resume template free nz

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CV and cover letter templates

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Templates and examples to help you create your own CV's (resumes) and cover letters.

What's on this page?

Cover letter template and example, skills-focused cv for changing career or gaps in your work history, work-focused cv for career progression, skills-focused cv for school leavers, specialist cv's, find out more, create a cv online with cv builder and it saves automatically.

You can use our CV Builder to create your CV.  It'll automatically save to your careers.govt.nz account.

• CV Builder – create your own CV online  

Don't want to use CV Builder? Use our CV and cover letter templates by saving them to your computer

If you don't want to use CV Builder, you can use the templates on this page to create your CV and cover letter. 

Save and name your templated CV and cover letter

• When you download the templates, remember to save them on your computer as a Word document and a PDF.  Employers may need either format.
• Name your documents with your name, the application date, and the job you're applying for. For instance, "Mere Smith 1 Oct 2023 Water Engineer CV". This helps employers keep track of your documents.

Read our examples and use our templates to create your cover letter. Remember to save it on your computer.

Cover letter examples:

• Cover letter example (Word - 16KB)
• Cover letter example (PDF - 0.1MB)

Cover letter templates:

• Cover letter template (Word - 20KB)
• Cover letter template (PDF - 0.1MB)

Use a skills-focused CV template if you haven't had many jobs, have gaps between jobs or are changing career.

Skills-focused CV examples:

• Skills CV example (Word - 27KB)
• Skills CV example (PDF - 0.1MB)

Skills-focused CV templates:

• Skills CV template (Word - 25KB)
• Skills CV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Read about describing skills in your CV:

Use a work-focused CV template if you're changing to a similar job or a higher-level role in the same area, or want to highlight your work experience and career progression.

Work-focused CV examples:

• Work CV example (Word - 27KB)
• Work CV example (PDF - 0.4MB)

Work-focused CV templates:

• Work CV template (Word - 26KB)
• Work VV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Use a skills-focussed school leaver CV template if you're about to leave or have recently left school.

School-leaver CV examples:

• School leaver CV example (Word - 26KB)
• School leaver CV example (PDF - 0.3MB)

School-leaver CV templates:

• School Leaver CV template (Word - 25KB)
• School Leaver CV template (PDF - 0.4MB)

Some careers require a particular style of CV.

CV's for academic, creative, engineering, health, legal and teaching careers:

• University of Otago website - CV and Cover Letter Guide (PDF - 0.3MB)
• University of Oxford website - CVs for creative careers
• Victoria University website - CV/Resume Preparation for Teaching (PDF - 0.7MB)
• Free job hunters' workbook

Updated 22 Sep 2023

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Develop a New Zealand-style CV

Most employers will quickly scan your CV to decide if it is worth reading in more detail. So it needs to make a good impression quickly.

What to include in your CV

New Zealand employers only want to see relevant information on your CV. They do not need a list of every job or course you have ever done.

Employers are most interested in your:

• technical and personal skills
• work experience
• qualifications and education
• community and volunteer experience.

They also like to see some evidence of how you have applied your skills.

It is best to only include relevant details of your skills and experience and to give brief examples of how you have used your skills in the past.

Skills employers are looking for | careers.govt.nz

Previous employers

Local employers may not be familiar with the organisations you have worked for overseas. It helps if you include a short description of organisations you list on your CV, like:

• the number of employees
• the location
• a website link so they can get more information if they need it.

The careers.govt.nz website has tips on how to write a CV for New Zealand employers.

How to write a CV | careers.govt.nz

Make a good impression

It is important to make a good impression of yourself as a potential employee, but not to appear too boastful about your achievements.

Many people make the mistake of writing a CV and using it for every job application. New Zealand employers expect you to adjust your CV to suit each job so that it highlights the skills that are relevant to the job.

People suggested that my CV was not what New Zealand employers would look at. Where I come from we prepare a CV in a different way: we give all our experience right from day one. Here, nobody likes to read a story! Darshan Desai

Cover letters

Most New Zealand employers expect a cover letter with your CV when you apply for a job. A cover letter is a ‘sales pitch’ about why you think you are ideal for the job.

Your cover letter should:

• briefly introduce yourself
• outline your main relevant skills and experience
• make an argument for why you are the right person for the specific job.

Just like your CV, it should focus on details that are relevant to the job you are applying for and it should be brief – no longer than 1 page.

Use a formal and persuasive style when writing a cover letter. It is a good idea to have a generic letter that you can adjust to match the job description you are applying for.

How to write a cover letter | careers.govt.nz

Your qualifications

Remember to bring your qualifications with you to New Zealand. If you are sending them in with an application, send a copy. Keep the originals safe and get copies made and certified. If you are in New Zealand, a Justice of the Peace (JP) can certify them.

Find a JP | Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations

Helpful resources

The careers.govt.nz website has many resources that can help you to make a New Zealand-style CV and cover letter. There is material to help you:

• understand the parts of a CV
• learn how to put transferable skills on your CV
• learn how to write a cover letter
• fill in job application forms.

CV and cover letter templates | careers.govt.nz

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How to write a great New Zealand CV (with free templates)

A good CV can make all the difference to your job hunting hopes. Check out our must-read advice and free templates.

Looking to write a great, NZ style CV? We got you.

