STEP 2 - CREATE A FANTASTIC CV

ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND ... what a career in the dairy industry might entail and before you start applying for jobs, you need to take some time and plan how you want to present yourself to future employers.

WHAT DO BOSSES LOOK FOR?

Most farm employers want two simple things – the right attitude and good skills. Check out the careers explorer to identify skills that fit with what you could offer a new employer.

Often a farm employer will take on a person with a good attitude, who is willing to learn even if they don’t have the right experience.

Like all employers, farm employers want an individual who:

• Is honesty and reliabile
• Is an individual who can work on their own
• Is interested and enthusiastic
• Takes pride in their work and workplace.

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

Reading your Curriculum Vitae (or CV) is probably the first opportunity a potential new employer will have to find out who you are and what your background is. You may have an old CV lying around at home. It is important to update this and make it relevant to each job you are applying for. Using a CV template can be the easiest way to create a good one.

Prepare your CV carefully. Start with your current role and go no furtherback then 5 years.

Your CV should:

• Be a true record of your skills and experience
• Summarise your relevant achievements
• Be easy to read and clear
• Ideally be two or three pages and no more.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter should always be sent to an employer attached to the front of your CV. The aim of the cover letter is to raise the potential employer’s interest in you enough for him/her to thoroughly go through your CV and hopefully invite you for an interview. A poor covering letter can ruin a great CV – but a good letter can get you the interview you want.

There are examples of covering letters on www.kiwicareers.govt.nz or www.seek.co.nz. You can also create your CV and cover letter online at Career Services.

The DairyNZ Career Pathways programme also has a CV builder - get your Career Pathways USB from www.dairynz.co.nz/careerpathways