[Going2NZ]

I need some feedback on an idea I have about my CV, please let me know what you think. I promise you won't hurt my feelings. :oops:

I have found my dream job in Wellington and am putting together the covering letter and CV. Since I am applying long-distance (extremely long-distance) and won't be able to just pop on over for a casual interview, I was thinking about adding a photo of myself to my CV. Not a social-type picture (no shots of me at my brother's wedding I mean!) but a professional, though not-stuffy, kind of photo.

I should add that I am in a creative field (graphic design) and that one of my best friends is an extraordinarily good, professional photographer who will take the photo.

My thought is that a photo would give a more personal feel to my CV and might help balance the fact that they would not initially see me face-to-face. While...oops, make that "whilst"... I am willing to fly over should we get to an in-depth (perhaps, second) interview, I can't see making such a huge financial commitment if I am not seriously in the running.

As usual, I've probably gone overboard on explaining, but I REALLY want this job. So is it unprofessional or inappropriate? Is there any equal opportunity employment taboo that I'll break if they "discover" my gender and ethnicity? Not sure what red flags I would be sending culturally or other ways.

Any insights would be most appreciated. :nice1

Susan

PS I hate having my picture taken so I am not asking this lightly. :uhoh

[veronica]

Have you got a website. if so would it be worth sending details of that.

[foolsgold99]

I reckon it would do no harm to attach a pic with your details (rather than make it part of your cv).

I have had made applications for UK jobs in the past that have requred a passport pics with them.

Cant see it doing any harm (unless you look like a warthog or something!) :laugh

[neilw71]

Susan,

I went for my "dream job" - applying from the UK. I managed a first phone interview which I thought went really well. The lady asked when I was going out there as I had mentioned the chance of a job hunting trip to the agency and they had relayed that on.

After 4 days I got an email back from the agency saying that the firm had interviewed 4 people and I was the only one they would consider for 2nd interview - what did "I" want to do next. So I replied saying that if the employer could say I had at least 50/50 chance of getting it I would happily jump on a plane!

Well.....the company would not give that guarantee and did not want any responsibility for me spending the airline fare if I did not get the job. I was gutted for the next day, as I was willing to make the commitment.

In hindsight....I am glad I did not go. The money is much needed elsewhere now we are finally going. If they would not even give 50/50 chances - would they have really given me the job? I doubt it!

So.......I would say that if a company wants you and you have a skill they need and can not find in NZ - THEY will make every effort to get you to take the job. There are plenty of jobs out there and a better "dream" job could be coming up the week you arrive. I know that is easy in hindsight to say :P

Neil

[Milliemoo]

Hi Susan,

I think under the circumstances, attaching a photo to your CV is a good idea. It's not as if they can call you in for a quick 'chat' about the job to make sure you don't have purple hair and a nose ring (no offence to anyone with purple hair and a nose ring, it's just not a good interview look).

I wouldn't worry about the Equal Ops side of things. In large companies it's good practice to have strict recruitment policies and procedures, which will include a screening process for applications which ensures the 'screener' is not aware of any personal details of the applicant. In realitiy, very few companies go to the trouble, so I don't think you have anything to worry about there.

Milliemoo :nice1

[Milliemoo]

p.s GOOD LUCK ! :mrgreen:

[Carol]

Having seen LOTS of CVs from prospective teachers applying for jobs at our school - I would say that 80-85% have personal photos on them.

Maybe it's a teacher thing...

[Diny]

Before having the boys I was a recruitment consultant for Brook Street. I would say that 90% of the applications I dealt with all had CVs with a photo on them.

Those CV's which didn't have a photo could be a tad confusing in as much as I interviewed many people each week, trying to remember who Joe Bloggs was without a pic was a pain.

I'd say definately put a picture on your CV.

Diny

[Karoline]

I have also put a photo on my cv (copy pasted a part of a NZ holiday photo in the Word doc). If you like i can sent my cv to you, maybe it will inspire you... and if you have any comment on my cv, that would be very helpfull for me too ofcourse!
The chances of getting a job while you are not in New Zealand are not very big though. Would you hire someone you have never seen before?
I have heard from several people (one of which has sent a 100! letters) that it is very rare to get a job from overseas. Finally this person took the chance and just went there to find a job and he had a job within 5 weeks in IT. He told me that in general they are looking for people in the short term (like: starting from tomorrow). I also got the tip from him to apply for a job directly and not through a recruitment agency.
Personally i am going with a working holiday visum and will look for a job when i am in New Zealand (which will be from the 6th of april!).
Still, i wish you good luck with your jobhunting!
cheers,
Karoline

[Going2NZ]

Thank you all for the great feedback! I do know its a longshot at best but I am willing to go over at a moment's notice if they are particularly interested...just can't see it for a don't-let-the-door-hit-you-on-your-way-out kind of interview.

While I'm seen some stunningly well-done purple hair, I don't have anything that hip. Hmmm, I wonder if... :? No, really. I'm pretty "normal" looking so I thought that might also be a bit of subliminal reassurance to a potential employer.

I am hoping that the combination of graphic designers being on the immediate- and long-term shortage list plus an unusual good match of my experience to job needs might just overcome the distance issue. :hopeso

Karoline- I would love the chance to exchange CVs and insights. It would be fabulous to get an objective but friendly view before tossing it into the ring. Please PM me whenever yours is ready and I'll do the same if thats alright?

