Share your stories as WHV holder in NZ?

[condoriano]

Hnd ko ineexpect na mag wowork ako sa NZ. Tamad ako ng college. May mga bagsak ako. Sinabit lang din ng officemates ko sa WHV. Wala ako idea then ako pa nakakuha slot sa amin, ayaw ko pang bayaran ung payment kc wala ako credit card pinahiram lang ako officemate ko and may prob sa passport ko ayaw tangapin ng system ung expiry date and hnd ko pa nakuha ung diploma and tor ko. Sinubmit ko ung requirements na puro letter lang na dun ako nagaral at grumaduate. 3 mos bago na approved whv ko. Before ako pumunta ng NZ nagpa IQA ako. Luckily level 7 comparable pa. After ng 3 technical interviews, 1 coding exam and meet the team nagka offer ako. 2 contracts binigay. 3 mos contract and permanent. Once na mapproved na wtr permanent na ako. Hnd pa ako nag start sa work pinag apply nko ng WTR and binigay na lahat ng kailangan ko para sa immig. Hindi natin masabi ang kapalaran. God is good

[teo]

Hey guys,

Just want to share my 2 weeks experience in NZ. I applied for LTSSL visa last year and lots of admin from this forum are helpful, i got my visa last march thank you!! anonimose, alunne and more!! I arrived in nz last may 2017 but after 2 weeks I went back to manila, super na home sick ako kasi this my first time to leave the family, ang konti pala ng tao sa christchurch and now nanghihinayang ako sa lahat ng preparation na ngawa ko is nabalewala.. i'm 50/50 na gusto bumalik what do you guys recommend? thanks


cons/pros in NZ vs MNL. Thanks (I live din manila btw where there are 1.7 million people)

[Sniff]

Hello teo Did you read the threads below during your preparation process? If yes then for sure one of those topics answers your question. If not then hindi nabalewala application mo kasi the expectation wasn't set at all.

Why i choose to stay in New Zealand
First Impression in New Zealand
Negative things about New Zealand
Settled in New Zealand

Christchurch is the 3rd largest city in NZ with only a bit of difference from other cities like welli and akl. If the laid back lifestyle and work life balance is not for you then you can just ask yourself is NZ is the right country for you.

Auckland, New Zealand -417,910
Wellington, New Zealand -381,900
Christchurch, New Zealand-363,926

Good Luck

[teo]

Sniff - salamat at na share mo to, binabasa ko ngayon at nakaka relate ako sa iba comments hehhe. sayang at hindi ko sya nabasa before i go to NZ do we have a thread on where to get cheap flights from manila to nz? parang 60% gusto ko uli bumalik hhehhe.. maraming salamat!

[schrodingersheart]

Hi, teo. Cheapest flights to NZ are AirAsia (lowest is at 20-22k) and Thai Airways (lowest is at 24k). I personally picked AirAsia cos I need the 40kg prepaid allowance but there was a recent news about a flight from Perth na nag-emergency landing. Sharing for your awareness lang.

[bloodshott]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to share my story on successfully converting my WHV to a WTR visa (Talented (Accredited Employer) Work Visa). I was a holder of WHV obtained last Feb 2017 and arrived in Wellington last August 21, 2017.


Flight details: Baggage (40KG); Air Asia (MNL-KUL-OOL-AKL, Price is ~Php18K, Travel time is 19hrs); Jetstar (AKL-WLG, Price is ~70NZD, Travel time is 1hr). My flight to WLG is early morning so I spent the night in AKL airport and left my luggages at SmartCarte for 23 NZD. At the AKL airport, I got my NZ simcard (Spark) for 29NZD (comes with 1GB data, ~200 mins calls and ~200 texts good for 1month). I used my mobile data to connect to the internet after the 45mins of free Wi-Fi in the airport.


I arranged my short term accommodation for 2 weeks last June 2017 prior to my arrival so I would have enough time to look for a long term one once I arrived in Wellington. I have two friends that are also coming in and we plan to look for a place where we can be flatmates or at least neighbors.


Accommodation details: Airbnb (Maungaraki Lower Hutt, Price is 25NZD/night, From 21Aug to 4Sept). After that we found a place in Karori, Wellington. One double room for my two friends (290NZD pw) and one single room for me (175NZD pw). We weren’t able to find two rooms in a single house so we settled for rooms in different houses.


Now my job hunting story begins. By the way, I’m focusing my story about the timeline of the company that hired me so you won’t be bored reading.


Two weeks before my flight (that’s 5 Aug), I applied to 10 job postings by a mix of recruitment agencies and direct companies where each of them is carefully studied so I can come up with a great, customized, and targeted cover letter. This is very crucial when applying for a position.


Two days after (7 Aug), I got a reply from a recruitment agency and talk about the schedule for a Skype interview. We agreed and were able to have an initial interview last 11 Aug. I passed the interview and got scheduled for another one (22 August) and this time with the actual company I’m applying for.


The interview took an hour and focused about my previous work experience, my plans here in NZ, and other non-work stuff. I got in touch with the recruitment agency and before the day ends, I was told that I passed the interview and will proceed with the next stage – The Technical Test.


The test is a programming exercise where I should showcase my coding style, design principles, and all other geeky stuff (I won’t elaborate further). I was able to complete the test and submitted it before the week ends (25Aug). About a week after (30 Aug) I got a confirmation from the recruitment agency that I passed the technical test and scheduled for a Technical and Team fit interview on 4Sept.


The technical and team fit interview took about 1.5 hours where I was interviewed by two developers and we walked through my solution while discussing about technical stuff. After that, I was interviewed by three more people with different positions in the company for the team fit. This is the final interview so the next step would be a Job Offer or a Sorry.


The next morning (5 Sept), the recruitment agency called me and said that I got the job! The next step is to send over the Job offer via email so I can have time to read it. Around the afternoon on the same day, I went to the recruitment agency’s office and signed the JO. I got a permanent job!


Since the recruitment agency that helped me find a job is proactive, they sent the character reference form to the referees I specified in my CV the weekend before my final interview (in case I got the job and fortunately I did!) and got all feedbacks by 6Sept. Another thing that is needed is a clearance from the Ministry of Justice which was taken care of the recruitment agency. After the character reference and the clearance from MOJ is obtained, my JO was countersigned by the department head (7Sept) of the company I will be working.


