Researching job opportunities
There are several different ways you can research job opportunities in New Zealand. If you are outside of New Zealand, you can get an idea of what opportunities are like by visiting job vacancy websites.
Do your homework on the types of jobs you are looking for. Things to consider are:
- What job opportunities are available in your region?
- What skills or qualifications do these jobs require, and how they match your own?
You can find out about entry requirements for different jobs, and the chances of getting a job, by looking in the CareersNZ job database.
- Jobs database – look up jobs to find out their entry requirements and your job chances
- Take job hunting seriously. It should be an active and planned campaign, not something you do casually in between surfing or seeing friends.
- Be prepared to take on part-time work – working one or two days a week can lead to more work if you prove yourself in the role.
- Consider working more than one job. For example, you could work two days a week picking apples, four nights in a bar, and one day in a bookshop.
- Know what your transferable skills are. What skills do you have that are useful in many workplaces?
- Make sure your contact methods are appropriate for job hunting and regularly check your texts, voice messages, LinkedIn and Facebook pages/content.
- Make sure your CV is up to date, and that you’re ready for any interviews. (This means practising answering interview questions, and doing your research on any potential employer.) This will help you make a good impression.
- Preparing for an interview
- Grocery stores, warehouses, restaurants and retail stores often hire extra workers in the lead-up to Christmas and January sales.
- Beach communities rely heavily on tourism. Parks as well as local and regional councils hold many events during the holidays, making them good places to look for job vacancies.
- Summer festival organisers often require help with ticket sales, catering, and security.
- Horticultural and agricultural industries are often busy during the summer, and may be able to offer you short-term, seasonal work, such as farm assistant work or fruit picking.
- Pick NZ website – find out about seasonal work in horticulture
- Volunteer to work in industries where you’ll develop key skills.
- Talk to your school careers adviser/Gateway teacher. There may be a chance to get work experience over summer at the business where you did your work experience placement.
- Volunteer to lead or help supervise holiday programmes at the local YWCA, YMCA, city council, or district council.
- How voluntary work can help with your career decisions
- Volunteering NZ website – search for volunteer vacancies
- searching newspapers
- speaking to people you know
- searching job websites online.
- Recruitment agencies will not charge you a fee; they are paid by employers to find suitable workers.
- You may be interviewed and tested by the agency. Be prepared to stay for a few hours.
- General recruitment agency websites
- Search our jobs database for your job and see what opportunities there are
- Job vacancy and recruitment website links
- You may have to take a job at a lower level than you are used to.
- Many New Zealand businesses are small. This might mean that the job you do has a different title here.
- Speak to someone doing the job that you would like to do. They can tell you about job opportunities.
- Research the main businesses in the region you would like to work in.
- Remember, contract or part-time work can lead to a permanent job.
Tips on looking for work when competition for jobs is high
It may take some time to get work, but the simple tips below may help you find a job faster.
Approach employers directly
Many jobs are not advertised on job vacancy websites or in newspapers. It’s always wise to look beyond the job ads when looking for work, but it’s especially important during an economic downturn. When jobs are scarce, competition for each position advertised increases greatly, making it tougher for you to find work.
If you can contact employers yourself, and find vacancies before they’re advertised, you’ll help your chances.
Look for holiday or seasonal jobs
Even when times are tough, many employers still take on extra staff at certain times of the year. This may be during the lead up to Christmas (for example, retailers need more staff when things get busier) or the summer (for example, fruit picking jobs). Don’t just think of holiday or seasonal jobs as a temporary fix – they can help you with your career. Think about which ones could help you pick up skills you need to get the job you really want. If you’re a student, look for jobs that relate to your area of study. Developing a good work record at your holiday job can lead to a permanent role with an organisation. Try these ideas for getting holiday and seasonal work experience:
Try doing some volunteer work
You could also try volunteer work. Though you won’t be paid for it, it may help you find paid work in the long term, as it helps you to develop your skills, build a work history, and get references.
How can I find a temporary job?
You can find temporary work by:
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies can also help you find both short-term or longer-term work. These placements may lead to other jobs, or permanent work.
Where are the best regions to find work?
Where you can work in New Zealand may depend on the type of job you want. Some types of jobs are available throughout the country. Other jobs may only be done in some regions.
Do some research about the regions in New Zealand to see which ones have good job opportunities for your job. Then see if those regions match the other things you want. For example, does the region have places to go walking, or if you like sailing, is it near the sea?
To find out more about where you can do different jobs, look through our job outlooks. These will give you an idea about your chances of getting a certain job. Job vacancy websites can also give you an idea of where the most opportunities are.
