopping on a plane to reach the slopes for skiing and snowboarding, it’s on your doorstep. If you’ve ever wanted the picture perfect Christmas day, now’s the time to get over to Canada.

3. The opportunities are booming

New Zealand came through the global financial crisis pretty unscathed, reflected in its “rock star” economy. Now there are plenty of exciting opportunities abounding – from helping to rebuild Christchurch, to citywide rail electrification projects, and multi-million dollar infrastructure investment. Australia is continuing to climb out of its downturn and more and more jobs are coming to the market, while Canada’s economy remains strong and, more importantly, continues to grow.

4. Chart-topping success

Every single year, scores of surveys are released – the world’s best cities, the happiest places to live, the world’s best countries… and every single year, Australia, Canada and New Zealand feature highly. This is especially true for Canada – it’s got one of the world’s best reputation’s internationally [see page 17] as a place to do business and live, with Australia and New Zealand not far behind. The countries’ cities rank highly for liveability (8 out of 10 cities in the 2014 Economist Intelligence Unit’s world’s most liveable cities were in Australia, Canada and New Zealand). All three countries feature highly in the latest world happiness report. Whereas British expats reckon they’re healthiest and wealthiest in… yep, you’ve guessed it. Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Go on, you deserve to be happy and wealthy too – make the move.

5. It’s never a good time

So why move now, rather than next year or beyond? Because, frankly, it’s never a good time to move – you’ll always be waiting for your cousin’s wedding or for your little one to start school. Like having a baby, there is never an ideal time to move country.

So you might as well to do it now.

Convinced? Start searching for your new job and life in Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

What expats miss the most

Firstly, let’s get something cleared up. This could seem like quite a scary article. If you’re beginning to plan your move overseas, you’re probably in the hugely excited stage when you’re thinking about all the new things you’re going to discover and experience – rather than thinking about what you’ll miss.

So, a quick straw poll of Working Inners (most of us whom are migrants ourselves) about what we missed the most from our home countries, revealed that the overwhelming response was… food based. Yep, it turns out we’re creatures of habit and associate happy memories of home countries with tucking into local delicacies:

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Now that we’ve established this is really not scary at all, here are the top five things expats miss:

Number one: family and friends

An obvious choice and probably something you’ve already considered, whether you’re moving to the same hemisphere or an entirely different time zone.

What you can do

Technology is the expat’s best friend. Now you can still literally see your nearest and dearest thanks to Skype via regular catch-ups over the internet – and it won’t even cost you.

Emails will allow you to send pretty instant communications as often as you like so mum won’t feel like she’s missing out on your everyday life.

Living overseas means you can embrace one of the best ways to communicate – personal handwritten letters. Rediscover the thrill of an actual letter in your mailbox, rather than a bill or advertising flyer.

If you’re missing an important event – a wedding, christening, birthday – you can still feel involved. Send a card, a parcel or record a video message.

Make sure you plan your next visit back home and when your family will visit you in your new home so that you have something to look forward to.

Number two: your old salary

If you’ve researched your equivalent job or already been offered a job and your salary doesn’t match what you’re used to, don’t despair.

What you can do

Remember why you’re relocating – better job opportunities, better career progression, better and bigger projects, better lifestyle, better weather… all of which are, literally, priceless.

Number three: food

As we’ve already established – especially around the Working In team – you could find yourself craving local tastes that you just can’t get your hands on in your new home.

What you can do

Plenty!

• Rope mum and dad, family or friends to send you care parcels stuffed full of the food you’re missing.
• Check out whether there are any suppliers in your new home town. For example, New Zealand has plenty of British grocery shops available throughout the country that stock all the British favourites.
• Leave a bit of space in your suitcase when planning a trip back to your home country and bring some goodies back with you.
• Order your favourite treats online – there’s bound to be websites available that will ship you what you’re missing.

Or, even better, you can embrace change (come on, you’ve emigrated – you’re ok with change) and try the local alternative or equivalent. You never know, it may even be better than you’re used to.

Number four: shopping

If you’re used to popping out to a crowded high street and picking up the latest fashion at a wallet-friendly price, it can be a shock to wave goodbye to your favourite labels – whether it’s trusty M&S undies or Topshop threads.

What you can do

Hop on the internet – a lot of major retailers will ship internationally, and some will even do free international delivery.

If you’re more of a browse the racks and try on plenty of stuff type of shopper, it’s time to explore local suppliers and find new favourites.

