Why is NZ Work Experience Important

Often international students feel very confused when employers say they want NZ work experience. What do employers actually mean and why is it important? What if you already have a wealth of experience from your own country?

Workplace experience

The love affair Kiwi employers often have about New Zealand work experience can seem like a huge obstacle to many of the international students. Does it also worry you? Well, relax, because it’s not as difficult to overcome as it first appears to be.

Yes, sometimes NZ employers want you to have workplace experience that fits with your qualification. But more often they are looking for proof that you are comfortable working with or alongside New Zealanders.

Why? Because employers want graduates – domestic or international – who can do more than regurgitate knowledge. They want proof you can relate to a range of people, know how to work in teams outside of university and can overcome barriers you may face in the workplace. They want ‘a can do attitude’.

For example, when Westpac recently presented at AUT, they encouraged students to draw on activities outside of study that demonstrated teamwork and how they were making a difference within their community, whatever it was. They want to see you as an individual with passion and ambition to stand out.

Company size makes a difference

One of the reasons New Zealand employers are keen to know that you will be able to fit into a NZ workplace is because New Zealand has a high percentage of small and medium size businesses (SMEs).

Smaller businesses function differently from larger businesses and corporates. SME's often have flat structures and smaller teams but this doesn't necessarily limit your opportunities to grow within the organisation. Working in a small company also means there are less layers between you and the boss which gives you more chance to become known throughout the organisation and the sector.

Smaller organisations look for people who are generalists rather than specialists. They are keen to employ people who can show they are open to learning new things, are good at working with lots of different people and are happy to take on a variety of activities within their role.

How can you show you have those attributes?

Volunteering for a charity or not-for-profit is one way to build up experience in New Zealand workplaces while helping to make a difference within your community. Big volunteering organisations such as Seek Volunteer and Volunteering Auckland have all kinds of different volunteering opportunities. If you want to get more involved on campus at AUT, then look at volunteering for AUTSA (AUT Student Association).

There are hundreds of places you can volunteer in Auckland, so ask yourself; who you would genuinely enjoy helping? What groups or projects would you find interesting to work with?

• Volunteering for a group or organisation
• Participating in a community project
• Signing up for a social sport team
• Finding part time work
• Joining a meet up group
• Registering for the AUT Edge Award (for undergraduate students) or Beyond AUT Award (for postgraduate students)

Think strategically and read job titles carefully

Job titles are not the same around the globe so don’t assume the role you had in your home country is identical to roles of the same title here. Read the job description carefully to check what is involved before applying so you can highlight the skills you already have in a way that makes sense to the employer.

Think about your experiences in your home country. How can that experience be useful in New Zealand?  Are the clients you dealt with in your home country a target group or growth area for the organisation that you want to work for? Maybe your networks could be valuable to the company? Or your language skills could be helpful? Perhaps you could be a significant link between employees from your home country and the workplace?

Combine that with work experience and/or volunteering and you'll be giving yourself a really good chance to get a job.

If this all feels daunting, then have a look at the AUT Edge Award or Beyond AUT Award mentioned above. These awards offer friendly, supportive opportunities to volunteer, do leadership activities, become more self aware and build up your knowledge of NZ. Find out more here.

Useful resources

Here are 3 of our favourite links to useful information about New Zealand’s workplace structure.
Guide to Kiwi workplaces
Guide to Kiwi workplaces provides a valuable resource on the NZ workplace and what to expect.

Tips for Customs and Communication
Tips for Customs and communication outlines the general customs and communication styles of NZ workplaces

NZ Ways of Working: NZ Immigration
Our NZ Way of Working describes how people relate to each other in NZ workplaces

AUT Future Career Sheets
Our career sheets provide industry insights and information about trends and the type of skills and knowledge  employers are looking for in different sectors.

And don't forget the Employability and Careers team

Workshops and appointments - We provide workshops tailored for international students and one-to-one /face-to-face appointments where you can talk to us about your career decision making and your challenges. These are offered on campus and online.

Simply sign up to Elab Online and look for workshops and appointments.

We look forward to meeting you!

Compiled by the AUT Employability and Careers Services