Headhunter in New Zealand Tips: How to Find a Job in New Zealand for Filipinos
Beyond its breath-taking views and welcoming people, New Zealand offers many work opportunities for everyone, including Filipinos. It has a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a progressive society, making it an ideal place for anyone to live and work in.
However, finding a job there can be overwhelming. It’s not as simple as applying through job boards, attending interviews, and on boarding your new company online or offline. You must meet many requirements, learn about another culture, and acclimate to an unfamiliar environment.
Fortunately, you don’t have to look far to learn how to find a job in New Zealand. This article will discuss everything you need to know about finding work opportunities in the country and how you can apply for them.
Work Opportunities in New Zealand
Job opportunities in New Zealand vary per region. Nonetheless, there’s surely one for your specific knowledge and skill set. You can even find a job in New Zealand with no experience. Here are some work opportunities in New Zealand you can apply for.
1. Registered nurse (RN) Average pay:$54,000/year
RNs in New Zealand assess patients, collaborate with other healthcare workers, administer immunizations, medicine, and intravenous (IV) drugs, and advise patients about their health. As of 2021, 10% of the total population of New Zealand-based nurses are Filipinos, proving that the country
2. Heavy Truck Driver Average pay:$21-$35/hour
Heavy truck drivers are responsible in transporting materials depending on their company products. This may incuse delivering livestock, general freight, and hazardous substances or spread fertiliser. To become a heavy truck driver in New Zealand, one must hold a licence for the size and type of truck you intend to drive, and pass drug and alcohol tests.
3. Waiter/Waitress Average pay:$21-$22/hour
Waiters and waitresses in New Zealand may work in the dining areas of restaurants, hotels, clubs and other places where food and drink are served. Job applicants must know basic food and drink service skills and have knowledge of food health and safety.
4. Dairy Farm Assistant Average pay:$42K-$43K/year
New Zealand is known for their dairy products. This makes dairy farming as one of the most booming industries in the country. With that, the country needs dairy farm assistants to help farmers with a variety of tasks, including caring for and milking cows, repairs and maintenance, and other farming activities.
It’s one thing to apply for a job in your home country and another when doing it abroad. Looking for jobs in New Zealand can get overwhelming, but don’t fret. Below are some places that can help you find a job in New Zealand.
1. DMW-accredited agencies
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or formerly known as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is a government agency that helps Filipinos secure legal jobs abroad. They also screen foreign employers for legitimacy to protect Filipinos from illegal recruitment and identity theft. With that said, applying for jobs through DMW-accredited agencies is an efficient and safe way to find fulfilling jobs in New Zealand.
2. Specialist migrant job sites
New Zealand-based employers open to hiring overseas workers list jobs on specialist migrant job sites like Workhere and Working in New Zealand. The government recognizes their role in filling the country’s workforce needs, so you can rest assured that applying through them will be safe and legal as well.
3. Sector specific websites
Some sectors in New Zealand have respective job sites, which help overseas workers with specific skills apply for jobs easier. For instance, Kiwi Health Jobs features job openings for healthcare workers, while Engineering New Zealand lists vacancies for engineers.
4. General job websites
You can’t go wrong with general job websites in New Zealand, such as Indeed, TradeMe, and Seek. You can also find general job websites for specific regions on the New Zealand government’s careers web page.
5. Recruitment companies
Recruitment agencies seek employees on behalf of their clients. They usually have a database of candidates they can easily pull up if their clients want to expand their workforce. With that said, register with a recruitment agency or headhunter for New Zealand-based employers to easily land a job that fits your skills and needs as an employee.
Why is partnering with recruitment an agency ideal for your job hunt? Read: The Benefits of Using Recruitment Agencies for Your Job Search.
6. Direct to employer
Some New Zealand-based employers only advertise job vacancies on their websites. In this case, you can directly send your resume to a prospective employer. You can also approach industry or employer organizations to find job openings and get your foot in the door.
How to Apply for a Job in New Zealand
Once you know where to find a job, the next step is going through the application process. Here are some tips on how to apply for a job in New Zealand.
1. Submit your CV and cover letter
As with any job application process, send your CV and cover letter to your prospective employer. You can use the New Zealand government’s CV builder to create a CV that employers will notice. Check your prospective employer’s job listing for other requirements you’d need to submit, such as sample works and character references.
Once you get an interview invitation, the next step is preparing for it. Practice how you would answer common interview questions such as “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “how do you respond to pressure?”
Browse your prospective employer’s website and employee reviews online to prepare questions as well, since interviews are a two-way street. For more job interview tips, read our in-depth guide: 7 Helpful Tips to Ace Your Online Interview.
3. Review the job offer
When you finally receive a job offer, thoroughly check your employment agreement regarding compensation, primary responsibilities, work hours, benefits, career development opportunities, and other key details. Ask a colleague to review the job offer, so you know which parts to negotiate with your prospective employer.
4. Settle your immigration documents
Getting a job in New Zealand is only the tip of the iceberg. The next step is preparing for your move abroad. First, apply for a work visa through a DMW-accredited agency. Once you’ve settled your legal and work documents, look for short- or long-term accommodations unless your employer states they’ll sponsor it for you.
Lastly, open a New Zealand bank account in advance to settle your finances easily once you arrive in the country and begin working.
5. Acclimate upon arrival
Once you settle in New Zealand, get an IRD number for tax filing purposes and a SIM card and an internet connection for daily communications. Get to know your neighbourhood and find Filipino communities to better adjust to your new environment and find friends who can make your stay more memorable and worthwhile.
Staffhouse is Your Reliable Headhunter for New Zealand
If you’re looking for work opportunities abroad, New Zealand should be your best bet. It has a strong economy, efficient healthcare and public transportation system, and low crime rate. So, what are you waiting for? Make your move abroad with the help of a reliable headhunter for New Zealand like Staffhouse International Resources.
As a DMW-accredited agency, we connect thousands of skilled and hardworking Filipinos to many work opportunities in other countries. Through us, you can rest assured that you’ll find a fulfilling and secure job abroad.