Now my visa application begins. Fortunately, the company that hired me is accredited by Immigration New Zealand, which means I can apply for the Talented (Accredited Employer) Work Visa. The requirements here are pretty simple: acceptable ID photo, passport, NBI clearance, general medical (went 7Sept, price is 370NZD, Life Clinic Wellington), JO, and the accreditation number of the employer.


By the way, x-ray is also needed but since I already obtained this for the WHV application, it is not necessary to have another on in my case. The medical results from Life Clinic are really fast since I got it the morning after (8Sept) confirming that I am basically healthy.


This is it, my requirements are complete! All documents are uploaded and submitted online (8 Sept). I paid 393NZD for the Immigration New Zealand fee.


I got an email from INZ that my application is received (11Sept) and I can track my application status online. Exactly 10 days after I submitted my application (18Sept), I got another email from INZ which is instructing me to view my account since they uploaded a document in my application. This is the document I’ve been waiting for and it contains my work visa details which is granted for 30 months!


I will start working on 2nd of October but my employer already gave me a great paid online training so I won’t be bored for the whole month of September. My start date doesn’t have anything to do with my visa application, there are other reasons completely unrelated to having WHV whatsoever, just to clarify in case you’re wondering.


Before I forgot, I am a Software Developer with 8 years of experience gained from our bayang sinilangan. My expertise are .NET development, software architecture and design, and team leadership. I mentioned this because I think my background helped me a lot in obtaining a Permanent Role here in NZ aside from luck and a lot of prayers.


To pay it forward, I am offering anyone with a free advice/feedback on how to make your cover letter and CV noticeable by employers. I’m not an expert on this one and did not have any formal training but we performed this exercise with my two friends and it really help improved the way we customize cover letters and CVs. My previous applications also helped me teach myself how to continuously improve on writing (I got a total of 28 applications overall, and only four of them replied to me to progress with an interview or an exam. The other 24 are either rejection letters or NR )


You can message me here in PK and let’s talk about the role you’re trying to apply for, the cover letter you initially crafted, and the CV you will showcase. Take note that there should be an existing cover letter, CV and obviously a job posting for me to have something to feedback on.


I would also like to thank the PinoyKiwi community in helping me gain knowledge on different aspects of what to know in New Zealand. Looking forward for more success stories in the future and please if you have anything to share, do post it!

[Smorelucks]

Ito naman ang storya ko:

• 08 Feb - nakakuha ako ng slot sa WHV
• 01 Mar - naapprove visa ko (yey!)
• March - July - Submit-submit lang ako ng mga applications online. May ibang dedma. May ibang rejected ako. Pero sige lang. Laban!
• 24 Jul - yung isang inapplyan ko, nag-email sakin ng technical test na kailangan ma-complete within 72 hours.
• 26 Jul - sinubmit ko yung code ko
• 01 Aug - nag-email sakin for first interview via Google Hangouts
• 03 Aug - first interview (whew!)
• 08 Aug - Technical interview na raw next. Since papunta na ko ng NZ sa August 22, sinabi na lang na sa NZ na gawin yung interview
• 21 Aug - arrived in Auckland. Nag-overnight lang ako sa airport kasi ang mahal kung magcheck-in pa sa hotel/airbnb
• 22 Aug - flight to Wellington. Medyo sabaw pa ko kasi di ako nakatulog ng maayos sa Auckland airport. After ko malagay gamit ko sa pinagstay-an ko (Newlands area), inactivate ko na ANZ bank account ko
• 24 Aug - technical interview. Kabado pero keri lang. Lakasan lang din talaga ng loob. Kinagabihan, nag-email sakin yung recruiter na okay daw naging result ng interview ko at team meet and greet na
• 25 Aug - team meet and greet. Sobrang informal lang pero naka-smart casual ako nun syempre interview pa rin siya kahit papano. Okay sila, cool so natuwa naman ako at mukhang natuwa rin sila. After ilang hours, tinawagan na ko ng recruiter at sabi okay na raw so next step na which is psychometric tests.
• 27 Aug - tinapos ko yung psychometric tests online
• 28 Aug - nanghingi na ng info for reference checks
• 31 Aug - job offer! (thank you, Lord!)
• 05 Sep - medical para sa WTR visa application. Since accredited employer yung papasukan ko, yung Talent: Accredited Employer visa yung inapplyan ko. Sinubmit ko na rin yung WTR visa application ko
• 07 Sep - nareceive ko na yung results ko at finorward na sa Immigration NZ yung results ko
• 11 Sep - first day ko sa work. WHV pa gamit ko.
• 12 Sep - approved na WTR visa ko! (yehey!)
• 17 Sep - nagsubmit naman ako ng EOI ko for SMC
• 20 Sep - selected na ang EOI ko. Hinihintay ko na lang yung result ng preliminary verification and sana magtuloy-tuloy na rin

Overall, 49 applications ang sinubmit ko. Apat lang dun yung nagconsider sa akin. Yung iba rejected ako or yun nga walang reaction. Yung company ko ngayon, dalawang beses ako nagsubmit ng CV sa kanila. Di nila pinansin yung una kong submission. Nung nakita kong open ulit yung position, nag-apply ako ulit at sinabi ko sa cover letter na gusto ko talaga sa company nila at binigay ko yung reasons kung bakit gusto ko magwork sa kanila. Napansin naman nila ako at yun nga dun na ko nagtatrabaho sa kanila. 

Pansin ko lang, gusto ng mga tao dito na honest ka sa mga skills at experience mo. Kung di mo alam, okay lang sa kanila yun basta ipakita mo lang din na willing ka matuto ng mga bagong technologies/skills. Sa mga behavioral interviews, okay yung mag-cite ka ng past experiences mo kung pano mo hinandle yung isang situation. Magandang gamitin yung STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) response technique.

Parehas kami ni bloodshott na .net developer at 8 years din ang experience. Ako rin yung isa sa mga friend na tinutukoy niya haha! So nagtulong-tulong kaming tatlo talaga pagdating din sa kung pano gawin ang cover letter at CV nung umpisa. May peer review na naganap nun so okay naman siya. Eventually, nagkanya-kanyang diskarte na rin kami.

Ang saya lang dito sa PK kasi ang dami ko ring mga nakuhang info. Isa akong dakilang lurker. Pero kung may tanong kayo, PM nyo lang ako. Shy type kasi ako eh. 

