New Zealand is one of the preferred countries for immigration due to the need to find new jobs. Its famous for beautiful sceneries, welcoming population, and a relatively good standard of living, it has abundant employment opportunities for both professional and lowly-wage employees.
Moreover, New Zealand’s economy is quite healthy and the country has opened its doors for immigration to fill various positions because there is shortage of manpower in many industrial fields in New Zealand. The move to New Zealand can be an opportunity to create a new life, conduct business, and have a good work-life perspective.
In this article, information on the New Zealand jobs for immigrants, the visas required, the average salaries for the job market and how to find a job in the country will also be provided.
Entry-Level Jobs for Immigrants
There are unlimited entry-level jobs in New Zealand that foreign workers can engage in after relocating to the country. Allow me now to list some of the most common entry-level jobs that are filled by immigrants, and these are; hospitality, construction, agricultural and retail jobs. In hospitality for instance, there is a high demand in kitchen assistants, wait staff and cleaners. Along the same line, the construction sector provide lower skill jobs such as laborer helper etc jobs which does not require a high level of skills and experience.
Another sector that is almost always available to immigrants is agriculture particularly during the time of harvesting. There is availability of refreshing jobs like fruit picking and packing jobs across the country. Though these roles may not have had prior experience, such jobs include strenuous activities. Other entry-level jobs include retail Sales Assistants, Cashier and Customer Service personnel.
The advantage of any of the endearing positions is that it provides the immigrant with some work experience or give them a feel of the New Zealand employment market. Somewhat conversely, many employers are willing to train newcomers, and in most cases, there is much potential for upward mobility within these positions.
New Zealand Visa Requirements for Employment
If you are an immigrant willing to work in New Zealand as soon as possible, you have to acquire a relevant visa. Now, there are many types of visa option based on your skills, education, and the type of job or position offered. The one of the most popular types of visas for the immigrants is the Essential Skills Work Visa. This visa is given to people who have employment offer from New Zealand employers that require a skilled worker in specific profession where there is shortage in skilled workers.
The second option is the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa for qualified applicants with the skills make of the New Zealand government’s labour market. This visa lets you live in New Zealand indefinitely, and work while doing so. For the students, the Post-Study Work Visa also offers employment opportunities in New Zealand after the completion of the study program.
Every visa has its own condition that needs to be met and thus there is need to check on the various condition required for every visa before applying.
Salaries for Immigrants
New Zealand immigrants are paid as per their industries, experience, and the nature of the jobs that they do. Initially, employees may be paid near the minimum wage of NZD $22.70 per hour. However, more skilled and experienced employees will be paid better.
For instance, healthcare IT jobs are well paid as are most of the IT jobs. A registered nurse in New Zealand 54,000 – 77,000 NZD, an IT professional with experience can earn above 90,000 NZD. Construction workers and engineers can also be fairly paid with many positions paying more than 50,000 NZD per year.
New Zealand is somewhat expensive especially to foreigners and some local citizens who are living in the major cities such as Auckland and Wellington but the quality of life is good and wages are adequate to support this kind of life.
Application Requirements and Documents for Working in New Zealand
There are several documents that you will need to gather in order to apply for jobs in New Zealand. First of all, one must have a passport, it has to be valid. You will also have to present yourself certificates of having gone through school education and any experience in your previous job most especially if you are applying for a skilled job. Some employers may require you to present original certificates, letters of reference from past employers, licenses among other certificates.
New Zealand’s working environment and culture requires that an applicant submits his/her CV and a cover letter that is both professional and appropriate. The CV formats used in New Zealand are brief, and the major sections include work experience, skills, and qualifications. A good cover letter for a particular job should show interest in the job and qualifications make the candidate suitable for the job.
Tips for a Successful Application
NZ jobseekers should therefore ensure that their application are appropriately presented to fit the vacancy being applied for. Make sure that you invest quality time into researching the company you are applying to and to tailor your CV and cover letter to suit the needs of the position. Employers in New Zealand appreciate hardworking people and flexibility, along with a positive outlook so assure these steps in your application.
Networking may also work wonders especially in a case where one is searching for employment opportunities in New Zealand. It is a great way to read about job opportunity that may be unknown to most people through use of LinkedIn or going for interview at job fairs.
Further, it is a prerequisite to set down for an interview. Employers generally set the tone of the interviews laid back in New Zealand; however, they expect from the candidates professional demeanor, understanding of the position, and interest in the organization.
Jobs and Vacancy Websites to Find Employment Opportunities
There are some web resources where immigrants can look for vacancies in New Zealand. Some of the most popular platforms that are usually embraced include:
- Seek (www.seek.co.nz/) – A popular jobsite in New Zealand that has a large job database from entry level to professional positions.
- Trade Me Jobs (www.trademe.co.nz/jobs) – Another New Zealand website through which employers advertise employment opportunities.
- Work and Income (workandincome.govt.nz) – This is a governmental site that features jobs and ideal for people seeking lower paid and temp jobs.
- Said (nz.said.com) – A search portal integrating vacancies in New Zealand among others.
- New Kiwis (newkiwis.co.nz) – This is an online employment portal that provides its services to migrant and employer based in New Zealand and it offers its services for free.
These websites can assist you in the search of jobs which match your abilities and previous experience. It is important to note that many of these sites also offer useful features like CV templates, and latest job openings to candidate searches.
