CANDIDATE

Entering the job market after many years can be a daunting task, especially in the fast-paced world of IT and Technology. With advancements happening at breakneck speed, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed when suddenly thrown into starting your job search journey anew. However, there are simple steps you can take to get you started, ease the transition, and help you in landing your new dream job. At Recruit I.T., we've seen many experienced candidates successfully navigate this path, and we're here to share some valuable advice with you. 1. Revamp Your CV Your CV is your ticket to securing interviews, so it is crucial to ensure it’s up-to-date and tailored to the roles you are applying for. If yours is still in typewritten format and doesn’t include what you’ve been up to for the last 10 years, now is the time to get it updated. Ensure it includes your most recent and relevant roles, delete your high school work experience, and highlight your relevant experience, skills, and achievements prominently, focusing on how they align with the requirements of the positions you're targeting. If you are unsure where to start, collaborating with a specialised recruiter like Recruit I.T. can provide valuable insights and guidance in crafting a compelling resume. 2. Leverage Your Network Don't underestimate the power of networking, especially in the tight-knit IT and Technology community in New Zealand. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, clients, and industry connections to let them know you're actively seeking opportunities. Attend industry events, meetups, and conferences to expand your network further. Many job opportunities are filled through referrals, so make sure to stay connected and keep your network informed about your job search. 3. Explore Both General and Specialised Job Boards You may have found your first job via a newspaper classified, but times have changed! While general online job boards like Seek and Trade Me, as well as LinkedIn Jobs are a good starting point, consider exploring specialised job boards focused specifically on IT and Technology roles, and register with a relevant recruitment agency like Recruit I.T. as specialised platforms like our website job board cater to this niche market, offering a curated selection of job openings tailored to your expertise. By targeting your search on these platforms, you increase your chances of finding roles that align with your skills and career goals. 4. Prepare for Interviews Brush up on your interview skills to ensure you make a strong impression during the selection process. Research the company and the role thoroughly, familiarising yourself with STAR and behavioural-based interview techniques (there is lots of info online!), practising common interview questions, and preparing examples that highlight your abilities and experiences. Additionally, familiarise yourself with the latest industry trends and developments to demonstrate your awareness and relevance in the field. It also won’t hurt to review and brush up on your verbal and numerical reasoning skills – once again, there are lots of free resources online to help you practise these types of tests/exercises. 5. Update Your Skills The IT and Technology landscape evolves rapidly, with new technologies and methodologies emerging regularly. Whilst you’ve developed your abilities on the job, do take the time to update your skills and knowledge with formal certifications and training to remain competitive in the market. Consider enrolling in courses, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications relevant to your field. Not only does this demonstrate your commitment to growth, but it also enhances your attractiveness to potential employers. 6. Be Flexible and Open-Minded The job market can be unpredictable, so it's essential to remain flexible and open-minded throughout your job search. Be willing to consider different roles, industries, or a short-term contract opportunity that may not align precisely with your previous experience. Embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth, as they can lead to unexpected career advancements and personal fulfilment. 7. Seek Guidance from Experts Navigating the job market alone can be overwhelming, especially after being out of the game for some time. In many cases, if your position has been made redundant, your organisation may provide outplacement services to offer help with CV crafting, interview prep, job search, practise testing and in some instances will also provide free access to training platforms. Consider seeking guidance from experienced specialised recruiters like our Recruit I.T. consultants. Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of the IT and Technology industries, along with extensive networks and resources to support your job search journey. From resume optimisation to interview preparation, we can provide valuable assistance every step of the way. Utilise all the free and skilled help you can access! 8. Embrace Your Experience and Life Skills It's easy to feel apprehensive about re-entering the job market after a long tenure with a single company or a prolonged absence, but remember to embrace the wealth of experience and life skills you've accumulated over the years. Your past successes, whether in your career or personal life, have equipped you with valuable insights, problem-solving abilities, and resilience that will be sought-after and appreciated by employers. While you may not have a recent job application or job hunt history, your track-record speaks volumes about your capabilities and adaptability. Have confidence in your abilities, and don't underestimate the value you bring to the table. Highlight your accomplishments and transferable skills during interviews, showcasing how they make you an asset to any organisation. By owning your experience and life skills, you can instill trust and credibility in potential employers, setting yourself apart from other candidates in the competitive job market. Embarking on a job search journey after many years can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. By revamping your resume, leveraging your network, exploring job boards, preparing for interviews, updating your skills, remaining flexible, seeking guidance from experts, and remaining confident in your experience and skills, you can increase your chances of success in the competitive New Zealand job market. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and with the right support and resources, you will find your next opportunity. Our team are always happy to shout the coffee and provide some expert friendly and constructive advice to help you get started on your job hunt, so reach out anytime!

