Approaching English Language Partners proved fruitful for Dulari Amarasinghe: she’s just secured a terrific job!

Dulari is enjoying her new administrator position at the Capital and Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) and says she appreciates the support of our Wellington centre.

With her background in Human Rights and International Relations, Dulari worked in her home country, Sri Lanka, as a Red Cross education officer. Finding employment in the workplace here, however, meant learning new ways - about how New Zealanders apply and interview for jobs.

Romesh Dissanayake, who runs the programme helping migrants secure employment in the capital, says Dulari really shows how perseverance pays off.

“Dulari’s faced many challenges and obstacles. She’s very determined, and with help from our volunteer job mentors she’s been rewarded with a skilled job.”

“We all admire her strength and resilience,” Romesh says. “It’s been an absolute pleasure supporting Dulari, and everyone at the Job Mentoring Service wishes her the best for her future.

“We’re all very proud of her!”

Dulari’s kindly sharing her success story and hopes it will help migrant job seekers.

We moved to Wellington in July 2020, and I received the work visa in October 2020.

I applied for a lot of jobs related to my educational qualifications and experience, but sadly not even one interview was given to me to prove myself. 

So I visited work places and tried to find out if I can get work not in my work area, but to find something at least in my hobby area. I succeeded, but the work was tiring, and employers were not the best, so I had to frequently change jobs.

During this period, I found about the Job Mentoring Service and when I visited the place, it was Romesh, the Coordinator of the Job Mentoring Service who listened to me and offered me available support through first Sarah Gray (Job Mentor) and then Yvonne Davidis (Job Mentor).

I was supported, advised and guided through how to make a CV and cover letter according to the New Zealand standard.

I started applying for jobs which were somewhat related to my experience.

Recently, I applied for a job in CCDHB and I was asked to face to an interview. My mentor Yvonne supported me in getting ready for the interview and I was successful. I had a final interview, and I got the job! 

Thanks to my mentors and Romesh, who were kind and helpful throughout, as well as understanding me as a person new to this country.

Their advice, guidance and support were not limited to only finding jobs but were very much helpful to connect to the New Zealand way of thinking and culture.

I am still contacting them for advice and support.

This process is not a short process, it takes time, but with positive outcomes. For me to find a reasonable job took nearly one and half years.

The lesson I learnt is: by obtaining the support from Job Mentoring Service, I have improved my knowledge in the New Zealand way regarding applying for jobs, facing interviews and all other aspects of living in New Zealand.

I would like to say a ‘Big Thank You’ to Romesh, Sarah and specifically Yvonne.

Many thanks to Dulari Amarasinghe for your encouraging words!

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‍For more information, visit the Job Mentoring Service website run by our ELP Wellington centre

Nationwide, English Language Partners also runs the 'English for Job Seekers' programme, helping new Kiwis develop skills to find employment.