Here’s everything you need to know and include to make your CV stand out in front of recruiters and hiring managers.

We’ve also created some free CV templates , for you to copy, fill in and send off. Easy as.

Now, let’s get cracking.

In this article, you’ll learn: 

• How to write a CV: what to include 
• What not to include on your CV 
• How to format your CV 
• And you'll get access to free CV Templates

How to write a CV: what to include

Every good CV contains the following elements:

• Your name and contact info 
• Your personal statement and objectives 
• Your work history 
• Your qualifications 
• Your referees

1. Your name and contact info

Your full name should be clearly displayed at the top of your CV, along with the following contact info:

• Phone number – this can be either a mobile or landline, but needs to be one you’ll be able to answer during standard working hours.
• Email – the majority of job applications today are done online, and you’ll likely initially hear back via email.
• Home address – this might seem outdated, but the people assessing your CV will still expect to see your home address included.

If you have an online employment profile (and we highly recommend you do), this is a great place to include its URL, or links to online work portfolios.

Talent Team Top Tips 

Our Trade Me Talent Team offers some insight: 

• If you’re still using your Hotmail account from when you were 10 (looking at you ‘beermonster98'), it’s time for a change. It’s easy to set up a more professional email address, and well worth your time. 
• Check your contact details are accurate - you’d be surprised how often we can’t contact people because their details are incorrect, or missing altogether.

Choose from one of our CV designs, then fill in your details.

2. Your personal statement and objectives

Personal statement and objectives sections are staples of New Zealand CVs. The important thing with these is to keep them short and snappy – aim for no more than 80 words. Also, avoid cliches – being unique will help you stand out from the crowd.

• E.g. 1: ‘I’m an experienced accountant, specialising in internal audits, with a passion for keeping up with the latest accounting tech trends.’
• E.g. 2: ‘I’m a hard-working carpentry apprentice, with experience in commercial and residential projects, and a passion for taking on new challenges’.
• E.g. 1: ‘With two years as an assistant manager under my belt, I’m looking to take on a full management role, and continue to grow my responsibilities’.
• E.g.2: ‘Having recently graduated, I’m keen to take the skills and experience I gained during my degree into a professional setting’.

Use positive language in your personal statement and objective, but keep them concise.

3. Your work history

If this is your first CV , and you don’t have any paid work experience to include – fear not. The above info is equally valid for any volunteer positions you’ve held or internships you’ve completed. If you haven’t done anything of this sort either – still fear not, we’ll get onto listing education and qualifications below.

There’s a knack to listing work experience on your CV. Each entry needs to include:

• The company name
• Your job title
• The dates you worked there
• Your core responsibilities. Top tip : keep this short. Just include the headlines and use bullet points, not paragraphs.

If you’re wondering how many jobs to include on your CV, there’s no single correct answer. For those who’ve held a number of roles, give five or six with proper substance, and then list the earlier (less relevant) roles with just the dates worked.

Top tip : use keywords. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to auto screen candidates and save time. One of the key ways this technology works is to scan CVs for certain keywords, and eliminate those that don’t contain them.

When researching keywords for your application, a great place to start is the job ad itself. This will show you the core required responsibilities you can match with your own experience.

Volunteering and internships should go in your past experience section.

4. Your qualifications

Here, we’re talking about any qualifications employers might be interested in . Think uni degrees, professional certificates and NCEA, among others.

As with your work history, list these in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent at the top. Remember, your reader is only likely to skim this section – so make it clear and keep details to a minimum.

Here’s how to include qualifications and education on your CV:

• Qualification type – for example, Plumbing and Gas Fitting – Level 2, or Bachelor of Business.
• Your grade(s)
• Institution – for example, University of Massey.
• Date s – the time period over which you completed the qualification.

If your qualification is directly relevant to the role you’re applying for, you could also include key details of your study. For uni grads, dissertations are great here as they demonstrate independent study on a topic you found particularly gripping. If you have a professional qualification, you might want to focus on an area of specialism you developed that makes you stand out .

As you progress through your career, and complete additional courses you may feel that earlier entries (e.g. NCEA) are no longer relevant. This is your call, and will ultimately depend on the role you’re applying for.

You should list qualifications in reverse order, starting with the most recent.

5. Your referees

Common questions about this section include: ‘who can be a referee for my CV?’, and ‘how many referees should I include?’.

The first choice to make is whether you want to list referees’ details, or simply include a sentence like ‘references available upon request’. Today, the second option is generally more popular. However, if you’re specifically asked to include them up front, give your referees’ phone numbers email addresses (and their relationship to you) at the bottom of your CV.

When it comes to ‘who’, the most popular choices are former employers, but you could go with lecturers or tutors you worked closely with. And remember, former employers can include people from any volunteer or internship positions you’ve held.

Ensure you ask these people to be your referee. Then they are expecting to be contacted and can be prepared.

Bonus tip : try to choose referees you’ve worked with recently, or those most relevant for the industry you’re going for. 

