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• Recruiting and Managing Diversity in the Workplace
  • Overview
  • Cultural Diversity at Work in New Zealand
  • Whats Unique About International Talent
  • Perceptions of Difference
  • How Do We Unlock The Potential Of Diversity
  • The Recruitment Process Applying An Intercultural Lens
  • Prepare The Job Profile
  • Advertise The Job
  • Short List The Candidates
  • Conduct The Interview
  • Award The Job
  • Monitor The Recruitment Process
  • Acquaint The Newcomer To The Workplace
  • We Welcome Your Comments
  • Acknowledgements
  • References and Suggested Reading

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Whats Unique About International Talent

Much of what international talent offers New Zealand business is located in its ‘difference’.

Skills

Migrants are primarily attracted to New Zealand to fill skills shortages. They also bring skills and work experience that in many cases can only be gained by living and working in another country due to the size and the needs of a larger and different market. New Zealand employer report benefits to their business from:

• different knowledge/specialist skills
• international perspectives and experience
• ability to respond to diverse markets
• contacts in local and overseas markets
• multi-lingual language skills.

Innovation and creativity

While migrants may have worked in the same industry in another country, their overseas experience brings a fresh set of eyes to the business offering potential for innovation and creativity.

Highly motivated individuals

What New Zealand employers notice most about migrant workers are their positive attitudes and commitment towards their jobs. Migrants are described as ‘hardworking’ and ‘highly motivated’ and ‘can even set an example to some of their Kiwi workmates’.

The value we place on the experience of international talent largely depends on the perspective of the potential employer. Is difference a risk or an opportunity? Does difference challenge ‘the way we do things around here’ or offer us a creative alternative?