Field at Present: From a Director’s Perspective Generally, we have seen a slow start to the year, continuing the trend we saw in the latter half of 2023. Despite feedback from the market that suggested a stronger bounce back, we have yet to see this in the market at present. There are pockets of activity - primarily back-fills to existing hires. As we gear towards the backend of the government’s 100-day plan, we should see the firming up of new projects and programmes, which will likely require capability to deliver these pieces of work. Unfortunately, we are still seeing organisations across a range of industries forced into making rounds of redundancies and other operational cuts or changes to help them operate more leanly during challenging times, and we’ve even seen this in the recruitment industry itself.

By now, we’re sure most of you have already read some of the posts going on about the ‘Open to Work’ banner on LinkedIn. In the dynamic realm of professional networking, the debate around this topic has sparked its fair share of banter. Is it a bold declaration of job-seeking enthusiasm, or does it project an air of desperation? Let’s address the elephant in the room – the ongoing banter about whether adding an ‘Open to Work’ banner is a savvy career move or a sign of desperation. Opinions vary, with some professionals arguing that it’s a powerful tool for career contractors to swiftly signal their availability to the job market. On the other hand, skeptics see it as an unnecessary disclosure that might raise eyebrows. At Recruit I.T., as a business whose mission is to connect talented individuals with exciting career opportunities, where do we stand on this? It’s simple - we see putting an ‘Open to Work’ banner as a big green flag waving right at us, inviting us to reach out with great roles. Why the love for the banner, you might ask? It’s a helpful signal, especially for those actively seeking new opportunities. If someone is clearly a career contractor, this banner can be a positive and powerful tool to broadcast their availability. From a recruiter’s perspective, it’s not about desperation it’s about visibility. The ‘Open to Work’ listed option can be outdated, but the banner provides a more immediate and visible signal. Our experienced team, however, wants to reassure candidates that if you choose not to use the ‘Open to Work’ banner, that’s also perfectly fine. We pride ourselves on being adept at sourcing individuals with the right skills and experience for our roles, banner, or no banner. After all, most reputable recruiters should be skilled in identifying top talent whatever the circumstance. Here’s what Recruit I.T. Consultants have to say: One of our team members notes, “If someone is obviously a career contractor, I think it is a positive and powerful tool to let the market know fast.” Another adds, “From a recruiter’s perspective, I don’t see them as looking desperate at all. It’s helpful in searches.” Another team member chimes in with a valuable insight, “The more you put into LinkedIn, the more it enables recruiters to find and help you. Utilise your connections to share and get support from others. It can enhance your personal brand.” They emphasis that the ‘Open to Work’ banner, when used effectively, can be a strategic move that enhances your visibility in the job market. In the grand scheme of things, the ‘Open to Work’ banner banter is, in our opinion, a lot of noise about nothing. The banner serves as a tool, and its impact ultimately depends on how it aligns with your personal branding strategy. It’s your call whether to put it up or not. So, if you choose to use it, great! If not, no worries—there are skilled and trusted recruiters out there like ours at Recruit I.T. who are capable of finding you and top talent among a sea of candidates, with or without the banner. If you’re navigating the twists and turns of your career journey and seeking guidance or exciting new roles, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our Consultants. Our team is here to offer professional advice and connect you with exciting opportunities! Your next move might just be a click away.

