Job Hunting in New Zealand: Resume and Cover Letter Tips

Job hunting in New Zealand is sometimes not an easy task. An excellent resume and a well-written cover letter can showcase personal qualities and help job seekers secure an interview. Some people have stronger academic backgrounds than work experience, while for others, it’s the opposite. Therefore, the resume format should be designed to emphasize the strengths of the individual. The more important and impressive an achievement, the more prominently it should be displayed. For those with strong educational backgrounds, education can be prioritized, but for those who have been working for a long time, it’s best to emphasize work experience.

Resume formats also vary depending on the individual’s situation and can generally be divided into two main types: Chronological and Functional. The former divides the content into sections and lists them in reverse chronological order, while the latter ignores time and reorganizes work experience by skills, grouping them under various skill categories. Work experience titles can be retained, or they can be replaced by qualifications. Time is no longer the standard by which a functional resume is organized.

Chronological Resume

When to Use

• Your career (or academic) path has been continuous, without any employment gaps of over a year, and you have not been underemployed (such as part-time jobs). There has also been steady progress in your career, which can be seen through promotions and the increasing importance of the positions you have held, indicating stable employment without frequent job-hopping.
• Your current or overall work experience is closely related to the job you are applying for. Since the work experience is presented in reverse chronological order, it allows the employer to see whether your current job matches the requirements of the position you are applying for. Additionally, the overall work experience demonstrates that your expertise and accumulated experience align with the job's requirements. Therefore, it’s ideal for positions similar to the ones you've held before.

Advantages

For HR departments, a chronological resume is easy to read and helps them quickly assess the reputation of your previous employers and, by extension, your job performance. For the job seeker, the time-based structure is clear, making it easier to organize compared to a functional resume.

Disadvantages

It emphasizes career continuity and stability, which may cause your specific skills to be overlooked, making it less suitable for career changes. Additionally, focusing too much on current experiences and achievements may prevent early experiences, which are more relevant to the job, from being highlighted. Employment gaps or underemployment can be easily spotted, which might negatively affect how your abilities are evaluated. The connection between time and your education or experience may also reveal your age, which could sometimes affect interview opportunities.

Functional Resume

This type of resume is not preferred by all employers, as it can lead them to think that the candidate is trying to hide gaps in employment, frequent job changes, or career shifts. Therefore, unless you have a specific reason, it’s generally better to use a chronological resume.

When to Use

If you have employment gaps, periods of underemployment, frequent job changes, a need to switch careers, lack of progress in your career, or if your current work experience or education does not align with your job goals, you might consider using a functional resume to emphasize your skills and qualifications.

Advantages

Because a functional resume does not follow a chronological order (and may even omit timeframes altogether), it does not reveal your employment history, periods of unemployment, career changes, or age. It focuses on your skills and qualifications in relation to the job you are applying for. As a result, it can be used for multiple job applications, and your expertise can receive more attention.

Disadvantages

It may raise doubts about your motives for using this type of resume, and it can be harder to read, giving HR more room for subjective judgment and speculation.

Writing a Resume in New Zealand

Visa Status

Since you are an immigrant looking for work in New Zealand, it’s essential to inform potential employers whether you are legally allowed to work. Many employers want to use your talents without getting involved with Immigration New Zealand, so clearly stating your visa status in your resume shows respect for the employer’s time.

Length

The general rule is that a resume should not exceed two pages, and if possible, it’s better to convey everything on a single page. In these one or two pages, you should clearly explain "Who are you?", "What do you want to do?", and "What have you done?"

Design

Make use of formatting techniques such as headings, capital letters, bold text, underlining, bullet points, asterisks, and indentation to make the content clear at a glance. Choose an appropriate font size, and ensure balanced margins on both sides of the page.

Proofreading

Ensure that grammar, spelling, and punctuation are 100% accurate. It’s best to ask professionals (such as a Career Advisor) or friends with work experience to review your resume for suggestions or corrections. Additionally, be mindful of potential formatting issues caused by using Chinese-language software that may introduce characters that are unrecognizable in an English-language system. To avoid this, generate your resume using English-language software.

Structure

When writing, focus on Clarity (concise language relevant to the position), Conciseness (express as much as possible in one or two pages), and Forcefulness (strongly conveying your skills and abilities). Avoid being overly detailed, but also don’t omit important information, as the goal is to pique the employer’s interest.

Wording

Do not begin with the word "Resume." Instead, use telegraphic language to describe your work experience. It’s also customary to omit the subject, especially the word "I," which is considered immature and shallow. Omitting "I" has become a convention in resume writing.

Should you attach a photo?

Unless the employer requests a photo, it should not be included in your resume. This is a key difference from Chinese resumes.

Writing a Cover Letter in New Zealand

In the job application process, besides using your resume to briefly introduce and sell yourself, you should also attach a cover letter, explaining your suitability and interest in the job. While the resume is the main document in the application process, the cover letter can complement it, adding a finishing touch. You can use the cover letter to elaborate on personal skills or talents that the resume might not fully showcase, thereby increasing your chances of securing an interview through the combination of both documents.

Format

As in business correspondence, your address and the date should be at the top right of the letter, followed by the recipient’s name, title, and address (including company name) on the top left. You should research the recipient’s name and title. If unsure, you can call the company’s reception to confirm, so you can address them as Mr. or Ms. (Mrs.). For example, "Dear Mr./Ms." should be used to address only the surname. Avoid addressing the letter as "To whom it may concern," which can seem careless and insincere.

Paragraphs of a New Zealand Cover Letter

First Paragraph

State the reason for writing the letter and where you found the job (e.g., online, newspaper, friend, teacher). Express your interest in the position and explain how your qualifications match the job requirements. Also, clarify your career objectives. Make sure the career objective mentioned here is consistent with the one in your resume.

Second Paragraph

Explain why you are interested in the job and why you believe your qualifications meet the job requirements. Further elaborate on your professional skills, work experience, and courses you have taken, while avoiding repeating the language used in your resume.

Third Paragraph

Mention that you have enclosed your resume for consideration and clarify that it outlines your relevant qualifications and background. This paragraph can be short or long. If the previous paragraph discusses your academic achievements, this one can focus on your work performance, demonstrating that your skills are well-suited for the position.

Conclusion

Indicate your hope that the recipient will take some favorable action, such as offering an interview or a phone consultation. You may also take a more proactive approach by expressing your intent to call or visit.

Lastly, add a polite closing, such as “Thank you for your consideration” or “I am looking forward to our meeting.”

Cover Letter Tips

• Each letter should be typed and printed, not photocopied.
• Keep copies of all letters sent for future reference and follow-up.
• Use white or light-colored paper, and fold the letter into thirds to fit into a 9-10 inch envelope.
• Always remember to sign the letter. For different job applications, it’s better to write individual letters rather than using a generic one. However, if the jobs are very similar, ensure you carefully check that the company name and details are consistent throughout the letter, to avoid mistakes.
• Use concise language, avoid clichés and vague statements, and aim for a confident tone without being flashy. Also, try to avoid starting paragraphs with “I” and maintain a confident tone without exaggeration.
• Avoid having your letter received on a Monday or Friday. If there is a deadline, send the letter as soon as possible to avoid being overlooked after the position has been filled.
• After sending your cover letter and resume, even if they are well-written and convincing, there’s no guarantee of securing an interview. Typically, if you haven’t received a response within one week, follow up via email or phone to reinforce your application.