Job hunting as a student is a lot different to job hunting as someone with years of experience. Instead of relying on references to substantiate how great they are, students must highlight soft skills, their education, and their extracurricular pursuits; it’s no small task!
However, we want to help you out with some simple tactics for locking down your first job. If you’re looking to infiltrate the (very competitive) workforce, this one’s for you.
Discover the Jobs in Highest Demand
When starting your job hunting journey, it’s important to have an idea of what jobs are in demand. Not only will this help you pinpoint easier entry points into the job market, but it will also teach you what roles can guarantee higher levels of job security. Essentially, it’s a win-win!
According to the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority, the ten most in-demand jobs in Aotearoa are as follows:
- Registered Nurses
- General Practitioners
- Teachers and Educators
- ICT, Electronics, and Communications Professionals
- Electricians and Plumbers
- Surveyors
- Civil Engineers
- Psychologists, Counsellors, and Social Workers
- Specialist Doctors
- Midwives
While some of these roles require degrees, a few can be locked in through alternative pathways! For instance, those wanting a career as an electrician or plumber can seek out an apprenticeship to earn their credentials. There are even healthcare pathways that are no-experience-necessary; it’s just about doing your research.
Prepare For Your Job Search
Before you even think about firing off an application, you’ll want to make sure you have your affairs in order. Namely, you’ll need a clear idea of which industry you’ll be infiltrating, stellar application documents, and a professional online presence.
Without these key ingredients, you’ll be putting yourself at risk of being outshone by the competition, so these next steps are crucial!
Know What You Want
Without a clear career plan, it’s likely that whichever job you land won’t serve you or your goals for the future. Instead of firing out applications for any random job listing, think about where you want to be in five years and pick an entry level role that will help you get there!
For instance, if you want to be a famous fashion designer, it’s going to be more helpful to find a job in retail rather than hospitality, and the opposite is true for budding chefs!
However, if you aren’t sure where to start, our free career test has you covered. Answer a few simple questions and receive a list of industries that cater to your unique interests. Who knows, it might just uncover your dream job!
Make Sure Your CV and Cover Letter are 10/10
The documents you submit as part of your application determine whether or not you’ll get the interview, and subsequently, the job. So, it’s worth dedicating a decent chunk of time to making sure they’re written to the highest quality standards!
When writing your cover letter (and yes, you should be writing a cover letter for every application, regardless of whether it’s mandatory), make sure you’re tailoring it to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a retail job, your passion for cooking might not be relevant, but it would if you’re applying to be a prep cook.
It’s equally important to tailor your CV to the job description, too. If you’re applying for both hospitality and retail positions, it’s best to make a separate CV for each, with relevant hard and soft skills tailored to each role.
How to Hunt for Jobs with No Experience
- Be Realistic
While it’s fun to imagine stepping straight into a high-level, high-salary role, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll be able to skip the entry-level step. After all, we all have to work our way up the career ladder; success doesn’t come for free!
Instead of hunting for fancy jobs with requirements that you don’t meet, see what kind of entry-level opportunities are available in your chosen industry. That way, you’ll be much more likely to land an interview and kickstart your career journey!
- Showcase Your Education and Extracurriculars
When you haven’t yet joined the workforce, it’s important to highlight all of the other experiences that make you a great candidate while on your job search. This means you should be talking about your classes, grades, hobbies, and extracurricular activities. Essentially, you can mention anything you’re excelling at!
- Lock Down an Internship or Work Experience Opportunity
If you keep getting knocked down by rejection letters, try not to take it to heart; the job market is incredibly competitive. There’s nothing wrong with you, it’s simply a difficult time to break into the workforce.
In the meantime, try finding some work experience or an internship. That way, you’ll earn some hands-on experience that can be listed on your resume and set you apart from other candidates.
- Build Your Professional Profile
Networking is key to breaking into the workforce, and one of the best ways to do so is by getting your LinkedIn profile looking tip-top!
Add your experience, a professional photo, a stand-out bio, and some posts, and then start connecting! The more industry-specific connections you make, the more likely you are to get your foot in the door.
Where to Search for Jobs
Job Hunting in Person
Here’s an underrated job-hunting tip for you all: in-person job searches work just as well as digital ones! Person-to-person connections are so important, and by getting to know your potential employers and coworkers, you’ll set yourself apart from the competition! To start your face-to-face job search, try:
- Career Fairs
Starting your job search at a career fair is a great option, especially for students! Not only will you be learning more about what your ideal industries are like, but you’ll also be rubbing shoulders with recruiters. In short, career fairs are unmissable networking opportunities!
- Introducing Yourself at Your Ideal Workplace
If there’s a local business you could see yourself working at, there’s no harm in dropping off a CV or just popping in to say hi. This way, employees at the business will get to know you personally and may keep you in mind for future roles.
Job Hunting Online
Sometimes, to survey all your options quickly and efficiently, taking the job search online is your best option, and we have the perfect resource to help you do just that!
- Explore Careers Employer Pages
Ok, we might be a little biased, but we think that the Explore Careers website is the best resource for those looking to break into the workforce! Simply navigate to the employer page, select the employers that appeal to you, and learn more about their early career opportunities!
The best part about our employer page is that every single featured business actually wants to connect with New Zealand’s young talent! How great is that?
