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Job vacancy sites are good places to start (check out SEEK, Trade Me,
Careerjet etc). BUT don’t rely solely on these sites or newspaper
employment sections. Over 70% of jobs are not formally advertised in
New Zealand. Be as creative as possible.
Who you know
Talk to everyone you know who might know someone who knows someone who could give you a job lead… friends, family, sports club, church, bar – even the person you chat with at the bus stop. This is networking.
Online exploration
Go online to learn more about organisations. Read about their mission statement, values and people. Then mention this in cover letters and ask questions in interviews that show your enthusiasm for THEM as well as the role.
Hot tip: NZUniCareerHub www.nzunicareerhub.ac.nz is a tertiary graduate recruitment website. Yes, just for Kiwi university graduates! NB Waikato University graduates cannot access this site because the university hasn’t signed up.
The horse’s mouth
Try this. It works!
Make a list of organisations you’d like to
work for and then, gulp, approach the employer or section head and ask for 10 minutes to discuss company roles, desirable qualities, qualifications and useful experiences.
Best Bit: They become aware of you and your initiative.
It also informs you.
Worse Bit: It can feel scary
to ask and they may not have time to meet you…but, so?
If there is an organisation that appeals to you, check their career
section of job vacancies.
Hot tip: The five
largest New Zealand employers of graduates are health and community
services, education, government administration and defence, legal
and accounting services and marketing and business management services.
CV - Choose Me!
Would you employ someone who couldn't spell, was disorganised and didn’t know
their job? No? Well, many CVs make people appear that way because of spelling mistakes, messy layout and lack of relevant information to the job.
Many websites, including NZUniCareerHub, SEEK, offer CV templates, but simply emailing the same CV to 100 different companies is a waste of time. Employers want targeted CVs and cover letters that
demonstrate you want to work for THEM.
Ask for professional help or visit your tertiary career centre
for extra help if you’re not sure about what you're
doing. It is important.
Ensure Your CV:
- Is professional looking
- Outlines your strengths and skills; particularly those that fit the role you're applying for.
- Is in chronological order from most recent back.
- Describes previous job responsibilities and achievements – not just job titles.
- Lists interests that suggest you have a life and know how to de-stress.
- Lists referees; people that will vouch for you from an employment and/or academic viewpoint. Always ask people if they want to be a referee before you name them. Then keep them informed.
- Is 2-4 pages for Kiwi employers; less than 2 pages and you’re not giving enough information.
- Has an individualised cover letter that emphasises skills, study and how your work
experience matches the job. It should also highlight your enthusiasm for the role, your interest in the company and your wonderful personality.
Hot tip: Depending on the content, Bebo, Facebook and MySpace could spell disaster to your application if a potential employer checks your internet presence. Will your current profile haunt you later?
Interview - the 3 Ps
Prepare
Read company brochures and websites to discover as much as you can about the role and company. Always double check the time, location and interviewer’s name. Work out how long it will take to get to your interview; then get there early.
Present
Dress conservatively; no gum or lingering cigarette odour. Greet people with a firm handshake and introduce yourself clearly. Listen to the whole question before you answer. Smile when you can. Speak clearly and properly; avoid slang where possible.
Present
Promote yourself honestly. If you don't understand a question,
politely ask them to repeat it. If you don’t have a skill they ask about,
admit it, then say you’re keen to gain it. Show interest by asking about
the job and organisation. Remember you're interviewing them too.
Interview Practice
Practice answers to questions like;
- Why would you be good at this job?
- What are your strengths?
- Examples that reflect those strengths
- What are your weaknesses (don’t bare your soul)?
- Tell us about a time when… and how you dealt with it (give real life examples showing your skills and knowledge)
- Why do you want to work for that company/organisation?
- What can you offer us?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Your questions may be about professional development and orientation, but not about salary, holidays and freebies.
 
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