What not to include on your CV

• A photo – unless specifically requested, don’t put a photo on your CV. Why? Prospective employers shouldn’t make decisions based on appearance, but, unfortunately, some still do. Instead, let your skills and experience speak for themselves.
• Boastfulness – in your personal statement, avoid adjectives like ‘expert’. Focus on your experience instead, and your value will come through organically.
• Salary info – this includes what you’re on now and/or your desired salary. The risk is that you weaken your bargaining position later on, or price yourself out of the market from the start.
• Family details – most hirers aren’t interested in whether or not you’re single, married or have kids. However, some may unfairly favour people in certain circumstances. For example, a single person with no family commitments may be favoured for a travelling sales job over a parent with young children.
• A conclusion – there’s no need to include a statement summing up your experience, or promising the info you included is true – the last point on your CV should be your references.

Only include information relevant to your application.

How to format your CV

Our free CV templates do a lot of the formatting legwork for you, but here are some additional pointers for nailing the appearance side of things:

• Length – a standard NZ CV is one to two pages long. If you go over this, you risk the reader getting bored – be clear and concise, and put the most relevant info first.
• Fonts – the best font for your CV is one that’s easy to read. As unexciting as they are, popular choices include Times New Roman, Georgie, Bell MT, Tahoma and Arial. Whichever you choose, stick to it throughout.
• Layout – clearly label each section, and remember to be brief by using bullet points for the experience and qualifications sections.
• Margins – keep the margins the same throughout to keep things neat.

An often overlooked stage in finalising your CV is naming the file. As most applications are completed online, the title you give your document is important, as this is the first thing the reader will see. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid the generic – ‘CV.doc’ is likely to get lost among all the other ‘CV.doc’s the recruiter receives.
• Avoid numbers – ‘CV7.doc’ suggests six other CVs have already been sent to different companies, and you’re not as interested in this position as you claim to be.
• Keep it simple – ‘Sarah-Davies-CV’ is just fine. If you want to add more detail, and have space, including the job title makes things even more obvious.
• Keep it consistent – you need to write a cover letter to accompany your CV. In our example, this would be titled ‘Sarah-Davies-cover letter’.

Final tips from our Talent Team: 

• Don’t skip the most important stage of all – checking. We can’t overemphasise the importance of quality controlling your CV before sending it off. 
• A stellar application can be derailed by a simple typo, an illegible font or incorrect contact details. 
• If possible, show your CV to a friend, colleague or family member – a fresh pair of eyes can make all the difference. 
• Save and send your CV as a PDF, as a PDF is a very universal format.

Don’t forget to also create a Trade Me Jobs Profile - an online platform that allows recruiters to find you.

Al Hall is a regular contributor at Trade Me Jobs and Trade Me Property. He’s dedicated to helping people succeed in their aspirations to find their dream job and place to live.

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A Trade Me Jobs Profile lets employers come to you, and means you can download a professional looking CV in seconds.

Done right, your CV can be a powerful tool for helping you stand out from other candidates. Here, we’ll show you how.

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Resumes & cover letters: Free resume templates

Writing a resume can be harder than it looks. To help you get started, we have compiled three most popular resume formats in downloadable Word template formats.

These templates were deemed the most popular types by our highly-experienced consultants who assess hundreds of resumes on a weekly basis.

Choose the template that is right for your experiences and make sure you highlight your accomplishments in a way that tells your story best.

Reverse chronological resume template

The reverse chronological resume is the most common and traditional type of resume. With this resume format, you list your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent position and proceeding backwards.

For each job, provide dates, location and the name of your employer, and succinctly outline your key responsibilities and achievements. The advantage of using the reverse chronological format is that it highlights your upward career progression and continuous work history.

Functional resume template

The functional resume is perfect for those with gaps in their employment, changing career tracks or those who have a long work history.

A functional resume format emphasises your skills and abilities, or ‘functional areas’, rather than chronological employment history and is especially useful when you are changing your career focus, when you are returning to work after a break, or when you want to highlight your skills and achievements from older jobs or from volunteer or extracurricular experience.

One-page career summary template

Another resume layout option is to prepare a one-page career summary that is a shorter, more targeted version of your resume. Providing a snapshot of your key achievements, strengths, competencies, experience and qualifications, it is particularly relevant for senior executives with many accomplishments and years of professional experience.

A one-page career summary can act as a useful marketing tool that can stand alone or can accompany a full resume providing more detailed information.

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New Zealand Resume Formats, Templates, and Writing Tips

Applying for a job in New Zealand? This New Zealand resume guide has some tips, FAQs, and templates to inspire you to write the perfect resume.

If you want to get a job in New Zealand, it’s important to learn how to write a great New Zealand resume.

No matter what industry you’re in, you will need a great resume if you want to land an interview.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Requirements for a New Zealand resume
• New Zealand resume sections
• How to write an effective New Zealand resume
• New Zealand resume FAQs

New Zealand Resume Requirements

Before writing your resume for New Zealand, it’s important to understand the expectations New Zealand employers will have. You need to include the right personal details and resume sections for your resume to be successful.

Mandatory personal details

There are certain details that are mandatory if you want your resume to be accepted. These include:

• Phone number
• Email address

Optional personal details

If you have a professional online profile, like LinkedIn, Github, or an online portfolio, you can include it in your New Zealand resume. If you do, make sure everything it contains is completely professional and appropriate for the workplace.

