Some additional tips for tier assessment interview

How will you find work ?

Answers:
a. Huge list of agencies & companies
b. Information about career advice – CVs, interviews, job hunting tips
c. Updated my skills
d. Made a few contacts in NZ
e. Decided it is best to emigrate first, then look for a job in our preferred area


Have you tried to find work ?
Two options:
a. Find a job, submit CV, go for interview, start over again
b. Find lots of companies & prepare for an intensive job search on arrival
Reasons:
---Uncertainty of when we’d get to NZ
---PR
---House sale
---Didn’t want to mess employers about

We've chosen option (b), and could back it up with a list of companies etc.


What obstacles to finding work might you encounter ?

Answers:
a. This rather stumped me because I automatically prepare for other options, so I don't notice the obstacles
I guess you need to consider whether you might have obstacles in your career.


What will you do to make settling OK ?

Answers:
a. With kids and a dog we’ll meet lots of new people – we do that a lot !
b. Playgroup and toddler club for our kids
c. My wife has a mums & toddler/baby group who meet in each others houses
d. New friends from work


Have you got family or friends in NZ, that will actually provide support ?

Answers:
a. No family, but forum friends. I'm naming no names, but people on here were mentioned
b. It's real support that matters. So you need solid help, like a place to stay, or help with something.


What research have you done ?

Answers:
a. I think you can guess my answers to that


Do you know what the cost of living is ?

Answers:
a. My cost of living calculator
b. You need to know what salary you can expect, and what you could accept if necessary in order to be able to survive.


What will you do if you can't find work. The wrong answer is "I will only do xxx, and so I'll just give up !".

Answers:
a. Look in other parts of NZ
b. Look for anything to do with computers !
c. You need to show that you are not going to only accept the job you think you 'deserve'. Flexibility and drive to get 'something' is I think the answer.

1) How are you going to apply your skills in NZ?
2) What do you think are the difficulties you'll encounter in finding work in NZ?
3) What challenges have you faced in your work in your own country?
4) Why did you choose NZ over other countries?
5) What made you decide to go to NZ?
6) What do you know about the living costs/labour market/climate in NZ? what you could accept in order to be able to survive.


LIVING COSTS:
House rental $160-250/wk depending on location and size
Electricity: $100-150/mo
Dining out: $10-30
Coke 1.5 litres: $2
Groceries: $280–350/mo

CLIMATE
Summer: Dec – Feb
Autumn: Mar – May
Winter: June – August
Spring: Sept - November


In what region do you want to settle in? Why?

3 main IT centers:
Christchurch – flourishing IT industry, located in the South Island, less crowded
Wellington – 2nd to Auckland in availability of IT jobs



Auckland – numerous IT companies; most crowded city in NZ with a population of 1M
Wellington – 2nd to Auckland in availability of IT jobs

Do you have contacts in NZ? If you have friends, what kind? How close are you? How often do you communicate? What level of support can they extend to you? Do you have their contact nos.?

What have you done, will do to prepare yourself for a successful settlement in NZ?

-sent resumes to various companies & recruitment agencies:
Sabre

My 2nd Tier Assessment INTERVIEW

SKILLED MIGRANT - SECOND TIER ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW


Principal Applicant:
Secondary Applicant:
APPLICATION NUMBER:

A. Employment Prospects

Employment Prospects Questions for the principal applicant

Can you tell me briefly about your current employment, skills and experience?

I am currently employed with one of the famous company engaged in waste water treatment. Our projects covers Asia, Europe, USA and other parts of the world and we have offices in Belgium, Germany, Hongkong, Thailand and the Philippines. I am a Senior Civil Engineer which is directly reporting to Engineering Manager. My main responsibility is to prepare conceptual and preliminary civil layout according to PFD’s, P&ID & Proposal. I am also doing drafting works using Autocad for Civil Guidelines drawing & piping layout & Isometrics.

In general, I have a very good skill in both drafting & design works in Civil/Structural jobs.
It involves 2D & 3D drawings, Steel A.R.C. Detailing, Bar bending schedule, cad management, server administration and site supervision.

What is your preferred occupation in NZ?

CAD Technician / Draughtsperson

• What do you know about opportunities to get work in (principal applicant’s preferred occupation) in New Zealand?

Through internet & web sites

• What resources have you used in your research?

Internet and referral


• Are there any shortages of your skills in NZ?

Yes

• Have you applied for any jobs or contacted any recruitment agencies? If not, then why?

Yes, I actually started applying for jobs last 2 years ago when my EOI has been selected from the pool and until now I’m still sending applications to prospective company’s and agencies.

• Are you aware of any professional associations for your area of work?
(What is the name and have you contacted them)?

Yes, I am aware of professional association in NZ , the Institution of Professional Engineers I New Zealand (IPENZ), but I haven’t contacted them yet.

What is the salary ranges for your preferred occupation in NZ?

Average of NZD43,000 per year



• What barriers do you think you might encounter in getting a job?
I don’t have New Zealand working experience

• If not successful in finding work in your preferred occupation, what would you do?
I am willing to start as junior position as long as it is relevant qualifications.