Number five: weather

Sounds weird but there’s a phenomenon called the bouncing Pom where Brits migrate to perpetually hot and sunny climes only to return to rainy Britain because they miss the occasionally bad weather.

So if you’re used to rain, you may find endless sunny days a bit wearing. If you’re used to plenty of sunshine, different seasons could be a shock.

What you can do

Again it’s about remembering why you made the move and embracing your new lifestyle – come rain or shine. Take the opportunity to be out in the sunshine as much as possible or to rug up against the seasonal chills and rain.

It’s also the chance for a new wardrobe. Donate your old unsuitably seasonal stuff and buy the local alternatives. Once you’re dressed like a native and appropriately for whatever the weather is doing, you’ll feel a lot more settled in your new life. Now’s the time to finally buy a rain jacket, polar fleece or numerous pairs of flip flops, even if you’ve never owned any before.

In conclusion

Yes, there are going to be things you miss but you also know now how to combat your feelings of longing for these commonly missed things.

Plus in the grand scheme of things, they’re all pretty miniscule. If we made a list of what you wouldn’t miss about your home country, we’re betting it’d be quite a bit bigger – traffic jams, rain, people not speaking to you on public transport, queues…

Been there, done that?

What do you miss the most about your home country and how do you deal with it? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Fight or flight: what to expect when you arrive in a new country

You’ve been excitedly planning your move for months but now you’ve landed and you’re not feeling so sure. Don’t worry – these feelings are absolutely normal and part of what’s known as the settlement curve.

In fact, there are six distinct stages most people go through as they settle in a new country – here’s what to expect over your first 18 months to two years.

 

Diagram source: Immigration New Zealand Settlement Services.

Stage one: forethought

This stage is all about the excitement of planning with lots of positivity about your move to your new country. It’s important to have realistic expectations about your new home country, however, so now’s the time to look into jobs, get an idea of cost of living and research where you’re going to settle.

Stage two: fun

You’ve arrived and it’s brilliant fun. New people, new places and new experiences mean you’re feeling really positive about your new home.

Stage three: fright

Uh-oh. Something’s happened. It might be something major (a family member has fallen ill) or something small (you’re stuck in traffic for the fifth day in a row) – whatever it is, it’ll make you feel frustrated which in turn makes you feel unhappy.

Stage four: flight

Ok, something has happened – and you don’t have a strong network of friends or family to call on yet in your new home country. This is the point that you may decide to move on or return to your country of origin.

Stage five: fight

Time to embrace your inner Rocky. This is your turning point – you become realistic about what it’s like to live in your new country and make a conscious decision to stay and build your life here.

Stage six: fit

Welcome to everyday life. By this stage, your challenges are more about the usual day to day stuff people think about, rather than being about living in a new country. You’ve now decided to stay which helps you to feel like you ‘fit’ in. Congratulations – you’ve made it!

Dealing with the six stages

First off, remember that everyone who has ever been in your position will have experienced these emotions at some point. Understand that it’s completely normal and natural and try some of these tips to help you deal with your emotions:

• Keep talking – to your other half, your family or your employer. Sharing your fears will help you deal with them.
• Get out and about – the couch may be calling but that’s not going to help you feel more settled. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, make the most of that new lifestyle you were after. Remind yourself why you wanted to move.
• Get involved – join your colleagues at the next social gathering, sign up to a gym, research local clubs – anything that gets you mingling with people and involved with your new life. Say yes to every offer that comes your way.
• Research settlement services – there’s organisations dedicated to helping new migrants feel happy in their new homes. Check out Settlement Support New Zealand, find settlement services in Australia or search for immigration services in Canada.

Have you made the move? Did you experience a rollercoaster journey through the settlement curve? What helped you?

Moving across the world – in five weeks

At Working In, we like to practise what we preach – so a lot of our team have made the move overseas themselves. Like our Web & Marketing Writer Sarah who moved from the UK to New Zealand back in 2010. This is her story.

One of the first looks at our new home, Auckland

“I got the job”. Nothing too remarkable about those four words. Until you consider that “the job” is 12,500 miles from where you’ve lived for 26 years of your life. And you’re expected there in five weeks.

That’s exactly what happened to my husband and I back in April 2010. Almost four great years had passed in Leeds (Yorkshire, England) but we were yearning for more. More adventure, more challenges, more opportunities and maybe even more sunshine.

For a few weeks, my husband had been keeping an eye on his professional publications (he’s a civil engineer) for job opportunities. There it was – a bridge engineer vacancy based in Auckland, New Zealand. A country we’d never visited, had no friends or family in and somewhere I’d struggle to pick out on a map.

