Writing a NZ-Style CV for Your Working Holiday

A New Zealand CV—called a résumé in some countries—should be easy to scan and tailored to the job. A useful rule for a working-holiday CV is one or two pages; Careers New Zealand recommends keeping a CV to two pages. A photo is not expected. The aim is to show relevant experience and skills clearly, not to tell your whole story.

What to leave out

New Zealand employers don’t expect, and don’t want:

• A photo of yourself
• Your date of birth, marital status, or nationality — your visa status can go in a short cover email instead, not the CV itself
• A long “objective” or personal statement — get straight to your experience
• More than two pages for a working-holiday application

A simple structure that works

1. Name and contact details — phone number and email; include your current city or the region where you are available. A New Zealand number can make it easier for employers to reach you, but it is not a universal requirement.
2. A one-line summary (optional) — what you’re looking for and your availability, e.g. “Available immediately for hospitality or seasonal work, based in Queenstown from June.”
3. Work experience, most recent first — job title, employer, dates, and two to three bullet points per role on what you actually did. Numbers help: “served 100+ covers a night,” “packed X bins a day.”
4. Skills relevant to the job — languages, first aid certificate, food and drink handling experience, driver’s licence.
5. References — Careers New Zealand recommends at least two referees. Ask them first, and include their role and contact details or say that references are available on request. If you are applying from overseas, suitable overseas referees can help demonstrate your experience.

Tailor it to the job

• Applying for horticulture or seasonal work? Lead with physical stamina, reliability, and any outdoor or labour experience — growers care more about turning up every day than your job title history. See our fruit picking and horticulture guide.
• Applying for hospitality or bar work? Lead with customer service and any food or drink handling experience. See our hospitality and bar work guide.
• Applying in person? Print a few copies and hand them over yourself where possible — for cafes, bars, and small-town retail, this often beats an online application.

A short cover note beats a long cover letter

Most working holiday employers don’t expect a formal cover letter. A few sentences by email or in person — who you are, your visa status and how long you can work, when you’re available, why this job — does the job.

Where to go next

• How to find a job in NZ on a working holiday
• Fruit picking and horticulture work in NZ
• Hospitality and bar work in NZ

This page is general information, not career or immigration advice.