Seeking Work

THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Seeking Work

Kia ora, so you are applying for a job or thinking about looking for a job, how exciting. We've prepared some tips about creating your CV and preparing for an interview. Preparation and presentation can have a huge part to play in securing a job but luck, timing, and natural charm can also help too. Keep trying. Good luck. Kia kaha.

You can also look for work online by going on the Seek website or googling the company you want to work for to see if they have any information about job opportunities and apply to for work with them.

In the video above, I mention when I was in secondary school I got around on a bicycle. Riding a bike is still a great form of transport. Biking can save money, be convenient, is a good form of fitness, and help to save the planet. These days, even though I have my full drivers license which I am very grateful to have and recommend if possible when attending a job interview, now I normally walk to places when I can and carry a backpack. I enjoy walking and it has similar benefits as biking.

Ideas for what to include in a Curriculum Vitae

Personal Details

• Name

• Date of birth

• Ethnicity

• Address

• Email

• Phone

Education

• Name of educational institute

• Location of educational institute

• Qualifications gained

• What year

Work Experience

• Name of company or organisation

• Location of company or organisation

• Job title and a short synopsis or bullet points to detail what qualities and skills your position entailed

• What month and year

Awards and Extra-Curricular Activities such as Sport, Music, the Arts, Community Service, etc

• What award you received and for what and when.

• What extra-curricular activity you were or are involved in and when.

Perhaps a brief personal blurb about yourself showing your personality, interests, short-term career goals, and ambitions in life could boost your CV too.

If you are just starting out and don't have much to add to your CV, that's no issues at all. Try to make the design visually appealing but easy to read, sometimes simple is best, especially for a CV. Depending on what type of job you are going for normally the main point is to keep it professional, it is a job you are applying for, but aim to shine a little personality into your CV too. This can simply be done with a bit of colour, a photo of yourself or something that shows your personality, interests, or qualities, an inspirational quote that resonates with you, and/or something about the company or organisation you are applying for and incorporate your own impression to it while honouring the original source, for example using the vision of the organisation within your cover letter or CV, "it would be a privilege to advance your vision of 'developing educated citizens of outstanding character'".

Referees

• Referee's name

• Referee's job title

• Name of company or organisation your referee works for

• Referee's email

• Referee's phone

Let your referee/s know they should expect a call from a potential employer. Sometimes one referee is enough on your CV, but other times companies might like two or three referees to choose from.

Using InDesign to Create a CV

Further Tips

Prepare yourself in case they contact you by phone or email after you have applied for the job. Also, in case you make it through to the next stage, prepare for an interview.

• Think of answers to questions they could ask you.

• Be open to respond to questions they might ask you that you haven't thought of.

• Research the company you want to work for, show you are interested in their business and why you want to work for them.

• Be punctual.

• Dress professionally or appropriately for the role: Smell good, tidy hair, nails groomed, good clean shoes if possible.

• Present yourself well. Smile. Be mindful of your body language. Be genuine and have fun.

• Practice having a good handshake, it might be necessary. Use eye contact when giving a handshake, an authentic smile, and a firm grip of the hand but not too strong either.

• Have confidence in yourself. If you have confidence in yourself it will help your potential employer to be confident in you too.