Yet we knew people that had been there and had absolutely fallen in love with it. We wanted a new adventure – well, here it was. He applied for the job and enjoyed a late night Skype interview while I slept. That very night I was woken up by a shell-shocked husband telling me he’d got the job and we were moving to New Zealand.

The morning after, the countdown began. Five weeks to go until we’d land in our new home in a brand new country – and start our brand new life.

Suddenly, life was a whirlwind of lists and endless phone calls as we tried to pack up our UK lives and prepare for a New Zealand one.

There was our flat that needed to be rented out. Banks and utility companies to inform. Tax arrangements and student loans to discuss. Jobs to resign from. Flights to book, visas to sort and shipping to organise. Then the hardest bit: friends and family to say goodbye to.

At no point during these five weeks did our feet touch the ground. There was no time for tears, doubts or wobbles – just endless lists and admin.

Standing in our now empty hallway, our possessions in a few meagre cardboard boxes that we’d next see in three months’ time on the other side of a world, and the rest packed off to storage for the foreseeable future, we knew we weren’t saying goodbye.

We were just saying hello to the adventure of a lifetime.

That’s exactly what I felt as we flew into Auckland for the first time and our first glimpses of Aotearoa filled the airplane windows. Three years on, we have no regrets about our life-changing five weeks – it was the best decision we’ve ever made and we haven’t looked back since.

Have you packed up your life and moved to a new country? Share your story!

Embracing the relaxed summer way of life 

And the Kiwi adventurous way of life too

Canada prepares to open its doors again

Could you meet the moose in Canada?

Earlier this year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced a temporary pause to its Federal Skilled Worker program while they reviewed the selection criteria to ensure a faster, more efficient immigration system.

Since then, they’ve been busy running consultations with the public, businesses and local stakeholders to get their input into proposed changes.
Finally, on 17 August, Citizenship and Immigration Canada unveiled their proposed changes, designed to allow Canada to better select workers who can “hit the ground running” upon arrival.

So what’s changed?*

Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program are assessed against a points grid which awards a maximum of 100 points. The pass mark is 67 points. The following changes to the points grid are proposed:

Language

Language is now the most important factor on the grid – the weight of the first official language would be significantly increased from 16 to 24 points while the weight of the second official language would be reduced from eight to four points.

Age

The proposal will favour younger applicants by awarding a maximum of 12 points (currently the maximum is 10 points) for applicants aged 18 to 35, but reducing one point for every year after 35.

Work experience

The total number of points for work experience will decrease from 21 to 15, yet to achieve full points for work experience, they’ve increased the years of experience required. Previously it was four years, it will now be six years.

Education

Education points will be awarded based on an assessment of foreign education credentials and what the Canadian equivalent would be. CIC will not accept credentials that don’t exist in Canada or ones that aren’t comparable to a completed Canadian credential. The maximum points available will remain at 25.

Adaptability

The proposal will change the adaptability criteria to emphasise factors that are shown to have positive impacts on an immigrant’s economic and social integration. This includes points being awarded for spousal language ability and previous Canadian work experience.

Next steps

Final publication of the new (and hopefully improved) Federal Skilled Worker Program is scheduled for late 2012 while the new FSWP points grid is due to take effect in January 2013. Applications are expected to be accepted again in early 2013. You can read the whole text of the proposed changes at the Canada Gazette.

*Bear in mind that this is just a proposal and may be still subject to change.

Top five tips to tailor your CV for Australia

As with any job search anywhere in the world, the vital thing is to write your CV in the style and format of the market you are applying to – not the market you’ve come from. Here are five things you need to watch out for:

1. Don’t forget your contact details

Name, phone number, postal and email address. You would be amazed how often these details are overlooked.

2. Keep it concise and to the point

Ask yourself – what do I do for a living? If you’re an engineer, for example, that should be the first thing on your CV. Aussies are a straightforward bunch and they like to know what you do and if you will be a good fit for the job they are advertising. A great way to construct your CV is to look at the advertisement and address some of its requirements up front. If they are looking for someone with a qualification and 5+ years experience, make sure your length of experience and qualification are on the first page of your CV and not buried further on.

3. Watch the length – about four pages is the norm

The broadly accepted UK standard is two pages, no more, while a typical South African CV can be anything up to 30 pages long and include a wealth of detailed information. The general rule down under is somewhere in between. Generally, we would not expect to see more than four pages, but as long as you are including concise and relevant information, it does not matter how long it is (within reason).

