This is the third of my working holiday story. You can check the second one here.
In October 2023, I arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on a working holiday. In this article, I will show you how I got a job.
I began job searching in Japan
I started a job search before I went to New Zealand. I checked decent online job boards like Seek, Indeed, and Jora. I decided to live in Auckland City because I expected more job opportunities. I wanted to work in the city at a restaurant or somewhere where I could engage in customer service. In New Zealand, job experiences are important in a job search. In Japan, I worked at a bakery and a convenience store for 1 and a half years respectively.
Furthermore, my English was not good. I could make myself understood in English, but, it was hard to understand what native speakers said. I couldn’t find many jobs I could possibly get.
Focused on Facebook
So, I focused on Facebook groups(you can see how job search on Facebook works here). I joined some Facebook groups where people looked for jobs in Auckland. Employers posted their job descriptions and I could find lots of hospitality jobs. I contacted 22 of them on Facebook directly or via email. I emphasized 3 years of my experience in customer services and that I could work 24/7. Most of them didn’t message me back, but, 5 of them responded. I could get 2 trial shifts and 2 interviews. I will show you their messages. I couldn’t check messages from an employer for an unknown reason. 23 dollars was the minimal rate in New Zealand.
1: Hi Kozy,
We have a BOH shift available tomorrow if you would 6.30pm start until approximately 11.30pm.
We are located at ******* Road in Parnell. Payrate is $24.60 per hour.
Please come back to me today if you are interested.
Thank you
2: Hi Kozy,
Are you available tomorrow around 2pm for a chat ? It will be at ****** in Greenlane as **** is not open yet.
Let me know,
3: Hi Kozy,
Ok I will get *** to send you our menus and other information and if you’re up for it we can schedule a trial shift with you.
Best,
4: Hey Kozy there is no number to call you on. We have a kitchen back Jonathan $23 per hour available, if you are keen
I also posted on the groups, saying I was looking for a job. A guy messaged me. My experience with deep fryers worked. He scheduled a job interview, which was the first job interview I attended. I will write about it below.
Attended an interview
The shop was in a big building. There were lots of restaurants. I was not sure where I should go. I asked 3 people and finally, I got it. The manager of the restaurant was sitting on a chair. He asked me to sit on another chair.
We talked a little bit and I seemed accepted. He didn’t check my English-speaking ability so much. He was not a native English speaker.
A guy working there made me some food. He was kind.
I was going to attend another interview right after this. I had the third interview some days later. I canceled both of them.
I needed an IRD number to start working in New Zealand. Every worker in New Zealand has one. I also need a bank account. I didn’t get both of them. The manager wanted me to start working as soon as possible. I expected I would get them soon. I told him about it.
I got qualified to work
I was going to make an ANZ bank account. You need proof of address to make an account of most of the banks in New Zealand. I was a boarder of my flatmates. It was impossible to get proof.
ANZ was the only choice for me. You don’t need the proof. Instead, you can get an IRD number in a branch of ANZ online. You need to register on a website, but, it will take like 10 minutes. I googled about how I could get an IRD number and I believed I needed some days to get a number, which was not true.
When working holidaymakers want to make an ANZ bank account, you need to make an appointment online.
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