Have you ever worked in a different location or taken up a new career in a different occupation? (OR if you have never worked outside of your expertise before and you have to take up a different career in NZ)

Yes I’ve worked in different locations.

• What challenges did you face?

The main challenges you will be facing when working to other country is the culture and lifestyle of certain country.

• How did you deal with those challenges?

You have to study and familiarize the culture of a country where you will work so that when you are there, you will not be surprised and you already prepared.

• Would you do anything differently next time?
Yes, because I’m willing to face challenges as long as it concerns my advancement

B. Preparedness of Partner/Family

Preparedness of Partner/Family Questions

(Question for principal and partner)

What plans do you have to help you and your children (where applicable) settle in New Zealand?

Firstly, we have saved some money to sustain our stay in NZ until I can find a job. Secondly, we already established some initial agreements with my friend with regards to accommodation when we arrived but our agent is also willing to assist us and lastly, I will enrol my children to English training programs so that they will easily adjust in NZ.

• Have you looked into any voluntary work and/or community activities in NZ? (eg. Childcare, school involvement, service organisations)
No



In-home care, care by a family member and professional childcare centre’s



Yes, age 5 to 16



Parent – Teacher school association
Church Activities

• Do you think you will find adjusting to NZ easy or difficult?

I think in the beginning is difficult to settle but as long as my family is with me, I’m sure I can handle challenges.



• What similarities do you see between Philippines and NZ?
Family Values

• What differences are you aware of in NZ?

Weather


• Do you think your adjustment will be relatively quick or will it take some time?

Definitely it’s not that quick but my motivation is to settle immediately.

• Have you discussed whether your whole family will travel to NZ at the same time?

Yes, we agreed that we will go to New Zealand all together.

• Are you and your partner going to look for paid employment?

Yes but she will prefer a part time jobs so that she can still look after our children.


(If partner indicates they intend to work in NZ please complete the following questions):

Employment prospects for the partner

Secretarial works

• What is your educational background? (degree conferred, name of institution and date obtained)

Secretarial course

• Can you summarize your work experiences in the last 10 years (if applicable)?

I started as mere clerk way back 1997 and climb up to administrative officer to present

How do you intend to use your skills and experience in New Zealand? (What jobs do you intend to pursue at this time?)

Part time secretarial or cashier jobs.

• What do you know about opportunities to get work in (partner’s preferred occupation) in New Zealand?
That there a lot of job opportunities in New Zealand

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Yes, through internet



No. I haven’t



Average of NZD32,000

• What barriers do you think you might encounter in getting a job?
I don’t have working experience in New Zealand

• If not successful in finding work in your preferred occupation, what would you do?
I am willing to work anything as long as I can help to my husband

Have you ever worked in a different location or taken up a new career in a different occupation?
No
• What challenges did you face?


• How did you deal with those challenges?


• Would you do anything differently next time?

C. Familiarity with New Zealand

Familiarity with New Zealand Questions

What has motivated you to consider migrating to New Zealand at this time?
The economic situation of the Philippines motivated me to migrate to New Zealand and most of all my family, I want to give them a good future.

• Have you ever been to New Zealand?
No

• How long did you spend there?
N/A

• Where did you visit in New Zealand?
N/A

• When did you start to think about migrating to NZ?

Year 2002, when our family friend settles in NZ. He gave us some good information about NZ and we became interested to migrate.

• What preparations have you completed towards migrating to NZ since then?
Seek for a consultant and submitted all the necessary requirements

• Have you thought about where you might live?

Anywhere in New Zealand as long as I can get a relevant work but I prefer to settle in Christchurch where my friend lives.

• What attracts you to that area, eg climate, lifestyle, contacts, education facilities?

According to my friend Christchurch is not yet crowded and they have a good university for my children. The construction industry just started to boom so I will find a lot of opportunities.

• What do you think will be the difficulties you might encounter in settling in NZ?

Maybe I will be slightly affected with the weather and culture, although it is almost similar, there is still adjustment to be made.

• What are those things that you think you will have to adjust to if you live in NZ?

Weather and culture

• Please tell me your top three priorities for settling in NZ
1. Job opportunities 2. Good Health services 3. Free Education

• Do you have family members in other countries?

My wife has relatives living in USA

• Have you considered migrating to these countries?
No




D. Linkages and Support
Linkages and Support
(must include but are not limited to)

What kind of support do you expect from family/friends in New Zealand?
(for family and friends, determine background e.g. relationship, date of migration to NZ, family status, etc..)

Family:
Friends:
Agent:

• Level of ongoing contact with family/friends over the last 3 years
None

• Information provided eg. job, housing, schools, living costs

Info provided by family/friends/agent? Yes / no
Rental cost: NZD200 TO NZD300 A WEEK
Schooling cost: SUBSIDIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT


• Initial accommodation provided/offered?
• Assistance to find permanent accommodation / employment / schools
• What do your family/friends in NZ do?
N/A

We would like to contact your family / friends in New Zealand. Can you give me their contact details?

P.S.
Please read my personal journey to New Zealand here.