Find a job as an architect

[Hilli]

Hi all,

does anybody know how the jobsituation for architects is at the moment in New Zealand and if it is possible for a foreigner to find something?

I'm originally from Germany, having worked and lived for the past 5 years in Ireland, so I have experience and english language isn't an issue.

I'm over 30, so no work visa for a year anymore.

Many thanks for your answers!!

Hilli

[topcat83]

See what jobs there are on SEEK - New Zealand's no. 1 jobs, employment, career and recruitment site

Sorry, I'm no architect though, so I don't know where else to look.

Might be worth reading up on NZ building codes - we build differently over here because of the earthquakes.

[Hilli]

yes, I looked up that site already. not much there and almost only for professionals with NZ experience already...so can only presume that it's quiet impossible to find a job.

but any other comments or hints much appreciated!!

just read an arcticle from an online news magazine that in australia even backpackers with work-travel visa can't find simple, temporary jobs anymore...that tells something....

[Scott Orrin]

Try BECA - Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner. They are a large multipicilinary organisation who also assist with relocation fee, etc. Their head office is in Auckland.

[Hilli]

Hi Scott,

thanks for that, looks interesting, will def. send my CV there.

anybody any other companies in mind cause this is what helps, big commercial companies who might still have an interest in employing people from abroad.

thanks
hilli

[martyjer]

Hi Hilli, I'm an architectural technologist, working in Christchurch at the moment, but originally from Ireland, moved here during June. At the moment architectural jobs are very hard to find, although not as bad as they are in Ireland, there are some jobs on trademe, some are looking for project managers, some look for autocad technicians, ArchiCAD is used moreso than AutoCAD and the NZ style of building is different to the Irish, English, and European regs. Auckland seems to have the majority of architectural vacancies, but there are some crop up in other cities too.

[Hilli]

Hi Marty,

thanks for reply and tips.
very interesting, so you managed to get a job as a arch. technician. but it's limited to the one year you have the trave/work visa isn't it? I think that's the big disadvantage, I'm over 30 so won't get that anymore.
I'm thinking of flying over this december, so I can get a feeling for the country and if it's possible at all to find something for me.
hilli

[martyjer]

I can hold a position in a company for 3 months due to the WHV, but am applying for a 3 year working visa as well.
Being over 30 as you say is a restriction, your best bet is to try and set up interviews or get a job when you visit here, as most companies wont really look at cvs if the person is not in the country as there are plenty of other people in the country looking for work with immediate availability. Which makes sense and is fair on people who have been here all their life and now out of work.
One warning, if you come here in December, you wont want to leave! Its an amazing place, so better try and get a job first!

[Hilli]

ha, yes, that's what my irish friends here say to me: their only concern is that I don't want to come back if I go to NZ for a visit...
so did you find now a job as an arch. tech. or do you work in a different area?
hilli

[martyjer]

I got lucky, I had an interview set up for when I arrived here, I had planned to live in Wellington but the interview came up in Christchurch on the South Island, I stayed in Wellington for 2 weeks and then went to the interview and got offered the job at the interview and started work the following Tuesday. The job is in an architects office running the cad team. The work however is based in the UAE. But there is building going on here, there are preparations happening for the rugby world cup in 2011 and other things too. Much more than Ireland, Auckland has a few positions available so that would be a good place to look I think.