“The opportunities are there, you just have to hustle”

Jeremy’s decision to return home wasn’t prompted by any one big event, rather he says he just knew that the time was right. Working in the luxury consumer goods and retail industry, he decided to finish up his role in London and search for a job in New Zealand once he landed. 

“I know some people get really worried about having a job lined up before they come back, but I have always been a big believer of just taking a punt and trusting that it will work out. I think you have to be prepared to just be hungry and hustle and be motivated to find the opportunities.”

And hustle was what Jeremy did, despite not actively seeking a role from the UK he did start reaching out to his networks to get a feel for the current market in New Zealand and discover what opportunities were available. 

“I was quite proactive, reaching out to people I knew who were at companies that I’d previously worked for. I was lucky enough to talk to a company I worked for a few years back and they have an opportunity in New Zealand which seems promising. That was a little bit of luck but I think sometimes you make your own luck.”

Jeremy says he has noticed some positive changes in the job market, at least in his industry and he also feels his UK experience is being valued by most of the employers he has spoken to. 

“There seems to be more senior opportunities in New Zealand now than there was when Ieft, I think there are more corporations based in New Zealand now, whereas in the past they seemed to be based out of Australia. I have also found the salaries, in my industry at least, to be pretty competitive, the roles I am looking at right now are paying pretty similar to the UK.”

“I think if you do have that offshore experience you want to look for roles with a company that has a global presence or at least an understanding of international markets. That is really where your skills will be valued. I was at a job interview yesterday and the person interviewing me said ‘I think the fact that you’ve worked overseas and you’ve seen how well the brand works there will inspire our team here’ so he was looking at my experience and saying, that attribute, absolutely, to having you on board.”

While it’s still early days, Jeremy says so far he has found the transition back to New Zealand fairly easily, and as someone who loves the outdoors and outdoor activities he’s enjoying the start of the New Zealand summer. 

“I think the outdoor lifestyle is as good as it ever was, if not better. Sports like mountain biking or kitesurfing have really grown since I left and the opportunities to get involved and be part of those communities have grown. I still think New Zealand represents probably one of the best places in the world to have easy access to outdoor activities.”

After so long in London, Jeremy says he’s also enjoying New Zealand’s more laid back lifestyle. 

“One of the great things about New Zealand is it’s just super easy to sort things out when you get here, like bank accounts, cards etc. Things are just more relaxed. I’ve even found the job interviews to be more relaxed.”

And while he’s glad to be home, at least for now, he is a firm believer that the best things young New Zealanders can do is to travel and work overseas to increase their skills and be able to bring more experience back to New Zealand when they do eventually return. 

“The obvious benefit to working overseas is that you are exposed to a much bigger and more competitive market and it just hones your skills a little bit. You gain an understanding of the macro dynamics of different markets and the strategies businesses employ in those markets. You also get to work with more leaders in your field and ultimately that all builds your skill set. I also think it’s important for those people who do return to New Zealand to work with those coming through the ranks to inspire and encourage them.”

“I think New Zealand can be quite isolated and it’s important for people who are motivated and hungry in their career to go offshore and see what’s out there. Life is about experiences. At the end of the day when you get to 65, it’s not about how much money is in your bank, It’s about the memories you’ve made.”