At Recruit I.T., we understand the importance of showcasing your experiences, behaviours, knowledge, skills, and abilities during the interview process. It's not just about what you've done, but how you've done it and what results you've achieved. Behavioural-based interview is the key to unlocking your potential and predicting your future success. So, what exactly is behavioural-based recruitment? It's all about digging into your past experiences to understand how you've tackled challenges and achieved results. The panel will be seeking specific examples of your behaviour, so be prepared to tell stories that demonstrate your capabilities. During the interview, you'll encounter open-ended questions that require more than just a yes or no answer. Think of them as invitations to share your experiences. Remember the acronym STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Craft your answers to include all these components, painting a clear picture of your abilities and achievements. Let's break down the STAR approach:

The IT sector is a thriving and competitive industry in today's evolving digital landscape. As recruiters dedicated to finding the best tech talent in Aotearoa, we understand the challenges and aspirations that come with building a successful career in this field. We believe that embracing a mindset of continuous learning and growth can propel you towards success and keep you at the forefront of the industry. One effective way to do this is through upskilling. Upskilling is a valuable strategy or tool that allows you to gain knowledge and refine your skills. We understand that embarking on this journey may pose certain challenges and believe us – we deeply empathise that not everyone has the privilege of or access to certain tool kits, training, and materials. However, one thing we can assure you is that we are here to help you jumpstart or advance in your careers by providing helpful resources, insights, salary data, and market & industry trends, and tips to help you progress in your career. Additionally, upskilling opens more doors to career advancement, boosts your self-esteem, and gives you an advantage when looking for a new role, making it worth all the effort on your end! Here's what upskilling holds for tech professionals and how it can help advance your careers. 1. Keeping up with a rapidly evolving industry. The technology sector is rapidly evolving with the quick emergence of new technologies, programming languages, and frameworks. It is important to ensure you stay on top of the most recent business trends and practices by upskilling. By upgrading your skills, learning new frameworks, and allotting time for self-development and training, you can respond to the changing demands of the role and industry. This will empower you to contribute your best ideas and expertise while keeping up with the competition outside of your organisation. 2. Unlocking opportunities for career progression Upskilling acts as a potent catalyst for career advancement. It equips you with the knowledge and confidence needed to tackle new challenges and take on additional responsibilities. Whether you aspire to be promoted, get pay increases, or embark on exciting new opportunities outside of your comfort zone, upskilling can significantly enhance your existing skill set and prepare you for the wider world that awaits. Employers highly value individuals who demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement, as it enhances employment security and improves job prospects. By upskilling, you position yourself as an asset within your organisation by acquiring new, in-demand skills. 3. Developing enhanced problem-solving abilities Upskilling broadens your knowledge base, exposing you to diverse technologies and approaches. This expanded skillset enables you to tackle complex problems with a broader perspective, finding innovative solutions. Through upskilling, you can develop critical thinking and analytical skills, which are invaluable for troubleshooting and optimising systems. These enhanced problem-solving abilities make you an irreplaceable and valued asset to your team and organisation. 4. Adapting to industry disruptions Technological disruptions are becoming increasingly common, reshaping industries overnight. Upskilling prepares you to navigate these disruptions and capitalise on emerging opportunities. By actively seeking to learn new technologies and methodologies, you become adaptable and resilient. You are better equipped to embrace change, pivot your skillsets, and take advantage of emerging trends. 5. Fostering professional confidence and personal growth Lastly, upskilling instills confidence. As you acquire new skills and expand your knowledge, you become more self-assured in your abilities, which positively impacts your performance and overall job satisfaction. Beyond professional benefits, upskilling also contributes to personal growth. Learning skills broadens horizons, fuels curiosity, and cultivates a continuous learning mindset. It keeps you professionally simulated and engaged with your work. Given the fast-paced nature of the tech industry, upskilling is not merely a choice; it has become a necessity. Tech professionals need to embrace the importance of continuous learning and actively seek to upskill to position themselves for success. By staying relevant, unlocking career advancement opportunities, enhancing problem-solving abilities, adapting to industry disruptions, and fostering personal growth, tech professionals like yourself can future proof your career and thrive in a highly competitive landscape. So, seize every opportunity, invest in your professional development, and unlock the doors to a successful and fulfilling tech career. Remember, upskilling is not an event, it’s a lifelong journey that will continuously shape your professional path!

