Developing a New Zealand CV: Crafting a CV for New Zealand Employers
In New Zealand, employers expect CVs to be short and easy to read. Therefore, as a job seeker looking to get into recruitment and job placements in New Zealand, you ought to use the New Zealand-style CV format. Note that New Zealand does not use the Canadian Resume format as in Canada, and they have their format of CV’s.
Employers in New Zealand want CVs that are short and easy to scan to decide if it is worth a further read. Therefore, you need to leave a good first impression at the shortest time possible. Below are elements of a New Zealand CV style:
New Zealand CV Format
New Zealand employers prefer the most relevant information on your CV and rather include proof of how you have been applying them. Therefore, it is important to include only the most pertinent details of the skills and experience that directly fit the vacancy you apply.
Previous Experience
When listing previous experience, consider including a brief description of the organizations, including:
- Number of employees
- Location
- Links, contacts, and emails for further information if required.
Two Types of CV
There are two primary types of CVs in New Zealand:
- Skills-focused CV: Suitable for career changers, school leavers, or individuals with gaps in work history.
- Work-focused CV: Ideal for showcasing work experience and for individuals advancing in their careers.
You can download skills-focused or work-focused CV templates in PDF format from the official New Zealand Government website (https://www.careers.govt.nz/).
Readable CV
To make your CV look better and more comprehensible, focus on several crucial aspects:
- Use one-size black font.
- Keep your sentences short and don’t forget to divide paragraphs.
- Use bullet points where possible. Make sure your CV stays formal, with no abbreviations and slang.
- Maintain a formal tone, avoiding abbreviations, slang, or jargon.
- No photos or pictures.
- Clear headings and enough white space.
- No more than 2 pages.
Following these simple rules will help write a good CV and make a favorable impression on a New Zealand employer.
JPG or PDF?
In any case, save your CV in versions both JPG and PDF. In any other situation, the employer probably demands a Word or PDF document. Even in this case, PDF is preferable, as it is more open to a variety of devices and more professional.
What Should You Write in Your NZ CV?
Include the following sections in your CV when you craft your New Zealand CV:
- Name and Contact Details: Your full names, phone number, email address, and optionally your physical address.
- Technical and Personal Skills: List technical job skills like the programming language, or a software you are conversant with, and personal communication or teamwork that is essential for the role.
- Work, Community, and Volunteer Experience: a detailed description of any work you have done, whether during a paid internship, full-time, or part-time job. Also, mention any role in community activities or volunteer work, a commitment and drive.
- Qualifications and Education: provide a description of your academic qualifications. Include the institution that awarded you the degree, and the year of completion.
- Referees: only include this section if you have references. Mention their names, contacts, and relationship with you in brackets.
- Objective and Personal Statement: include one or two sentences about your career goals and personal attributes. Also, adjust for the specific position and company as an expression of your excitement and qualification.
- Achievements: list awards, publication, and other contributions related to the same role. If possible, quantify your achievements to hint at how important they are.
- Interests: share the content that indicates your personality or demonstrates something about teamwork, responsibility, or creativeness.
- Job-Specific Information: add any vital detail relevant to the job. For instance, when seeking an education, include the training philosophy. Also, it is good to react to each section to fit the job you are assigned to.
With the above sections, you can craft a CV New Zealand employers will love.
What not to include in your CV
It is essential to remember not to include the following in creating your CV:
- Photo or images
- Colored or fancy fonts or design
- Date of Birth or Age
- Marital Status, Religion, or Bank Account Details
- Too much text and bad spelling, and
- A funny or rude email address
- Irrelevant work experience or interests, and
- Lies about your experience and skills.
Objective and Personal Statement
- Objective:
- Provide a concise overview of the type of work you seek and the industry you are targeting.
- Tailor your objective to align with the specific job and company you are applying to.
- Personal Statement:
- Craft a brief summary of yourself in three to four sentences.
- Highlight your key strengths, values, and aspirations, showcasing why you are a strong candidate for the role.
- Keep it focused and impactful, leaving a memorable impression on the reader.
By eliminating these unnecessary details and focusing on pertinent information, you can create a well-organized and functional CV for prospective employers to review.
Referees
When listing referees on your CV, ensure you include at least two referees. One referee should be your current manager, team leader, or work experience supervisor, while the other can be a formal employer, school teacher, or professor.
Include the following contact details for each referee:
- First and last names
- Job title
- Organization they work for
- Phone number
- Email address
New Zealand Style CV Templates
Utilize the New Zealand CV templates provided by the official New Zealand Government website. These templates and examples are designed to help you create CVs (resumes) that align with New Zealand employer preferences.
By following these guidelines and utilizing the provided templates, you can create a professional and effective CV tailored to New Zealand standards.
Here are the New Zealand CV template examples for 2023, sourced from the official New Zealand Government website:
New Zealand CV Template Examples
New Zealand CV Format 2023
- Source: New Zealand Government Careers Website
- Direct Link: New Zealand CV Format 2023
These templates are designed to assist you in creating a CV that meets New Zealand standards and impresses potential employers. Utilize them to craft a professional and effective CV for your job search in New Zealand.
New Zealand CV Builder
You can streamline the process of creating a New Zealand-style CV by using the CV builder. With this tool, you can save valuable time, and within seconds, your professional New Zealand-style CV will be ready to impress potential employers.
CV Builder – Create Your CV Online
Tips for Crafting a New Zealand CV Format:
- Keep it concise.
- Provide concrete examples of your skills.
- Ensure your CV is updated with the latest information.
- Include referee contact details.
- Consider the perspective of the employer when structuring your CV.
- Have your CV proofread for accuracy.
- Write a tailored cover letter.
For more comprehensive tips and guidance on creating a New Zealand-style CV, we recommend visiting the official careers.govt.nz website.
Additional CV Formats:
- For Europe: Europass CV Format
- For Canada: Canadian Resume Format
Utilize these resources to create a standout CV tailored to your target region. http://scholardesk.org/europass-cv-format-2024-create-your-cv-online/