I moved to Auckland, New Zealand from England in April. It was a really last minute thing, I was head hunted for a job and offered it and moved out 2 weeks later. I'm initially only on a year's contract but the boss has already told me that will be extended unless I don't want to. One problem - I am MISERABLE in this job. I have been here just under 4 months and I genuinely dread every day. The work culture is good and I have good colleagues, but I'm a surveyor and I hate the work, I have no passion for it and find every day a chore. I have already decided I'll probably head back to the UK next April after a year in New Zealand, but no sooner, as I have so much I wish to see and have family coming out here for Christmas. But I'm not sure I can cope for the next 8.5 months in this job. Only problem is - it's the only job I'm qualified to do and I am paid pretty well. I've had a quick look as hospo and retail work and the wages are really poor and I'll struggle to live in the house I'm in now on that wage, as well as struggling to travel around which is my main reason for being here.
Do I risk it and leave my job or do I struggle on for 8 months, accept 8 months isn't 'THAT' long a time? Feeling pretty depressed right now.
You can make your working day bearable by planning to do things you enjoy in your free time - make time for the activities you love and endeavour to do your job well and get along with your colleagues.
You'll be home before you know it
Stick with it. On the only occasion when I was head-hunted I ended up in a similar situation. I stuck it out for a year then the Co downsized so I took voluntary redundancy with a handsome payoff.
>>> Just a thought, would you entitled to stay for the rest of the year if you left the job?
I was wondering about that too, Barry.
If Vern1996 has been given a work visa on the basis that there was no NZ citizen able to do his surveying job as well as he could, it might very well cease to be valid if he leaves that job. Brits aren't usually eligible for work visas for 'run of the mill' jobs, such as those in retail or hospitality.
is there something bad about surveying in NZ that wouldn't be true elsewhere? I'm told they're having a particularly horrible winter, which can't be much fun outdoors, but next winter here isn't going to be pleasant either.
I once stuck out a year in a job I didn't much like and was none the worse for it, and that would be my advice. But if you can't stand it, have you got something better to go to?