You people are such an incredible "family"!!!

Susan

[RoadRunner]

Susan,
I would definitely include it in your case. In fact, when I applied for a job directly with a company, they asked me to fill out their online form, which included a request for a picture! So, definitely seems like it is worth it.

RoadRunner

[sarahw]

I'd include it & something I've also noticed is people sometimes put photocopies of certificates (or scanned copies for e-mail) on the back of C.V.'s - that certainly wouldn't hurt either!

Good luck! :hopeso

[Going2NZ]

Thanks for the feedback - I hadn't thought of scanning degrees/certificates and such. That would be great to do ahead of time in case I need them.

On the photo, I went ahead and included one <arrrghhh, I hate having my photo taken> so we'll see what the reaction is. Hmmm, I guess they'll figure out that I'm not hip and happenin'... ;) I guess there are other creative types that don't have multiple piercings and purple hair...

Cynthia/RR - how did the Wellington visit go? What did you think?

Susan

[RoadRunner]

Cynthia/RR - how did the Wellington visit go? What did you think?
Susan, It went very well, thanks! Our overall impressions:
- the country is every bit as beautiful as people say
- the people really are incredibly friendly
- Wellington is gorgeous when the sun is shining!
- Wellington has great coffee and wonderful ethnic restaurants
- the cost of living is higher than in the US while the salaries are a little bit lower
- a new(er) house on a decent section will require a bit more of a commute than we really wanted

The trip at least confirmed that we are not totally insane to do this - for us, it is worth the gamble.

I've been posting more specific targeted comments in the various boards.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions!

Cynthia/RoadRunner

[ToadFish]

On the CV-photo thing, I agree with the other replies - include a photo (a small passport one stuck on the top by your name details will do). I did a lot of recruitment in my last job and if you're going through lots of CVs (which will probably look pretty similar if you're recruiting for all for the same position) it really helps to remember who was/is who.

Thought I'd also share my own very positive experience of job hunting from overseas. Positive because last week I got offered a job in Wellington based on two telephone interviews.

This is the story:
I made one enquiry with the company at one of those emigrate NZ fairs in london last October. The enquiry was "I did a degree in civil engineering but never worked as and engineer, having been seduced by IT salaries fresh from student poverty, but now 8 years later I'm thinking I'd like to come back, would you be willing to retrain me?" They said "Sure, NZ is desperate for civil engineers, give us your CV and we'll be in touch". I only really wanted to know that my qualification was still valid and we were in no rush so figured we would wait for the visa process to roll with no job offer and then head to Wellington then and look for work on the ground.
Then suddenly in mid-Jan the HR department emailed me a job description and said "we think you would be perfect for this", and it was my dream job. Two weeks later I had a telephone 'chat' with the manager which lasted an hour and he did 40 minutes of the talking, 1 week after that I had a telephone panel interview for 40 minutes where I did most of the talking, 2 days later my referees were contacted and exactly 1 month after they first sent the job description I had a phone conversation to negotiate salary and conditions and the like.
One day later I resigned my job here in Switzerland and don't you know, we're moving to Wellington in mid-April for me to start work early May.

Conclusions from this that I've drawn are that sometimes you get lucky - right place at the right time. The role I have is one that requires a mix of skills that I just happen to have and that aren't usually available in the civil engineering sector, and people don't usually come back to this sector once they've left. But also, and someone else already said it on this thread, if a company really wants you and noone in NZ can do that role, then they are willing to take a chance and do what they can to assess you over the phone or email or whatever it takes.

And let me tell you, once you have a job offer, boy can NZIS move fast! Toadfish is the principal applicant for our EOI and I (Mrs Toadfish aka Ruth) am going as 'partner' because Toady has more years work experience and pre-my job offer had more points. We faxed NZIS London Tuesday morning with a copy of my email offer (no hard copy yet because we're actually on holiday right now) and 2 hours later we had an email from a case officer. Toadfish had his interview yesterday morning 09:00 London time, and 14:00 yesterday he was emailed by the case officer saying 'congratulations your PR has been approved'. WOW!

[kiwidollie]

Thats brilliant!!! :clap :clap

Well done and CONGRATULATIONS!! WOO HOO (Am feeling very excited today can you tell?)

Really pleased for you.

Alison

[Going2NZ]

Ruth-

That is fabulous! I'm so excited for you. Isn't wonderful when events just work for you so well? What a story. (You'll have to tell me why "Toadfish" someday - I bet that is another story.)

Thank you for sharing the story. It is encouraging to know that it can be done from another country. Although, truth be told, I'm excited even at the idea of going to Wellington, with that excuse in my pocket, just to take a look around and see what my intuitions tell me. However, that practical bit of me would like to have a job in my pocket instead.

I have heard that NZIS moves fast when you have a solid job offer. Which would be great although my husband and I expect that we'll have to spend a few months apart while I go first and he wraps up all the loose ends here (house, pet travel, etc.) But I did include a photo on my CV. Having done many interviews from the other point of view, it does help to attach a face to a name.

Cynthia, I'll catch up later by PM. But it sounds like it was a successful trip for you. I've caught a few of your other postings over the last day or so - very helpful. I was keeping my fingers crossed for you while you were gone.

Susan

[RoadRunner]

Ruth,
What an awesome story! :yes
Congrats! :cheers

Susan - have you planned a trip to Wellington yet? Are you planning to go and stay or do a recon trip?

RoadRunner