4. Keep it simple

Try and remember that while a flashing yellow border might be right up your alley, it may not be the personal preference of those reading your CV. Steer clear of fancy fonts and pictures (unless it is relevant to your application – all you aspiring models out there!).

5. Check the spelling and have a friend proofread it

Check, double check and then get someone else to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. It can be very off-putting to read a CV with easily fixable spelling mistakes. Microsoft Word automatically picks up on spelling errors, which stand out like a beacon. Keeping your CV objective and relevant can be quite tricky. If you have someone able to give you honest, constructive feedback, use them. It is better to hear from a friend that something is not relevant or does not make sense than from a potential hiring manager.

Happy writing!

Dads down under & other differences between the UK, NZ, Oz & Canada

This weekend, dads around New Zealand and Australia are preparing to be spoilt – Kiwis and Aussies celebrate Father’s Day on the first Sunday in September (might be a bit of a problem if your UK-based dad is used to getting Father’s Day love on the third Sunday in June).

So, what other things might you have to get used to if you swap a home in the UK for life in New Zealand, Australia and Canada?

Public holidays

You can wave goodbye to your UK spring and summer bank holidays – but move to New Zealand and you gain Waitangi Day, Anzac Day and Labour Day while certain areas of Australia enjoy Labour Day and Melbourne Cup Day too. Not forgetting that New Zealand and Australia are patriotic too – they even get Queen’s Birthday as a public holiday. Canada doesn’t do badly either with Canada Day, Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day.

‘isms’

By that we mean the little dialect differences between the countries. In the UK and Canada, every summer you drag out your flip-flops. In Australia, it’s your thongs (conjuring up all kinds of potentially embarrassing situations) and in NZ it’s your jandals. Should someone compliment you on your pants in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, they haven’t suddenly developed x-ray vision and you haven’t had an acute attack of forgetfulness – that’s their equivalent of trousers. While we’re on it, pack your gum boots for life down under (Wellington boots) and your runners for Canada (trainers). 

The seasons

Luckily, Canada’s in the northern hemisphere too so it’s easy to adjust to summer in June-August and winter in November-February. However, head down under and prepare to get Christmas on the beach and when you’d traditionally be enjoying some summer sunshine in the UK, to be embracing winter sports in Australia and New Zealand instead.

Time difference – or how not to annoy your mum

Judging by the phone in your pocket, bag or lovingly placed on the table in-front of you, you like to be connected. But catching your first midday wave in Oz or trying your first eggs bene brekkie in NZ is not the time to call your nearest and dearest back in the UK – unless you fancy rousing them from their slumber that is. However, if you come across your first moose in Canada you don’t have to wait too long to let your mum know – it’s only a four or five hour time difference.

Over to you

If you moved overseas, what do you reckon you’d miss most about home?

Five reasons why New Zealand is better than Australia

Newspapers in the southern hemisphere have recently been dominated by stories of Kiwis packing up and heading over the ditch to Australia in record numbers. For the Australian news media (gleefully referring to these Kiwis as ‘refugees’), this is yet another example of the eternal battle – how much better Australia is than New Zealand. Which got us thinking…

So here’s our top five completely-unofficial-and-gathered-from-extensive-office-research* reasons why New Zealand is better than Australia:

1. Rugby – might have been founded by an English school boy picking up a ball and legging it down the pitch, but New Zealand is the undisputed home of rugby. Heck, it’s practically a religion. And do you need reminding it’s also the home of the reigning world champions of rugby, the mighty All Blacks? Thought not. Take that Oz.

2. Animals – Australia has plenty of animals that seem to be designed with the express purpose of being terrifyingly deadly. Crocodiles, Great White sharks, Box jellyfish, snakes, spiders and scorpions all like to call Australia home. In comparison, New Zealand has the Kiwi bird. The flightless, fluffy, nocturnal bird beloved by all for its plucky nature.

3. Pavlova – the creamy, crunchy, fruit-laden pav is the national dessert of New Zealand and Australia claiming it as its own doesn’t change that.

4. Ingenuity – fancy rolling around in a giant inflatable hamster ball? Come and try Zorbing in New Zealand then. Got a hankering to throw yourself off a staggeringly high structure with a glorified elastic band around your ankles? Try the home of bungee jumping (that’ll be New Zealand). Kiwis are an ingenious bunch and if there’s some potential for pant-wettingly exciting adventure, they’ll find it.

5. Lord of the Rings – enough said.

*Based on the opinions of roughly four people sat around me.

