Tag: Employment consultant

The Harsh Truth About Finding Work Abroad

Many people dream of moving to countries like New Zealand or Australia for better job opportunities and a higher quality of life. However, the reality of securing employment as a migrant is challenging—even for highly skilled and qualified professionals. For those who lack specialized skills or proper qualifications, the barriers become nearly insurmountable.

Migration is expensive, time-consuming, and full of uncertainty. It requires not only meeting immigration benchmarks but also proving your value in a competitive job market. Without the right skills, experience, or professional background, the chances of long-term success are slim. Understanding these challenges early on can help individuals make better career choices and set themselves up for success before attempting migration.

The Challenges Faced by Skilled and Qualified Migrants

Even highly skilled professionals struggle to secure jobs abroad. Here’s why:

• High Cost of Migration: Visa fees, relocation expenses, and the cost of living in a new country can quickly deplete savings.
• Strict Immigration Rules: New Zealand and Australia require migrants to meet specific income thresholds to qualify for permanent residency. These rules exist to prevent financial hardship and protect local job markets.
• Job Market Competition: Employers prefer hiring locals first unless a migrant has a rare, in-demand skill set.
• Emotional and Psychological Stress: Uncertainty, rejection, and financial pressure can take a toll on mental health.
• Time and Risk Factors: Finding a job as a migrant can take months or even years, and failure to secure employment within a given visa period can result in forced departure.

If even skilled professionals face these difficulties, those without qualifications or specialized experience have an even harder time.

Why Migration Without Skills or Qualifications Is a High-Risk Strategy

For those who lack formal training or years of experience in a specialized field, migration often leads to financial hardship rather than success. Many hopeful migrants believe they can secure jobs in low-skilled roles upon arrival, but most work visas are only granted to those earning above a certain income threshold. Without meeting these requirements, migrants often face:

• Limited job options that don’t provide enough income to qualify for residency.
• Legal and visa restrictions preventing them from working in certain industries.
• Exploitation or job insecurity, as employers may take advantage of workers in vulnerable positions.
• Failure to secure residency, leading to eventual return to their home country.

A Smarter Strategy: Invest in Skills First

Instead of taking the risk of migrating without qualifications, a better approach is to focus on upskilling and gaining specialized experience in your home country first. This not only improves job prospects abroad but also ensures financial stability and professional success at home.

Steps to Prepare for a Successful Migration:

1. Choose a High-Demand Profession: Research occupations that are in demand in New Zealand, Australia, or other Western countries.
2. Gain the Necessary Qualifications: A four-year trade certification or university degree is often required.
3. Develop Years of Competent Experience: Migration authorities prioritize candidates who have proven their ability in the workforce.
4. Become a High Performer in Your Industry: Employers seek candidates who have demonstrated success in their field.
5. Test Your Success at Home First: If you can secure a good-paying job and grow professionally in your home country, your chances of success abroad increase significantly.

Successful people find more success because they understand how to excel in their industry. Achieve success once at home, then leverage that experience for migration.

The Pathway to Success: Job Pathway Navigator

For those serious about aligning their career with migration goals, click here: Job Pathway Navigator provides a structured approach to:

1. Assess current skills and qualifications.
2. Identify gaps and develop an action plan.
3. Map out a step-by-step strategy to achieve high-demand status.
4. Receive coaching for job applications, resume building, and interview preparation.

A well-prepared candidate has a much higher chance of securing employment, qualifying for residency, and integrating successfully into a new country. If you are ready to take control of your future, start by sending your CV to Tate@employmentforimmigration.nz for a professional evaluation.

Final Thoughts

Migration is not just about moving to another country—it’s about bringing value to your new home and ensuring long-term success for yourself and your family. Take the right steps before making the move, invest in your skills, and set yourself up for a career that can thrive anywhere in the world.

By building a strong professional foundation, you can turn your migration dreams into a sustainable and rewarding reality.

It’s Not Just a CV—It’s a First Impression

A Video CV makes you more than a resume; It’s a lasting first impression. In a competitive job market, standing out is everything. A resume is just words on a page, but a Video CV brings you to life in a way that is much closer to the face-to-face interview experience where hiring decisions are made. It’s a way to make an impact before you even walk into the interview.

“When they see the short clip, they see you in an interview scenario answering a question about your strength. It’s just a way to pry the door open a little bit more. They get the call, they see the CV, but then there’s a Video CV and a short clip. And if they click once, even for two minutes, they see something real. They see you. And that might be all it takes to put you on the shortlist.”

Why It Works

1. Instant Engagement – Employers receive dozens of applications, but a Video CV makes them stop and pay attention.
2. Showcase Your Strengths – Instead of just listing skills, you demonstrate confidence, communication, and personality—all in one clip.
3. Opens the Door to Conversations – The moment an employer watches your video, they start picturing you in the role. It makes getting a callback more likely.
4. A Real Advantage Over Other Candidates – Most job seekers rely on text-based applications. A Video CV sets you apart and makes your name memorable.