Kung naachieve namin yung mga gusto naming mangyari, sure na sure akong maaachieve nyo rin yung inyo. Kung may mababasa kayong mga nega, wag nyo masyadong iabsorb. Basta focus lang kayo sa goal nyo. Syempre make sure din na ienhance nyo rin yung current skills nyo para mas confident kayo sa interviews.   Aaand, kape. Effective samin ang kape bago ang interview.   Sa mga di umiinom ng kape, basta kung ano lang magpapa-alerto sa inyo sa interview para mas mabilis kayo sumagot. 

Sana marami pang magpost ng success story nila para mainspire din yung iba! Cheers!

[chatness]

 
That was fast! Congrats bloodshott!
Thanks for sharing.

[chatness]

 Hi blooshott,

 Wanted to message you re: how to make your cover letter and CV noticeable by employers , but cannot send you a message.
 Did you have to customize your resume/cover letter for the different job postings that you applied for?

 Will be flying to Wellington too by early next year and actively looking for a job. Would be a great help to hear your tips on the resume/cover letter writing NZ style.

[kengjames]

Hello! Nandito ako para magkwento ng karanasan ko. 

2016 ko nabalitaan yung WHV pero hindi ako nagising para makapag apply. 2017 may nagpaalala sakin, swerte, nagising nako. 

Bago ang lahat, eto muna ang background ko:

5+ years experience in IT as a Systems Adminstrator specializing in Microsoft Technologies
May konting background ako as a DevOps Engineer. Konti lang.

Okay game na.

Bago ako umalis ng Pilipinas, naghanap ako ng makakasabay. Nakahanap ako, si Jedd. Hi, Jedd! Nag-book kami ng AirBnb for a week habang naghahanap ng permanenteng tirahan. Suggestion ko na maghanap din kayo ng kasabay bago umalis, para makatipid. Lalo na kung less than $2000 NZD lang ang dala nyo (wag nyo akong isumbong sa INZ please) .

Hindi sabay yung flight namin at sa Wellington airport nalang kami unang nag-meet. July 28, 2017 kami lumapag ng Wellington.

First week, gawa ng bank account, kuha ng IRD (katumbas ng TIN sa Pilipinas), hanap ng malilipatan.

Nung huling araw namin sa AirBnb, may umampon samin ni Jedd na Pinoy, Si Ate Cristie at kuya Francis. Sinundo kami sa AirBnb namin at dinala sa bahay nila. Pinakain, pinatulog, pinasyal, binihisan (hehe loko lang). Long story short: ang bait nila. Salamat po sa rice cooker hihi.

Hinatid nila kami sa lilipatan namin - Hotel St. George. Single room na may dalawang kama. $160 per week. Nasa $320+ each yata ang binayaran naming bond at advance payment. Minimum ng 1 month stay. Pwede na.

Ayos sa HSG, nasa gitna ng CBD ng Wellington. Walkable ang mga tindahan, Mcdo, New World, Capital Market (may Pinoy food dito), etc.

Dumako tayo sa Job hunt. Kingina, olats haha! Ang dami kong pinasahan. Hindi namamansin...

Tagal magsireply ng mga recuiter, kaya hanap muna ng casual job. Lakad kami ni Jedd sa Cuba St., may mga opening na kitchen helper pero kailangan may experience. - Yare.

Mga ikatlong linggo namin sa HSG, may tumawag na recruiter, yes! Ininterview ako sa telepono, kingina ang lakas ng accent, hindi ko maintindihan! Mga apat hanggang limang beses ko pinapaulit yung mga sinasabi nya. Kapag naintindihan ko na, alam ko namn yung technology at may experience ako. Hindi na ulit ako tinawagan.

Habang nagaantay parin, hanap hanap din sa Internet ng mga oportunidad. Facebook groups, TradeMe, mobile apps. Nagdownload kami nung app na pwede ka magalaga ng pets. Nakalimutan ko yung pangalan. Nag download din ako ng Neighbourly - ayos may nakita akong opporunity.

May nagpost sa Neighbourly na kailangan ng kitchen hand sa isang hotel dun sa may harbour. Minessage ko yung nagpost at iniwan ko yung number ko. Kinahapunan, tinawagan ako at kung pwede daw ba akong pumunta kinabukasan para sa isang 'trial' - Parang OJT.

Kinabukasan, Miyerkules, punta ako kahit wala akong alam sa kusina haha. Pagdating dun, pinakilala ako nung magiging kasamahan ko, working holiday din pero taga Czech Republic. Tinuro nya yung mga uniform ng mga chef, staff, at kitchen helper. - Nagpalit ako. Pagbalik ko ng kitchen, langya, uniform pala ng Chef yung nasuot ko haha. Sablay agad.

Tatlong oras lang yung trial, pero napagod ako. Kailangan pala, mabilis ka. Hugas ng plato, kutsara, luto ng bacon, hiwa ng mushroom, etc.

Pagtapos nung trial, kinausap ako nung Chef. Kinuha number ko, tatawagan nalang daw ako hehe. Alam na this.

Kinabukasan, Huwebes (Aug 17, 2017), may tumawag. Yung inapplayan kong 5-week contract job pero Auckland based. Kinausap ako ng dalawang recruiter, di masyadong technical ang mga tanong. At interested sila kung gano ako kabilis makakapunta ng Auckland. Sabi ko "ASAP". Sabi nung recruiter "Okay, noted with thanks".

Aug 18, 2017, Biyernes, Nag email yung recuiter: REJECTED

Shet na malagket! Panong diskarte kaya gagawin ko? Mauubos na ang pondo ko, the time is ticking. Kaya pasyal muna sa Wellington. Okay sa Te Papa museum, Cable Car, Harbour, etc.

Pagpatak ng Lunes (August 21, 2017), nag email ulit yung recruiter na nag reject sakin nung Biyernes. In a surprising turn of events, gusto daw ako maintervew nung client company nila. Ininterview ako, pumasa, JO nung araw ding yon. Kaya daw ako nireject nung Friday kasi nasa Wellington daw ako, at urgent yung position. - Pakshet?

Bad news, kailangan ko magstart ng Wednesday, August 23, 2017. So kailangan ko ayusin yung flight ko, accomodation, at iwan ang kasama ko (Sorry, Jedd ). Good news, may pantawid gutom nako.

