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Outlook > 2009 > July
Make the most of your skills
There are plenty of opportunities for skilled workers in New Zealand.
However there are differences between the job markets in the UK and New
Zealand and not all qualifications from the UK are recognised so it
pays to do your research before arriving.
Can I use my qualifications?
- Some New Zealand employers don't recognise or
understand foreign qualifications. You can get your qualifications
assessed by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). They
will tell you what level your qualifications are in New Zealand.
This will help you when applying for jobs as employers will understand
whether your qualifications are suitable.
- You might find that your qualifications are not what
is needed in New Zealand. You can add to your qualifications by doing
some extra study or training in New Zealand.
- Check if there is a professional body that can advise you on qualifications in your industry.
Previous experience
For some jobs, your experience will be useful wherever you work in the
world because the job is the same. For other jobs your experience might
not be enough because the job could be different in New Zealand. You
might need to add to your qualifications or start at a slightly lower
level. But most migrants find they catch up quite quickly.
- Search your job title in our jobs database. This will help you to understand the skills needed for the job.
- Read the stories of people in this job. This will help you to see if the job is like what you were doing back home.
- Be aware that jobs in New Zealand might have a different title from what you are used to.
What if my skills and qualifications are not enough?
- Are you are aiming for a job that is out of reach? Remember that you might have to take a lower level job and work your way up.
- Make an appointment to speak with a careers consultant. They can help you to identify skills you didn't realise you had.
- By getting help from a career consultant you might find out about jobs that you didn't know existed.
How important are English language skills?
English, Maori, and sign language are the official languages in New Zealand.
The level of language needed varies for different jobs but you need to
be competent in English to get along in all aspects of life, including
work. You should learn some English before you come to New Zealand.
Once you are here there are many courses available to help you further
improve your English.
Most migrants find that their English improves rapidly once they start
working in New Zealand, so the sooner you get into a job, the better.
Immigration New Zealand requires migrants to have a certain standard of English. To find out about this go to their website.
What if my work is too specialised to do in New Zealand?
This is often a problem. Be ready to take on a lower level job in your area.
New Zealand workplaces tend to be very hands-on. Even the manager of a
motor repair firm will get grease on their hands. Workers are also
expected to do a wider range of tasks than in many countries (where
enterprises are larger). In New Zealand this is known as being
multi-skilled.
Some things that you might want to think about are:
- Is there a more general job that you can do with your qualifications?
- Can you do a course or training to do a similar job?
- Would you consider doing a different job altogether? Some jobs allow you to train on the job.
- Could you start your own business?
- Could you benefit from some advice? Speak to one of
our career consultants by phone, email or face to face. They can talk
to you about your skills and how you can use them in different roles.
What if my qualification is too general?
- Identify the skills that you have from your qualification(s) and previous work.
- Think about how you can apply these skills in other jobs.
- Use our skill matcher to find job ideas that match your skills.
- Get your qualifications recognised so that you know what level they are.
- Speak to one of our career consultants by phone, email or face to face.
- They can talk to you about your skills and how you can use them in different roles.
How to add to your qualifications
Before you take on a new study or training course find out if it's really going to be useful.
- Find out what employers in your field are actually
wanting - walk in and ask questions related to the jobs they have in
their business and what qualifications and experience they look for. Do
not talk about or promote yourself - it could be that they like you and
hire you but don't make that your main aim.
- If you discover that you do need to get more
qualifications, find out if you can do a part - time course so that you
can also work.
- Registration bodies might advise you about how to improve your qualification.
What can you bring to the New Zealand workplace?
Foreign language skills are necessary in some organisations, especially
where the work is directly with people. Often you don't need to be a
qualified interpreter.
- For example, tourism operators, education providers,
banks, telephone call centres, prisons and courts, schools, libraries,
customs and immigration services, social service organisations, and
government agencies like Work and Income, Accident Compensation
Corporation (ACC), and NZQA all need people who are fluent in a foreign
language.
Your foreign language skills could make a difference in other jobs, even if the employer hadn't though of it.
- If you see a job that is close to what you could do,
offer yourself and point out that you have language skills that could
be a bonus for employers. This could be the crucial difference between
you and other applicants, especially where a company is importing or
exporting.
Businesses that employ a range of people are more varied and alive.
- Be proud of your cultural background. Point out that
you can bring fresh perspectives, new ways of looking at challenges.
Diversity is good for business.
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