Get job ready

A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a summary of your education, skills, experience and achievements. It helps employers quickly understand what you could bring to a role. 

Your CV should be clear, easy to read and tailored to the job you're applying for. A New Zealand CV should generally include: 

Personal details 

• Your full name 
• Phone number 
• Professional email address 
• LinkedIn profile, if relevant 
• Iwi affiliations, if you choose to include them 

Personal statement 

Start with a short introduction that highlights your key strengths, what you can offer an employer and your career goals. 

Keep it concise and think about what makes you a strong candidate for the role.

Skills 

Highlight skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. These could include: 

• Communication 
• Teamwork 
• Customer service 
• Technical skills 
• Digital skills 
• Problem-solving 
• Organisation and time management 

Where possible, tailor your skills to those mentioned in the job advertisement or job description. 

Education 

Include your: 

• Current programme of study 
• Qualification 
• Education provider 
• Expected completion date 

You can also include previous qualifications, starting with your most recent. 

Work experience 

For each relevant role, include: 

• Job title 
• Employer 
• Dates of employment 
• Key responsibilities 
• Relevant achievements 

Don't just list what you did. Where possible, highlight the skills you used, the contribution you made or what you achieved. 

Referees 

Include at least two suitable referees and their contact details. 

Choose people who can speak positively about your skills, experience and approach to work. Always ask someone before listing them as a referee.

Need feedback on your CV?
Email your CV to learnersuccess@nmit.ac.nz for review and feedback. 

A cover letter introduces you to an employer and explains why you're a suitable candidate for the role. 

Your cover letter should be tailored to each job application and written as a professional letter. 

Start with the basics 

Include: 

• Date 
• Business or Organisation Name 
• Their address 
• A professional greeting 
• If you know the hiring manager's name, address your letter to them directly. 

Introduce yourself 

Clearly explain why you're writing. 

Include: 

• The position you're applying for 
• Where you saw the role advertised 
• A brief introduction to who you are 

Show your suitability and what you will bring to the role   

Explain why you're a strong candidate and highlight relevant: 

• Skills 
• Experience 
• Qualifications 
• Achievements 
• Personal strengths 

Use examples where possible and connect your experience to what the employer is looking for. 

Explain why you want the job 

• Show the employer that you've taken the time to learn about their organisation. 
• Why you are interested in the role  
• Why you want to work for the organisation  
• How your values, skills or experience align with the role 
• Something positive or interesting about the organisation that you would like to be part of 

Finish Professionally 

Thank the employer for considering your application and express your interest in discussing the role further. 

Before sending your cover letter, check your spelling and grammar and make sure you've used the correct business and contact names 

Need help?  

Careers & Employability can review your cover letter and provide feedback.  

Contact: learnersuccess@nmit.ac.nz

Good preparation can help you feel more confident and improve your performance during an interview.  

Research the Organisation  

• Take time to learn about the organisation, including:  
• What they do  
• Their values and goals  
• Their products or services  
• Recent news or developments  

This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest in the role. Think about how your values align. 

Understand the Job Description  

Review the job advertisement (and job description if it is available) carefully and identify:  

• Key responsibilities  
• Required skills and experience  
• Qualities the employer is looking for  
• Think about examples from your own experience that demonstrate these skills.  

The STAR technique can help you structure your answers. 

Plan ahead 

Before your interview: 

• Prepare examples and your own questions for your interview panel 
• Decide what you're going to wear 
• Check where the interview is being held 
• Plan your travel and parking 
• Test your camera, microphone and internet connection for an online interview 

Remember, your interview starts well before the waiting room; make a great first impression and plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment.

The STAR technique is a simple way to structure your answers to behavioural interview questions. 

These questions often begin with phrases such as: 

• Tell me about a time when... 
• Give me an example of... 
• Describe a situation where... 

STAR stands for: 

Try to focus most of your answer on the Action and Result. Employers want to understand what you did and the impact of your actions. 

Practise your examples out loud before your interview. This can help you feel more comfortable, keep your answers focused and avoid rambling. 

STAR example: 

Question: Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal. 

This example demonstrates teamwork, communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

The interview may be over, but there are still a few steps you can take. 

Send a thank you email
Consider sending a short email thanking the interviewer for their time. This is a professional way to reinforce your interest in the role. 

Keep your message brief, positive and genuine. 

Respond professionally
If an employer contacts you after the interview, respond promptly and professionally, regardless of the outcome. 

If you're unsuccessful, you could ask the employer to keep your details on file for future opportunities or ask for suggestions of industry connections where you could approach next?    

Ask for feedback
Consider asking for feedback if you're unsuccessful. While employers may not always be able to provide detailed feedback, any advice they share can help you strengthen future applications and interviews. 

Learn from the experience
Not every interview will lead to a job offer. Each application and interview is an opportunity to gain experience, build confidence and learn something for your next opportunity. 

Take some time to reflect on what went well and what you might approach differently next time.