How do I find work in New Zealand?

One of the most affordable ways to move to New Zealand is employment in the island nation. In order to work, you need to obtain a work or residence visa or citizenship. They require employment. Finding a job remotely is very difficult, so many people come to the country and search locally, while addressing issues of the legitimacy of residence. There are many vacancies in New Zealand, having received which immigrants provide themselves with a decent standard of living.

Skills in demand in New Zealand

Specialties in which the state is experiencing a shortage are combined into lists of professions in demand. There is a long-term, regional and building list. The presence of an immigrant profession in any of the lists increases the chances of obtaining resident status.

All lists have the same structure: the sector of the economy to which the specialty belongs, the name, qualification requirements.

The first positions in the long-term list are occupied by engineering professions in civil engineering, electrical, electronics, chemical industry, communication systems. The list also includes:

• general practitioners, gynecologists, psychiatrists, veterinarians, surgeons;
• IT specialists: database administrators, programmers, web developers, IT project managers, computer network engineers;
• cooks, food technologists, auto mechanics, foundry workers.

The list of professions that companies constantly need is quite extensive. It is reviewed every 6 months. Current versions are published on the official website of the New Zealand government.

The list at the regional level is compiled according to the principle of shortage of personnel in a certain area. If the profession is on the list, it is easier to get a work visa. The professions on the list relate mainly to the service sector, education, and agriculture.

Construction specialties are singled out in a separate category, since the country is actively developing and such specialists are constantly required.

Salary in New Zealand is directly dependent on the level of education and qualifications.

Wage level

The minimum wage threshold set by the state is 18.9 NZD, the average salary is about twice as high. The highest paid professions are IT-specialists, doctors of narrow specialization. Programmers receive up to 125,000 NZD per year. Income of other specialists in other fields:

• business, sales - 30-55,000 New Zealand dollars per year;
• medicine – up to NZD 100,000;
• service workers - 25,000-42,000 NZD per year;
• tourism - 25-45 thousand NZD;
• engineering - up to 80 thousand NZD;
• working professions - 37-75,000 NZD.

The data is given without tax deductions. A feature of the New Zealand labor market is the absence of a fundamental difference in the incomes of employees employed in various fields. A highly qualified specialist can earn a high income by providing medical care to people or doing welding work.

How to get a job directly from an employer?

Despite the wide vacancy of the labor market, it is not easy for a foreigner to find a job, especially for the first time. Employers give preference to candidates who already have a work permit, local experience, recommendations, applicants with a good level of English, with a prestigious education.

Vacancies are published on numerous Internet resources, the most popular of which are TradeMe and Seek. You can contact a recruiting agency. Many foreign job seekers prefer to enter into a direct contract with an employer.

The first step in this business is to search for your profession in the lists of popular specialties. The second search for companies operating in the found area in the region of interest. The contact details of the companies are on the official websites.

Employers in New Zealand value activity and initiative. To come to the office and offer your candidacy is not considered tactless, on the contrary, it is welcomed. You can contact by email, by phone.

On average, a contract can be concluded for two years. If during this period the employee has shown useful personal qualities, professionalism, the probability of extending the employment contract is high. Useful contacts can be found by talking to the locals.

Communication with New Zealanders

New Zealanders are hospitable. Conversations start at ease. Asking for help from a stranger is normal. Bus drivers, cashiers in supermarkets greet each passenger, buyer, ask how the day went.

In the work environment, it is not customary to sit out, shirk work, be late and work overtime. By expanding the circle of contacts, foreigners increase the chances of good advice on employment.