This one is for the job seekers

May 6

3 min read

Here at Haines, we are driven by telling New Zealand’s story to the world. Part of how we do that is unlocking talent strategies for New Zealand businesses to truly thrive, and we absolutely love that we have the opportunity to do this every day.

There is another story to tell though, which is that it's tough out there for many job seekers. Patrick Gower did an excellent deep dive on this recently, and it sparked a thought.

Another piece of writing that drove me to create this was an article my colleague Olivia Davis wrote. A great piece about kiwis overseas looking to come back, and the home advantage that may have been overlooked for opportunities overseas. Check that out here.

Whether you are a kiwi returning from the wider world, a young graduate looking to break into their first role, or an experienced hand searching for a new position, this article aims to help you unlock opportunities.

Get the basics right. Unfortunately, it is all too common for us to receive resumes and applications that contain errors and missing information. Take some time to go through your resume and ensure it is formatted neatly, free from mistakes (small or large), and contains everything a recruiter wants to know about you. Location and contact details up to date. Your previous and current tenures are also very important, so make sure they are dated properly and presented clearly. Don’t send a resume that is missing your current role. In a tight market, these little errors can cost you a phone interview.
Intentionality and story. Why are you in the market and what is motivating you to apply? The ability to articulate authentic interest and motivations is key. Contrary to what you may hear, do not spam applications. Apply to roles and companies you have a passion for, and that fit your skills and experiences.
Mindset. While the market is challenging for job seekers, there are absolutely still opportunities out there. Employers are more intentional and cautious at the moment but are still hiring across the board. Over one million kiwis changed roles in 2024 in what was a recessionary environment. Data shared by Shamubeel Equab, chief economist at Simplicity, at the 2026 TradeMe Jobs event series. Treat your job hunt like your current role. Structure your days like a workday. Search for firms that are hiring in your field. Do your research, and make intentional, high-quality applications. Back yourself and sell yourself. It is hard work, but you will be rewarded if you do it the right way, no shortcuts.
AI. This is a hot topic at the moment. Personally, I review applications in the “old school” way, but a lot of recruiters and companies are using it to screen applications. In terms of getting past these screens, the best shot you have is applying with high quality, authentic applications. Refer to points 1, 2, and 3. Using AI to tailor an application may get you past the initial screen, but once human eyes are upon it, it can often come across as inauthentic and low effort. Write your own cover letters and build a CV that reflects your true self and profile. In a world of inauthenticity, authenticity sticks out.
Network, network, network. Reach out to old bosses, if you’ve done an internship reach out to any connections you made there. Talk to your friends and family and look online to see if there are any industry events you could attend.
Update your online profiles. Get that LinkedIn and Seek profile looking slick, nice photos, up to date information, and turn on your Open to Work setting. Ignore the people that say you shouldn’t. As a recruiter, if I see that on, I am a lot more likely to reach out.
Look after yourself. Job hunting can be tough. Rejections hurt, even if they are completely rational. Stay connected to your friends and family, and lean on your support network, that’s what it is there for.

From us here at Haines, we wish you the best of luck in your job search. We work with a select range of clients, but deeply; Commercial Construction, Health Care, Legal, Digital and Marketing, and Technology. So do reach out if you are interested in a career in one of those fields, or if you are looking for your next role.