Are you unable to find a better, if not great, job in New Zealand? Have you submitted your application for many open positions yet not received any interview call?
The most possible reason would be your resume’s poor structure. You may either have used the wrong type, included unnecessary information about yourself, or something else may be lacking.
An important thing to remember is that most Kiwi recruiters only spend less than a minute on a candidate’s application. So, your curriculum vitae should be specific, value-adding, and, most importantly, well-formatted to hook them for longer.
This comprehensive guide reveals everything related to it, from the most popular format types to what to and not to include in your application. Plus, we have shared valuable tips and examples that will help you craft a job-winning marketing document. So, explore them carefully so as not to miss out on anything.
Discover Two Types of CV Formats in New Zealand
Two formats that are mostly preferred for CVs are as follows:
Reverse-Chronological
While adhering to this format, you will keep your work history the longest. It will become the most pivotal section of your application. List your past positions reverse-chronologically. Begin with your current or the most recent role and then mention the previous ones. Highlight the responsibilities, skills, and achievements you secured while working in each position.
It is the best CV format that will boost professionals aspiring for career progression. Most recruiters expect this structure from candidates who include:
- Name, professional title, and contact information
- Summary
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications (Optional)
- Projects (Optional)
- Languages (Optional)
Skills-Focused
The skills section is the main highlight of this type. It contains a separate section where you present a summary of your abilities. Exhibit how they helped you achieve professional milestones. There is a separate sub-heading, which contains a well-structured list of your relevant skills. Demonstrate your hard abilities to showcase yourself as an all-rounder candidate.
The work history section would be comparatively shorter and more precise in this type. A skill-focused format is less common among job hunters, but you can consider it if it resonates with your objectives.
Nonetheless, its structure would open up as:
- Name and contact information
- Personal profile
- Skill summary
- Skills (Core competencies, technical, and transferable abilities)
- Work Experience
- Education
- Projects
- Certifications (Optional)
- Awards and honours (Optional)
You can select the New Zealand resume format that aligns with your goals. For instance, select a skill-based format if you’re a fresh graduate, have experienced massive professional changes, or are switching your career path. Alternatively, choose reverse-chronological if you have plenty of work experience related to the job you’re applying for. It will prove that you have practical insights that you have gained after working in the corporate space.
Things That You Must Include in Your NZ CV
Now that you’re aware of the format you should follow, explore the information your CV must contain whatsoever. Understanding it and adhering to it will strengthen your application’s quality.
Name, Professional Title, and Contact Information
Start your application with your name and it will also be the title of your file. Limit your contact information to your email, and phone number. Insert a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio. Don’t mention your exact address. Only mentioning your state and city name is more than enough.
Here’s the recommended structure for this section according to the appropriate CV format NZ:
Full Name | Professional Title
Location: City and state
Phone: Insert your cell number
Email: name@example.com
Link: Add your LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Personal Statement
Always tailor this section according to your target job. Open up about your professional intentions, objectives, and what you can bring to your potential employer. Keep it simple and catchy in a short paragraph that comes right after your contact details. The appropriate length for it is around three to four sentences.
Skill Set
Skills are the best thing you can add to your resume to enhance your professional integrity. Don’t limit it to only your skills section. Instead, subtly mention them in your professional summary and work history sub-headings.
Go through the job board and note the specific skills the potential position requires. Highlight them in your application to improve your hiring chances. Limit the number of abilities to five, in terms of both soft and hard. Rather than simply naming them, add bullet points to explain them properly in your NZ CV format.
For instance:
- Knowledge of content management systems, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Office
- The ability to collaborate well with different teams to maximise workplace efficiency
- The capability to express ideas clearly and concisely
Work History
Add details about your work history in reverse chronological order, i.e. start with your current or latest job entry. Mention your job title, workplace’s name, and the duration you worked in, along with one to four bullets that summarise your role. Exhibit your primary responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.
Use action-packed words whenever possible to make a solid impact on your potential recruiter. Choose the relevant work history, duties, and achievements to get preference over other candidates. Nonetheless, don’t include work entries that are more than ten years older, as they’re usually irrelevant. Be to the point and avoid a generic tone.
Education
Keep the same format for your education section as you did for the experience one. The reverse chronological CV format for the job lets the recruiter easily get the information they want to know first regarding the candidate. Add the names of institutions, dates, and whatever you accomplished.
There is no need to mention your grades unless they’re impressive. Clearly and precisely list your academic qualifications as the recruiters usually don’t have time to get into your details. Give them straightaway whatever they want.
