There are several ways of finding work in New Zealand – through newspapers, websites, personal approaches to employers, and agencies. You can try any or all of these methods to help you find work.

All the daily papers carry a Situations Vacant section advertising job vacancies.

The largest listings can be found in:

• New Zealand Herald
• The Dominion Post
• The Press

Monday, Wednesday and Saturday editions carry the most extensive job vacancy sections.

Applying for a job

Employers will require that you understand and speak English. The standard of English demanded by most employers is much higher than the qualifying International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score required for permanent residence. The more skilled your job, the better your English will need to be.

Consequently, even if you have scored 6.5 or higher in the IELTS, there is much to be gained from continuing to improve your skills in spoken and written English. A wide range of English language courses is available at all levels.

Accredited Employers

If you are applying via the Work to Residence category you can only work for one of 425 Accredited Employers. Click here to see the list of Accredited New Zealand Employers. You can contact most of them from this list.

Your skills and qualifications

Professional trade and academic qualifications are evaluated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). This is done on a comparative basis with similar New Zealand qualifications registered on the New Zealand Registry of Quality Assured Qualifications. This determines whether or not overseas qualifications meet New Zealand standards. However, although NZQA evaluations are official assessments, they are not binding on employers, professional bodies or educational institutions.

It is advisable to contact the NZQA before leaving for New Zealand. You should also ensure that you bring original or certified copies of all certificates, diplomas, degrees and professional qualifications with you, as these are required as part of NZQA assessment and may need to be sighted by prospective employers.

CVs/Résumés

When responding to a job advertisement in writing, you will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV)/professional résumé, along with your letter of application. Your CV should be brief. Most employers prefer CVs of between two and four pages.

It should provide a concise summary of your:

• contact details
• residence status, eg permanent residence, work visa
• qualifications and computer skills
• professional/trade skills
• work experience and achievements
• referees.

It is not necessary to include letters of reference or academic/professional certificates with your application. These will be requested later for review during the job selection process. Make sure that you either deliver these personally or by courier, and that they are returned once the job selection is completed.

Acceptability of professional/trade qualifications

Some employers require you to have professional registration even if this is not a legal requirement. Consequently, the status of your professional training and qualifications is extremely important. Although you may be professionally qualified in your home country and have practised for a number of years, this does not mean your experience and qualifications will be recognised automatically in New Zealand. If your qualification does not gain comparability with the New Zealand professional or trade qualification, you may have to undertake extra study or re-training to secure the job you want.

Registration

Many professional and trades people (such as doctors, lawyers, plumbers and electricians) need to register with a Registration Board before they can work in New Zealand.

Professional journals

Job vacancies are listed in most professional journals. For further information, check the websites listed under New Zealand Registration Boards.

Using the Internet

If you prefer to use the Internet to search for jobs in New Zealand (those seeking employment prior to migration often do) then make sure the job advertisements you come across are not out of date. A preferable method for someone not yet living in New Zealand who is looking for work might be to contact recruitment agents on the ground with your CV, copies of qualifications and references as well as a covering letter explaining the types of roles you're seeking and would be ideally qualified for. The agency can then send you lists of jobs that you can apply for. This can save you a lot of time in the planning process.

Career opportunities in education

Primary and secondary school posts are advertised in The Education Gazette, published by the Ministry of Education.

Vacancies within universities and polytechnics are advertised in major papers and on the websites of individual institutions. University websites are listed in Education.

For primary and secondary school teaching positions visit TEACHNZ or freephone: 0800 832 246 (0800 TEACHNZ).

Executive placements

Executive and professional management positions are generally handled by private recruitment agencies. Most international placement agencies are represented in New Zealand.

Work and Income

On behalf of the New Zealand Government, Work and Income provides a free job-seeking service for unemployed residents.

Websites

Working In - Lists job opportunities for people moving to New Zealand.

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