Breaking into the New Zealand Job Market: Highlights from Our CV Writing Workshop

If you've ever sent out dozens of job applications in Aotearoa with little to no response, you're not alone. That's exactly why Banyuhay Aotearoa hosted a CV Writing Workshop for Filipino migrants and jobseekers, featuring HR professional Julius Borines, who brings over 15 years of recruitment and HR experience across the Philippines, the UAE, and New Zealand.

Here are the key takeaways from a session packed with honest advice and practical tips.

The real talk about job hunting in NZ

New Zealand offers a great quality of life, but the job market comes with real challenges: high competition, shifting immigration settings, and uneven opportunities depending on your industry and location.

The good news? Knowing where to look makes a big difference. Industries like healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, and engineering continue to offer opportunities, with urban centres such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch generally suited to specialised roles, while rural areas open up more options in agriculture, dairy, and hospitality.

Where and how to job hunt smartly

• Use trusted platforms like Seek, Trade Me Jobs, Indeed, and LinkedIn

• Don't underestimate LinkedIn. Many NZ employers actively search it to find candidates

• Watch out for scams. If anyone asks you for money during a hiring process, that's a red flag

• Be upfront about your visa status. Never assume an employer can or will sponsor you

"No local experience"? Here's how to build it

One of the most relatable parts of the session tackled a common frustration: being told you lack local experience. The workshop shared practical ways around this, including volunteering, part-time work, internships, and getting involved in community or professional groups.

These aren't just resume boosters. They're genuine opportunities to understand Kiwi workplace culture, build your confidence, and grow your network beyond Filipino circles.

What makes a CV "Kiwi style"

NZ employers tend to favour CVs that are:

• Concise, around 2 to 3 pages

• Relevant, with only the experience that matters for the role

• 
  

• Scannable, using bullet points instead of long paragraphs

• Consistent, with your experience and qualifications clearly aligned to the job

Remember the 7 second scan. That's roughly how long a recruiter spends on a first look, so your most important information needs to stand out straight away.

Leave these out of your NZ CV:

• Photos, age, religion, marital status, height, or weight

• Decorative fonts and over the top formatting

• Vague phrases like "hardworking" or "good communication skills" without proof

• Outdated or irrelevant information from years ago

One CV does not fit all

A strong theme throughout the workshop was that a single, generic CV won't cut it. Every application should be tailored to the specific role, using keywords from the job ad and highlighting measurable achievements. Instead of just listing your duties, show the impact you made and the results you achieved.

Don't skip the cover letter

Many Filipino jobseekers assume the cover letter is optional. It's not. Many NZ employers still read it first, before even opening your CV.

A good cover letter should answer:

• Why are you interested in this role?

• Why does this organisation matter to you?

• How does your experience align with what they need?

• What strengths and values would you bring to the team?

Keep it to one page, write in your own authentic voice, and show that you've done your homework on the company.

Using AI the right way

AI tools can be a helpful starting point for drafting and tailoring your CV or cover letter, but they're not a replacement for your own voice and judgement. The clearest advice from the session: never submit AI generated content without reviewing and editing it yourself. What you send out needs to be accurate, honest, and genuinely you.

The bottom line

Filipino migrants bring real strengths to the NZ workforce: resilience, strong work ethic, and adaptability. Breaking into the job market here takes persistence and the willingness to adjust your approach, but it is absolutely possible.

With thanks

A big thank you to Julius Borines for generously sharing his time and expertise as our guest presenter, and to our organisers, Lois and Raffy, for putting this session together. We're also grateful to everyone who attended and took the time to engage, ask questions, and share their own experiences. Sessions like this are only possible because of a community that shows up for each other.

What's coming next

Keep an eye out for our next session, focused on job interviews in New Zealand, happening in late January. Attendees of the CV Writing Workshop will get priority registration, so watch this space.

If you've attended the session and would like to have copy of the session recording and slides used, please email us at mabuhay@banyuhayaotearoa.org.

We'd like to hear from you too, please answer our short feedback survey: Welcome Sessions Feedback | Banyuhay Aotearoa

Missed this one? Follow Banyuhay Aotearoa for updates on our upcoming sessions designed to support your career journey in Aotearoa.