My Journey to Employment

One of the underlying reasons why I chose to go to New Zealand is to get to know myself better and to see myself in a new light, far from my previous issues back in my home country. I want to know more of what I am capable of. I want to know what I can contribute to the new country I am in now.

One of the ways I may do this is through finding a career here. As an immigrant, there are a thousand things you have to settle before landing a job here. In my experience, I had to settle my visa (more on that topic in another blog post), assess my current capabilities and find ways on how to fill the gaps on the capabilities that employers want and need, think about what I really want in a job here, and find a worthwhile place and company to work for.

 

Background on my previous jobs

I was initially an HR professional given that that is the most common track a BS Psychology graduate in the Philippines takes. A few years into the job, I decided to shift to Marketing and had several marketing jobs in a retail company, and a food and beverage company.

 

What I want in a job

I have found that my personality, interests, and soft skills match more with marketing so when we decided to go to New Zealand, Howell and I knew that this would still be what I will pursue.

My last work was already a managerial post back in the Philippines but upon coming here, we knew that we definitely would have to be content with whatever position I may land in, just as long as it is still a marketing work. It was easy for us to decide on this but way more difficult to follow through with the decision.

Our location, even though we are in the capital of New Zealand, did not have a lot of opportunities given my previous work experiences. Most of the jobs related to the industries I have been in are in another part of New Zealand so my options were way too limited to start with.

I have applied for positions ranging from Assistant to Coordinator to Managerial work. I might have submitted over a hundred of applications in the course of 4 months and out of all those applications, I was interviewed by 3 companies for different marketing roles. One of the weaknesses of my previous work experiences was that I did not have much work experience with Digital Marketing, something that most companies are looking for here in New Zealand. As months passed, I was slowly losing hope that I would ever find a job that I was really interested in, but I knew that life still needed to go on.

 

What I did during my months of unemployment

For the first 4 months of our stay here, I had no choice but to wait for my visa to arrive and so I ceased all efforts of applying for work. During those months, Howell did not have work yet as well and so we were able to spend a few good months together.

We found activities that entertained us. We went outdoors as it was summer when we arrived here. We went swimming and hiking. At home, we were able to spend time with Howell’s family as well. We usually played games and watched movies together. When he started work, I was the one left at home so I had to find ways to spend my time wisely, to veer away from worrying about finding a job all the time.

I started several projects, read books, and established a healthier lifestyle by learning to cook healthy food and exercising regularly. I also enrolled in an online Digital Marketing course to beef up my CV and to have some working knowledge I can use in applying for a job.

 

What did I really want?

With the months that I was able to reflect and relax, I was able to list some of the things that I wanted my future job to have:

1. A marketing role
2. Something that can be identified with New Zealand (as I am already here and I wanted to fully immerse in the country)
3. A work where I can still have time to do the things I want to do (swim, go to the gym, spend time outdoors, do some artwork, read, write, do house chores and take care of Howell)
4. Good working environment (a boss and colleagues I can work with)

My list is quite ideal but a girl can dream!

 

Goodbye, unemployment!

I persevered in spite of the odds against me. I did not stop sending out applications and heeded the advice of the people around me. They told me to continue hoping that there will be somewhere that I may be fit to work in. They encouraged me to call potential employers and be upfront with them so as to show my interest for the job.

Finally, a door opened up for me! It is a Marketing Manager role at Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe. Upon seeing their job ad, I immediately sent my CV and called them up to ask some details regarding the job. It is a part time role at a location an hour away from our place.

I instantly fell in love with the place when I arrived for my first interview. Words will be difficult to describe it but luckily, I have taken a few pictures to give you a glimpse of what the place looked like.

 

I was offered a welcome drink prior to the interview. One of the owners herself lit the fire place to warm me up.

 

The animals are so tame. Look how this peacock approached me as I entered the park. I was given food that I may feed the animals. Below are pictures of some chickens on a tree, a bird I am not familiar with, and the goats which I liked the most. There were pigs and trouts and other animals as well but I was not able to take pictures of them since I was totally enjoying my stroll.

 

Some notable landmarks like the Secret Garden, the Old Bush Settlement, the Barn, and the Deer Park

 

It is a bit far from our place but it is a 3-day work week so I still get to have 4 full days I may spend as I like. The employees are all friendly and each of the work they do are quite interesting. I was able to meet both of the owners as well. They are down to earth and very practical (one of them called me up as I was writing this blog to check if I may be able to report for work tomorrow). I was so sure that this is where I wanted to work.

Two interviews after and I was offered a job. Thank God for my wonderful references in the Philippines for helping me get an offer.

 

My takeaways

It was a tough 8 months for me. I am in a foreign land with completely foreign circumstances and an unknown future. Everything I did was done prayerfully.  I know and I am convinced that all these are God’s work in my life. This is just the beginning of my own journey here but I am secured that the One who brought me here will equip me with everything I need to complete the journey. The future is yet to unfold but I am confident of what the good Lord has planned for me and my family.