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General Information

General Job Hunting Tips

  • Its always good to know what the industry is doing  reading niche publications and website related to your chosen industry keeps you informed with new trends etc (a lot of employers advertise jobs on these websites and in these publications to target key candidates)
  • If you are applying for a creative job, show a hint of your creativity in your C.V
  • Don’t forget to network around 80% of jobs are not advertised, let friends and family know you are looking for work and do free work experience to build relationships. (you never know who you will meet and what opportunities will arise from it)
  • Compose a list of prospective companies you would like to work for and make an appointment to introduce yourself and hand over your C.V
  • Utilise recruitment agencies some employers send some of their vacancies through recruitment agencies
  • Check the situation vacant sections major newspapers, such as The Press, The Herald, The Dominion Post, Otago Daily Times, Sunday Star Times etc
  • Useful websites to check out to help you with job hunting, finding scholarships and funding, starting your own business etc

www.dac.ac.nz www.seek.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.thebigidea.co.nz www.careerservices.co.nz
www.workandincome.govt.nz www.csbec.org.nz www.creativenz.govt.nz www.artsfoundation.org.nz

Cover letter writing tips

  • Address your cover letter to the appropriate person
  • A good way to start  a cover letter is read the job advert a couple of times and pull out the main attributes the employer is looking for and write the cover letter using these main points
  • Once you have written the cover letter read it again from an employers perspective
  • Always get someone to double check it f for basic errors
  • Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities such as facilitated, identified, maintained etc

C.V. writing tips

  • Research different C.V’s every industry is different and some expect different things from a C.V
  • Make sure your name is on each page
  • Make sure all your formatting is consistent
  • Always get someone to double check it for basic errors
  • Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities such as facilitated, identified, maintained etc

Interview Tips

  • Before the interview don’t forget to research the company, it’s a good have a knowledge of what the company does and is about
  • Prepare for the interview, think about what questions the employer will ask
  • Always arrive on time and dress appropriately
  • Speak clearly and ask questions (don’t bring up salary unless it is brought up by the interviewer)

D&A are here to support graduates with their next step. Make an appointment with Kylie Morell, D&A’s Industry and Student Liaison. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it phone (03) 353 7665. Kylie can help you with career advice, C.V’s, cover letters, interviews, job searching, information on further education, graduate profiles etc.