Over to you

What do you reckon? Which is better – Australia or New Zealand – and why?

How to get reliable immigration advice

Hi Everyone

This week, we have some great tips for helping you to find reliable visa and immigration advice. If you’re serious about moving country, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to get a reputable immigration adviser. Why? You’ve all heard the saying a stitch in time saves nine, and this is one case where it’s certainly true!

Why use an immigration adviser?

• An immigration adviser will give you a realistic idea of your chances of success right from the word go. Of course, your eligibility will depend on your individual circumstances, including factors such as your age, work experience, skills and language ability.
• If you are eligible, you’ll be told what immigration pathways are available and which one is going to work best for you. You won’t waste time and money heading down the wrong path then having to do a ‘u-turn’ later on.
• You get the bonus of expert advice to sort out any hitches along the way. Immigration law can be a difficult beastie at the best of times and it’s constantly changing, so up-to-date advice not only smooths out the snags en route, it helps prevent them in the first place!

How can I pick a reliable immigration adviser?

• Choose someone who is licensed or registered. Legitimate advisers and agents are regulated by a professional body which helps ensure that they are competent. While it won’t necessarily guarantee you professional service, it will go a long way to weeding out ‘cowboy’ outfits! In New Zealand, agents are called licensed immigration advisers, and they are regulated by the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA); in Australia, they are called registered  migration agents and they are regulated by MARA; and in Canada, they are called immigration consultants and they are regulated by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
• Ensure that their membership is current. If a licensed agent or business has been investigated for failing to provide a professional service, their licence will have been cancelled. Make a quick call to the regulatory body first to make sure they are still legit before you hand over any money!
• Check out their credentials. You wouldn’t rent out your house or employ someone without checking their references, so ask if you can speak to a recent client, and check out the agency online too (web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn). A reputable company will have a professional online presence with a history that can be tracked. If you have friends who’ve already migrated, ask them who they used and what their experience was, or visit ex-pat forums and get recommendations that way. This kind of research takes a bit of extra effort, but it pays off in the long run!

What next?

• Read up about the immigration categories for New Zealand, Australia and Canada so you know what to expect.
• If you’re considering emigrating as a skilled migrant, take Working In’s free online visa assessment to have see if you have the right skills to move to Australia or New Zealand. This will help you to determine if it’s worthwhile proceeding.
• Visit our visa sections for Australia, New Zealand and Canada. There’s loads of info here, including more about visa categories and policy, and reputable advisers in Australia, NZ and Canada who can help you with your move.

Come and see us in person in the UK in June/July!
We have immigration advisers and migration agents attending our Opportunities Overseas Expos to help you with your migration questions so, if you are relocating, make sure you come along to an expo near you! We’ll be in in the UK in Leeds on 30 June-1 July, and in London on 7-8 July, and we’ll have some great job opportunities as well.

Hope to see you there!

Skill shortages in Oz & NZ

Hi again!

Great to see so many of you (9,210 altogether!) visiting us at our Opportunities Overseas Expos in London and Manchester last month, and at our Energy, Mining & Engineering expo in Aberdeen. There’s lots of great talent out there, and many of you who came along are now going through the recruitment process and getting ready for the next exciting step of your journey.

Next up, we’ll be bringing employers from NZ, Australia and Peru to Canada for the Energy, Mining & Engineering International Jobs Expo in May, so what better time to look at the areas of skill shortage, and find out just who’s in demand at the moment.

The Aussie mining boom
Everyone’s heard about the mining boom in Aussie, so it’s no surprise to find that main areas of skill shortage are connected to the mining and oil & gas sector. With a whopping US$229 billion (AU$232 billion) of committed gas projects in the pipeline, Australia has a critical shortage of experienced engineers, tradespeople and construction workers to staff up its raft of mega projects.

Calling all Senior Engineers!
Engineering shortages are biting especially hard, as major mining projects, including the massive AU$43 billion Gorgon project, exhaust the local labour supply. Australia’s national engineering body, Engineers Australia, has predicted that the country’s engineering workforce will need to double just to keep pace with the rapid development, so if you have engineering skills – especially at a senior level – you’ll be very much in demand!

Some of the roles that Aussie employers are recruiting for in Canada include well, reservoir & petroleum engineers; principal, civil, mechanical & process engineers; drilling supervisors; hydrologists; project directors and managers; health & safety managers and engineering managers.

Other energy/infrastructure specialists in demand include transmission line practitioners, waste water and water planning engineers,  site supervisors, environmental advisors and senior planners. 

