Searching and applying for employment
in New Zealand
To work legally in New Zealand, you need a visa that allows employment. Common options include:
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) – for jobs with NZ-accredited employers.
Working Holiday Visa – for young people from certain countries (temporary work).
Skilled Migrant Category – for long-term skilled jobs.
Post-Study Work Visa – if you studied in NZ recently.
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If you’re looking for the most up-to-date information on immigration to New Zealand, the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website is an excellent resource. The website provides comprehensive information on visa types, eligibility criteria, application processes, and fees.
There are several skilled occupations that are currently in high demand in the New Zealand labour market. These occupations are listed on the Green List Roles published by Immigration New Zealand.
New Zealand has a unique approach to work, commonly referred to as the “Kiwi way.” This way of working emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and a strong work-life balance. Kiwis are known for their friendly and welcoming nature, and this extends to their work environments as well.
In New Zealand, it’s common for colleagues to address each other by their first names, regardless of their position in the company. This creates a sense of equality and approachability in the workplace. Additionally, New Zealanders tend to value teamwork and collaboration, and decision-making is often done through consensus-building rather than a top-down approach.
The work culture in New Zealand is generally quite relaxed, with an emphasis on work-life balance. Employees are entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year, and many companies offer additional benefits such as flexible working hours or the ability to work remotely.
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CV Writing and Cover Letter Coaching Options.
When creating a CV (curriculum vitae) in New Zealand, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Personal Information: Start with your full name, contact information (phone number, email, and physical address), do NOT include anymore personal information, it is not required.
Professional Summary: Write a brief summary of your career goals, skills, and experience. This should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. (Only give them what is relevant to the job you apply for, they do not want to see your temporary jobs in High school)
Work Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Education: List your educational qualifications, including the institution, degree/diploma, and dates of study. (If you have left school more than 5 years ago, do not include your matric results, start at tertiary qualifications that is relevant to the job you apply for.)
Skills: Highlight your relevant skills, including technical skills, language proficiency, and soft skills.
References: Supply it once asked for it, do NOT include it in CV
Here are a few additional tips for creating a strong CV in New Zealand:
Keep it concise: Your CV should ideally be no longer than two pages. Keep it short.
Tailor it to the job: Customize your CV to the specific job you are applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position.
Change your CV for every job you apply for with keywords from the ad.
Before a potential migrant employee can be invited to apply for an AEWV, employers must first apply and be approved as an accredited employer, once accreditation has been approved the accredited employer must attempt to recruit within New Zealand. Should the recruitment not be successful the employer must then apply to Immigration New Zealand for a Job Check for the specific role/s and number of staff they are looking to fill. Once these two steps have been completed and approved, the employer they can then look to employ a migrant worker to fill the specific role approved at the Job Check stage.
You can use this tool to check if an employer is currently accredited or not.
Get in touch if you like to find out more from one of our immigration advisors.
NZQA stands for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, which is the government agency responsible for the quality assurance of education and training in New Zealand.
NZQA is responsible for setting the standards for qualifications in New Zealand, ensuring that all qualifications meet certain quality assurance requirements. They also maintain the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), which is a comprehensive list of all qualifications recognized in New Zealand, from certificates to doctorates.
NZQA is also responsible for accrediting and monitoring education and training providers, including schools, tertiary institutions, and private training establishments. They evaluate providers to ensure that they meet quality standards and comply with the rules and regulations of the New Zealand education system.
In addition, NZQA is responsible for assessing and recognizing overseas qualifications, to ensure that they are comparable to New Zealand qualifications. This process is known as the International Qualifications Assessment (IQA), and it provides individuals with an assessment of the level and quality of their overseas qualification, and its comparability to New Zealand qualifications.
Convert your Qualification HERE
For most visas to New Zealand, you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by meeting the minimum requirements set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The minimum requirements vary depending on the visa category you are applying for.
For example, if you are applying for a Skilled Migrant Category visa or a Essential Skills Work visa, you will generally need to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. You can demonstrate this by providing evidence of achieving certain scores in a recognized English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Occupational English Test (OET), or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Interviews in New Zealand can be different from what you may be used to in other countries. New Zealanders tend to have a more informal and relaxed approach to interviewing, and this is often reflected in the interview process.
During a New Zealand interview, you may find that the interviewer is friendly and chatty, and may ask more personal questions about your background and interests. This is because New Zealanders place a high value on building relationships and getting to know people beyond just their professional qualifications and experience.
It’s also common for New Zealand interviewers to ask behavioral questions, which focus on how you have handled certain situations in the past, rather than hypothetical questions about how you would handle them in the future. This is because New Zealand employers value practical experience and want to ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to handle the job.
Job searching is the process of identifying, applying for, and securing employment.
It involves researching potential employers, preparing application materials (such as CVs and
cover letters), networking with professionals, and attending interviews.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job searching and professional networking.
Effective job searching is a strategic and continuous activity that leverages various resources and tools to
connect job seekers with suitable job opportunities.
Mastering interview skills is the key to unlocking career opportunities and standing out in a competitive job market.
Interview training empowers candidates to present their best selves with confidence, clarity, and significantly increasing their chances of success.
