New Zealand · updated 2026
New Zealand CV format 2026
How to write a CV the way New Zealand employers expect it — length, layout, the sections and their order, what to leave out, and a template you can fill in for free.
New Zealand CV format at a glance
- Length
- 2–3 pages (1–2 for graduates)
- Page size
- A4
- Photo
- No — leave it out
- Date of birth / marital status
- Leave out
- Work rights
- State your visa or residency status
- Referees
- Usually two, or 'available on request'
- Spelling
- NZ / British English (organise, programme)
- Cover letter
- Expected for most applications
Sections, in order
- 1
Contact details
Name, phone (+64 if you have an NZ number), email, LinkedIn and your city or region. No full street address needed.
- 2
Work rights
One line with your visa or residency status (e.g. 'Open work visa, valid to 2027' or 'NZ resident'). Employers screen on this first.
- 3
Personal profile
3–4 lines on who you are, your strongest result and the role you want. Tailor it to each job.
- 4
Key skills
6–10 skills taken from the job advert, so the applicant tracking system matches them.
- 5
Employment history
Most recent first: job title, employer, city, month/year dates, then 3–6 bullet points that lead with achievements and numbers.
- 6
Education & qualifications
Degree, institution, year. Note NZQA recognition of overseas qualifications if you have it.
- 7
Referees
Two referees with name, title, company and contact details — or 'Referees available on request'.
New Zealand CV template (structure)
Copy this structure, or fill it in with the free template and download when ready.
[Your name] [City, NZ] · +64 [phone] · [email] · linkedin.com/in/[you] Work rights: [e.g. Open work visa / NZ resident] PERSONAL PROFILE [3–4 lines: who you are, your best result, the role you want] KEY SKILLS [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] EMPLOYMENT HISTORY [Job title] — [Employer], [City] [Mon YYYY] – Present • [Achievement with a number] • [Achievement with a number] EDUCATION [Degree], [Institution] [YYYY] REFEREES [Name], [Title], [Company] — [phone / email]
What to leave out
- A photo, date of birth, age, marital status or religion — NZ employers don't expect them and the Human Rights Act protects against discrimination on these grounds.
- Salary history or expectations, unless the advert asks.
- Tables, columns and text boxes — they break applicant tracking systems used on SEEK and employer sites.
- An 'Objective' in place of a personal profile.
New Zealand CV format — FAQs
What is the standard CV format in New Zealand?
A reverse-chronological CV on A4, usually 2–3 pages: contact details, work rights, personal profile, key skills, employment history, education and referees. No photo or personal details such as date of birth.
Is it a CV or a resume in New Zealand?
New Zealanders say 'CV'. The format is the same thing a resume would cover in the US, but usually a little longer — two to three pages is normal.
Should I put my visa status on my NZ CV?
Yes. A single line near the top stating your visa or residency status saves the employer a question and stops your application being set aside.
Do NZ CVs need referees?
Most do. List two referees with contact details, or write 'Referees available on request' and have them ready — employers in New Zealand do check references.
What CV format works best for SEEK New Zealand?
A simple, single-column layout with standard headings, saved as PDF or Word. SEEK and most employer systems parse it reliably; tables, columns and graphics often get scrambled.