Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Final count down...7

Today marks 1 week until I return to the States.  My contract ended today and they were sad to see me off.  I almost made my manager cry as I was cleaning up my office.  The time has flown by and I think I accomplished a lot, but there is so much more that this organization could benefit from.  It is a shame that I wasn't kept around as I could have delivered the plan that I devised for a centralized platform for data gathering and reporting.  It would take time and patience, but now I'm free to pursue other opportunities.  I've filled in my application for an expression of interest in a skilled labor visa.  What does that mean?  From my understanding, I've lodged an application with immigration saying I have skills and I want to work in your country.  They will vet this application and if I am approved, I can then move on to the next step of vetting before obtaining a skilled labor visa.  What is the next step?  FBI Background check and a medical check.  From what I read, it generally takes 2-6 weeks to complete. 

What does that mean to me?  I'm coming back to New Zealand after a short stay in the States.  How long?  I don't know exactly.  I'm busy applying to jobs and talking to a lot of recruiters who put me forward to a company only to be turned away for this or that.  Most of the times I have to follow up with the recruiter to be notified that I wont be interviewed.  It is definitely different working through a recruiter.  I did have an interview a couple weeks back and should know the outcome of that next week.  However, I'm not holding my breath as I talked to Nici and she was never contacted for a background check.  I am going to email my other reference to see if they weren't contacted either.  I have lots of leads on opportunities and I know I could rock the jobs, but need an interview.

Other news?  Well my bike was in the shop for a harsh metal grating noise I heard while pounding up some hills, but at the shop it went away.  Then there was a creaking noise when you started to ride.  So Phil loaned me his single speed to ride for a couple days.  They found that a small screw that holds the derailleur hanger on was working its way out.  They also found a crack on the non-drive train drop-out.  I wonder when that could have happened?  Oh maybe when I was hit.  Great.  So they are seeing if a warranty or some other replacement can happen.  I don't want to shell out for a new one.  Makes me almost wish I got a police report.  Thought I got off lucky with just a tire needing to be replaced, but here the frame is cracked as well.  Good news is that I got a new bike waiting for me in MN.  Bought a Disc Trucker for some touring. 

My time in Tauranga is about over, but not my time in New Zealand.  I don't know where a work opportunity will present itself or if I will get the visa, but I will be coming back and after all I just may be doing my bike tour.  This has been a strange, but fun experience and it hasn't even been the full year abroad.  Didn't know this was going to happen when I left the States, but we are glad we did.

2 comments:

  1. If you are planning on working in New Zealand, is Beth going to follow you back?

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  2. She is indeed coming back late April.

    ReplyDelete