Pacific Work Connect

Talofa. You might be looking for a permanent job but while looking for a job you should not be afraid of taking other types of work such as casual work, contracting, fixed term work or volunteering. These types of work are all useful steps in your career.  

 Let's take a look at Mele's story. She took other types of work when she first came to New Zealand and then successfully moved into permanent work.

 I came to New Zealand from Samoa four years ago for better work opportunities. In Samoa I worked in a resort helping with food preparation and serving. I wanted to further my work and hospitality in New Zealand, when I got here I found the work culture and style were a bit different and I didn't know anyone, so I was a bit lost on how to get a job in the hospitality sector.

 One of my extended family told me I should do some volunteering. There are many community organisations looking for volunteers, like food hub, city mission and at churches. I volunteered with a local organisation helping to feed homeless people. The head chef noticed my great work ethic and food preparation skills and asked me about my background. Once she heard about my experience and skills, she offered me a casual role at her catering company which prepares food for corporate events.

 One day when I was picking up the plates from the company that we sent food for at an event, the person then asked us who prepared the food. I told him that it was me and about my experience from Samoa in the resort. He then told me that his friend was looking for someone to cover maternity leave at her cafe on a fixed term contract and that he would put the word in for me. The cafe owner was so happy with my hard work, strong work ethics, reliability and skills with food that she told her brother-in-law, who has a restaurant in the city.  

 After finishing my contract at the cafe, I got offered a permanent job in the restaurant with very good pay. I was being the person I wanted to be when I came to New Zealand.

 What a great story. Let's recap the different types of work Mele did. She volunteered, helping to feed homeless people where she met someone who got her a casual job for a catering company, where her skills were noticed leading to a fixed term contract. Mele's hard work and experience in this role led her to a permanent, well-paid job that she loves all of these steps help her end up where she wanted to be.

 Any type of work is good work. Take opportunities that come up, who knows where they will lead you.

Hello.

If you are new to New Zealand and need help on your journey to finding rewarding work, then Pacific Work Connect is here for you. In our free programme you learn job searching tips, interview skills, and how to write your CV, and look at study or training options. We want to help you find success like John Paul, Sam and Timo.

Hello, my name is John Paul Adams. I come from a village in Samoa called Lotopa. It's been ten years since I've been in New Zealand.

Hello, my name is Timote Manako. I come from the village of Longolongo, Tongatapu. We moved here to New Zealand in 2010.

My name is Sam Steiner. I come from of Nukubati, a province of Macuata. My maternal side is Navidamu, also a province of Macuata. I came under the New Zealand Samoan quota scheme. I was meant to go down to Hawkes Bay for apple picking. I changed my mind and stayed in Auckland and worked at McDonalds. In Tonga I didn t have any work to do, other than the plantation, so when we moved to New Zealand, it was hard to find work because of the language barrier and adapting the new lifestyle here in New Zealand. I've been working in the company for two years now in the South Auckland region.

My role in Fulton Hogan is to work on the designs for the roading and construction and building footpaths and side-walks. I was given the opportunity to work for Fulton Hogan in 2011. Six years later, I'm here at Fulton Hogan looking after the West Auckland branch, the maintenance for Auckland Transport. My only advice for my brothers and sisters from Samoa is don't give up easily, work hard. Put your family and God first. No matter what or where you work, you must give your best and the saying from our elder that is to put God first in our lives!

Thank you, good bye!

Thank you John Paul, Sam and Timo for sharing your journey with us, if you want to learn more about how you, your partner and your family can find success in New Zealand, contact Pacific Work Connect. We'd love to hear from you.

Thank you.