New Zealand CV's?

Question

Hi,

I need to write a CV to apply for jobs in NZ.

Does anyone know if they have any particular requirements for layout, standards, etc in NZ?

i.e. the rule in the UK is that the cv shouldn't really be more than 2 pages

Are they even called CV's in NZ? I know in america they are called resumes

Thanks

Answer 1

In my experience, it's definitely more common to call them CVs here, but as everyone's said, no one's going to look at you funny if you say 'resumé' since there's no big distinction for us here!

I think in New Zealand, anything longer than 3-4 pages (including referees details) is considered a bit too long.

When I was job hunting, I went to the websites of some of our leading universities to have a look at some of their tips on CV writing.  All of them have some good advice.  

I just collated infomation from all the sites before putting together my own format that was a close match for what most of the universities stated they would expect of a CV.

I have included links to five of our eight best universities.  All of them provide really good info on the accepted format for CVs/cover letters etc.  Sorry if it's 'information overload' but hopefully it will help.  I always work on the assumption that too much info is better than not enough!

University of Auckland (Our Biggest University):

http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/curren...

Victoria University of Wellington:

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/st_Services/ca...

Otago University Careers Advisory Service:

http://www.otago.ac.nz/careers/html/stud...

University of Waikato Careers & Employment (look for the  subheading 'Job Searching Skills'):  

http://www.waikato.ac.nz/sasd/careers/in...

Massey University Careers:

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/students/...

Answer 2

Expectation for CV's are pretty much the same in NZ & UK.  But in NZ there is no issue around career breaks in fact usually seen as a positive thing particularly for younger people.

Answer 3

The word CV is fine to use in New Zealand, sometimes you will hear even the larger recruitment agencys refer to them as a resume so i guess its up to you what you call it in New Zealand, after all we are easy going.

Answer 4

CV or Resume - it doesn't matter, they are called both in NZ and Australia.

Samples of Curriculum Vitae » http://www.nzjobfind.com/browse/13.11.cv...

Write CV/Resume »  http://www.nzjobfind.com/browse/13.0.wri...

There are some sites you can upload your CV online for jobs.

More infomation see

http://www.workingin-newzealand.com

http://www.worksite.govt.nz/en/looking-f...

Work and Income site - http://job-bank.workandincome.govt.nz

» » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » »

If you are in the UK there is an EXPO coming up next week on "Working & Living in NZ" - may be worth you going!!

see http://www.expo-newzealand.com for more info.

Good Luck

Answer 5

The 2-page rule seems reasonable to me.  If the employer wants more info they'll ask you.  I'm an ex-teacher in NZ.  In the 1980s our education system was hijacked by a bunch of loonies with an extreme right-wing agenda.  A lot of teachers were recruited from the UK to replace those who quit in disgust.  Most of them soon went back home.  One commented that NZ kids leave high school knowing how to write CVs but very little else.  Yes, we call them CVs here.  There's no standard layout as far as I know, just the essentials; some background info about where you were born and brought up, education institutions attended, qualifications, work history, interests and some referees.  My CV is about 2 pages.  It's a Word document on  my computer.  Check that it's up to date.  Include a couple of sentences of bullshit about how you're honest, reliable and a people person, whatever that is.

Answer 6

My NZ CV is about 7 pages long That is with 10 years work experience. My Dutch CV is 2 pages long.

Whereas in European CV's a lot of the accomplishments are mentioned in the covering letter they are mentioned in the CV itself in NZ

Lay out wise No DOB (no age discrimination allowed) No gender, no home situation None of those are considered to be important. In fact when hiring in NZ if somebody mentioned they were married I would write next to it - So how is this an achievement?

Also if you ae experienced No interest in your secondary school if you went to uni If you were allowed to attend uni, I assuem your grades and secondary school were ok

Reverse order so last experience first.

Answer 7

Both terms CV and resume are used.

There are no standard rules unique to New Zealand. Your existing CV should be fine. There are no hard and fast rules about length. But try to keep it short, but pack in the detail.

Basic format

Your name and contact details

An optional brief summary of your skills, experience and knowledge

Work History - most recent first. Usually more focused on recent work.

Educational History - typically quite brief

Referees - but this is really optional. As if you don't include them it is expected you will provide them when asked.

Interests and hobbies - but only if they are very relevant to the job you are applying for

Answer 8

Either CV or resume.  I don't think that there is a rule that they should not be more than two pages, but keeping it not two long is good.  Employers can't discriminate on age so don't include a date of birth or age if you don't want to.  A job history is good, and names of referees would be good.