Working for the Kiwis

Katie and I tramped around the city yesterday, stopping in and out of hostels, in search of temporary paid work (hostels have bulletin boards where they post temporary job opportunities for their residents). Finding two to three weeks of employment in NZ was our plan all along because we ducked out of the states almost a month early and lost out on some extra income, but for the first week in the city we didn't find anything.

We are too early for the mass fruit picking season, which hires hoards of backpackers like ourselves every year.

Then we found hope in a help wanted immediately ad for a fashion expo.

I phoned Phil (name on ad).

"Hi My name's Jeanna and my friend Katie and I are looking for temporary work while we are in NZ," I said.

"Great, Come to the ASP Showgrounds for an interview at 11 a.m. tomorrow," Phil said.

"OK, what are we doing"... click, beeeppppp, I almost managed to inquire what we would be interviewing for when our phone booth connection was lost. I hung up on my future employer.

Katie and I did show up for the intervew. We walked an hour in the wind and mist, showing up in our best attire- we packed for backpacking not retail, and joined our four fellow high-heeled interviewees.

We were all interviewed individually by Leon, who showed up an hour late, and by this time at least I know I will be working in some capacity with clothes in a huge warehouse.

Leon wasn't concerned about what I was wearing or that I had no experience in retail or that I wasn't a Kiwi (nickname for New Zealanders), and he hired me on spot.

"Training for sales starts tomorrow at 11 a.m. then you will be on the floor until 6," Leon said.

"How long does that job last?" I asked.

"Probably two weeks," he said.

So there you go. I have a job in New Zealand for "probably" two weeks. Still don't know what the proper uniform is or exactly what I will be doing, but I don't think it will be a highly demanding or skillful job. The income will be lovely though.