[Alan]

Has any got a copy of a successful format for a CV in NZ?

I am sure that this must have been posted before, so if you want to point me at a link that's fine, but just would like to visually see what a good CV in terms of NZ should look like as I want to start sending out copies in the next week or so.

[tea drinker]

Hello
Can't find an example that Ive looked at before...sorry but I will keep looking. I remember one eg started with key skills that you can offer in a list and also state your Nationality and if you have professional registration already sorted put that.
I NZ'ed my UK CV (didnt include the list of key skills, found out that later) a NZ employer has shown interest.
Hopefully someone else will be more helpful? but if I can find the website I was looking at I'll post the info.
Good luck!

[talisker]

My experience has been there's not a huge difference to UK CVs. I don't think there's any standard around including lists of skills etc - that will vary from industry to industry and person to person as in the UK. The only things I have noticed is that NZ CVs tend to be longer and include more detail - they are frequently more than 2 pages, which would be unusual in the UK. Having said that, I used a 2 page format which seemed to be OK. Also, you should include your nationality and state clearly that you have the right to work in NZ. e.g on mine I say "Nationality: British with NZ permanent residency"

[IanW99]

It might be worth you looking at this link:-Creating your Application (http://www.victoria.ac.nz/st_services/careers/students/job_hunting_preparation/applications/index.aspx)

This is what is recommended by Victoria University and includes a sample cv for you to look at.

Ian

[Alan]

Cheers folks for the advice and thoughts!

[crispyking]

I had no problems with my detailed 2 page UK CV ...

will PM you links to my CV and also an extended Resume with a bit more detail that was requested by a couple of agents ...
:nice1

[sunkist]

I think it varies from industry to industry, but I'm in I.T. and was advised by a recruiter to re-do my CV to make it 7-8 pages long.

[Jon&Candy]

I think it varies from industry to industry, but I'm in I.T. and was advised by a recruiter to re-do my CV to make it 7-8 pages long.


I got the same advice when I visited a couple of agencies on my recce trip, but to be honest I'm going to take it with a pinch of salt.

Presently, my CV is a perfect one page, designed for the UK. I'm going to re-write it with 2 pages, but I refuse to make it 7-8 pages. I've seen a few CVs that long and unless you've changed job every year, you'll struggle not to repeat yourself over and over again.

I can't see any employer wanting to wade through a pile of 7-8 page CVs.

In the UK, the CV is purely a tool to get an interview, and I can't imagine it's any different in NZ.

[debnjohn]

In the UK, the CV is purely a tool to get an interview, and I can't imagine it's any different in NZ.

Hmm, one wouldn't think so. However I personally have found the job market to be completely different to the UK. Things that I took for granted as common (courteous) practice doesn't exist, and although Kiwis do not like 'tall poppies' they seem to require applicants to be persistant beyond what I would consider polite.

I've been told a good format for CVs is as follows:
Personal details, then a simple table showing employment record (companies/roles/dates). This quickly identifies any periods of unemployment - very important information.
Next comes a list of qualifications.
Then detailed description of current employment: Responsibilities. Achivements.
Last pages should be a summary of key skills with examples. I thought my CV was long at 3 pages, but was told it was too short - apparently 5 to 7 pages is more usual for NZ vacancies (in the UK I was an electronics engineer).

Cheers,
John

[Kate D]

Hmm, I used my UK CV format with one addition only - a small photo at the top! As per NZ Expo web site advice.

Structure:
Personal details followed by
Caption Summary of me (approx 3 lines!)
Skills Synopsis
Work exerience - achievements biased
Qualifications
Other skills/hobbies i.e. I'm a fully rounded person:-)

Total of 3 pages, headings in bold, no fancy formatting in the main... I've worked in a few countries for different companies. I had 3 job offers and those were the ones I followed up. These were directly with companies and not via agents.

I'm also been involved in interviewing past/present, and am horrified at the prospect of wading through CVs 7-8 pages long. They'd fail the "concise summary" test right away for me, and I wouldn't get much past the first couple of pages as I yawned and stretched...! But maybe it's cultural - I've worked in other countries where volume was considered the norm, albeit tedious to wade through.

Oh yeah - I work in telecoms, Project Mgt:-) PM me if you think I can help in any way, want to see my CV etc!

Kate

[Brian]

Good lord! I have 9+ years of relevant experience at 3 companies with a wide range of responsibilities at each and I'd be hard pressed to fill 2 pages. I've been trained to keep my resume short and to the point for positions in the US. How on earth am I going to come up with 8 pages? By adding my early retail jobs? Telling long stories about my personal life and hobbies?

Any samples would be greatly appreciated.

[dharder]

How on earth am I going to come up with 8 pages? By adding my early retail jobs? Telling long stories about my personal life and hobbies?

I've had real problems with this. But to be honest, only one recruitment agent has actually asked me to expand my 2 page UK CV.

I ended up feeling like I repeated myself, and didn't think that would come across as very competent.

In the end, I just changed some formatting, added some things, took some off, and ended up with 3 pages.

How successful that was remains to be seen, I'm waiting for an HR dept to come back to me to tell me that they've checked my references and they will offer me the job...

Daniela

[Genie]

Thank you so much for that link Ian, I had been searching for a 'typical NZ CV' and that is exactly what I needed. :)

Now all I need to do is tweek mine and get a job offer! Simple :roll

Jeannie