Benefits with Performance

1. Mastering Job Interview Responses – Learn how to integrate all your strengths into interview answers, ensuring you communicate the most valuable aspects of your experience.
2. Confident Communication – Develop the ability to articulate your skills and achievements with confidence, making a strong impression on employers.
3. Strategic Answering – Understand how to frame responses to highlight leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability, aligning with employer expectations.
4. Demonstrating Value – Showcase not just what you’ve done but the impact you’ve had, reinforcing your value as a candidate.
5. Personalized Presentation – Tailor your answers to resonate with each employer, ensuring you align your strengths with their needs.
6. Handling Tough Questions – Learn strategies to navigate difficult interview questions with clarity and composure.
7. Improved Storytelling – Develop compelling career narratives that illustrate your skills through real-world examples.
8. Strength in Body Language – Use nonverbal communication effectively to reinforce confidence and professionalism.
9. Reducing Nervousness – Gain practical techniques to manage interview anxiety and present yourself in a composed, authentic manner.
10. Consistent Performance – Ensure every interaction, whether an interview, networking event, or employer call, reflects your best professional self.

The Bottom Line

Employers don’t just hire skills—they hire people. A Video CV makes you more than a resume; it makes you real. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to land an interview.

Stand Out from the Competition with Expert Job Interview Coaching

Ready to set yourself apart from 99.9% of professionals and master the job interview process? Our specialized service is designed to elevate your presentation, refine your responses, and showcase your skills with confidence.

With extensive experience creating hundreds of Job Interview Video CVs and Short Clips, we help professionals like you build a powerful personal brand that aligns with your expertise.

Get Started Today
Contact Tate for more details at tate@employmentforimmigration.nz

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and vulnerable groups like migrant job seekers are often targeted. This is because migrating for work is an expensive, unfamiliar process, and scammers exploit that uncertainty.

The good news is that you can protect yourself by following this comprehensive checklist. With these steps, you’ll gain confidence in evaluating job offers, verifying company legitimacy, and ensuring your hard-earned resources are safe.

Typical Profile of a Scammer

When seeking work abroad, it’s essential to recognize the telltale signs of a scammer. Scammers targeting migrants often exhibit these characteristics:

1. Unregistered or Fake Companies
   • Operate under newly registered or unverifiable company names.
   • Use vague or incomplete business details, such as generic email addresses or missing physical office locations.
2. Promises That Sound Too Good to Be True
   • Offer unusually high salaries or guaranteed visas with minimal effort.
   • Claim to have special connections with immigration authorities or employers abroad.
3. Requests for Upfront Payments
   • Demand fees for visas, application processing, or job placement before providing proof of their legitimacy.
   • Insist on using untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
4. High-Pressure Tactics
   • Push you to act quickly by creating false urgency, such as saying “this is a one-time offer.”
   • Threaten to revoke the opportunity if you don’t comply immediately.
5. Poor Communication
   • Use unprofessional or poorly written messages, often with spelling and grammar mistakes.
   • Provide vague answers or avoid direct questions about their legitimacy.
6. Frequent Changes in Company Details
   • Alter their company name, email address, website, or phone number frequently.
   • Lack a long history of operating in their field, often closing operations quickly to evade detection.
7. Target Vulnerable Individuals
   • Focus on people in desperate situations, such as migrants looking for work abroad.
   • Exploit unfamiliarity with the job market, immigration systems, or local regulations.

By identifying these red flags, you can steer clear of fraudulent schemes and protect yourself from financial and emotional harm. 

Here is a Simple Checklist

1. Start with Basic Research

• Google search: Enter the company name and owner’s name along with keywords like “scam,” “fraud,” “reviews,” or “complaints.”
• Social media presence: Check LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram for activity. A lack of genuine interaction can indicate fake profiles.
• Review platforms: Use Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Yelp to read feedback. Be cautious of repetitive, overly positive comments.

2. Verify Company Registration

• Use country-specific registries to check legitimacy:
  • Australia: ASIC Register
  • New Zealand: NZ Companies Office
  • UK: Companies House
  • USA: State-specific registries
  • Canada: Business Registries
• Look for:
  • Registration date: New companies can be risky.
  • Registered address: Avoid PO Boxes or residential addresses.
  • Name consistency: Frequent name changes may signal instability.

3. Investigate Owners and Directors

• Search the names of owners or directors using:
  • Google Advanced Search: “Name + fraud/lawsuit/bankruptcy.”
  • Public records: Look for connections to dissolved or flagged companies.
  • LinkedIn: Verify their experience and professional background.

4. Check Criminal and Legal History

• Use available public records:
  • Australia: National Police Checks.
  • New Zealand: Court records or judgments.
  • Google News: Search for lawsuits or criminal investigations.

5. Evaluate Online Presence

• Website domain age: Check using Whois Lookup. Scam sites often have newly registered domains.
• Website quality: Look for spelling errors, vague descriptions, or stolen content. Check for plagiarism using Google.
• Security: Ensure the website uses HTTPS and has an SSL certificate.

6. Assess Job Offers and Advertisements

• Be cautious if:
  • Salaries seem too high for the role.
  • There are no qualification or experience requirements.
  • They request upfront payments or sensitive information.

7. Confirm Physical Presence

• Use Google Maps or Street View to verify the office location.
• Avoid addresses that appear to be residential or shared workspaces.

8. Watch for Behavioral Red Flags

• Look out for:
  • Vague or sudden changes in policies.
  • High-pressure sales tactics or unprofessional communication.
  • Non-functional contact details.

9. Explore Migration-Specific Resources

• Support services: Look for government or NGO services for migrants in your destination country.
• Community forums: Join social media groups or forums where other migrants share their experiences and tips. 

Closing Encouragement

Taking these steps may seem like extra effort, but they’re worth it to protect yourself and ensure your job search is successful. Remember, scammers thrive on urgency and fear—by staying calm and following this checklist, you can make informed decisions and focus on genuine opportunities.

If you have doubts or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted advisors or migration support services. Together, we can make your job search safer and more successful.