Key Considerations
Ultimately, there are two types of people – those that are relocating for work and those who are moving without a job. When relocating for work, there needs to be thought around the ability to up and leave an established life, versus your career. The various aspects of housing, schools, family support and friends all need to be considered.Moving without a job is a bit more complex. Perhaps you are moving towns or even countries for lifestyle reasons, or a partner has found work in a new location. The ideal situation is to secure a role before arrival, but that’s not always possible without knowledge of the market or an established network in the area. This is where the help of a specialist recruitment consultant will prove invaluable, whether you’re looking to find a job before or after moving.
Making a Major Change
Some people see a move to a new location as a fresh start and consider a complete change in vocation. This certainly can be an option, however, companies tend to be risk averse and will usually look for people with proven skills in a specific area. For people that have made a big move such as those from overseas, adjusting to a new environment will already be challenging, so a complete career change becomes even more complex.If you’re looking to make a transition to a new profession/industry, we'd suggest sidestepping into a role at a similar level or starting in a familiar position to build credibility. Keep in mind that many employers prefer local experience, so it might be necessary to think about coming in at a lower level to get your foot in the door. Although, you shouldn’t consider a role that’s too low and undercut your expertise – for example, it would be better for a senior manager to apply for a middle management role, rather than a position in operations.
Another option is to take contract opportunity for a specific project where there is more focus on skills rather than cultural dynamic. This bridges the gap in local experience because the business isn’t being pressured to commit long term but obviously requires the ability to already work here.
The Importance of Networking
They say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” In reality, it’s really a combination of the two. When deciding how early to apply for jobs when moving, you often know very few people, so it’s important to be proactive and get yourself out there.One way to do this is by getting involved in community and sporting events, as well as attending regular networking opportunities. Look for industry-specific / business groups to build your contacts such as:
- NZPICS
- Priority One (Bay of Plenty specific)
- The local Chamber of Commerce
- You can also register to become a Chartered Professional Engineer.
Getting in touch with recruiters is another great way to network. If moving without a job is too daunting and you need to secure a role ahead of time, networking as soon as possible is even more important. Our advice is to give it at least three months, though this will also depend on other, personal factors.
OCG has consultants working multiple sites in both the North and South Islands so even if you are seeking work outside of Auckland we have the ability to assist.