Lipad ako pa Auckland ng August 22, 2017. May nakuha akong AirBnb sa St. Heliers, ang mahal pero kailangan mong gawin ang mga kailangan mong gawin.

Ayos din pala sa Auckland. Matataas ang mga building parang Makati lang. Sa Wellington, mabababa lang at compact yung city. Ang cute.
Sa Wellington din maraming small-medium businesses. Yung tipong 1-50 employees na kumpanya. Bihira ang multinational company. Sa Auckland naman, daming malalaking kumpanya at mga franchise ng mga fastfood chains. Sa Wellington, meron din nito, pero mas marami talaga dun ang mga local businesses.

Sa Quay St. yung trabaho ko. Okay naman. Nahihirapan padin akong intindihin sila.

Dalawang linggo nako sa trabaho ko nung nag-text yung Chef dun sa hotel hehe. Tinatanong ako kung interested pa daw ba ako. Sabi ko nasa Auckland nako. 

Pagtapos ng isang buwan, may tumawag. Isa sa mga inapplayan ko nung nasa Wellington pa ako. May mga ganyang kumpanya , tagal magprocess. Permanent post at sa Auckland yung role. Sumakto, nasa Auckland nako. Makakaharap ko sila one on one. Inischedule nya yung "informal" interview kasama yung team lead at isang systems engineer. Hindi ko alam kung bakit "informal" pero nagkurbata ako. Nirequest kong iischedule bandang lunch time kasi walking distance lang sa pinapasukan ko. Pagditing sa opisina nila (Sept. 11, 2017), lumabas kami. Dinala ako sa coffee shop, nilibre ako nang kape. Tinanong ako ng mga personal na mga tanong:

• Ilang kayong magkakapatid?
• Nasaan ang pamilya mo?
• Bakit ka nagpunta ng NZ?
  
• Anong trip mo sa buhay?
• etc.

Walang technical.

Naguluhan ako kung bakit ganun yung mga tanong. Tatlong linggo akong nagantay.

Nung nag email, iinterviewhin daw ako ng technical at culture fit. Dahil, isang oras lang ang break ko, pina-split ko yung interview sa dalawang araw: unang araw - technical, pangalawang araw - culture fit.

• Technical Interview (Oct. 2, 2017) - Mga labing dalawang tanong, dalawa yung hindi ko nasagot kasi hindi ko alam.
• Culture fit (Oct. 3, 2017) - Bad trip ako sa mga ganitong klaseng interview pero kasama sa proseso. Daming tanong mga situational.

Kumpyansa naman ako sa mga pinagsasagot ko. Hintayin natin ang resulta.

Hindi ako tumigil kaka apply kahit may temporary job nako. Pero ngaun, hindi nako nag aapply sa mga contractual. Permanent roles nalang inaapplyan ko. Ganun pa din kadalasan: REJECTED

May tinawagan akong recruiter, sa Christchurch yung role. Nung nagkausap kami, masaya sya sa skillset ko. Inindorse nya ako for Skype interview. Ininterview ako thru Skype, pumasa. Pinapalipad nila ako sa Chrischurch para sa face to face interview.

Habang nagiintay ng flight details dun sa kumpanya sa Christchurch, kinausap naman ako ng boss ko sa current company ko. Ineextend yung contract ko at gusto daw nila ako offeran ng permanent role. Tinanong nya kung interested ako. Sabi ko "Of course". Wala pa naman akong JO sa ibang kumpanya.

After a week (Oct. 9, 2017), tinawagan ako nung kumpanya na pina-kape ako at iniinterview ako tuwing lunch time ko. Sabi "Okay tanggap ka na". Nice ayos na. Binigyan ako nang isang linggo para tanggapin yung offer. Di ko muna tinanggap. Hintayin ko muna yung kinahihinatnan ng interview ko sa Christchurch.

Lipad naman ako ng Christchurch ng Wednesday (Oct. 11, 2017) ng gabi galing trabaho. Sagot nila yung flight sakin ang accomodation at airport transfer. Okay din sa Christchurch. Parang Wellington na mas kaunti ang tao. Mabababa lang din ang mga buildings, dami pa ding construction. May mga abandonadong building dahil nasira nung lumindol (2010?).

Sa interview (Oct. 12, 2017), hindi talaga sya interview kasi wala naman tanong sakin. Ako ang kadalasan ang nagtatanong about sa role. Sila ang nagsasalita about sa role, sa company, sa team, company benefits, etc. Dami kong tanong kasi gusto kong maintindihan mabuti yung role.

Pagtapos ng interview, alam ko nang hindi ko kukunin yung role kaya kinausap ko agad yung recruiter.

Pagbalik ng Auckland, pinirmahan ko agad yung JO sa kabilang kumpanya. Di ko muna sinabi sa boss ko na aalis ako habang hindi pa inaacknowledge ng recuiter yung acceptance ko.

Nung ayos na, dun na ako nag resign. Medyo nahiya ako sa current employer ko nun kasi nag agree ako na interested ako dun sa current role ko. Medyo nagtagal lang sila nagbigay ng JO kasi pina apbrubahan pa yung additional headcount.

Nag-research ako online tungkol sa visa options ko. Ayos! Accredited Employer pala yung lilipatan ko.


Tinatamad nako magsulat kaya eto nalang yung timeline ng visa application ko:

Oct 9, 2017 - Job offer para sa permanent role
Oct 14, 2017 - Medical (walang x-ray, di na kailangan kasi valid pa yung sa WHV). Victoria Park Medical Suites - $205
Oct 19, 2017 - Results
Oct 20, 2017 - Lodge WTR Visa Application (Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa) - $400?
Oct 30, 2017 - Email from INZ. Mag login daw ako may inupload daw silang dokumento. Pasuspense pa pero yun na yung visa.


