Finding a job in New Zealand is not as easy as it sounds. Firstly, most employers want the potential job applicants to have work visas before he will interview a candidate. Most Recruitment Agencies are the same. You will see jobs advertised in the local newspaper or the job websites saying ‘Applicants with permanent residence/work visa only may apply’. So how do you get a job? To get a job you need a Work Visa and to get a Work Visa you need a job. It’s a catch 22 situation. Many South Africans have come to New Zealand, encountered these situations and often have to go back to SA. That is why it is very important to take legal/immigration advice from a licensed adviser who will help you to overcome these objections. You can look on the skills shortage list on the INZ website to see if you qualify to immigrate to New Zealand.

With the Christchurch rebuild there are more and more jobs coming on stream. I urgently need 10 electricians, quantity surveyors, civil engineers and tradesmen. There are jobs in Auckland too and as long as you’re qualified in your skill level there are positions for you.

Send your CV to Peter at [email protected].

Civil Engineers with 10 years experience
Farm Managers
Heavy duty truck drivers with a minimum of 10 years driving experience
Carpenters/builders. NZ builds wooden houses
Electricians
Plumbers
Auto Mechanics
Diesel Mechanics
IT Personnel with 10 years experience.

TIPS FOR CREATING A NZ-STYLE CV 

You may already have a CV but its style, length and content may be quite different from CVs in New Zealand. These tips will help you write your CV in a style that New Zealand employers prefer.

CONTENTS:

• 1. Keep it short – 2 pages or 3 max
• 2. Give examples of your skills
• 3. Make sure your CV is up to date
• 4. Get it checked
• 5. Sell yourself
• 6. Bring your referees
• 7. Write a cover letter

1.     KEEP IT SHORT

You may be used to having a CV that includes information about every job or course you’ve ever done. But in New Zealand, CVs are generally short – two to three pages long. Employers want to know about how suitable you are for their vacancy, not all that you have ever done. It’s still important though so if you have worked at many places use one liners – company name, occupation, dates to and from.

Your CV should include:

• Your contact details
• Work experience that is relevant to the job you want or applying for
• Key skills you have learned or developed that would be useful for the position.

New Zealand employers like a short CV with impact. They do not like to read a long story.

2.     GIVE EXAMPLES OF YOUR SKILLS

Employers use CVs to decide which candidates they will invite for an interview. Writing about skills may be different from what you’re used to. Don’t just list your skills – make sure that you give an example of how you’ve used each skill.

Identify what you did, the setting in which the activity was carried out and what happened as a result.

Example:

Customer Service skills – managed a busy bookstore and twice achieved a 95% grading during the annual mystery shopper survey.

To get more examples of this, see our page about putting transferable skills in your CV. (Transferable skills are skills that you have that are useful in many types of jobs, for example, communication or being able to work well under pressure.

3.     MAKE SURE YOUR CV IS UP TO DATE

If you want an employer to contact you, you need to keep your CV up to date with your latest address and telephone number.

Tips:

• If you don’t have a phone at home, think about getting a mobile phone so that employers can contact you
• Put your email address on your CV. If you don’t have an email address, you can set up a free account with providers such as Yahoo or Gmail.

 4.     GET IT CHECKED

Sometimes CVs are difficult to translate clearly. Get an English speaker to read your CV to check for errors. Some translation services can do this for free.

5.     SELL YOURSELF

Don’t be afraid to write about your strengths (what you do well). Use your CV to tell an employer why they should employ you.

6.     BRING YOUR REFEREES (references)

Most New Zealander employers will ask for two referees about who they can contact to ask about your work. You should check that the telephone numbers and email addresses of your referees are current.

Some New Zealand employers prefer you to have New Zealand work experience. If you are having trouble finding work, consider taking an entry-level job or doing voluntary work. This can also be a source of referees.

7.     WRITE A COVER LETTER

When you send your CV to an employer, make sure you include a cover letter. Your cover letter should:

• Explain why you want the job
• Explain what you can offer the employer
• Highlight skills, qualifications and experiences that you have that match that job.

8.     THINGS NOT TO PUT ON YOUR CV

• Your school results – no one wants to know you got an A in Geography
• Afrikaans – employers may think you do not have proficiency in English
• Your race
• If you do not have residency or a work visa do not put in your legal status or you will not get an interview
• ID Number
• Negative comments about your previous boss or acrimonious divorce!!