Do not include

Some personal details, while common in other countries, should never be included on a New Zealand resume. Do not include your:

• Marital status
• Health status
• Nationality

How to Write a New Zealand Resume

To write a great resume for New Zealand, it’s important to make sure you have all the right sections and feature the right experience. To make sure your resume is ready for the New Zealand job market, simply follow these steps:

1. Choose the right New Zealand resume format

There are essentially two resume formats for New Zealand: A reverse-chronological resume , focused on your work experience, or a skills-based resume , focused on your skill set.

Reverse-chronological New Zealand resume format

In a reverse-chronological resume, the Work History section is the longest and most important part of the resume. In the Work History section, you list past positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent role and working backwards. In each role, list responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.

The reverse-chronological resume format is ideal for most job seekers. It clearly shows your career progression, and demonstrates your most important tasks and accomplishments in all of your past jobs. As long as you have had a fairly typical career, with roles largely in the same industry, this is the right choice for you. This is the most straightforward resume format, and the one most New Zealand employers will expect.

Skills-based New Zealand resume format

In a skills-based resume, the Skills section is the most prominent section of the resume. In the Skills section, you make each skill or skill area a heading, then provide a detailed explanation or list of accomplishments related to each skill. The Work History section will be shorter and less detailed, and may be reverse-chronological or sorted by relevance.

A skills-based resume format is a great choice for job-seekers who have had a less traditional career path. If your work history has had long gaps, frequent job-hopping, or significant career changes, you may want to consider using a skills-based resume format. This format allows you to foreground your skill set, so you can make sure your most impressive and most relevant skills are clear to employers when your work history does not make this obvious. This resume format is less common than the reverse-chronological resume, but it can benefit the right job-seeker.

2. Select a great New Zealand resume template

The right resume template for your New Zealand job search will depend on your experience, your career goals, and your personality.

If you are in a more traditional industry, like law or finance, and you are applying for a large corporation, you will probably want to use a traditional resume template. Classic resume templates use little or no colour, a single column, and plenty of white space.

For example, VisualCV’s Standard template is a great choice for a classic New Zealand resume template.

If you are in a more modern or creative industry, like social media marketing or graphic design, a visually striking resume could be a benefit to your job search. A modern resume template might include more striking colours, multiple columns, and other visual elements.

For example, VisualCV’s Quartz template offers a second column and a splash of colour that allows your resume to be expressive while remaining professional.

3. List your contact information

Once you have decided on your resume format and resume template, you can start adding the content to your resume. To start, make sure to list your contact information.

At the top of your resume, include your:

• Telephone number
• Email Address
• Home Address

This ensures that the employer will be able to contact you. Make sure all of your contact information is up to date, and be sure that your email address is professional and appropriate for work.

Optionally, you can also include a link to a professional online profile, like a personal website or LinkedIn account. This will give employers greater insight into your career and online presence. If you do, however, make sure everything on the account is completely professional and appropriate for work.

4. Write a great personal statement

At or near the top of your resume, many job-seekers include a Summary, Objective, or Personal Statement. This section is optional, but a great professional summary can be a great way of introducing yourself to an employer and ensuring that your key qualities are easy to find, right at the beginning of your resume.

In a Summary or Personal Statement, offer some key skills, accomplishments, or qualifications that make you a great candidate for the position you are applying for. This section should be short–only a few sentences or bullet points–but impactful. By listing some key details up front, you can impress hiring managers right away and convince them to keep reading.

Objective statements are more rare, and are sometimes seen as outdated. We recommend including a Summary instead. If you do include one, however, briefly describe your career goals and how your experience relates to the position you are applying for.

5. Showcase your work experience

Your Work Experience section is the longest and most important part of your resume. In this section, you can list all of your previous positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent job.

For each job, include the:

• Company Name
• Dates of Employment
• Job Description

The job descriptions of each role can be the most effective parts of the resume. These sections are where you can list your achievements, skills, and abilities so the employer knows exactly what you bring as an employee.

To write great job descriptions, make sure to focus on achievements rather than responsibilities. Accomplishments are more impressive than duties, and a job description focused on success is going to catch the hiring manager’s eye.

If you’re having trouble thinking of accomplishments for each role, try to come up with measurable aspects of the job. This can be things like sales, customer growth, and budgets. Anything you can put a number to will look great on a resume. Using numbers to describe your experience simultaneously provides concrete examples of your experience, while showing that you are a data-driven worker who keeps track of your performance.

Further, use active language as much as possible to describe your work experience. Action verbs like “spearheaded”, “led”, and “developed” show that you are a dedicated worker with leadership qualities. It’s important to sound like you can think for yourself and take initiative, and describing your experience in the right way can help you do this.

6. List your skills

Writing a great Skills section in your New Zealand resume can be the push that your resume needs to land you an interview. If your Skills section has just the right technical skills and personal attributes the employer is looking for, your resume is sure to be taken to the next stage.

It’s important to include both hard skills and soft skills in your resume. Hard skills are the professional skills specific to your career, like logistics, welding, or JQuery. Soft skills are the people skills that make you a great person to work with, like communication, problem solving, and time management.

To write a great Skills section, make sure to think carefully about the job you’re applying to. The company will have specific technical skills they’re looking for, so it’s important to make sure you have the right skills. List the most relevant skills right at the top of the list.

