The 57-year-old tradesman, who has worked "on and off" as a painter for the past 35 years, received two job offers.
Mr Groves had been working for himself, but when jobs dried up he began phoning and door-knocking for work, before "deciding to advertise myself by the paint shop on Crawford St".
"I had a bit of success."
He will start work for Phil's Painters Ltd on Tuesday, and had a job over the long weekend to keep him busy.
Phil's Painters co-owner Phil Leyden told the Otago Daily Times the firm had been looking for a trades painter, "as a lot of the younger guys have all gone to Christchurch".
"It was good to see him standing there and I just stopped straight away."
And Mr Groves' advice for those seeking work?
"Just bite the bullet and go and do it ... look what happened to me."
