New Zealand CV Format: What Recruiters Expect
New Zealand CVs are plain, friendly and practical. Employers want to see what you can do, proof that you have done it, and whether you can legally work in the country. Referees matter more here than in most markets.
Length
2–3 pages.
Photo
No photo.
Include
- Name, phone number, email and the city or region you are in (or moving to)
- Your right to work: citizen, resident or the visa you hold
- A short personal statement
- A key skills section with brief evidence for each skill
- Two referees with contact details, or a note that referees are available on request
Leave out
- Date of birth, marital status, religion and a photo
- Jargon or company-specific acronyms a New Zealand reader won't know
- Every job you have ever held — focus on the last 10 years
Section order for a New Zealand CV
- Contact details and work rights
- Personal statement
- Key skills
- Work history
- Education and qualifications
- Referees
Is your CV ready for New Zealand? Get a free ATS score with New Zealand-specific feedback in under a minute.
Check my CVNew Zealand-specific tips
State your visa status
Say whether you are a citizen or resident, or which work visa you hold or are applying for. Employers hiring from overseas need to know early.
Explain overseas employers in a line
A New Zealand recruiter may not know your previous companies. Add a short description: what the organisation does and how big it is.
Keep the tone modest and concrete
Let results speak. Plain statements of what you achieved land better than big claims.
Line up your referees
Reference checks are standard. Choose referees who managed you directly, and tell them to expect a call.
Use New Zealand English
Organise, programme, labour. Small details show you have prepared for the local market.
Where to apply in New Zealand
Most large employers on these sites screen with ATS software. Match the job ad's wording — our job description keyword extractor pulls out the terms to use.
FAQ
Should I include a photo on a New Zealand CV?
No. Photos, date of birth and marital status are left off New Zealand CVs.
How long should a CV be in New Zealand?
Two to three pages.
Do I need referees on a New Zealand CV?
Yes, or a note that they are available on request. Reference checks are a standard part of hiring in New Zealand.
Check your CV against New Zealand standards
Upload your CV and a job ad. You get an ATS score, missing keywords and your top issues — free, no sign-up.
Check my CV free