7. List your education and qualifications

Your education is an important part of your career story. Below your Skills and Work Experience sections, include a section for your degrees and other certifications. In your Education section, list accreditations in reverse-chronological order. For each item, include the:

• Degree Name
• School Name
• Month of graduation

If you have other certifications you would like to include, such as workshop certifications, associate certificates, or post-secondary courses, you can include them in your Education section as well. Some job-seekers call this section Qualifications so that the different certifications will all fit in.

8. Add Referees

It is customary to include a section for Referees, sometimes called “References”, in your New Zealand resume. If you have space, you can include the full details for each referee, including their name, job title, organization, and contact details.

If you don’t have space, or if you would prefer to keep your referees’ details private until they are needed, you can simply write “Referees available upon request” in your Referees section.

9. Customize your resume

Once all of your qualifications have been included, it’s important to customize your New Zealand resume for every application.

To do this, carefully study the job description of the position you are applying for. The company will have specific skills and experience they are looking for. Take note of the key words and phrases used in the job description, then use them in your own resume. The closer your own skill set matches the job requirements, the more likely you are to be invited to an interview.

New Zealand Resume FAQs

The steps above are a great way to write a New Zealand resume, but you may have a few lingering questions. With these FAQs, your questions will be answered:

How long should a New Zealand resume be?

Your New Zealand resume should be one or two pages long.

For most job-seekers, one page is enough. If you are a mid-career professional, you should be able to condense your skills and experience to a single page. If you are having trouble, just focus on the best and most relevant details.

If you are highly experienced, with decades of experience to display, you can consider using a two-page resume. If you do this, however, make sure you can fill both pages, and make sure everything you include is truly important. Hiring managers aren’t likely to read the second page of a resume unless your experience is extraordinarily impressive.

Is it “New Zealand resume” or “New Zealand CV”?

In New Zealand, the terms “resume” and “CV” are usually used interchangeably. However, both refer to the shorter “resume” document. “CV” refers to what American job-seekers would call a “resume”, not the longer “curriculum vitae”.

Should you include a picture in your New Zealand resume?

No, you should not include a picture in your New Zealand resume. It is not common to include a photograph of yourself with your job application, and employers do not expect it. In fact, your resume could be rejected for including a picture.

What are the best fonts for a New Zealand resume?

For a New Zealand resume, it is best to stick to a readable and professional font. Effective resume fonts might include Open Sans, PT Serif, or Assistant.

Many job seekers use two typefaces in their resume, one for headings and one for body text. If you do this, using a serif font for headings and a sans-serif font for body text is often visually pleasing.

What is the best file type for a New Zealand resume?

The ideal file type for a New Zealand resume is a PDF. With a PDF, you can be sure that your resume will look the same on every computer, no matter what operating system or PDF viewer they are using.

Many job-seekers use a Word document, but Word documents may have formatting issues if opened with a different type of computer or word processor. If you want to make sure your resume looks the same to an employer as it does to you, use a PDF.

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Take the hard work out of writing your CV and cover letter. Get advice about what to write, support to show you what to do, and free templates you can use.

When you apply for a job, employers will look at your:

• CV, to see your skills, any qualifications, and your work history
• cover letter, to find out what kind of person you are and why you want this job.

They'll use this to decide if they want to interview you, so it's really important to make a good impression.

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A free service to help you write or rewrite your CV and cover letter. It's run by the Auckland Business Chamber, and it's available online and by phone throughout New Zealand.

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If you've been getting one of these benefits for less than 12 months, you can sign up through MyMSD:

If you've been getting one of these benefits for more than 12 months talk to your local service centre or call our Job Search line on 0800 779 009 .

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A free, interactive tool from Careers.govt.nz.

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• Your CV will save automatically to your account, and you can download, print and email it in Word and PDF.

How to write a cover letter

Careers.govt.nz has great advice about:

• what your cover letter needs
• how to make it look good
• templates you can use.

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How to Write a Killer CV [+ Free Resume Template]

Looking to enter the job market, change jobs or start a new career? Stand out to hiring managers with this guide on crafting a perfect New Zealand-style CV.

A CV, or curriculum vitae, provides a summary of your skills and experience to employers, and are submitted as part of the job application process. When it comes to crafting a strong CV, there are a few simple steps you need to bear in mind.

Stick to a simple, clean layout

While you may feel tempted to jazz up your CV , it’s important to take a more minimalistic route. CVs with too many graphics or columns probably won’t get through the Applicant Tracking System that is used to process your application form.

Instead, keep things simple by using a clean layout and bullet points to highlight the most important points. Remember that recruiters spend an average of just 6 seconds reviewing a resume, meaning you have to sell yourself effectively!

Job seekers should keep their CV to a reasonable length – i.e. no more than 3 pages.

Put your name and contact details at the top.

Because the most important information should be easy to glean at a glance, make sure to use a slightly larger font for your name at the top. Also provide your phone number, email address and location at the top so potential employers can quickly note if you are based in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington or another area.

Include a brief personal statement

Your personal statement allows you to tailor your CV to the specific role you are applying for. Simply paint a picture of who you are, why you are a good fit for the role and what your career aspirations are. Make sure to keep this to just three or four sentences.

Highlight your key skills

Your core capabilities should also be easily identifiable in a few bullet points. Touch on points that are mentioned in the job description so that your compatibility to the role is made abundantly clear.