Skill shortages in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the skills shortages may not be quite as intense, but the country’s growing energy sector is still short of skilled professionals, with mining specialists, engineers and geologists high on the list of those most in demand. The Christchurch rebuild is also putting the squeeze on the labour market, with engineers and skilled trades already in demand – a shortfall of up to 30,000 workers has already been forecast during the 10-20 year rebuild period.

Some of the roles that NZ employers are recruiting for at the Canada expos include mining, petroleum, geotechnical & field engineers; technical services and production superintendents; and exploration & mine geologists. Within the energy/power sector, there are roles for project engineers & managers, power system analysts, electrical network engineers, electricity asset managers, engineering analysts and substation design engineers.

Come & see us in Canada
So, if you’re in Canada, and you’re working in the oil & gas, energy, engineering or infrastructure sectors, come along and check out the jobs available in Oz & NZ (we’ll also have some jobs in Peru – again, mining-related roles including heavy diesel mechanics and truck operators!). 

We’ll be touching down in the three Canadian cities in 2012: Calgary (5-6 May) at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre; Vancouver (9 May) at the Hyatt Regency and Edmonton (12-13 May) at the Mayfield Inn & Suites.

Where to book
You can find out more about companies attending and the roles being recruited for at:
www.workingin.com/eme

CALGARY | BOOK NOW
VANCOUVER | BOOK NOW
EDMONTON | BOOK NOW

Hope to see you there!

Moving countries? Why should you go to a job expo?

Hi – and hello 2012! Fresh start to a fresh year and, if you’re still serious about moving country, now is the time to put those job hunting plans into action!

If you’re in the UK or Europe, getting a job sorted from the other side of the globe can seem like something for the ‘too hard’ basket but these days, if you can’t go to the employers, the good news is, they can come to you!

Finding a job – the easy way!

Working In is holding its first migration and job expos for the year in London (this weekend, 24-25 March), Aberdeen
(28 March) and Manchester
(31 March-1 April), and we’ll have dozens of employers flying in from New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The big bonus is that meeting potential employers face to face gives you a huge advantage in the job hunting process, and because you don’t have to leave the country, even better!

Why meet employers in person?

• You have an unbeatable opportunity to sell your best asset – yourself! – up close and personal.
• You can tell pretty much straight away if there’s a good fit between you both, and whether or not you’ll fit in with the company culture and philosophy.
• If you plan your day properly, and do some research on the roles being recruited, you have the advantage of checking out not just one, but hundreds of employment opportunities – all under the same roof!
• It’s an invaluable opportunity to network and build contacts. Make sure you prepare hard copies of your up-to-date CV to hand out to employers and, if possible, bring along a copy on a memory stick.
• If it leads to a job or a job offer, then you’ve already smoothed the pathway for your visa application and increased your chances of being accepted.

Do your research on the jobs available!

A word of advice, before you go, save yourself time and do some research on the roles each company is offering. Getting the right match between your work experience and the jobs on offer is vital.

You can see what skills employers are looking to fill by clicking on the company logos on the Canada, NZ  and Australia pages.

Feeling inspired? Then get along and get that job!

BOOK NOW for Opportunities Australia: London, Aberdeen & Manchester
BOOK NOW  for Opportunities Canada: London, Aberdeen & Manchester.
BOOK NOW  for Opportunities New Zealand: London, Aberdeen & Manchester.

See you there!

So how do you get a visa?

Kia Ora,

I want to start by thanking the thousands of people who read our blogs over the past week, almost 11,000 of you!  The response has been amazing and thanks for all the great questions and comments.  We would love to reply to all the comments but Jenny and I make sure we read every one.  Some of the comments ask the same question, so we will use your comments to help create future blogs.  Do let us know if there is any topic in particular you’d like to see on our blog and Jenny and I will do our best to include that in one of our posts.

Jenny’s blog about how to write a CV was hugely popular.  Please don’t send your CV’s to us. There is much more involved in the immigration process than sending your CV to an employer or recruiter. One of the most frequent comments we had was “How can I get a visa and can you help me?”  So in today’s blog I am going to give you some information to help you plan your move.

The visa and the job offer are obviously 2 very important factors to focus on when making the move.  But there is so much more involved.  One of the first things you need to do is get accurate answers to important these important questions:

• What type of visa’s am I eligible for?
• What are my employment prospects?
• Do I need a job offer to secure a visa or can I apply without a job offer?

