First of all, I'd like to say I'm glad I found this site. It's the most comprehensive set of "answers" I've found so far.

So I want to immigrate, hopefully either spring or fall '05. I'm in the same boat as it seems everyone here - wanting to apply under Skilled Migrant category, but without a job offer, I'm not gonna get selected (95 points. Anyone have 5 they can spare???)

My question is this - how common is it for someone to move there based on a visitors (3-month) visa and assume they're going to be able to find a job? If it were just me, i'd have no problem doing that. But I will be bringing a dog with me, and definitely don't want to pay the $3500USD to transport/quarantine him, just to do it all over again 3 months later.

I'm a software developer looking to live in the Christchurch area. I don't know how big a risk that is.

Otherwise, how does one go about securing a job from 10,000 miles away? Sure, I can submit resumes online, but how common is it for companies to even interview someone in my situation? Let alone, will they want a face-to-face interview?

Get the job, it all falls into place. How to get the job, though...sigh.

Thoughts?

J