Add a section for your education and training

The name of your course and institution and the years you were undertaking your studies should also be included. If you’re still studying, just make note of this on the CV too. If you have several qualifications, list your most recent one first.

Detail your professional experience

Include all relevant roles you’ve done, with the most recent role being first. The position should be mentioned first, then the organisation and the time you worked there. Write a brief summary of what the position entailed, your responsibilities and any achievements worth highlighting. If you can give a clear example of the results you delivered, definitely make sure to highlight this,

For example, alongside ‘customer service skills’ you may wish to write something like ‘Achieved a 95% grading during a mystery shopper survey’.

If you can avoid it, don’t include unrelated casual jobs that you may have had. If you don’t have much work experience , consider doing a summer internship or identifying any transferable skills gained through volunteering or extracurricular experiences.

Mention any professional memberships and affiliations

If you’re a member of a professional body or even a charity, it’s well worth mentioning on your CV. This gives a little insight into your life outside of work, and any transferable skills you could bring to the role.

Don’t forget your references

One of the most important details you should have on your CV is a few personal or professional references. Most New Zealand employers will want to contact two or three references. Make sure to ask these references for permission, include up-to-date contact details and maybe even provide them with a copy of your CV so that they have some good talking points.

Some don’ts

Contrary to what some people might think, your CV doesn’t need to include your birth year or a photo of yourself. After all, employers shouldn’t be considering your appearance or age when hiring – it should all be about your abilities!

To make writing a CV easier than ever, make sure to use our CV template. Also, put in a little bit of extra effort by writing a cover letter that is tailored to each job application.

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How to write a resume | hero banner | ub, how to write a cv - template & tips new zealand.

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Importance of a good cv.

Your resume must also get past any initial screening algorithms, or applicant tracking systems (ATS), which identify suitable candidates based on the use of relevant keywords.

Think of your CV as your own living, breathing personal pitch – a pitch that succinctly answers all the questions a recruiter or hiring manager has about you. The degree to which you present the reader with the information they require to make an informed decision can determine whether you are invited to interview.

This includes why you are applying for this job, with this organisation and in this industry, what value you can bring to the organisation and whether you have what is required to be successful in the role.To leave the reader with no doubt about your suitability, you must present a strong CV that clearly conveys this information.

How often should I update my CV? 

Even if you aren’t actively looking for a new role, it’s important to get into the habit of regularly updating your CV. If you keep your resume up-to-date, when you do come to the point when you want to find a new position, there’s no risk that you’ll forget key points.

Regularly updating your resume can also make you more aware of any skills or experience gaps that you need to fill to take the next step in your career.

Download your CV template 

Enter your details below to download your CV template:

How to write a resume | Form | UB

Resume advice.

A good CV is vital. Discover tips and advice on how to write a resume with this video. Follow our tips to update your CV or download the free resume template!

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Resumes & cover letters.

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Cv versus resume – what’s the difference  .

Today, a lot of employers and job candidates use the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ interchangeably. Indeed, you may see just as many references to ‘resume templates’ as you do ‘CV templates’.

Traditionally, a CV referred to a comprehensive (up to six pages) account of your entire professional life, while a resume was a summary (up to two pages) of your education, skills and work experience. However, in more modern times, the need for a lengthy overview of your career history has become redundant, with a hiring company instead expecting a two-page summary.

At the same time, people began to use the two terms reciprocally. Now, whether you call your career overview a ‘CV’ or ‘resume’, it has no bearing on your chance of reaching an interview shortlist. 

How to write a resume | 2nd content block | UB

The purpose of a resume.

Your resume serves to introduce the relevancy of your skills, experience, qualifications and achievements to a recruiter and potential employer. A recruiter or employer may not spend longer than a few minutes reviewing your resume, so it should succinctly convey your most relevant achievements. If the reader thinks you are a suitable candidate for the role, your resume will have achieved its purpose – an offer to attend an interview. 

you must be able to demonstrate your skills, experience, and future potential.

If you can do that well in one page, that’s great. However, the average length of a resume is usually around two pages. 

How to write a resume | 3rd content block | UB

How long should my resume be.

Your resume should be approximately two pages long. If it is substantially longer, eliminate information that isn’t relevant to the role or industry.

For instance, look back at the key skills and attributes required for the job in question and then review your resume – are you using valuable space to describe skills, attributes and responsibilities from roles that don’t match up to the job in question?

If so, remove this content or, at the least, simplify your language. On your resume, you must get to the point, so don’t use ten words to say something you could say in five.  

On the other hand, one page may suffice in certain circumstances. The main thing to keep in mind when you’re writing your resume is that you must be able to demonstrate your skills, experience, and future potential.

How to write a resume | 4th content block | UB

What not to include in a resume.

Use your common sense when writing your resume. If you have been employed for many years and your career has evolved over time, knowing how to write a resume well means you will not include every role you’ve ever held, such as the casual retail position you had in high school or the captaincy of your social sporting team. Rather, use the limited space on your resume strategically by ensuring every line shows how you are relevant to the particular job you’re applying for. 

Similarly, if you have an advanced degree, few people are going to be concerned about the exams you took when you were 16 years old. Instead, only include training that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need to attach copies of certificates, qualifications or references. You should instead bring these to a job interview.

