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B Y A B H A R A O
Run a little faster , jump a little higher
Coming to a new country is fairly disorienting for a new migrant . With a shaky grasp of English and an even shakier grasp of the local culture , they are strongly disadvantaged in the job market .
The Advanced Career Planning Workshop organised exclusively during the Migrant News - Welcome to NZ Expo held nationwide , reaches out to the disenfranchised newcomers and gives them a step into the employment world .
In the course of the seminar , participants are led through CV and cover letter writing , searching for jobs through various media sources , interview strategies , employment contracts , and even Kiwi English .
Participants come in jaded , tired , and losing hope , but by the end of the seminar , they are more confident and prepared to face the real world .
Why is it so difficult to find a job ? A native Kiwi takes , on average , three months to find a job - this figure is exaggerated for migrants . Part of the problem , is that the jobs generated are often in very specific fields , such as senior hairdressers or yacht riggers .
Employers spend only seven seconds looking at one application , and the key is New Zealand experience and English communication skills . Applicants with little
or no experience , or poor English skills , are dismissed summarily .
The NZ Experience issue is akin to the chicken and egg problem . Without NZ experience , it seems impossible to get a job , but without a job , how does one go about gaining NZ experience ? A new migrant has to gain experience through a volunteer job - although it is difficult for a new comer to spend a few months without pay , the eventual returns are well worth it . They can also work through a contractor or a temp agency .
As for improving English , the new migrant needs to register with the local college or ESOL for classes . He or she also has to spend time outside talking with locals , and listening to the local radio and watching local television to try and improve their knowledge of English and its accent .
Another important , but often overlooked factor is presentation . Proper presentation is essential - whether in the form of a CV or cover letter , a telephone conversation , or in the shape of an interview .
They all need to be clean , neat , confident , and without excess . They have to show that the applicant is all there , and perfect for the job .
Not surprisingly , a large section of the job search seminars are devoted to this . Participants saw slides of
CVs and cover letters written by other people , and through discussion , decided what was and was not needed , such as age and residential status .
They need to have confidence when they answer the phone , and this confidence needs to be evident to the caller . While New Zealand is a fairly informal society , it is imperative to dress formally for a prospective job , for a well-dressed person shows preparedness .
A sensitive , but significant topic , is prejudice . Kiwis are , in general , friendly people , but an unfortunate number are prejudiced against migrants .
They may mistake lack of English as lack of knowledge , or poorly accented English as stupidity . They may also be acting out of fear , or self-protection of one ’ s jobs or interests . Some participants also believed that their dark skin worked against them . Since changes in attitude take a long time ; the best that one can do is to show their friendly face to society . This may convince any potential employer that your position is non-threatening , and even advantageous .
The seminars are as much lecturing as participation . All the participants actively involved themselves in discussions and exercises , and all of them like the interactive nature of the seminar .
The participants may be asked to complete assignments such as completing their CV or contact list , by
Education Booth at the ‘ Migrant News ’ Welcome to NZ Expo
searching through various sources for jobs . Each participant is given individual feedback on their exercises and provided contact names and numbers by the director of the program . Practical concerns like the Employment Relations Act and minimum wages are also discussed .
On the last day a little Maori culture may be shared with them .
The seminar was about finding a job , but it was not just about finding a job . Everyone was given confidence and faith in their abilities , strategies to overcome obstacles , hope to find the perfect job , and a few laughs .
Editor - The Advanced Career Planning Workshop is an upgraded version of the ‘ OrientatioNZ Job Search Seminars ’ run by Mel Fernandez since 1991 .
It was one of the first program ’ s of its kind designed specifically for newcomers .
Contact Mel at : migrantnews @ xtra . co . nz
More Settlement Support articles and videos at : www . migrantnews . nz