Optimize Your Resume for New Zealand Jobs

NZ uses "CV" more commonly than "resume" — both terms are accepted by employers. • Length: 3-4 pages is standard and expected for experienced professionals; 2 pages for graduates • Photo: Not expected or required — omitting is standard • Personal info: Do not include age, marital status, ethnicity, or religion (NZ EEO standards) • References: "References available upon request" is standard — or list 2 on the CV for more senior roles • Hobbies & Interests: Commonly included in NZ CVs — particularly if they demonstrate community involvement or relevant skills • Salary: Not included in the CV; addressed separately in the application • Cover letter: More important in NZ than many markets — a tailored cover letter is expected

Agriculture & Primary Industries (Fonterra, Zespri, Silver Fern Farms): • Farm management, horticulture, dairy/sheep/beef, export compliance, MPI, H&S, GAP certification Tech & Digital (Xero, Trade Me, Datacom, IT contractors): • Xero, MYOB, Agile, AWS, Azure, DevOps, cybersecurity, Python, cloud migration Construction & Infrastructure (Fletcher Building, Downer, KiwiRail): • NZS 3910, H&S Act 2015, consenting, QS, project management, Procore, Primavera Government & Public Sector (MBIE, IRD, MoH, councils): • OIA, Treaty of Waitangi, bicultural competency, public policy, legislative compliance, procurement Healthcare (DHBs / Te Whatu Ora, ACC, Ryman Healthcare): • Nursing Council, HPCA, PHARMAC, DHB, aged care, tikanga, cultural safety

Cultural fit is as important as skills for NZ employers: • "Kiwi work culture" signals: collaborative, no hierarchy/"flat structure", practical problem-solving • Community involvement: volunteering, sports coaching, community groups — include it • Bicultural awareness: Demonstrating knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Māori culture is a competitive advantage, especially in public sector and healthcare • Overseas experience: Highly valued — frame it with relevance to NZ context • Work visa status: State if you have NZ Permanent Residency, NZ/Australian citizenship, or open work rights — saves recruiters having to ask and improves call-back rate

If you're applying under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) or a work visa: • Get qualifications assessed by NZQA if not from Australia, UK, Canada, or USA — mention NZQA assessment status on CV • Map your role to ANZSCO codes — helps Immigration NZ and employers align your experience • Highlight NZ-specific context: "experience applicable to NZ regulatory environment" • Include NZ professional body membership where relevant (NZICA for accountants, Engineering NZ for engineers, NZIMRT for radiographers) • For healthcare: state MCNZ or Nursing Council of NZ registration status • Emphasize English proficiency if your first language is not English — IELTS score or NZ qualification demonstrates this