My first encounter with Samos Consulting was through a friend who called and said he had been in contact with an agent interested in my line of work, would I mind if they called? No, absolutely not. I was very interested, my plan since long time being to do something different when opportunity came my way.
Less than 2 days later Helen Ennals called. A pleasant woman with keen interest in my plans for the future, we spoke for a long time. She had a job in mind already and together we decided I should apply.
This was the onset of a frequent contact via Skype. Helen had me fill in papers and when done I scanned and sent everything to her and she would get back to me soon to help me correct, advised me on how to phrase and add missing information. She proofread everything I produced. Then we waited.
While waiting Helen had me start filling out the forms for Medical Council. That was an overwhelming mission. I wrote, rewrote and wrote again. My CV was redone several times. I realized not only Helen worked on my case, there was a whole team involved. I applied for records from different departments and authorities and everything was scanned and sent to Helen who encouraged me to keep up the work and never let me loose tempo in this breathtaking process.
One late Monday night I had an interview with my boss-to-be set up by Helen. She phoned me a few minutes ahead just to check that I was ok and the line was working. The interview went well and soon after I got a job offer. By that time all the work with my application for the Medical Council was done and we just sent it in.
Helen then immediately had me start applying for a visa.
When the preapproval from the Medical Council arrived I bought my ticket!
My application for a visa was completed with medical checkups and chest x-rays soon after and 2 days before Christmas I had everything wrapped up!
I left Sweden and when I arrived in Auckland Helen was at the airport to pick me up and drove me to my hotel after a short sightseeing of Auckland. The next day we headed to meet the agent for the Medical Council to go through my papers and I had everything in good order and even got a comment on my thorough preparation.
After I arrived in Whangarei I’ve been in contact with Helen on several occasions, mostly her checking that I have settled in and that I am happy with my work.
I do feel that it was of great advantage to me that Samos Consulting is based here in New Zealand; they know this country and have contacts of essence. I also think it has been an advantage that Helen Ennals has worked within the New Zealand health system as she is a nurse; she had a good idea of what I needed to know and what questions I might have.
Reactions from colleagues from overseas on the short time required for paperwork, they are impressed!
I said not once but several times that without the support I received I would have given up long before done and this fantastic opportunity of working in New Zealand would have passed me by. Helen was, the other day, the first one I informed of my offer to prolong my stay yet another year, and I will!
Dr Annika Kahlin
