Ask the expert: Immigrants feel rejected

Q: My family and I left South Africa for what we hoped would be a better and safer life for us in New Zealand. Well it's been two years and we've had nothing but humiliation, resentment, rejection and bad luck. I'm a legal secretary with good computer skills but every interview I've been for has resulted in "sorry, but you didn't get the job". I've managed to have a few temp jobs to get NZ experience. My husband, a network engineer, is also unemployed. I've never felt so humiliated and my confidence isn't what it should be because of the rejection. I just wish someone had the guts to be honest and tell me the real reason [for not being offered a job]. I've read that there's a shortage of legal secretaries, yet I can't find a job. I've applied for other secretarial positions, but once again, no courtesy of a response to my application.

A: I wish I could say that you are having an atypical experience, but many immigrants experience unemployment and under-employment in a new country but what you are experiencing is not limited to New Zealand. Immigrants in almost every country have similar hopes for a better life, but many suffer difficulty in settling, particularly difficulties in gaining suitable employment, financial setbacks, and "culture shock".

You seem to be doing the right things in your own job search, by using temp jobs to build up local experience, and persisting in your job search. Specialist legal recruiting agencies have temporary and permanent jobs, and many job postings can be accessed through the Auckland District Law Society (www.adls.org.nz).

A specialist legal recruiter might be able to give you advice on your CV and job search strategy, in case it needs fine tuning for this job market.

Maintaining your contacts by attending law society briefings and networking events might be helpful, as well as using community social networks or asking friends who are also migrants to be alert to opportunities for you.

For larger organisations that have reputations as equal opportunity employers, refer to the "members" section of the EEO Trust website (www.eeotrust.org.nz), and pay attention to their award-winners. Even though you are no longer recent arrivals, you can still access Auckland Regional Migrant Services (www.arms-mrc.org.nz) for help.

ARMS provides many services to migrants, including: employment services and assistance with getting a job; individual consultation on complex settlement related issues; and referral to community groups and other organisations for additional settlement support.