Find out what your CV
should include and what
it should look like.
Look at our CV templates
and examples.
Learn how to tailor a CV
to your circumstances.
Use our interactive
CV Builder tool to
create a CV.
Using CV Builder is easy,
just fill in the fields about
yourself, pick a layout,
then save or print it.
Get tips on creating a
New Zealand-style CV.
Get advice on making
the most of your skills.
The purpose of your CV is to get yourself an interview.
Your CV should show a potential employer that you are
the person they are looking for and that they will benefit
from hiring you. If you haven’t written a CV before, use
the following two pages as a guide.
CVs can make dull reading, especially if someone has a lot
of them to read. Your CV will make more of an impact if
you highlight the things the employer is looking for and
communicate an idea of the person you are, all in a clear
and interesting way.
Before you start writing:
Brainstorm information about all the experiences
you’ve had and the skills you’ve developed.
Don’t forget things you do outside of work.
Give examples wherever you can.
Look at example CVs for ideas on layout, language
and effective ways of marketing yourself.
2. When they read my CV fully, will they think
…‘this person has skills we need’?
Employers are looking for someone who matches the
job description.
Adjust your CV to highlight things that fit the job
you are applying for.
Three key questions to ask yourself:
Find out what to include in
a cover letter and what it
should look like.
Look at our cover letter
templates and examples.
1. When someone scans my CV quickly, will they think …‘this CV looks interesting’?
Employers have to sort and reduce a pile of CVs
to shortlists of five or six people.
They will respond better to a clear, well-laid out
CV than a long, disorganised one.
You may think your CV is perfect but will others agree?
Your CV needs to appeal to several different people.
So, test it out.
3.
When they choose CVs to shortlist, will they think
…‘this person is worth meeting’?
Employers are thinking about what you can
offer them.
Give people a sense of who you are and what
you do best.
Think about which people you can show your CV to.
Ask them to tell you what appeals to them about your
CV, and what doesn’t.
Put your name and contact details clearly
at the top.
You do not need this on every page.
Make sure to include your area code for
landline numbers.
Make sure your email address doesn’t
give the wrong message. Employers may
be put off by unprofessional addresses
like [email protected].
This section is optional. A personal
statement can give the employer an idea
of who you are and what you want to
achieve.
Keep your personal statement brief.
22 Walter Street
Wadestown
Wellington 6011
Volunteer, Wellington Animal Shelter, Wellington
December 2014–January 2015
Phone: 04 985 5555
Mobile: 022 571 211
Email: [email protected]
YOU COULD INCLUDE OPTIONAL
INFORMATION HERE, SUCH AS DRIVER
LICENCES, LANGUAGES, RESIDENCY.
I have completed NCEA Level 1 and have credits towards Level 2. Since Year 11,
I have worked part time after school in the kitchen of a busy café and learnt a
lot about teamwork and customer service skills. I am looking for a rewarding
full-time customer service position.
Don’t be shy – sell yourself.
List the skills you have that are relevant to
the job you are applying for.
The job advertisement will usually
give you clues about what skills the
employer is looking for.
Give examples of how you
demonstrated the skill.
Ways of ordering this section include:
Date order, starting with your most
recent job.
By category, eg. customer service.
MAKE ALL HEADINGS STAND OUT. YOU CAN
USE BOLD, SIZE, COLOUR, WHITE SPACE, ETC,
TO DO THIS.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
I worked one day per week as a volunteer during
the summer holidays.
SOMETIMES A SHORT
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY
MAY HELP GIVE THE READER
A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF THE SCOPE OF THE JOB.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED:
cleaning cages, food preparation, walking animals and basic training skills.
helping the shelter raise $2,000 by coordinating other volunteers to run a
fundraising raffle.
Customer Service Award, Paul’s Cafe
May 2015
Awarded for receiving consistent positive customer feedback about my
service skills and friendly attitude.
Volunteer of the Month, Wellington Animal Shelter
January 2015
Awarded for coordinating a team of volunteers to raise $2,000
in funds for the shelter.
NCEA Level 1, Wellington Girls College, Wellington. 2014
Essential First Aid, New Zealand Red Cross. 2014
Greeting and serving cafe customers in a friendly, professional manner.
Making customers feel at ease, and ensuring they have an enjoyable experience.
ANOTHER HEADING YOU
COULD USE FOR THIS SECTION
IS ‘PERSONAL’.
TEAMWORK
Working in a small, busy kitchen team that relies on strong communication to
get things done efficiently.
Experience in motivating volunteer teams to reach fundraising targets.
Kitchenhand/Customer Service Assistant, Paul’s Cafe, Wellington
January 2015–present
I work in this role part time, five days a week.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
I am a very active person and enjoy netball, volleyball and scuba-diving in my
free time. I have recently started art classes to develop my painting skills, and
I like to volunteer and raise funds for charities in my local area.
Paul Smith
Paul’s Cafe, Wellington
Phone:
Email:
04 788 4334
[email protected]
food preparation and presentation
Lynnette Cross
Wellington Animal Shelter, Wellington
customer service and cash-handling.
Phone:
Email:
cleaning and dishwashing
04 788 4711
[email protected]
If this list becomes too long, include only your
most recent jobs.
Concentrate on key tasks. Highlight ways
you have helped the company do well.
If you have no work history, you can leave
this blank and focus on your key skills.
Write about any specific achievements you
would like to highlight.
Include any awards, successfully completed
projects, commendations or examples of
how you helped a former employer meet
their targets.
List your qualifications, starting with the most
recently achieved and working back.
If you haven’t finished a qualification yet, you
must say so.
Short courses such as first aid certificates can
also be included here.
If you have no formal qualifications, you can
just list the school you attended and the
years you attended it.
This can include any hobbies, sports or interests
that you have outside of work.
Keep your interests and hobbies information
to a sentence or two.
Referees provide an employer with more
information about your skills, work history and
personality.
They can be a former employer, coach,
teacher, or professional contact who will
support your job application.
Before adding a referee to your CV, contact
the person you have chosen to make sure
they are happy to represent you.
Employers should tell you when they are
going to contact your referees.