CV Templates - How to Write a CV, Tips, Ideas and Examples
Submit a CV that makes you the first choice with our guide and template, exclusively for New Zealanders
Updated 4 September 2024
When it comes to changing jobs, your CV is the most important tool to make it happen. It’s the difference between landing lots of job interviews and rejection after rejection, or not hearing back at all!
The best CV explains why you’re suitable for a particular job, and our guide outlines step-by-step how to write an excellent CV.
The most important element of your CV is that sells you for the job you're applying for. The contents of your CV, specifically job history and skills, need to be 100% relevant to the job you're applying for.
The best CV explains why you’re suitable for a particular job, and our guide outlines step-by-step how to write an excellent CV.
The most important element of your CV is that sells you for the job you're applying for. The contents of your CV, specifically job history and skills, need to be 100% relevant to the job you're applying for.
What is a CV?
Your CV, (the abbreviation for curriculum vitae) is ultimately a marketing document used to sell yourself to potential employers. Your CV’s focus is to tell the prospective employer about you, your work history, your skills and abilities, and work achievements.
Its purpose is to make it clear to the reader why you are the most suitable person for the job. A CV is always required when applying for a job. Some positions also require a cover letter and/or a completed application form. This guide focuses on crafting the best CV for your next job application.
Its purpose is to make it clear to the reader why you are the most suitable person for the job. A CV is always required when applying for a job. Some positions also require a cover letter and/or a completed application form. This guide focuses on crafting the best CV for your next job application.
Our guide covers:
Download our proven New Zealand CV templates
Want to use a traditional, standard and minimally-formatted CV? Download our CV template here.
​What to include in your CV
New Zealand employers generally see a range of CVs in terms of structure and format. This guide outlines what we consider to be the best structure and format for a CV, which you can tailor to your unique skills, work experiences and talent.
Five sections you must include on your CV
Name, professional title and contact details
Location: Town/City Phone: Insert number Email: [email protected] Linkedin: Insert an external link Example: Christopher Walsh | Marketing Manager Location: Auckland Phone: 021 511 000 Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-walsh-moneyhub |
Personal statement – written specifically for the job you’re applying forA personal statement is arguably one of the most important elements of your CV. It serves to explain your career objectives and professional intentions, and demonstrates to potential employers who you are.
The format is simple - it’s a short paragraph that sits below your name and contact details with the sole purpose of explaining what you’re about.For every job you apply for, re-writing your personal statement is essential. Your personal statement should be a maximum of three to four sentences, succinct and purposeful, covering:
1. ‘Who you are’ examples:
2. ‘What you can offer the employer’ examples:
3. ‘What your career goals are’ examples:
Is a personal statement essential in a CV? We think so. Studies have reported that hiring managers spend around 10 seconds looking at each CV – a personal statement gives a reason to read on. But make sure you keep to the point. |
Key skillsSkills are the biggest asset you have, and employers want to know your strengths beyond your work experience. To present the most robust CV, look at the job advert to determine what skills the employer is looking for. If they mention tools, software or anything specific, make sure you incorporate it into your skills.
The best number of skills to list is around five. They need to be both ‘soft’ (i.e. personal qualities) and ‘hard’ (i.e. technical). Examples from top-rated CVs:
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Experience and employment historyThis section details your employment history, specifically your work experience which must be listed in reverse chronological order. This means your current and/or most relevant job is listed first.
You’ll need to state your job title, employer name, the dates you worked and a line that summarises the role. You’ll then bullet point your key responsibilities, skills and achievements. Importantly, each point must be enhanced with powerful verbs, facts and figures to demonstrate your impact. Choosing the responsibilities most relevant to the job you’re applying for ensures your CV talks to the hiring manager. You can delete positions from more than 10 years ago, as these are not relevant. When completing this section, be sure to:
Formatting and layout examples from real CVs: September 2017 – January 2022 | Marketing Manager - Four Seasons Clothing, Auckland Key responsibilities:
Key achievements/projects:
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Education and qualificationsLike your employment experience section, your education should be listed in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institutions and the dates you were there, followed by the qualifications you achieved. It’s not usual to list the grades you achieved in New Zealand unless your education is NCEA subjects.
