SEEK Calls ‘Time’ On UK Pub Jobs

Thousands Visit Site Offering Jobs in the UK

Auckland – 12 February 2001 – The traditional employment route for Kiwis on a UK OE – straight behind a bar – faces a stiff challenge from a new service from SEEK (seek.co.nz), winner of the NetGuide 2000 best online employment site.

In partnership with UK recruitment firms, SEEK has launched ‘SEEK UK’, a new feature which aims to help New Zealanders find the best jobs possible during their time in Britain.

Patrick Pruett, Business Development Manager for SEEK NZ says response to the new service has been staggering with thousands of visitors in the first month. “Traffic to this part of our website has exceeded all expectations. Importantly, we’re driving considerable results for our UK based advertisers with the applications submitted per ad three times the average. Another clear sign of our users’ interest in this new feature,” he says.

Pruett says there’s a running joke in the UK that you can walk into any pub in London or Edinburgh and find an Antipodean behind the bar. “Our new service will help place Kiwis in jobs where they can make the most of their skills, adding career development to all the other benefits of the OE,” he says.

Pruett says the beauty of this service is Kiwis can do all this planning from the comfort of their own home.

“‘SEEK UK’ eliminates one of the major uncertainties people face when they move to a new country. It is incredibly reassuring to have secured employment in a field you enjoy, before travelling, ”says Pruett.

He says the benefits flow both ways. “Many British firms are crying out for staff with the skills and education of New Zealanders.

The quality of applications submitted has been extremely high. We’re delighted to help people find a great job, that can enhance their experience in the UK.”

Finding a job can often be the most stressful part of planning a stint overseas. SEEK hopes that the new service will help to make the OE an even more enjoyable experience for Kiwis.

“Kiwis have always and will always spend part of their lives overseas. ‘SEEK UK’ will help to ensure that this time is the best it can be.

“By offering thousands of quality jobs that can be searched and applied for online, SEEK also makes it easier for Kiwis to find work in New Zealand when they want to come home. What’s more, when they return with overseas work experience in their chosen field, they are not only more qualified but can often command higher salaries.”

ENDS

About SEEK Communications
SEEK Communications was formed in November 1997, and is the brainchild of three young Melbourne entrepreneurs, Matthew Rockman, Paul Bassat and Andrew Bassat. The New Zealand Web site is www.seek.co.nz. In addition to a jobs classified service, the site offers a world-class resume builder, an e-mail based classifieds delivery service, an application tracker and a wealth of career resources, including a job seekers forum, and a “virtual interviewer” service. SEEK.co.nz boasts a database of over 3,600 vacancies, covering all industries and occupations and currently enjoys over 84,000 visitors a month. ‘Jobs in the UK’ is available on SEEK.co.nz and SEEK.com.au.

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