When expats and migrants relocate to New Zealand, knowing how to job hunt here, and what exactly Kiwi employers are looking for, can be daunting.
So we’ve gleaned insights and tips from Lisa Sullivan, Communications Manager at Jobted - a search engine that aggregates job vacancies from all major New Zealand’s career sites, recruitment agencies, companies and job boards.
What industries and positions do you see most in demand?
In recent months Jobted has seen a significant increase in the number of openings for delivery drivers, warehouse workers, as well as nurses and health personnel in general.
But don’t be discouraged if this is not your area of work. Jobted is free and users can search jobs according to their industry, experience, skills and interests.
What are typical criteria for writing a cover letter in NZ?
It's important to understand what role a cover letter plays in the job selection process.These days recruiters have to go through a huge number of CVs, and many candidates seem to be perfect, with the right skills and experience. In this context, the cover letter plays a key role in providing the recruiter with additional information on the candidate that elevates their application ahead of others. So personalisation is key.
Lisa shares the following advice for writing your cover letter:
DOs:
Explain why you are the perfect match for the job. This is the main point of a cover letter. Don’t waste too many words, be honest and realistic.
If you are relocating to New Zealand, explain why you feel enthusiastic about the move.
Research the potential employer and use this information to identify which of your qualities to emphasize.
ALWAYS check the grammar. It seems obvious, but the cover letter is a formal document - spelling mistakes and grammar errors are unacceptable!
DON’Ts:
Don’t repeat the same information that’s already on the CV. The aim of a cover letter is to underline your motivation and your key strengths, so focus on these aspects.
Keep it short. Recruiters get bored quickly!
What’s the key to writing a CV that will get you an interview?
Writing an effective CV is the basic step before sending off an application.
Coming from abroad with great qualifications and experience you may be the perfect candidate, but a Kiwis can be seen as the easier, more familiar, choice.
To improve your chances Lisa suggests that expats:
Learn more about New Zealand's traditions and customs. Ask a local contact, and/or research Māori culture. Another great resource is the Māori Guide on Immigration New Zealand’s website.
If English is not your first language or you lack confidence, seek out online courses, certifications, and even binge-watching Netflix to improve fluency. Once you are in New Zealand, volunteering is a very good way to meet local people and practice conversation skills. On Jobted there are many opportunities to collaborate with volunteering associations.
If you have already worked in New Zealand, ensure those references are included on the CV. A positive assessment from a previous New Zealand employer(s) could make a big difference!
What about the salary situation in New Zealand?
Jobted has its own salary guide https://www.jobted.co.nz/salary which has detailed and up-to-date data about salaries and salary trends in New Zealand, organized by industry and profession.
Based on Jobted data the average worker currently earns NZ$58,836. Furthermore, current minimum wage rates for adults are $21.20 per hour (or $848 for a 40 hour week) as of 1 April 2022.
What is the best advice for expats when searching and applying for a job in NZ?
Organization is the key word in life and also in job search! Here are 3 final tips from Lisa:
Be prepared before relocation
Be sure you’re as visa-ready as possible before applying for jobs, and all your paperwork is ready to go. If you are fortunate enough to have obtained a visa before gaining a job (for example if your partner is a Kiwi) update your CV with the visa details. This simple step demonstrates your organizational skills and desire to move to New Zealand.
As soon as you start planning your move, sign up for Jobted’s free ‘Job Email’ service to receive alerts when new jobs matching your search criteria become available. Since timing in job search is key, this is a smart way to know about new job opportunities and send an application before others do.
Create a network
Going overseas is an exciting, but scary process when moving to a new country without friends and family. A smart strategy is to create contacts before moving. Join Facebook groups, connect with people on Linked In and find other immigrants like you. Create relationships that will help not just to discover work opportunities, but also to meet interesting people!
Focus on Kiwi Culture
“Why have you decided to move to New Zealand?”Job interviews very often start with this classic question, if the applicant is coming from another country. You will have your own reasons for moving to New Zealand, and why it appeals to you - don't be afraid of giving an honest answer!
If you’d like to know more about Jobted’s free service, which currently lists more than 40,000 jobs throughout New Zealand take at look at their website: Jobted - Discover 40,000+ Jobs in New Zealand
Mobile Relocation delivers resettlement and relocation programmes for businesses employing offshore talent. Our goal is to get your expat and migrant talent up and running in NZ as quickly as possible - reducing their time to effectiveness in their new role, and enabling them to deliver their skills and expertise to your the benefit of your business.
Bridget is a New Zealander who has lived and worked as a diplomat in Singapore and India. After experiencing all facets of the relocation experience, she founded Mobile to work with private individuals moving to NZ and leading local and international businesses bringing in offshore talent. bridget@mobile-relocation.com
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