You can only make an effective plan if you know the answers to these questions.

Other things you need to know:

• How much money will I need?
• How long will it take?

The answer is that every move is different. We help hundreds of people move to Australia and New Zealand each year and every application is unique.

Communication is crucial to the whole process.  English language ability is tested if English is not your first language and employers will want to know that you have excellent communication skills.  You may be able to move to New Zealand or Australia within a couple of months of securing a job offer but if you are applying for jobs now, are you ready to catch that plane and start work?

So, here is how Working In Visas help people make the journey:

• Complete our online migration map questionnaire, find out if you are eligible to migrate http://www.workingin-visa.com/visa-assessment/free/stage-1
• If eligible; you may be invited to talk to one of our experienced consultants who will answer all your questions and outline your migration options
• You will be assigned your own Migration Agent to manage your move and be given all the tools and support you need to search and apply for jobs
• Your visa application will be lodged so that it meets current Immigration Policy

Many applications are declined, simply because the migrant involved do not get accurate advice about their move, right at the start of the process.  Emigrating is one of the most life changing events you can undertake and so it is critical to make sure you make a plan.  If you are eligible to migrate and meet the immigration criteria then we may be able to help you.

On a lighter note it is Friday here in Auckland and we are just hours away from the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup 2011 Opening Ceremony!! I have my All Blacks shirt on and will be heading up to Parnell to watch New Zealand’s largest firework display and then off to watch the big game.  It makes me feel even luckier than usual to be able to live here right now – New Zealand as a whole has come alive, and with 90,000 international fans here to watch the rugby, the world really has come to play – It is fantastic!!  Check out the coverage if you get a chance it will also give you an insight into our culture http://www.tvnz.co.nz

Ka Kite (bye for now),

Paul

Rugby World Cup Fever

When I first moved to New Zealand I actually knew very little about Rugby. I just didn’t get it. Didn’t understand the rules or how the scoring worked. If you ask me now what the backs do and who is in the All Blacks I can give you a complete breakdown. I wasn’t really into sport in the UK but living over here has changed that for me. Those of you who have been to our expos will have seen me proudly wearing my signed All Blacks shirt and winding up our Australian exhibitors when the All Blacks have beaten them again.

This weekend we will hopefully see a repeat of this when the All Blacks beat Australia in the final of the Tri Nations cup. It’s a massive event when these sides meet but even more important with the Rugby World cup just a few weeks away. It’s the first time the event has been held in New Zealand and the country is all ready in rugby overdrive (some people its fair to say are completely over it)

So why am I talking about Rugby on this emigration blog?

As most of you know we hold expos all over the world for people wanting to emigrate to New Zealand, Australia or Canada and the Rugby in New Zealand is a great opportunity to find out more about what it is like to live here so we have an event in New Zealand for those of you visiting for the games.

We have put on an evening so you can get all the insider info you need and this is going to be held in Auckland near our famous waterside Viaduct on 12th October. You will enjoy a taste of New Zealand culture and food as well as hear from guest celebrity speakers and make some useful business contacts.

Entrance is free and we would love to see you there. Spaces are limited so reserve your spot now by emailing emma.grate@workingin.com (clever eh)

Here is some more useful information for those of you who are making the trip

http://www.workingin-newzealand.com/news/36851/aucklands-queens-wharf-the-hub-of-cup-celebrations

If you are ever in New Zealand and want to pop into our main office then don’t hesitate. We are in the CBD in Auckland so just email me and I’ll take you out for a coffee and a chat. I’ll tell you great stories about how New Zealand beat Australia in the rugby world cup final and might even talk a bit about your plans for emigrating.

Sorry you can see I’m a bit rugby obsessed at the moment but it is part of life over these side of the world and something I have learned to appreciate which I never would if I’d stayed in the UK.  Emigrating is all about new experiences and nine years into my move I am learning new things every day.

