CV style for NZ

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sjadd

61 posts

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#24327 21-Jul-2008 16:05

My current CV is done up for when I was in the UK, which means it's pretty short and to the point (2 pages max being the golden rule).

It seemed to work ok when I was over there, is there any reason these days why I'd have to change it for the NZ market? From what I can recall, NZ CVs tended to be more fleshed out/conversational, but that was over 10 years ago. I'll be applying for technical IT roles by the way.

Cheers.

Jama

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#149928 21-Jul-2008 16:32

Last time I applied for a job (late 2006) I was told that my CV was too short (like yours 2 pages and to the point), the recruitment company told me that CV's these days had to have a lot more detail - if you don't include it you haven't done it sort of thing. Now my CV is 7 pages long....

sjadd

61 posts

Master Geek

#149936 21-Jul-2008 17:06

Hmm.. interesting. Thanks for that.
Hopefully it means there are less candidates per job if they've got time to read through long CVs.

xpd

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#150094 22-Jul-2008 08:36

My CV has one page detailing my personal details (education, certs, hobbies etc), 2nd page is previous jobs with break down of my responsibilities. After that, I tend to include another page with my personal skills and knowledge....
Then any relevant certificates etc (photocopies)

Ive had a lot of recruiters say thats its one of the better CVs theyve seen because it has pretty much everything in it they need.

If you like, I can fire you a copy of it (obviously with most of my stuff taken out) and you can modify it for your use.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

Geektastic

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#150122 22-Jul-2008 10:04

Don't forget to detail your "New Zealand Experience"!

Although no one has ever managed to explain to me what is unique about it as opposed to US experience, EU experience etc, it certainly seems to be important.

Jhunnnie

14 posts

Geek

#150486 22-Jul-2008 21:42

add to that if you really like a good look CVs try seek.co.nz CV maker.

I used to generate one on their site and edit some or add some details.

slyguy

47 posts

Geek

#153479 1-Aug-2008 23:41

My current CV is done up for when I was in the UK, which means it's pretty short and to the point (2 pages max being the golden rule).

I'm literally in the process of moving over to Auckland from the UK at the minute, for a Techincal IT role..

I'd been in the same job in the UK for the last 8 years, so it was a VERY long time since i'd even applied for a job over there, let alone in NZ..

I threw together a CV that felt right to me, and then asked the oppinion of Agencies who i was applying for jobs with..

I was only in Auckland for 2 weeks, and managed to secure 3 job offers based on what ended up being a 2 page CV.

The agencies i spoke to said that as long as the technical aspects are covered, people in the technical world don't really care about the airy fairy "i've got 3 kids and like to go on long walks in the country" side of things..

Simonm

181 posts

Master Geek

#153616 2-Aug-2008 16:33

I recall several job ads stating that your CV should be on one A4 sheet only. If I was an employer I wouldnt want to read a novel for each applicant. My last CV was around 3 pages.

MattD

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#153977 4-Aug-2008 11:41

Agree with Simon, you need to be able to summarise whole CV on 1 page. Then for those that require or desire to read the detail, you can elaborate all experience in the following pages, akin to an appendix.