How to write a CV for New Zealand jobs

Length and layout

The government’s careers service advises keeping your CV to two pages if you can. Use a plain, readable font, larger bold headings, bullet points and plenty of white space, and no images. Send it as a PDF unless the employer asks for Word.

The usual order

• Name and contact details: phone, a professional email, LinkedIn if you have it
• A short personal statement: who you are and what you’re looking for
• Key skills and experience
• Work history, most recent first
• Education and qualifications, most recent first
• Interests (optional)
• Referees

Work rights

Employers must check that you’re entitled to work in New Zealand. Save them the question: in the line under your name, say you’re a citizen or resident, or name your visa and whether it allows this work (for example “Open work visa, valid to 2028”). This is common practice rather than a rule, and it matters most if your name or experience suggests you’re new to the country.

Leave out

Your photo, date of birth, marital status, religion and ethnicity aren’t needed, and New Zealand’s Human Rights Act makes most of them unlawful grounds for a hiring decision. A full street address isn’t needed either: your city or suburb is enough.

Referees

Include referees if the job ad asks for them: at least two, ideally one a current or former manager. Otherwise write “Referees available on request”. Ask your referees first, and tell them about the job.

New to New Zealand?

Explain overseas employers and qualifications in a few words (what the company does, how big it is, what the qualification is equivalent to), and use local spelling (“organise”, “programme”). Volunteer and contract work in New Zealand is worth including: it shows local experience.