We also advise candidates to avoid listing their hobbies or interests. Focus instead on the experience and skills that make you suitable for the job you’re applying for. The exceptions occur when you have limited relevant experience or if the employer specifically asks applicants to list hobbies. In these cases, keep it brief. Avoid anything that could be contentious, such as political affiliations, and instead show how your personality is suited to that of the organisation. For example, consider listing a hobby that requires expertise relevant to the role, such as organisational or communication skills. 

You also do not need to design a creative resume, unless you work in a creative field. Some candidates attempt to produce a more creative resume to stand out, however it really is the relevancy of your skills and experience that will ensure you make a shortlist, not how you present your resume.

Can AI write the perfect resume?

How to write a resume | 5th content block | ub, step by step guide to writing a great resume.

Follow the below standard resume structure when looking to write your resume. Don’t forget to ensure you use clean and clear formatting. 

1. Contact information

Start with the basics such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure the email address you use sounds professional) and  LinkedIn profile . Use the phone number and email address that you use most often. You don’t want to disappoint an employer by failing to respond to their invitation to an interview in a timely fashion.

2. Professional summary 

In 50 to 150 words, describe your applicable experience and skills. This summary should prove your value and help to differentiate you. Avoid describing what you’d like from your next job and instead focus on what you can offer. This is the place for your  USP , or unique selling proposition. Tailor this section to each position that you’re applying to.

Use keywords from the job description so that an ATS can find a match.

3. Skills summary 

The reader of your resume may not have more than a minute to spend scanning each application, particularly if the volume of applications is very high, so including a skills section can capture their attention by making it immediately clear what you can offer. Compile a brief bulleted list of the systems,  skills and competencies  that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Use keywords from the job description here too.

For instance, if the ad specifies someone who has ‘effective administrative abilities and excellent interpersonal skills’, these should be addressed here with brief evidence as to where you gained those skills. Make sure to tailor your expertise to the individual position you are applying for, always.

4. Achievements

A future employer will be interested in where you went above and beyond the job that you were paid to do and achieved something great. So, next list your key career achievements, supported by facts, statistics or links. For example, if you over-achieved on your sales targets, you need to say by what percentage and over what period.

Keep in mind, this is a summary to grab interest by demonstrating you can successfully add value to an organisation in the type of job you’re applying for, so proof is essential.

5. Work experience 

Your work history should be the most detailed section of your resume, with positions listed in reverse order, beginning with the most recent. Include employer names, positions and primary responsibilities.

If your job title is unconventional, it is perfectly acceptable to replace it with a recognisable equivalent.

It is important to quantify your accomplishments – the reader wants to see facts not fluff. Focus on the value you added in each role, rather than simply listing what your duties were. This section shouldn’t read like a job description. Rather, it should tell the story of your unique strengths and accomplishments. Think of your biggest achievements for each role and provide concrete, quantifiable evidence of each. One way to help you do this is to use action verbs such as “managed” or “oversaw”. Such verbs force you to focus on what you achieved and your results in each role, which proves the value of your experience.

Avoid overused clichés in you CV  that can waste valuable space. Instead, include examples of your work to demonstrate your strengths. Remember that proof is in your results.

We also advise you not to leave gaps in your work history. If you took a year out, carried out an interim assignment, or travelled for six months, say so. Just make sure you illustrate whatever the experience was in a positive way, focusing on the fact that it gave you some great experience and knowledge.

Stating just the years you started or finished a role can also send off alarm bells. Writing "2019 - 2021" could be interpreted as employment from December 2019 to January 2021 unless you say otherwise. 

6. Education & qualifications 

Keep it concise by listing the academic qualification obtained, year of completion, the institution’s name and a one-sentence summary.

7. References 

The details of references are rarely included on resumes. It’s common for candidates to simply write, “References are available upon request” in this section of your resume. Your recruiter will then reach out for the details of your referees at the appropriate point in the recruitment process. 

Remember though, the referees recruiters and employers value the most are those people you reported to directly who can speak about how you used your skills and experience to add value to their organisation. If you are unsure who to provide as a referee, our  guide to references  may help. 

How to write a resume | 6th content block | UB

Final tips to remember when writing your resume.

By the time the recruiter or hiring manager reaches the end of your resume, they will have more than likely made their decision about whether to add your resume to the interview pile or not. Here are three final tips to help your resume reach the shortlist: Firstly, tailor your resume for each application. To make the interview shortlist, your resume must demonstrate that you possess most or all the criteria required in the job. Tailor your application for each position you apply for by expanding on your experience relevant to the job and cutting back the less relevant parts. You should also show that you are genuinely interested in this job. Failing to tailor your CV by submitting a blanket application will not impress. So, weave into your professional summary the reasons that make you a good fit for this particular position and what specifically resonates with you about the organisation or role. Secondly, make sure you add quantifiable results. As mentioned above, providing evidence to support the claims you make on your CV brings it to life and establishes for the reader the value you could bring. However, not every role allows for the sort of measurement by which you can prove your expertise. If you find yourself unsure how to add quantitative evidence this blog provides some tips. Adding links to your LinkedIn profile and online portfolios of work can also help the reader build a better picture of your competencies.

