Employment in New Zealand

Students, when they arrive at the Auckland International Airport; what do they have? A big smile on their face, spark in their eyes, enthusiasm and determination to achieve their goals, butterflies in their stomach and a commitment to themselves that they will try to get a job as soon as possible and make sure they are not a burden to their parents back home and friends, if any, in New Zealand. Their attitude is nothing less than that of a total innocence and sincerity. Once here, they don’t take much time to make friends with the groups they stay with or with the guys they move around or the ones who are in their college. Soon they get introduced to this very special group of students/immigrants who are the ‘been-there-done-that’ kinds. They are a respected lot having solutions and or opinion on almost everything and are often addressed as ‘Seniors’. These so-called seniors always feel the uncontainable sense of responsibility in sharing their pearls of wisdom with the...

Said no immigrant job seeker ever!! However, we all know that the transactions are taking place. Money is being DEMANDED, money is being OFFERED and money is being ACCEPTED in broad daylight and jobs are being SOLD. You know it, I know it and I am sure even the Government and the authorities know it, but the problem is you and I can’t prove it and I doubt if the Government has the intentions and resources to prove it as well. That said, we should expect some movement as this (2017) is the election year in New Zealand but employers who are involved in all this are so beautifully covered and have found exceptional ways to work around the laws, that they are almost untouchable. They are making a mockery of the system, abusing their privileges and laughing their way to their banks. Their books and records are perfect and yes, you guessed it right… the transactions ARE taking place!! Since no one can prove the foul play, hence it’s proved that they are doing nothing wrong! A...

"You can't get a job...if you don't have a reference!!" You must have heard this statement time and time again from people around you forcing you to question the way the NZ employment market works... Right? I am new in NZ and I don't know anyone here. Until and unless I don't get a chance to work for someone how and where do I get a work reference from? How do you expect me to know someone in the company I am applying for? I can get a job only if my friend can refer me to the employer where he or she is working... Right? WRONG!! Agreed that having other professional speak on your behalf as a reference is an important and critical part of a job search but using your being new in the country and lack of references as an excuse for not getting a job is totally unacceptable. WHY?? Because references can be created!! Amongst various social media platforms available; you've heard of the big three, 'LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook'... Rig...