Introduction
Every country has its own CV conventions, and New Zealand is no exception. Three questions come up again and again: should you include a photo, should you list referees, and how long should your CV be? Getting these basics right helps your CV look professional and familiar to New Zealand employers, so they can focus on your skills and experience. Here's practical guidance on each.
Photos and Personal Details
New Zealand employers generally don't expect a photo on a CV, and the same goes for your date of birth, marital status, nationality and religion. Leave them off. Your contact section only needs your name, phone number, email address, the city you're based in and a link to your LinkedIn profile. If you'd like employers to put a face to your name, add a professional photo to your LinkedIn profile instead.
Referees
Most New Zealand employers check references before making an offer, and a referees section is common on NZ CVs. Here's how to handle it:
- Choose the right people: Ideally, pick two recent managers or supervisors who can speak to your work and results.
- Ask first: Always check that your referees are happy to be contacted, and let them know about the roles you're applying for.
- Decide how much to share: You can list your referees' names, titles and contact details, or simply note that referees are available on request if you'd rather not share their details yet. Read more answers to common CV questions.
How Long Should a New Zealand CV Be?
There's no fixed rule, but the right length depends mostly on your career stage:
- Early in your career: One to two pages is usually enough. Focus on your education, relevant skills, internships, volunteering and any work experience.
- Experienced professionals: Two to three pages is typical. Use the space for your most recent and relevant roles, and summarise earlier positions briefly.
- Academic CVs: Academic CVs are longer, because they include publications, research, teaching and awards.
Format and Layout
A good format makes your CV easy to read for both hiring managers and software:
- Reverse-chronological order: List your most recent role first, and use clear headings so hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) can find each section quickly.
- Achievements over duties: Use concise bullet points that show what you delivered, not just what you were responsible for.
- Clean, simple design: Use a professional font, consistent spacing and a single-column layout. Avoid tables, text boxes and graphics that ATS software may struggle to read.
Final Checks
Before you send your CV, check these details:
- New Zealand spelling: Use NZ English throughout - organise, optimise, programme, licence.
- Consistent dates and titles: Make sure your dates, job titles and formatting are consistent from start to finish.
- Tailored content: Adjust your profile and key achievements for each role so your most relevant experience leads.
Conclusion
A New Zealand CV leaves off the photo and personal details, usually includes referees or notes that they're available on request, and typically runs to two to three pages for experienced professionals. Get these basics right and employers can focus on what matters - your skills, experience and results. Not sure if your CV meets New Zealand expectations? Get a free CV review and a specialist in your industry will tell you exactly what needs to change.