Applying for a job

Looking for work

Now that you’ve thought about the type of job you’d like, it’s time to see what’s out there. You can look at individual employers or search on job seeking sites such as:

Seek
TradeMe Jobs
Youth Employment Success (YES)
LinkedIn
Mahi.co.nz, for Māori-focused employment opportunities.
Student Job Search, if you’re a current tertiary student or recent graduate.

Some larger organisations also offer internship programmes or mentorships that can give you experience and a ‘foot in the door’ for a full-time job.

Once you’ve found a job you want to apply for, have a look at what’s required for the application. Remember that applying for a job is like a ‘test’. Employers want to see that you’ve taken the time to study the job description and have written a cover letter and CV that reply to the job description.

Writing your CV

Everyone’s CV (Curriculum Vitae) will look different, but there are some good simple rules you can follow.

Always make it easy for an employer by keeping your CV simple and easy to read. You can do this by:

using bullet points to list your information.
having clearly separated sections.
keeping your CV to two pages.
using short sentences.
using a basic template that isn’t too messy.
writing in a black, clear font, such as Arial or Calibri
adding your contact details at the top of the page.

Writing about your strengths, knowledge and experience can be difficult, but most employers want to see how suitable you are for a job. Think about other ways you introduce yourself in formal settings – maybe on the marae, or in classes – and extend on this. If in doubt, seek advice from whānau, friends or a career adviser about how you can best represent yourself.

You can get some tips on writing about your skills on the Careers NZ website.

Whatever you do, make sure your CV suits the job you’re applying for. You can check out different CV types on Careers NZ. You can also put together your own CV with their CV Builder tool or use other online CV resources such as Canva resume templates.

How to prepare for an interview

Interviews will be different depending on the job and organisation, but there are some good general tips to help you prepare.

Whether it’s talking to people you know that work at the company, or reading about the company online, research will give you some extra confidence for your interview. Employers will be impressed if they can see you've done your homework. This also helps you get to know if you want the job.

It’s perfectly normal for you to be nervous and forget some of your points in an interview. This is why it’s good to know what main things you want to tell the employer. Most job interviews will cover:

your CV, so make sure you're comfortable explaining your skills and experience.
the job description and questions on how you’ll fit the role.
any technical skills you might need for the job.
any questions you have for the employer, so this is where your research will come in handy.

Tips for answering interview questions

First impressions do count, so make sure you are correctly dressed for your interview. If finding clothes for job interviews is a challenge, organisations such as Dress for Success can help.
Body language is important, so listen well, be focused, and make eye contact. Be polite and respectful throughout the process.
If your job interview is online, make sure all your computer webcam and audio is working well, that you’re somewhere quiet, and you have a good internet connection.

Remember that an interview is also a chance to see if a job is right for you. Ask questions and take time to consider things before deciding.

Video transcript available for Work Connect #HowToSeries - Types of Interviews Open

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Work Connect #HowToSeries - Types of Interviews

Host [Yvette Harry-Wright, Career Development Consultant]:

Kia ora koutou. Welcome to the Work Connect How To Series on types of interviews.

It’s exciting to have an interview, but it can also be a little bit scary. So to avoid any surprises, it’s important to ask the interviewer what type of interview it will be. Ask who will be there, do some research on them and prepare for your interview.

There are many types of interviews, here we explain what you can expect at each of them.

First of all, we have some tips on what you should do for every type of interview:

Research the company and the interviewer.

Prepare some questions that you can ask.

Practice answers to commonly asked interview questions.

Presentation; good posture, speak clearly and slowly, and smile.

[Phone Interview]

Phone interviews are where the initial screening is done. It is crucial for you to perform well as getting through to the next stage is dependent on this.

Here’s some tips for success. For scheduled appointments, be prepared as if it was a face-to-face interview, and make sure you are in a quiet place.

HR Manager: Kia ora Donna, my name is Rebecca and I am the HR manager for Tempo Ltd, how are you today?

Use the interviewer’s name at the beginning and end of the conversation.

Job candidate: Thank you for calling Rebecca, I’m glad to hear from you. I am really interested in the job that you are offering.

Listen carefully and don’t interrupt the interviewer while they are talking.

HR Manager: So first of all I just wanted to give you some more information about the job to make sure that it is right for you. We are looking for somebody to…

End on a positive note. Thank them for the call and let them know you are interested.

Job candidate: Thanks Rebecca, I don’t have any more questions at the moment and I am definitely interested in the role you are offering.

You may get a call from an employer or recruiter without warning after applying for a role. If this happens and you are not in an appropriate place to talk, ask to reschedule for an appropriate time.

[Informal Interview]

This type of interview will be in a relaxed setting so you may think it’s just a catch-up. But be beware. The interviewer is assessing you all the way through.

Unlike in a formal job interview where there is structure, in an informal café interview there isn’t. The goal is the same though; to determine if you would be a good fit, or not, for the company.

[Video Recording Interview]

In this type of interview, you will be required to record a video of yourself. It may be that you will need to record answers to certain questions or record a short video talking about yourself and strengths.

Make sure you dress professionally, as if you were going to a face-to-face interview.

Check the technology you are using, make sure your device has enough power, the lighting in the shot is good, mute all devices, and ensure your head and shoulders are in the shot.

Sit up straight and look straight at the camera when talking.

Check where the camera is on your device, don’t just look at the screen.

Think about what you are going to say beforehand. Write it down and practice.

[Online Assessment]

This type of interview is a combination of practical assessment activities. They measure your abilities and if you are a good fit for the role. These may include:

Psychometric assessments

Presentations,

Tasks with instructions.

[Group Interview]

This type of interview is used to screen a pool of candidates before going into individual interviews.

Group problem solving activities are normally included to assess skills such as teamwork, participation, leadership, communication and collaboration.

Here’s some tips for success:

Participate in discussions.

Listen actively.

Acknowledge everyone's ideas.

Put forward your own ideas.

Want to know more about Work Connect? Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/workconnectnz or visit our website at careers.govt.nz/work-connect.

Applying for a job

Looking for work

Writing your CV

How to prepare for an interview

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Skills, knowledge and experience

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