As consultants specialising in talent within the technology industry, we are frequently approached for insights and feedback on various aspects of employment, including branding, salaries, recruitment processes, best practices, and employee benefits. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employee benefits have become increasingly crucial for organisations aiming to distinguish themselves in the market and gain a competitive edge. The landscape of employee benefits is constantly evolving, but we’ve certainly observed and experienced the growing importance of work-life balance, wellness, and flexible work arrangements in the post-COVID era. A Market Shift Towards Wider Benefits While salary remains a critical consideration for individuals in the job market, the pandemic has prompted job seekers to look beyond monetary compensation. The focus has shifted towards wider benefits that significantly impact work-life balance and overall well-being. Previously, many organisations boasted about their flexible work arrangements, offering the opportunity to work remotely for 1-2 days per week. I remember we use to ‘sell’ this benefit to candidates whether it be verbally or via our advertising. However, COVID-19 forced companies to reevaluate their benefit offerings, leading to significant improvements that persist even as the pandemic subsides. Flexible Work Arrangements One of the most notable changes in employee benefits has been the widespread adoption of flexible work arrangements. Whilst there are still some companies stuck in the dark ages that require everyone to come in, every day, most have embraced hybrid models. This typically involves employees working three days a week from home and two days in the office, striking a balance to maintain collaboration and social connections. The pandemic has accelerated the acceptance of remote work, ultimately benefiting employees seeking improved work-life balance and greater flexibility. Looking in the Mirror – Enhancing Our Own Benefits As experts in the market, it has been important for us to ‘walk the talk’ and ensure that we flex and adjust our own benefits to meet what candidates are looking for in the market, and ensure we continue to provide an environment in which our employees can thrive. Reflecting on our own benefit offerings before the pandemic, they were OK, but if we were taking our own current advice, we had a bit of work to do. In addition to offering competitive market salaries, we highlighted benefits such as a $250 health and wellness allowance, birthday leave with a $100 voucher, Friday afternoon drinks, five weeks of leave after three years of continuous service, and flexible working hours. Sure – they weren’t bad, but we questioned whether they truly fostered the culture, environment, and values we wanted to embrace. Addressing Burnout and Introducing the 9-Day Fortnight COVID-19 also left us with a sense that burnout was creeping in, and a ‘groundhog day’ feeling, leading us to explore innovative solutions. In 2021, we implemented a trial run of the 9-Day Fortnight (9DF) model. This structure allowed our team to work nine days consecutively, followed by one day on call. Striving for a balance between customer-centricity and employees' personal time, we carefully considered the practicality and feasibility of this approach. Customers are at the heart of what we do, and we didn’t want to run a setup that would be unrealistic for our company or service, or just used for ‘marketing’ purposes and never used in practice. In short, it was a success. The positive impact it had on our team, combined with minimal disruption to customer service, led us to make the 9DF a permanent part of our work culture in 2022. Expanding Leave Benefits Recognising the high burnout rate associated with recruitment, we also looked to bolster our leave benefits. We implemented a progressive increase in annual leave entitlements where after two years of service, employees now receive an additional week of leave per year. This increases to two additional weeks after four years, resulting in a total of six weeks of annual leave. By focusing on employee well-being and work-life balance, we aim to mitigate burnout and nurture a supportive work environment. Beyond Benefits: Career Development, Culture, and Office Space Employee engagement extends beyond ‘on paper’ benefits alone. We also continually acknowledge and consider the significance of career development opportunities, fostering a positive company culture, and providing a comfortable office space. These factors play integral roles in attracting and retaining talented professionals, so we’ve also introduced new training and development courses and opportunities, reviewed our reward and recognition scheme, introduced new social gatherings and upgraded our office spaces. As part of our ongoing commitment to employee satisfaction, we will continue to review and enhance our offerings, and our current focus is on introducing an Employee Insurance Protection scheme in the future, further bolstering the comprehensive benefits package we provide. By adapting our own benefit structure, such as implementing the 9-Day Fortnight and expanding leave benefits, we strive to create an environment that fosters employee satisfaction, productivity, and a healthy work-life integration. As the landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of employee-centric practices and providing an outstanding employee experience.

Applying for an IT job that requires a cover letter and don’t know where to start? Read this blog for expert tips!