Recommended layout:
Name of your institution | Dates attended ( from-to) | Degree(s)
Hobbies and Interests (Optional)
If you still have plenty of white space in your resume, utilise it wisely to strengthen your application. Add additional sections, such as hobbies and interests. It is a common option that many Kiwi job seekers include in their curriculum vitae. Maintain transparency and relevance to your potential position.
The details within this sub-heading will reveal many insights about your personality. It will also signal that you have a lively life beyond working hours. Your recruiter will know that you have a keen interest in certain things, whether it is exercising, reading, sketching, or something else. According to professional CV writers, employers usually prefer enthusiastic candidates who are serious about their personal goals.
References (Optional)
Add this section if you have enough space after including the above information. If you have adequate space to write ‘Available upon request,’ so go for it. Otherwise, leave it empty. If recommendations are the requirement of a potential position, they will mention it in their requirements. If so, include them at this stage.
Alternatively, you can attach a separate document dedicated to your endorsements. Add at least two references. First, the one who works above you in the present or past. Second, the one who knows you well professionally or academically.
Things That You Must Not Mention In Your NZ CV (+Proven Strategies)
Here are some things you should not include if you want to leave a good impression on your curriculum vitae:
A Photo
Never include it unless it is specially requested. Kiwi employers typically don’t make decisions about hiring based on their appearance, but some do. The best CV format in New Zealand doesn’t require your photo, therefore, avoid it.
Bragging
Don’t brag about yourself. Avoid words that may feel like bragging. Focus on your experience and the value you may organically bring to your possible employer rather than making false claims. Use quantifiable achievements to prove your professional integrity. For instance, rather than simply stating ‘I’m a good writer,’ says ‘Amplified website traffic by 40% through authentic, SEO-optimised content.
Salary Detail
Including details about what you are currently earning can weaken your position later on. Pricing yourself right at the beginning will give you less chance of getting a much better income. So, you should never mention your salary.
Family Info
Opening up about your family information would be a serious stupidity you can do. Whether you’re single, mingle, or have kids, HR doesn’t care about it. Even in some situations, you will attract discrimination towards yourself in some cases. For instance, a single individual may be favored over the one with young children for certain roles, such as travelling sales. Consequently, keep such info away from your CV format for New Zealand jobs.
Colored or Fancy Design Elements
Your resume is not a fashion project. So, don’t try to make it stylish with fancy designs and vibrant colours. It is a professional document. Keep it in mind while choosing every aspect, from the template to hues, typography, and so on.
Choose classic, neutral shades, such as black, white, and grey to highlight your professionalism. You can add another colour to the template to enhance its appeal while keeping it professional. Subtle accents, such as blue, green, or muted tones work well. Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri are suitable typeface choices.
Excessive Information, misspellings, and Errors
Have you just completed your curriculum vitae and it turns out to be longer than the appropriate length? It is because you included excessive information about yourself. Many job candidates include unnecessary details about themselves just to boost their credibility. Plus, several don’t proofread carefully.
Misspellings or minor grammatical errors can create a bad image in front of recruiters. If you don’t want that to happen, let skilled and attentive resume editors polish your application. With their expert help, you will capture your recruiter’s attention for more than seven seconds.
How long should a New Zealand CV be?
The appropriate length is one to two pages long. If you’re a fresh graduate or mid-career level professional, one page is more than enough. You can easily accommodate details about your skills and experience into it. Alternatively, adhere to two pages if you’re highly experienced and have a decade or more of experience to display. However, recruiters wouldn’t explore your second page unless your work history is exceptionally remarkable.
Should I add my picture to my New Zealand resume?
No! You shouldn’t include it. It is not a common practice in the recruiting environment in NZ. A recruiter may reject your application if they see your photo added to it.
What are the appropriate fonts for a New Zealand CV?
Use any readable and professional font, such as Open Sans, PT Serif, or Assistant. Stick to two different typefaces for your body text and headings. For instance, utilize Sans-Serif font for your body text while using Serif font for the heading.
What is the best file type for a New Zealand CV?
Download your application in a PDF file type because it will look the same on every gadget, including computers and laptops. Your text’s readability would not be compromised, irrespective of the operating system or PDF viewer they use.
Final Verdict
The way you format your curriculum vitae will change the entire job-hunting game in New Zealand. Kiwi recruiters prefer applications that are well-structured, tailored, and error-free. By implementing the above guidelines, you will craft a resume that will speed up your hiring chances by 40%. Thus, bookmark this helpful guide and consider it while creating your marketing document to unlock amazing career opportunities