Next blog will be over to Jenny and back onto immigration topics that will interest all of you.  It’s been great getting your comments to our recent blogs and so for a bit of fun take part in our poll below

Business and Investment opportunity in New Zealand

I know I have talked about investing in a business as a way of moving to New Zealand before but we are seeing an increase in the amount of people we are assisting with this route to residence so I thought it was a good time to update and give an overview on this option that can really provide a solution to some people.
I moved to New Zealand on a Long Term Business Visa in 2003. One of the best things about this visa process is that it gives you a nice long timeframe where you can plan and make the move. The visa is also granted before you move which can minimise the risk involved i.e. you may be able to wait for the visa to be granted before you sell your house and make the move. Here are some of the benefits of this type of visa

• It allows you to set up or buy a business in New Zealand
• There is no minimum investment required
• your partner may get an open work visa allowing them to take any job
• it can lead to residency
• you have 9 months from the visa being granted to actually make the move
• you can choose where you want to live and set up your business in New Zealand

Of course there are lots of criteria to meet immigration policy and you will need the following

• previous experience of running a business (being the director or senior manager of a business may be sufficient)
• funds to support yourself during the period of the LTBV
• evidence of the benefit of your business to New Zealand
• a realistic and thorough business plan

There are other criteria to be met as well but anyone seriously interested can just leave a comment at the end of this blog and I will contact you. We know this is a popular option for people as we had almost 3000 replies to a recent survey we sent out before we had to stop the survey and handle the questions. Setting up and running a business is always full of challenges but doing this in a new country adds unique challenges. Luckily New Zealand has been voted the third easiest country to do business and you have people like me who have done this and can help you.

Investing in New Zealand

Some more good news it that there have recently been some changes in the investor policy for New Zealand. It is now possible to invest in residential property in New Zealand. There will be strict criteria around what investment is allowed but this is good news for investors who were not previously given this option.

You can also now transfer your money through non bank money transfer companies and the criteria under Category 2 has been re-worded so that people who have 3 years business experience and have run a business with 5 or more full-time  employees or a turnover of $1 Million + can now apply. Previously the criteria was 5 or more employees and a $1 Million + turnover. So it’s great to see that New Zealand is making some practical changes and making it clear that the country wants investors.

Australia too has options for business people and investors and we will be bringing an Australian expert in this area to our expos in the UK in July. He will be presenting at our seminars along with myself and giving you all the information you need. Check out www.expo-newzealand.com

New Zealand and Australia are lands of opportunity if you are willing to go out and chase it. I know from experience that you have to be 100% committed and that having expert help around you in the early stages can make all the difference.  Leave a comment and I will get back to you.

 

London and Manchester Expo update

Well it’s time for our first expos in London and Manchester and my bags are packed, ready for that long flight from New Zealand to the UK. It’s funny, but it seems to get longer every time I do it! I’ve selected the films I’m going to try to watch and booked a nice quiet seat at the back of the plane in preparation.

We are constantly looking for ways to improve the expo experience for our visitors and exhibitors and this year we have added more seminars and worked on reducing queues. This will mean you can get all the information you need to be able to take that next step to actually starting a new life in Australia, New Zealand or Canada. We have more exhibitors this year, reflecting the booming Australian economy and looming skills shortages.

We will also be updating you on what’s happening in Christchurch and how it is going to affect the New Zealand economy. No new buildings will be built for the next 6 months, but once the rebuild does begin it will give a well needed boost to the construction industry and the economy. The reserve bank in New Zealand has just cut interest rates, but has stated that this is just a temporary measure and interest rates will increase next year as the rebuild starts.  We have also experienced some internal migration since the quake with over 10,000 people moving from Christchurch to Auckland and thousands moving to Dunedin, Nelson and the cities that surround Christchurch.

Another new option at our expos is to upgrade your entrance ticket to VIP status. This is for those of you who are determined to make the move and want to get expert advice so that you can actually make the move a reality. I know how daunting this can be. Emigrating is one of the most life changing things you will ever do. I can also tell you that once you do commit to the move you will become more focused and can experience the peace of mind that comes with having people who have made the move help you do the same. The VIP tickets are limited and there are only a few left so to get yours just click here www.expo-newzealand.com

Some Expo Tips

The expos can get busy, do take your time and make the most of your visit. Most of the exhibitors have flown from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to attend these events so they do want to talk to you. Make sure you visit all the stands, even if you are not sure if they can help you. They will have lots of information to share even if it is just about what the weather is like in Perth!

Check out the seminar timetable as soon as you arrive and make sure you visit as many seminars as possible. We have added more seminars this year with even  more information. You will hear about what it’s like to live and work in these countries and also get tips and advice on how to apply for jobs and secure visas.

If you’ve ever run a business before and are interested in running a business in New Zealand or Australia, then make sure you attend our business seminar on the Saturday of the expo in London and Manchester. I will be explaining how I moved to NZ on a business visa and how we can help you do the same.

Well its time to change some dollars to pounds, buy myself a coat and say goodbye to New Zealand for a few weeks. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible while I am in the UK and helping you make a move down under.

See you at the expos

Paul Goddard