Why You’re Not Getting Interviews (and How to Fix It)
Here’s the truth: It’s not you — it’s your strategy! This post will show you exactly why you’re not getting interviews — and what you can do to change that.
You’ve applied for dozens of jobs in New Zealand. You’ve updated your CV, attached your qualifications, and hit “submit.” And yet… your inbox stays empty.
It’s frustrating.
It’s disheartening.
And for many migrants moving from South Africa, the UK, or the USA, it feels like the dream job is slipping further away.
Here’s the truth: it’s not you — it’s your strategy.
The job market in New Zealand is different, and unless your CV speaks the local language (and passes through applicant tracking systems), it may never even be seen by a human recruiter.
This post will show you exactly why you’re not getting interviews — and what you can do to change that.
New Zealand Employers Read CVs Differently In many countries, CVs can run to four or five pages, list every job you’ve ever had, and include a photo. Not in New Zealand. Here’s what Kiwi recruiters want to see: 2–3 pages maximum (unless you’re in a highly technical or academic field) No photo – helps avoid bias in shortlisting Your highest qualification first, with other training at the end of the CV. A professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com works best) Anything else? It can look outdated, irrelevant, or even confusing to local hiring managers.
The ATS Filter is Your First Interview In New Zealand, most medium-to-large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to shortlist candidates before a human sees their CV. If your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, you could be rejected automatically. Avoid tables, graphics, or multiple columns – these confuse the software. Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, size 10–12 for body text. Include keywords from the job ad naturally in your Skills and Work Experience sections. Think of ATS as your first interviewer – if it can’t read your CV, you’re out before the process even begins.
Show Results, Not Responsibilities Most migrants make this mistake: They list what they were responsible for instead of what they achieved. Instead of: Responsible for managing a sales team. Try: Led a sales team of 6, achieving a 22% increase in quarterly revenue. Numbers stand out. Results matter. Recruiters want proof that you can make an impact.
Three Quick Wins to Boost Your CV If you’re not getting interviews, start here: Tailor your CV for every role – change keywords, adjust your summary, and reorder your skills. Add measurable results to at least 70% of your bullet points. The past 10 years experience must be detailed - the rest can be a short summary
Want Help Making Your CV NZ-Ready?
You don’t have to figure this out alone. At COAR Consultants, we help migrants moving to New Zealand create CVs that get past ATS, impress local recruiters, and win interviews.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need to change my CV for New Zealand if I’m already getting interviews in my home country? Yes – NZ CVs have different formatting, style, and content expectations. What works overseas often doesn’t work here.
Q2: Can I use the same CV for every job? You can, but it won’t get the best results. Tailored CVs consistently outperform generic ones.
To Wrap Things Up… If you’re not getting interviews, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It means your CV isn’t doing its job — yet. With the right structure, localised style, and clear evidence of results, your CV can become your most powerful career tool in New Zealand. And when that happens? You’ll start getting the interview calls you’ve been waiting for.
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