tl;dr:
- Maghanap ng kasabay kung maaari
- Mahal dito dala ka ng maraming pera
- Nag land ako ng July 28. Nagka Job Offer for a permanent role October 9
- Magset ng goals at expectations. Ang nasa isip ko: kung hindi man ako makahanap ng trabaho, ibig sabihin, hindi pa sapat ang skills ko. Uwi ako ng Pilipinas at iimprove ang skills ko. Masaya naman ako sa mga na experience ko dito
- Maraming mababait na Pinoy dito kasi alam nila yung mga pinagdadaanan natin. Nahirapan din sila nung simula
- Mas maraming IT company sa Pilipinas kesa dito. Sa Pilipinas, sampu o benteng QA, systems engineer, etc ang kailangan ng isang kumpanya. Dito madalang yung ganun.
- Piliting makahanap ng temporary job pagdating. Para may pantawid gutom.
- Nakasalalay ang buhay mo sa cover letter at CV. Copy paste mo yung nasa job posting, i-modify, at ilagay sa CV. Syempre dapat alam mo talaga gawin yung nasa job posting ah.
- Maghanda sa accent nila
- Almost 200 job application ata ang naisubmit ko
- Pansin ko dito, kapag tinawagan ka ng isang kumpanya or recruiter, eh interesado talaga sila sa'yo. Malamang, marami na silang na filter out kaya galingan sa interview.
- Conservative ang mga tao dito pagdating sa katrabaho. Gusto nila yung okay na katrabaho. Sa Pilipinas kasi, priority ang skills. Hindi masyado kinoconsider yung ugali. Dito, pantay lang. Pansin nyo, yung mga last posts dito may mga "culture fit" na interview?
- Tyaga lang
- Tiwala sa itaas

[meowza]

Hello! Ako ung pangatlong kasama nila bloodshott at @smorelucks. Ngayon lang ako makapagshare ng story ang dami kasi crazy sad things nangyari lately. Pero by God's grace, tuloy parin ang laban ko dito sa NZ.

Late January 2017 nung nalaman ko ung tungkol sa Working Holiday Visa ng NZ. As in a few days lang before mag-open ung application. Nung una, hesitant pa ako mag-apply. Kasi nga, pang temp jobs lang ang pwede applyan. And hindi ko pinangarap na magholiday ng 1year (madami ako bills na binabayaran!). Pero since may kasama ako mag-apply (di ko pa alam na mag-apply din sila bloodshott at @smorelucks nun!), nag try pa rin ako. Unfortunately, hindi nakakuha ng slot ung kasama ko dapat mag NZ. So super sad ko and natakot na ako tumuloy. Pero through sa common friend namin, nalaman ko na nakakuha din pala slot sila @bloodshoot at @smorelucks. So nabuhayan ako ulit ng loob and pinush ko ung pagcomplete ng requirements. 15calendar days lang kasi ang allowance ko para magpasa ng requirements, and kahit isa dun wala ako. So pabalik-balik ako sa school ko (PUP Sta.Mesa) para magrequest ng mga school docs at nanghiram sa parents at friend pang show money sa bank. 2 days after magsubmit ako docs, naapprove na agad ung WHV ko. Super saya ko nun, syempre parang ang bilis lahat ng pangyayari.

Ang original plan ko is Feb 2018 pa umalis, kasi nga mag-ipon pa ako ng pera pangbaon ko sa NZ. Btw, 6yrs na ako nagwwork, same kami ng pinagttrabahuan nila bloodshott at @smorelucks. NET Software Developer din ako. Okay naman buhay ko sa PH, stable yung work, maganda yung company, okay yung income. Pero nagstruggle talaga ako sa work-life balance. Halos 80% ng buhay ko nasa office ako. Though ineenjoy ko naman stay ko sa office kahit late na, dumating ako sa point na naburn out na ako and wala na ako motivation masyado sa work. Nagtry na ako mag-apply sa ibang company sa PH (ok naman yung offer saken nun) kaso nung nagsabi ako sa manager ko, feel nya di ako ganun kadecided magresign. HAHA. Naiiyak kasi ako nung nagsabi ako sa kanya, and nung sinabi ko nabibigatan na ako sa workload, sinabi nya na ireassign sa iba tasks ko. So di ko na tinuloy magresign. Kaso di nagtagal, di pa rin ako motivated magwork so naisipan ko na talaga lumipat.

So nung naapprove na visa namin tatlo, naggawa kami ng checklist ng "Things to do before you leave, when you arrive, after you get there". Basta nakaplano na kami na maghahanap kami ng flat, then permanent na work (medyo lumakas loob namin nung nabasa namin na nasa LTSSL ang skills namin), then magconvert to Work Visa and ultimately, to Resident Visa na.

Madami kami mga binabasa nun para makakuha ng idea at strategy bago pa dumating sa NZ. Naggawa kami list ng mga companies na gusto namin apply-an (syempre yung mga sikat at accredited lang ung alam namin), technologies na need pag-aralan, pano magcreate ng CV na swak sa NZ, pagsulat cover letter, pati bank account na iopen, pano magapply IRD, library card, transpo cost, groceries, mga gamit na dadalhin, saan specific places sa NZ ang target (top 3 locations un), nagcontact ng mga recruiters, pati ung exchange rate ng NZD to PHP ni-monitor namin starting April para malaman namin kung kelan sya bagsak at dun kami magconvert ng pera.

I could say na swerte din kasi magaling magplano ung dalawa kong kasama, and masipag kami lahat magbasa. So imbes na Feb 2018, na-move to Aug 2017 ang target date namin. April pa lang nagsabi na din kami sa mga managers namin na balak namin magresign ng ganung timeframe kasi nga magtry kami sa NZ, at para manotify din agad management namin para di overloaded ung maiiwan naming team sa tasks at hindi rin sila magipit sa paghabol ng deadline.

Starting April, nagstart na rin kami mag-apply sa mga jobs na nasa seek.com. Kanya-kanyang apply na kami nun. Nung mga una, wala pumapansin. So nirerefine ko pa CV and cover letter ko. And nung naging maayos na, medyo maswerte din kasi may ilang mga companies na nagentertain. May nagpa exam sa akin nun na employer (Auckland), kaso di ako pumasa. Pero oks lang kasi at least may nagentertain. Then may recruiter din sa Hudson na nakipag Skype interview sa akin nun. Sabi nya maganda daw skillset ko and ang advice niya is sa Wellington na lang ako pumunta, wag sa Auckland (dahil mataas daw competition sa Auckland since yun yung default puntahan ng migrants). So sinabi ko kina bloodshott and @smorelucks yun and napagdecide-an namin na Wellington ung target naming lugar sa NZ.

