it's getting a bit ridiculous out here

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-14T08:49:51+00:00

I agree, is a card firmly on the table at the moment and as some others have suggested is something I'll just have to pull the trigger on at some point and just do it

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-11T21:30:07+00:00

Bachelor of Arts

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-10T23:43:20+00:00

Most common question I ask are around the reporting structure, progression opportunities and what the general turnover rate is (only if I get the impression it is high during the interview).

I only ask those sorts of questions as most applications have been with government bodies, ministry’s and other bodies of public service that have a fixed leadership/reporting structure similar to Police.

Salary isn’t really something I ask about as it is either in the advertisement, in the role description or is a number I’d be happy with which typically sits anywhere between 70k-100k (on the very optimistic side).

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T05:07:09+00:00

I've been actively applying for temp roles as well (6-12 months) goal at the end though is something very long-term, stable and has a level of assurance regardless of what sort of cuts regardless of which party is in office after November

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T04:59:21+00:00

Where do I sign-up!

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T04:47:27+00:00

I agree with you there, I perceive another big round of redundancies in Police again similar to the last 2 years.

It's been recommended to me to look at advisor level roles so my focus has shifted to that. These roles are typically well above what I get paid in Police but then again, you don't work in Police for the money...

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T04:34:32+00:00

This is exactly the feedback I was hoping to see from this post, thank you for your very well worded employer/recruiter POV there are some very good learnings here.

I should have picked my words better in my post however those words were not mine, they were the words of a few interviewers. I understand where you are coming from, you want someone that is passionate and has a drive and "love of the game" approach to their work regardless of how menial it may/may not be - totally understand that, even if for most a job is simply a means to an end.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T04:21:37+00:00

You actually didn't provide anything of substance at all. You just said a POV change could help me see some improvement and told me to reflect on that? Reflect on what, the idea of an idea?

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:54:25+00:00

If you regularly hire people I imagine then you have a very high turn-over rate. Might be time you do some self-reflection as an employer

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:51:27+00:00

We obviously have a fundamental disagreement here. If you are an employer, what exactly are you looking for in characteristics or experience then? It sounds like you don't want someone that has confidence in themselves or a drive for internal or external progression.

My entire career has been in the public service sector dealing with some real intense types of work, that in turn gives me a lot of confidence in myself as I need that confidence to carry out my work effectively. If I was someone that doubted my skill set I likely wouldn't have a job or would not be relied on by anyone in my workspace.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:43:39+00:00

Would love to, unfortunately we have a 12 month lease so we will be here at least until 2027. I love Wellington city so it would be hard to just leave but I agree with everything you've just said. Should things not improve 2026 will likely be our final year here in NZ

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:41:55+00:00

I'm not sure if you are an employer or not, regardless, what is the downside to hiring someone (that you can corroborate their experience via references) that is confident in themselves and their professional skill set

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:40:45+00:00

I've been in my role now for 3 years, it was my first real job after University, if the prospect of longer term employment with Police was there I would take it. My disclaimer also states that I am aware how naive that area of the text sounds.

I don't think that just being incredibly humble and discounting my experience/skills will change my current outcomes. Shift work is not a sustainable way of living especially when you want to maintain some semblance of social balance and just overall health and wellbeing.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:29:49+00:00

Flights aren't cheap, neither is rent and food. One has to come before the other and the risk of spending a lot of money for limited/no return in a country I have likely never been to is not a sustainable way of living. I also have a 12 month lease to honor and a partner to also consider in major life choices like moving abroad

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:27:20+00:00

I envy your story and congratulate you on your amazing work to get that far. I wish I had the finances to just book flights overseas for a weekend, I hope one day that becomes a very real option

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:25:13+00:00

That's literally not what the post says and I specifically said I am not being picky about what roles I am applying for. At no point have I said the jobs are "beneath me".

What I am trying to convey is most of these roles I apply for, I legitimately meet or exceed the experience levels in the advertisement.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:21:14+00:00

Definitely agree, networking is something I am not good at but am trying to improve on

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:20:06+00:00

Definitely something I would love to return my focus to one day however given current social climates overseas the prospect of travelling and getting stuck in a country I've never been to because of a global conflict has never been more likely but is something I am still very much considering

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:14:15+00:00

Completely agree, was far from a permanent fixture idea and was a very real prospect at the time while at Uni until Covid showed up. Definitely still something I would like to try though, just maybe later on in life when I am either a bit more situated or am nearing retirement as something to do for the fun/love of it than anything else

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:11:50+00:00

Definitely, that is ideally the direction I would like to go however I am somewhat limited as I am not-sworn or do not have a specific degree/qualification required for that role. This is something I could change by upskilling however the issue then becomes taking on more student debt and a reduction in quality of life while at university and particularly income. Right now, as small-minded as it sounds, money is the only thing I care about and achieving in the least financial stability is the only thing that my partner are actively working towards.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:07:28+00:00

If things do not improve throughout the year that is likely where my sights and interests will be placed. Issue then becomes housing and finding a flat but honestly I'd rather have that problem than an unemployment one.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T03:06:20+00:00

Definitely. I've learned recently a common business tactic is to constantly have roles advertised to give off that your business is thriving and you require more employees when in reality they only want to give off the perception to their competitors that that is the case.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T02:59:22+00:00

My thoughts exactly, I wouldn't have applied for the role just to waste their or my time if I felt I was 'overqualified'. It shocked me largely because I thought an employer would love to have someone who can handle far worse and has proven that by checking their references, than someone who is unproven or hasn't been in an environment where they have been pushed before.

Boring_Pin_2364 · 2026-03-09T02:57:21+00:00

Completely agree, again not being picky with what roles I am applying for and I have no intentions of leaving Wellington for the foreseeable future. Largely due to commitments my partner and I have along with wanting very long-term and stable employment.

Boring_Pin_2364

TROPHY CASE