The pair moved to the Western Bay about a year ago when her fiance was made redundant from his job as an engineer. In Tauranga, she managed to get a job but was made redundant six months later when the company restructured.
Miss Kasper has applied for so many jobs she cannot remember exactly how many. On a couple of occasions she said she made it down to the final two candidates but was not selected because she didn't have as much local knowledge as local applicants, she said.
"Most jobs I apply for I'm over-qualified for but that doesn't worry me," she said.
"Businesses are being inundated with good-quality, high-calibre candidates ... and it's tough out there."
In the meantime, she approached numerous recruitment companies and did some temp work. She dropped her CV off to businesses but often did not hear a response.
"I'm not that picky. I'd happily do a sales or admin job, I just don't particularly want to do retail. That's one thing I haven't applied for and I think my age would be against me."
"I'm very flexible, I'm hard working and I'm quite adaptable ... and I'd really like to find a job," she said.
Miss Kasper said being new to Tauranga made it difficult to get a foot in the door and she missed the social aspect of a work environment. Living off one income was "tough" but she and her fiance made it work.
Genevieve Helliwell