Nung time na magbook na kami ng flights namin (kanya-kanya din), imbes na Aug, Sept ung binook ko. Iniwasan ko winter and yung Sept1 flight nakita ko kasi pinakamura nun sa AirAsia (as in nasa 8K lang base fare). Mga 2weeks before umalis, nag-apply ako dun sa "dream company" ko. After a week, nagreply sila and binigyan ako ng code exam. Di ko muna ginawa, nag-aral muna ako pano mag MVC/ASP.NET and WebAPI (since di ko masyado nagamit yan nung nagwwork ako sa previous company ko). Nagcontact din sakin nun yung isang recruiter (FindIt) and nirefer nya ako sa 2 companies nun, so nakaschedule na ako ng 2 interviews sa week ng pagdating ko sa Wellington.

Nung dumating ako sa Wellington, may nahanap nang flat sila @smorelucks (so dun na din ako magsstay). And may nakuha na din sila job offer nun. Ang bilis! So ako, medyo nagchillax na lang muna ako, after nung week nung 2 interviews ko, saka ko lang ginawa yung code exam para dun sa "dream company" ko. So may 3 active applications agad ako nun. Syempre di naging smooth ang flow ng job hunting ko (lalo na nung first month). Yung "dream company" ko tumawag sakin and sabi pasado ako sa code exam, tinanong ako ng schedule ng interview and dun ko lang nalaman na sa Auckland branch pala ako nag-apply. Ang sabaw ko nun! So nireject ko, kasi sa Wellington ko gusto magstay. Sabi nila oks lang daw iforward nila sa Wellington office nila application ko, since may opening din sila dun ng same role na inapplyan ko. Then yung isang company naman, nagbigay din sakin ng code exam, 1week ko sya ginawa. Medyo nahirapan ako dun, pero nung nasubmit ko na, pasado din and nainvite pa ako sa 2 further interviews (initial, tas technical). Yung isa pang company, 1 interview session lang sya pero medyo matagal (technical at behavioral) na. Hinihintay ko tawag ng "dream company" ko kahit nagpprogress na application ko sa ibang companies kaso wala. So nung last week ng Sept, nag-apply na lang ako sa Wellington branch nila mismo ng Developer na role, and then tumawag yung dalawa pang other companies na inapplyan ko, parehas rejected ako. May nahanap daw sila na mas fit yung experience kesa sa akin. Sad

Nung October, nagsubmit na naman ako madaming applications. Basta nittry ko na at least 3 yung active applications ko (as in yung nainterview ako or binigyan ako ng code exam). Ni-refer din ako ni @smorelucks sa office nila, so may code exam (pasado ulit) and technical interview din (di na ako nakapasa dito). Yung ibang mga inapplyan ko, naiinvite ako lagi sa interview, and magtake ng exam kaso puro rejections din sa dulo. So medyo kinakabahan na ako nun. Iniisip ko na maghanap na lang muna ng part time job kasi nauubos na din pera ko and umuwi na muna sa Pinas ng Dec tas balik nlng kapag Feb na. Niadvice nila @smorelucks and bloodshott na wag muna, magconcentrate pa rin ako sa paghanap ng permanent job. Basta sila nagpalakas ng loob ko nun. Tinulungan din nila ako maghanap ng mga ma-applyan pa.

Then nung early October din, after ng madaming rejections, nagreply na yung "dream company" ko. Same code exam pinasagutan saken, since nagawa ko na sya before, sinabi ko na yung nagawa kong code and okay din sila, naschedule ako ng technical interview (pasado, wee!) then team fit interview (pasado ulit) and then lastly ung interview sa manager. Pasado rin. Super saya ko nung tumawag yung recruiter ng company na tanggap na ako sa position na inapplyan ko, iwait ko na lang daw yung offer. Mga 1week after nung call dumating yung Job Offer, ni require ako magapply Work Visa before magstart ng work and since accredited sila, ung WTR:Talent Accredited Employer Visa yung inapply ko. Nishare ko sa ibang thread dito sa PK yung naging experience ko sa visa application. Na-approve din sya and nakapagstart na ako magwork Super saya ko and thankful ako kay God lalo na before ako magstart magwork, may sobrang malungkot na nangyari sa amin sa PH Pero gaya nga ng sabi ko, tuloy pa rin ang laban!


So ang tips ko naman:
*Magplano mabuti before umalis. Alamin mo ano ba end goals mo. Magholiday ka ba? Maghanap casual jobs? Or gamitin ang WHV as initial pathway mo to residency sa NZ? or combination ng lahat? (ika nga, Begin with the end in mind!)
*Magbasa (as in gawin mong facebook or dyaryo yung pinoykiwi, blogs about NZ, pati NZ Herald para masanay ka sa Kiwi Accent, seek, INZ, nzcareers, etc)
*Be ready (mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually). Mahirap malayo sa family and sa mga mahal mo sa buhay. Mahirap yung tatahakin mong path, since blurry ang future. Minsan mapapatanong ka kung worth it ba talaga iwan ang comfort zone mo. Pero kung may solid strategy ka, alam mo dapat mo gawin, alam mo kung ano ung ginagawa mo, and most especially tiwala kay God, tingin ko kakayanin mo ang lahat.
*And lastly, wag na wag magjogging kapag kakadating mo palang sa Wellington! Lalo na kung di pa summer. Nilagnat ako nun mga 1week. Buti na lang may baon ako mga biogesic.

So goodluck sa lahat ng nagbabalak gawin yung ganitong path. Thanks din sa PK community dahil dito madami kami nakuhang tips and stories about sa NZ.

Cheers!

[Ano ni Moose]

meowza I enjoyed reading your post, it sounded like you're someone with the right attitude, expectation and skills so I'm not surprised you landed yourself a job in NZ.

I wish you luck working your way to residency/citizenship.

Ano ni Moose

[bloodshott]

Nice! Keep the sharing flowing everyone! For sure may mga nakasecure na ng permanent role and mejo busy pa sa pag aasikaso ng kung anuman but please find time to post your story!

PS: I'm still open in helping anyone if you need help with your CV and cover letter. Na-pm ko na si ch4t, just an FYI sa thread na to. Mukha kong snob kasi di ako nagreply publicly haha.

