Careers advice

NZ careers advice, straight up.

Practical, plain-English guidance for finding work in New Zealand. Written by us, checked against official NZ sources, and dated so you know it is current.

CV & cover lettersBuild a CV that reads like you and gets past the filters.3 articles Job huntingWhere NZ jobs hide, how to read an ad, and when to apply anyway.3 articles InterviewsAnswer plainly, ask good questions, and leave a real impression.2 articles Pay & rightsWhat you are owed from day one, in plain English.2 articles New to NZThe admin and the paperwork that come first when you arrive.2 articles

All articles

The NZ CV: what goes on it, and what to leave offWhat actually belongs on a Kiwi CV, what to cut, and why leaving off your photo and birthdate works in your favour.4 min read
How to beat the ATS without keyword-stuffing your CVWhat an applicant tracking system actually does with your CV, and how to work with it honestly instead of gaming it.4 min read
Cover Letters That Aren't Cringe: A Plain Guide for NZ JobseekersA no-nonsense guide to writing a cover letter that sounds like you and doesn't make the reader wince.4 min read
How to read an NZ job ad without kidding yourselfJob ads are the employer's best pitch. Here is how to read the pay signals, the wishlists, and the buzzwords before you commit.4 min read
Where NZ jobs actually get posted (and where different sectors hide)The honest rundown of where Kiwi jobs get listed, which sectors live where, and why the best roles never make it to a board.4 min read
Applying when you don't tick every boxYou rarely meet every requirement on a job ad, and you are not meant to. Here is how to decide when to apply and what to say.4 min read
STAR answers without the buzzwordsSTAR is just a way to tell a work story so it actually answers the question. Here it is without the corporate fluff, with real Kiwi examples.4 min read
The questions worth asking at the end of a job interviewThe right questions at the end of an interview show genuine interest and tell you whether the job is any good, so here are ones worth asking and a few to skip.4 min read
Your rights on day one in an NZ jobThe legal minimums that apply from your very first shift in an NZ job, and where to check the current figures.4 min read
Trial periods and the 90-day rule explainedA plain-English guide to New Zealand trial periods and the 90-day rule: who they can apply to, what makes one valid, and the rights you keep.4 min read
Your first work admin in NZ: IRD number, bank account, tax code, KiwiSaverThe short, boring, essential list of admin to sort in your first weeks of working in NZ: IRD number, bank account, tax code and KiwiSaver.3 min read
Getting your overseas qualifications recognised in New ZealandWhether you need an NZQA assessment, how regulated jobs differ, and how to make your overseas study and work make sense to a Kiwi employer.4 min read

Looking for official services (Employment NZ, IRD, Immigration NZ, job boards)? See our NZ job resources directory.