Employment in New Zealand

So, you want to become an X?? Great, what next?? Thinking or dreaming about becoming X is ok but you know, just thinking and dreaming won’t be enough, you will have to do something more than that. This is where our two-step approach comes into the picture. The primary thing needed to become an X is to learn ‘how to become an X’ And the final step in learning how to become an X is To learn how to learn ‘how to become an X’. That’s it. It’s that simple. I’d say please go and learn it and keep doing it. Keep doing it, not once or twice…. Keep doing it till you get what you want. We are in 2017 and there are billions of resources available on the internet for learning anything and everything including job search. Blogs, articles, associations, experts, videos, webinars, eBooks. You just name it and these resources are all there on numerous social media platforms sharing their knowledge and expertise with you if you want. Remember, learn what’s ne...

We have heard this phrase countless times in different shapes and forms, “Nothing plus Nothing equals Nothing”, “Nil and Naught are never sought”, “Zip and Duck Always Suck”, “Santa ke saath Banta? Babaji ka ghanta!” I am sorry the last one is in Hindi, it’s a wee bit naughty and it’s R18 but they all mean the same. If nothing is added with nothing the result will always be nothing, méiyǒu, rien , nichts , amugeosdo, kahore…. NOTHING! On the other hand, research shows we are attracted to people who look like us, behave like us, who have a similar personality type and we even tend to gravitate towards those who share our level of education. It’s true. You come to think of it what happens when you walk into a gym the very first time after you have decided to get into shape? Every step is a bit tentative, it’s so easy to get intimidated looking at those big bulky hulks pumping iron, sweating and grunting out loud. You look at their arms, legs and chest and you give a peek at y...

As a job seeker in NZ, you would’ve heard and experienced this statement countless times. “It’s not important what you know. What is important is, WHO you know!!” And I can bet, you know or have heard about someone who got the job just because he/she knew someone in the company. Many times you see someone less capable or deserving walking into the role over you and you feel, how did that happen and why is it happening to me?! We all like to think and believe that factors like competence, education, knowledge and experience should be the ideal determinants for a job seeker to secure their dream role but who said we live in an ideal world. It is disturbing to see yourself slogging through your job search doing your best with no or minimum results and losing that chance that you wanted so badly to someone else and as a result, you often feel resentful, bitter and sour. I am new in New Zealand and I don’t have any references, I don’t know anyone. Where ever I apply, I am aske...

I met a job-seeker who has been in NZ for the last few months and in our meeting he was constantly complaining about the employment market, recruiters, job boards and his agent from his home country. He was frustrated about his job application rejections besides the fact that he felt he had the required relevant experience. He asked me, “Is that right on how I am being treated in NZ job market?” in a tone that he was the victim of wrongdoing. I tried to explain him that key question wasn’t whether it’s right or not, although one would tend to agree with him in principle. The key question is what are you doing about it? “Are you playing victim or are you adapting?” I asked him, “if you’re being robbed, you don’t just sit around thinking…Oh, why is this happening to me? Why me? This is not right. Instead, you react. You shout for help or you fight to defend or you call a cop or you run away…right?” Constructive action / adaptation is opposite to sulking as a victi...

Every Indian, when they hear the word “Jugaad” will have a smile on their face. Click on this link to see how jugaad is done but on a serious note click on this   link   to see how jugaad mentality can do wonders. Born and brought up in an environment where resources are limited with a cut-throat competition and socio-economic challenges at every step in our personal / professional life; we’ve unknowingly mastered the art of Jugaad!! We’ve grown knowing Jugaad is the trick of life. Let’s accept it guys… and let’s shout out loud; Indians are kings of Jugaad!!! As a consultant, I focus on migrants from various countries who are searching for jobs in New Zealand. However, if you asked a question, why jugaad? Why am I talking only India? The answer is simple…. Because, I am an Indian. That said, the idea called jugaad in India is known as “zizhu chuangxin” in China, “gambiarra” in Brazil and “jua kali” in Kenya. The English translation might be DIY o...

Let’s assume and present two example countries in a mathematical equation: let’s say, if Country 1 = X then Country 2 = 10X In other words Country 2 is 10 times bigger than Country 1 in terms of its size, economy, resources, population, army, arsenal, security intelligence etc. Question: Which country do you think will win if they were to have war? It’s a no-brainer; Country 2…. Right? Suppose we were to study all the wars in the last 200 years in this world where very large countries (the 10X types) have had wars with very small countries (the X types), how often do you think the bigger side won? Most of us, would like to answer the number close to 100%. After all how can you overlook the ‘10 times’ difference? It’s actually a lot. But the answer might surprise you!! International Relations Professor and author of the book “How the Weak Win Wars: A Theory of Asymmetric Conflict” Ivan Arreguin-Toft did the calculation few years ago and concluded, it’s...