Suggested layout: Institution name | Dates attended (from – to) | Degree(s) or qualifications Examples: University of Otago | 2004 – 2008 | LLB & BCOM University of Auckland | 2001 - 2004 | BA (Hons) Long Bay College | Year 13 School Leaver, 2019 | Merits - English, Japanese & Art. Excellence - Spanish & Geography |
Download our proven New Zealand CV templates, freshly updated for 2022 and 2023
Want to use a traditional, standard and minimally-formatted CV? Download our CV template here.
Additional sections (optional, but recommended if relevant)
There are a number of optional sections that can enhance your CV and highlights your hobbies, interests and references.
Hobbies and interestsIf you want to show your personality, listing hobbies and interests can help to boost your CV. However, be careful not to include generic hobbies like ‘reading’ or ‘exercising’. You’re best to include interests and hobbies that relate to the job.
For example, if the position is with an environmental-focused company, mentioning an interest in renewable energy and climate change activism would support your application. |
CV Template formatting, design and spacing guidelines
CV templates are the best way to guarantee perfect layout, and we believe formatting and presentation are as important as the content. Your CV visualises who you are and how you work to a prospective employer – if it has errors, looks messy or waffles on, your chances of success are limited.
Here are some formatting and spacing essentials to include when finalising your CV.
Here are some formatting and spacing essentials to include when finalising your CV.
- A clear file name: Don't complicate it, save it, for example, as Christopher_Walsh_CV_2022.DOCX. You should also save it as a PDF which makes it easier to open on the recipient(s)’ devices. You can do this when you prompt to print the document, selecting 'Print to PDF' or similar.
- A professional email address and voicemail recording: [email protected], for example, is going to win over [email protected]. If your mobile voicemail isn't professional, re-record it with a simple sentence requesting callers leave a message for you to phone them back.
- 100% truth: Don't make things up. If you studied Japanese back in high school, you're not fluent in Japanese. Don't risk being found out.
- Logical layout, easy to read formatting: Make it an easy read, and don't reduce the spacing to cram it all in.
- Length: The standard length of a CV in New Zealand is one or two pages. In rare instances, three pages may be more appropriate depending on your work history. We believe 90% of CVs can easily be two pages or less.
- Headings: Introduce each section with a big, bold heading for easy reading.
- Font type: Most employers will review your CV on their computer or phone, so a clear font always wins. The best choices are Calibri or Arial for both headings and text. The text should be size 11 or 12 point font, and headings between 14 and 18 point font.
- Keep margins reasonable: Around 2.5cm is best; reducing them to less than 2cm makes your CV look overwhelming and suggests you can’t manage information.
- Check it more than twice: Use free app Grammarly and make sure it reads well. Make sure the dates are correct (i.e. don’t conflict), and you’ve listed correct contact details.
What not to include in your CV
There are a few details to leave off a CV. Here are the major ones:
- A photo: In many countries, a headshot is typical, but this is not the case in New Zealand.
- Age and date of birth: The only dates to include are your those of your current and previous (relevant) jobs. It’s illegal to be asked your age at a job interview or by a recruiter.
- Marital status: Don’t list it, and just like your age, it’s illegal to ask about it during the recruitment process.
Checklist: Four Golden Rules of CVs
Putting together a CV should not be tiresome. Remember, ‘less is more’ and getting to the top of the pile and being called for an interview is easy with the right approach. The summary below highlights five must-dos to maximise your job application success.
- Be specific. Stand out from the crowd and write your CV to match the job. List the job experience and skills that are relevant so that you are the most suitable person for the job.
- Keep it simple. The hiring process is exhausting for companies; make it easy for them by presenting a beautifully formatted and clean CV. Simple is always going to beat messy and complicated.
- Update it every time. Sending off an old CV is unprofessional; your CV must speak to the job you’re applying for.
- Use a template. A CV template means you can focus on expressing yourself without worrying about designing the document. A CV template guides you to include the most important elements and present a professional CV without the stress of formatting. For more templates, we suggest using Canva.
Next Steps – Job Success and Higher Income
Make your CV the strongest it can be for every job application and you’re sure to find a job more quickly. A professional, relevant and tailored CV gives you the best chance of success
Make your CV the strongest it can be for every job application and you’re sure to find a job more quickly. A professional, relevant and tailored CV gives you the best chance of success
Download our proven New Zealand CV templates
Want to use a traditional, standard and minimally-formatted CV? Download our CV template here.