[supportiveGf]

Very inspiring ang stories nyong magkakasama bloodshott
Question, bakit pala naisipan nyong umalis na within 2017? at di muna kayo naghintay ng ika next year para umalis?
Mas madami ba opening sa month na napagdesisyunan nyong umalis? I don't know kung may thread na about sa "hiring season" ng NZ kasi balak namin Feb 2019 umalis.
Kung okay lang din pwede makahingi din ng tips for the cover letter at CV? Salamat ng marami

[bloodshott]

PM sent supportiveGf

[joma]

Feb 22, 2018 22:11:18 GMT 12 bloodshott said:

PM sent supportiveGf

Sir bloodshott pwedeng makahingi din ng tips sa pag gawa ng cover letter and CV?

[ariyo]

@bloodshot. pwede rin ako pa pm? kasi di ko po kayo ma pm. thanks po

[ModM]

@ariyo and kimba thread on WHV success stories here

[ariyo]

Ganda ng mga success stories na nakalagay talaga dito. Kahit ulit ulitin mo ang pagbasa, nakaka inspire talaga haha sana someday makalagay rin ako ng success stories ko dito. Hopefully (y)

[jektorio]

Nice story mga ka whv na naka working visa na.

[jektorio]

Sir bloodshott pm po kita pra makahingi din ng tips for CV and Cover Letter

[kawhileonard]

Hello,

Isa akong lurker sa website na ito this past years, hoping na makapunta ako sa New Zealand. Magshashare ako ng success story ko para mainspire din iba at mkmind set ng "hirap" sa buhay dito.

Background check, isa akong college teacher sa Pinas for 6 years, although ang bachelor degree/masters degree ko eh sa Graphics/Animation. Dumating sa point na naburn out na ako sa pgiging teacher at the same time, gusto ko din ng better future. Noon palang, dream ko na ang New Zealand, pero parang ang laging paraan na advertised eh student visa. Wala akong pera for that pathway kaya ngresearch talaga ako ng other possible pathways.

Una kong nahanap eh Silver Fern Visa, pero wala pa akong passport during pgkuha ng slot for Silver Fern Visa 2016 (November 2016). Olats. Nagresearch uli ako. Timing dumating passport ko ng December 2016 tapos ang closest visa option eh Working Holiday 2017 (February 2017). Alam kong medyo suntok sa buwan makakuha ng slot since 100 lng per year at kalaban ko ang lahat ng Pinoy passport holders (around the world!) na nag aaspire makapunta ng NZ. Pero hindi ko malalaman sagot kung hindi ko ittry.

Sa isang computer shop ako nagpa-umaga para sa makakuha ng slot. Naka globe tatoo lng kasi ako sa boarding house. haha. Tapos pag open ng slot (5:00am PH Time), nag hahang na ang website. Nag-ccrash. Hopeless na kasi tumatakbo ang minuto pero laban lang. Pero pgdating ko ng payment page, saktong crash uli ung webpage. Gusto ko na umuwi kasi antok na ako at may pasok pa akong 7:30am pero sabi ko, laban lang. And after longest seconds of my life, boom nkasecure ng slot! Mga 5:45am dumating confirmation sa email ko. Medyo lutang pa ako pumasok sa work pero sobrang saya ko nun. Fast forward, naaprove visa ko mid-March 2017.

Dumating ako ng New Zealand, August 2017. I am blessed na may kamag anak ako kaya malaking tipid, although ngshashare padin ako sa expenses though maliit lang. Sa job hunting naman, habang wala pa akong nkukuhang work na related sa field ko (teaching/graphics/animation), ngwork ako sa restuarants bilang kitchenhand (tagahugas, tagaprepare ng foods,tga slice ng ingredients, minsan waiter din). Sobrang hirap! haha, dapat mabilis ka kumilos kasi literal na gabundok ang hugasan. Pero okay syang experience, madami ako natutunan sa kusina, busog ako laging umuuwi ng bahay kasi libre at madami ang foods sa restaurant at mas naging confident akong mkiusap sa mga tao).  Naging personal gardener din ako ng isang Kiwi. Pero ntest ang determination and faith din during those times. May pailan ilan akong nkukunang interviews na related sa field ko. Merong sa graphic designer, multimedia designer, animator, lecturer sa isang university dito sa NZ, lecturer sa isang polytechnic school at lecturer uli sa isang private school dito. 6 interviews ata bumasted sakin. Almost 200 CVs na ang nasubmit ko, tapos parang breakfast ko nlng ang rejection emails.haha. Ayaw ko na idetalye kasi bad memories.haha. Saka ang hirap kasi kalaban ko mag apply eh mga citizen na, residents, or regular work visa holders. Ang ibang company, once malaman na Working Holiday Visa holder, hndi na ako ine entertain. Naghihigpit din ang immigration. Dun palang talo na ako.

Feb 2018. Six months lumipas ng pgiging kitchenhand/gardener, and natawag ulit ako for an interview. Graphic Designer role. As usual, ngready ako, etc. Nung nakaharap ko ung employer, he made me aware na may 7 applicants na residents/citizens na iinterviewhin nila. Takot din sila baka at the end, madeny work visa application ko eh sayang ng training ska offer ng ibibgay nila sakin kung aalis lng ako in next few months. Sabay tanong sakin, "why we should choose you?" Kasi sabi nila less hassle kung ichochoose nila ung wala ng problem sa visa. Nanigas ako sa tanong pero sabi ko nlng, "if you will give me a chance, i will commit long term, like what I did in my previous company in Philippines." Lumiwanag mukha ng employer. Naimmpress din sya sa credentials, skillset at english ko daw. Sabi nya, iinform nya ako ng result after few days once mainterview pa ung ibang applicants at magdeliberate. At 3 days after, tinawagan ako. dalhin ko daw lahat ng printed article about sa Immigration, anu process sa work visa, etc. Once daw maintindihan nya ung process at okay sa kanila, he will offer me the job on same day. Parang totoo na talaga.

Nung pumunta na ako sa office to present the immigration papers, okay naman. Supportahan nya daw ako sa work visa application. Pero he will give me first a one week fully paid trial sa work. i-aassess kung magustuhan ko ung work at magustuhan nila ako. Kung hndi ako mgustuhan, goodbye. After a week, kinausap nila ako, tinanong ako kung gusto ko ung work, sabi ko OO shempre.haha, tapos happy naman sila sa performance ko kaya, OFFICALLY hired na ako. He will give me the supporting immigration documents in next few weeks. Halos maiyak iyak ako sa harap nina boss habang tumatawa lang siya.haha, ambait nya.