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• Job Seekers

Perfect your resume with these 8 professional CV templates

Nov 11, 2019

Supplying a well-designed, professional CV can really help to boost your job search as a job seeker. While it might not be as important as the content of your CV or nailing your job interview, a visually appealing CV will make your skills and experience shine in a sea of sameness.

We’ve rounded up 8 of the best professional CV templates to perfect your resume and boost your job search. Fully customisable with fonts, colours and formatting, these CV templates are easily downloadable and ready to roll.

Hot tip: once you’ve nailed your CV, be sure to check out these 7 interview closing tips to help you nail your next job interview .

1. Basic professional CV template

Don’t let this basic CV template fool you. Sometimes, simple is best when it comes to your resume. Can your prospective employer quickly scan for your key skills and experience that relate to the role? Your CV is a powerful tool in your recruitment toolbelt. Keep it simple, stupid.

Use this CV template

2. Simple skill-based resume template

This free CV template from Word is perfect for any industry. A great starter template for anyone looking to quickly professionalise their resume and highlight their relevant skills for the role. Employers and recruiters will appreciate the easy-to-read layout and in-depth work history section.

3. Traditional accountant resume

A sophisticated and classic layout, this traditional resume template features clean headings and clearly defined sections for easy readability. Created with Canva , this CV template is a conventional, no-fluff design and a great starting point for someone with little to no design experience.

4. Minimalist resume template

De-clutter your CV with this free minimalist CV template by Freesumes.com . You wouldn’t appear scatter-brained in an interview, right? The same concept can be applied to your resume. This template is clean and simple and features icons and bold headings, with a slight pop of colour.

5. Two-tone corporate resume

Professionalism is key in this green and white corporate two-tone resume template from Canva . Customise it to suit you by changing the fonts or colours, or simply update the text with your personal details and experience. Simple and easy to use, and eye-catching for employers and recruitment agencies.

6. Construction CV template

Looking to jazz up your otherwise dull construction CV? Use this free construction CV template from Canva . Fully customisable with fonts and colours, this easy-to-read resume design will have you standing out amongst the rest in your industry.

7. Formal resume template

Looking to impress your prospective employer with a little bit more insight into your experience? This CV template is for you. Featuring large content blocks, you’ll have the chance to deep dive into your professional background with plenty of space to be creative. Plus, with its minimalist design, it’ll help you stand out in the pile.

8. Simple creative resume template

Source: Pixeden.com

For the more adventurous designer, suitable for more creative- or marketing-based roles, use this free simple resume template from Pixeden . Featuring simple graphics, this slick resume design allows you to give yourself percentage scores for various skills and achievements, ensuring your experience is quantifiable and stands out on the page.

________________________

Related: How to create a successful video CV

Looking for expert career and job seeker advice? Our recruitment experts are equipped with a wealth of hiring knowledge to give you the edge you need on your quest for employment. Get in touch with one of our recruitment consultants today.

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Job-winning simple CV templates

Each template is expertly designed and follows the exact “CV rules” hiring managers look for. Stand out and get hired faster with field-tested CV templates.

Reviewed, community-centred and expert-approved

Our collection of simple CV templates are clean and organized so the focus never strays from your skills and experience.

Simple CV templates

Our simple CV templates are the most versatile templates in our collection. Their straightforward layout works to your advantage by keeping the hiring manager’s attention on your unique qualities. These templates may be simple, but they certainly aren’t plain. With attractive lines to separate sections and elegant fonts, they make an impact without overshadowing what you have to say.

Error-free grammar and spelling are essential on any resume, but any mistakes become even more noticeable in the stripped-down layout of a simple CV template. By using the built-in spell check inside of our CV maker, you can easily send the message that you’re an applicant who pays attention to detail and is invested in the position.

When to pick a simple CV template

Simple CV templates are great for a variety of positions and fields. They’re often recommended for students and career starters since they are easy to organize and can be created quickly. Simple CV templates are also perfect for entry-level jobs in retail and restaurants where concrete abilities will be the focus of the position. 

Simple CV templates are also great for more experienced candidates in certain industries. Tradespeople and those who work in construction, maintenance or transportation may find that simple CV templates are most appropriate for them. 

Many hiring managers actually prefer simple templates since they make it easy to find each piece of information. Simple templates are also a great choice when you’re not familiar with the company tone and don’t want to risk coming off as eccentric. A simple template allows you to create a polished image that works well in many different situations.

Free to download and use in Microsoft Word, as a PDF, or in Google Docs

Once you’ve created the perfect CV inside our online CV builder, it’s time to download it in the right format. This can change depending on the employer’s requirements. That’s why we’ve made our CV templates free to use and download in Microsoft Word, as a PDF or in Google Docs. Each of these formats comes with it’s own advantages.

If you want to be sure that the formatting you’ve created will make it all the way to the hiring manager’s desk, PDF is the safest way to go. This format locks in your changes so that the document can’t be modified after you download it. Whether you print it, email it or upload it, you can rest assured your CV still looks exactly the way you intended it.

Microsoft Word is another commonly requested format for CVs. The advantage of this format is that it allows you to make changes offline after downloading it. When deciding which format to choose, make sure to check the job posting or the online application portal to find out which file type is preferred by the employer.

Try our professional CV builder now!