Are you looking for an opportunity in New Zealand? Increase your chances of getting hired by connecting with a trusted recruitment agency in NZ. Here's how

Your CV can either make or break you. It is a valuable tool when navigating the job market and having a good resume can make all the difference. The problem with creating a CV is it can be hard work , especially for first-timers, or if you haven’t updated it for a long time. There are many things to consider when writing one and, in this blog, we’ll highlight the dos and don’ts plus provide a FREE CV template at the end! CV Don’ts Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people, who can receive many CVs for any given role. They may just take a quick scan of your CV before deciding whether to invite you for an interview or not, and a poorly written CV could mean you miss the chance of being chosen. So, to grab the attention of your recruiter or future employer and stand out among the pool of applicants, here are six (6) CV mistakes you should avoid at all costs and what you can do instead: 1. Listing all your roles on your CV Don’t include irrelevant experience or credentials. Review the job description and decide which of your credentials fit. If you’re applying as a Web Developer and they need someone with experience on JAVA, Node.js, or general programming tools, you need to cut out your previous role as a coffee shop barista or a service crew assistant. Instead, highlight your IT-related experiences i.e., Technical Support, Mobile Application Developer, etc. 2. Having a poorly structured and ambiguous CV Ambiguity in your credentials, accomplishments, and work experience will lessen your chances of being chosen for the role. Avoid using graphs and percentages to indicate your proficiency in each skill. Instead, specify your accomplishments by being more specific and results based. Sell yourself without being wordy and structure your CV in sections so it’s easier to scan. Create sections for your skills, previous work experience, accomplishments, and personal information. Under these sections, you can add bullet points to specify your accomplishments. Avoid wordy and complicated sentences – keep it short, concise, and specific. Don’t: Key Accomplishments When I was in my first year as a web developer, I was fortunate enough to create a website for a very well-known brand and helped increase traffic and revenue for the business during its first three months. Do: Key Accomplishments Developed a website for (specify the brand) garnering 30% more site traffic three months after its launch. Pro tip : Include numbers and highlight results when working on this section of your CV. You must also be mindful of your spelling and grammar, and AVOID using tables at all costs! 3. Using a generic CV for all roles Crafting the perfect CV is like making cover letters—it must be specifically curated to address the question “Why should we hire you?” In a competitive market where there are tons of professionals vying for the same position, it is vital to stand out and be unique, and you can do this by creating a goal-specific CV that highlights your key accomplishments and qualifications, that are relevant to the role you are applying for. Pro-tip: Tweak your accomplishments, focus on the job description, and curate your CV accordingly . Keep your CV honest, but add keywords that align to the role you’re applying for. 4. Putting references you had a bad history with Be mindful of who you include in your character and professional references. Carefully select the names of your colleagues or seniors from roles you excelled at, and you’ve been commended for. If, for example, you got removed from your role because of absenteeism or inferior performance, it’s best to not include it on your resume as it will only taint your records. Only include managers, supervisors, or colleagues you had good relationships with who can provide a positive reference and help you land the role. CV Do's Your CV is your first step to impressing potential employers. It's also the place where you can tell a story and sell yourself in one go. To make your application stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview, a professional-looking and well-written CV that is tailored to the job is a must! Your CV should include the following: Personal details: Name, address, contact details (mobile number) and e-mail address. Education: include details of your degree, relevant training, and accreditations. Relevant work experience covering each stage of your career up until now with references that can back up what you say about each role and employer (if applicable). If there are gaps in your work history or if there are any gaps between jobs, then be prepared to explain these during the interview process with the recruitment agency or hiring company, where they may ask for further information about the gap , or add the date of break (i.e., June 2012-Feb 2013 – Parental Leave) Quantify your key accomplishments under each role and focus more on the results. Provide professional references. How to structure a CV One to three pages is the ideal length of a CV. Your CV should be formatted in a consistent way that is easy to read and scan. Use standard margins and font sizes for each section of your document – contact details at the top, education details below that, and personal information towards the bottom . Ensure that all sections are clearly labelled on their own lines by using different fonts from one another (for example: bolding an email address). This makes it easier for recruiters and managers who need substantial amounts of information about you within seconds! Here’s a FREE CV template to help y ou curate the perfect resume! Feel free to edit, omit, or add any information you think would be useful to convince your recruiter to consider you for the next part of the application process. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more tips like this and be on the lookout for our upcoming blogs by visiting our website: www.recruitit.co.nz. If you are looking for temp or perm roles, check out our Jobs board or message one of our Candidate Consultants if you think you are a good fit!