After few weeks, nabigay na ni boss ung mga forms/letters kelangan ko for visa application. Nag apply ako ng Essentials Skills Work visa, medyo ntraffic kunti sa medical assessor and finally, APPROVED na ung visa just this June 2018, 3 years validity. Ngflash back ung memories ung mga job rejections, failed interviews, almost-success interviews, ung hirap sa pgiging kitchenhand at gardener(may mga times na talagang gusto ko ng bumitaw at mgbook na ng flight pauwi). Pero sabi ko sarili ko, ilalaban ko to hanggan sa huli. At this moment, hindi ko padin fully ma absorb na approved na visa ko.haha

Share ko lng kunting timeline ko:

Feb 2017 - WHV slot secured
Mar 2017 - WHV approved
Aug 2017 - Arrived in NZ
Feb 2018 - Job offer
Mar 2018 - Job Start
Apr 2018 - ESV lodged
Jun 2018 - ESV approved (3 years validity)
In next few weeks, mag apply na ako ng EOI for residency.

Sa mga nag aaspire na mgwork at manirahan sa NZ, magbaon ng madaming lakas na loob (at pera! mahal cost of living dito), tiwala sa Diyos and make sure na you stay competitive sa field ninyo. Sa isang job posting, kadalasan 100+ applications narereceive ng employer tapos pipili lng sila ng around 5-6 applicants to interview, kaya mahirap talaga makakuha work, even interview. Ang iba ngang job posting eh for formality nlng pero un pala eh nkreserved na sa isang applicant na nahire na ng company beforehand. Magiging mahirap pero habang naniniwala kayo na worth it ang NZ dream, ilaban ninyo hanggan sa huli.

Hanggan sa muli, paalam!

kawhileonard

[SilverBoni]

Wow that was really good kawhileonard, thanks for sharing.

I really need that kind of post, motivational. Two weeks palang ako dito sa Wellington at ramdam na ramdam ko na ang challenges (weather, cost of living, hirap ng paghahanap ng work, loneliness and boredom, etc.).

[allune]

kawhileonard Congratulations!

Did you sign an agreement prior to commencing your “one week trial”?

[kengjames]

Congrats kawhileonard! Ako nga pala si kengjames. May chismis na baka maging magkakampi tayo ngayong taon.

[charcharbinks]

WHV Batch 2018 checking in!

Short BG: I work in advertising AKA Digital Designer (ATL/BTL, SEO background din) in Singapore for 5 years.

Feb - 5:05AM pa lang ata ubos na slot, nakakuha ko 5:04. instant approval nung pinasa ko na docs (less than 1hr) kasi online na lahat.

March - April - Quit my job in SG, umuwi na sa Pinas, nag-travel, nag-mukmok, everyday self-doubt, anxiety attacks etc. I reached out to about 15 WHV people who dont know me to calm my nerves, at literal tinawagan ko pa un iba sa phone. lol


24 Apr - Arrived in Auckland, got my bank acct and IRD, looked for a flat, nagmukmok ulit, lots of panic attacks, nag H&M and Zara-spree (sa may Sylvia Park ko nakatira lol) para hindi ma-depress. Sent CV to arnd 10 direct employers. there were not enough jobs that exactly matched my experience--a lot of the openings had very specific requirements (exp in UX dev, fashion, pre-press etc) na hindi ako qualified. I had 3 interviews lined up the ff week (recruiter and 2 direct, pero di ko na napuntahan si recruiter):


2 May - Interview with Company A in Britomart! I knew i failed cos the interviewer was so handsome i got flustered lol. Nalaman din nila ung specific restriction ng Philippine WHV (most countries dont have the 3-month rule)


3 May - Phone screen with Company B for a temp job. Sabe ng hiring manager, she worked in SG from 2013-2017 (halos pareho kame😂) and kaka-balik lang nila sa NZ. Was offered a 3 month contract the next day. After finishing reference checks that Friday, I started Tuesday


During my temp job, I was invited to 2 interviews. Di ko napuntahan yung isa kasi sa Hamilton, but I ended up with an offer from the other one by first week of August, and on the same week inoffer din sakin yung permanent ng current temp job ko. I honestly didn’t think I’d get this far in my field and not being in IT made me think na uuwi ako sa SG hahahaha (ok lang naman). May problema sa medical exam ko, all 3 of them had slightly elevated values but the last one showed the best results so the doctor just marked all abnormalities insignificant and can be treated w/ a lifestyle change. While waiting for my visa to get approved tumunganga muna ako..shopping shopping. Lol

Tip: ayusin ang CV at cover letter kasi dito naka-salalay buhay mo. Magpa-full medical pag inapply nyo yung WHV nyo (3 years validity pag kasama inapply sa WHV, fyi). Sising-sisi kami na di namin ginawa earlier, para pag may problema hindi stalled yung work visa application at ma-correct kagad

Naalala ko January 2018 ata nalaman na may Working holiday scheme tayo w/NZ, tas nahanap ko itong WHV stories thread. feels surreal that a couple of months later ako magsshare. Dont hesitate to PM me if may tanong kayo about the process of getting a permanent job. Pays to prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised when it works out well.

I’d like to say thank you to batch 2017 people: bloodshott for helping me refine my CV last feb.. kundi dahil sayo siguro ngayon tulala parin ako, kengjames for entertaining my questions on Reddit, and @superleanne din for talking to me on FB!

----

Summary:

24 Apr - Arrived in Auckland

08 May - first day of work (3-month temp role related to my work)

1st week Aug - Job offers!

10 Aug - Lodged ESV app. 11 working days ung processing time from the time macomplete ung documents. My application was referred to a medial assessor due to abnormality pala.

[allune]

charcharbinks Nice one... what were the causes of your anxiety? Was it the uncertainties on getting a WHV?

Anong field mo pala?

[charcharbinks]

allune advertising po field ko pero when i got here i switched to software.

yup exactly. Haha. Parang feel ko sayang din kasi if wala akong mapala. So yung stress nag-reflect siya sa full blood count ko. parehong WBC and hemoglobin values ko mataas haha kaya 3x ko inulit pero di parin siya pasado.. thankfully minor discrepancy lang naman.

[allune]

charcharbinks baka naman may sakit ka at the time. Yung WBC ko nun HH kasi galing akong sakit when I had my medical

[tinker jhings]

Wow charcharbinks congratulations! We wish you all the best...