Samos Consulting has proven to be the most reliable and supportive medical recruitment agency for me.

Having come to New Zealand 3 years ago as a medical doctor with limited registration by NZMC, and after returning to Austria and making various attempts to come back to the country with my Austrian qualifications, and each time experiencing a load of roadblocks from the Medical Council as well as Immigration, I really know what I am talking about. This time - in 2009 - I was lucky enough to receive help and guidance by Samos Consulting. The people from Samos Consulting have been truly amazing. They were consistent and persistent in trying to find me a good job as a doctor in NZ, and they consulted with me regularly about my needs, expectations, likes and dislikes, etc.

I also have a better form of registration with MCNZ now - with the possibility of staying in NZ for as long as I like.

Once I arrived in New Zealand - on my own - and started my first day of work at Invercargill hospital, I was obviously still a bit lost and nervous, since I was about to start a new life and did not know anyone in Invercargill.

I was delighted when the secretaries of the RMO unit immediately told me that a package has arrived for me - I found a bottle of wine and a nice card by my agents, as a welcome gift. This was amazing. After all they had done for me and made the shift to New Zealand possible for me...they did not forget about me. This was only the beginning, really.

I was regularly "checked on" by phone calls by my wonderful agent, to make sure that I settled in well, into my new job and my new life. And at Christmas time, when I missed my family and partner overseas, I also received comforting "Merry Christmas" wishes.

Now, as I am starting to settle in, but still have some obstacles to climb now and then because the medical system here is quite different to what I am used to, I am still welcome to phone my agent and get advice and support from her.

From the bottom of my heart, this has been a very uplifting experience for me, and I am keen on recommending Samos Consulting to all of you out there, who want to start a new life in New Zealand and don't quite know how to do it. You are going to be assisted from the beginning to your goal, and beyond.

Many thanks with sincere gratefulness to the people from Samos Consulting. Thanks for getting me here, where I really wanted to be. You made my dream come true.

During my efforts to get an offer for an international experience, my contact with Sean was very much by accident. It came as a pleasant surprise that every step of the way Sean’s approach to the situation was smooth and efficient. So much so that I was starting to suspect the there must be a catch somewhere. I still remember asking him in one of our email conversations "there is nothing like a free lunch, so what is the damage going to be...?" There was none.

Right through from organizing my telephonic interviews with my new employer, to smoothing the application process through the Medical Council (his previous experience working in the Medical Council came in handy) as well as following up on how well I was settling in to my new workplace. Sean took due care to have an oversight without being intrusive.

That I have had a successful placement is reflected in the relatively quick climb up the professional ladder within the organisation I was placed in. I don’t know if Sean has a knack of identifying who would be suitable for which place. In my case it certainly worked.

That even after 4 years we still keep in touch just as friends, and never once has he asked if I was looking for further changes is a testimonial to his commitment to you as a person rather than trying to drum up business. For those who have been recruited through agencies before I think you will know what I am speaking about. Irrespective of which part of the world you are looking to come here to lovely New Zealand from, without hesitation you can take my word for it… “ you are unlikely to go wrong with Sean on your side.”

I met Sean at the BMJ Careers Fair in London, he also took the time to meet with me outside the Careers Fair to talk about opportunities in New Zealand in more detail and he convinced me that taking a year to come out to New Zealand would be an excellent choice. He was right… I had a wonderful time and fell in love with the country.

Sean took care of finding me a great post as a senior house officer for one year, he managed my application for registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand and had me starting work in New Zealand with just a few months of meeting him in London. Everything was taken care of, including meeting me on my arrival at Wellington Airport and arranging my first night of accommodation.

Throughout my time in New Zealand Sean kept in touch with me to ensure that I was happy and being well looked after by my employer. He met with me again before I returned to the UK (for GP training) to talk about my time in New Zealand and has kept in contact with me since my return.

I will be returning to New Zealand work again at some point and I will definitely be getting Samos Consulting to take care of me and all my arrangements.