Looking for work? Job seeking resources at WCL

There are many reasons why people start looking for a new role.

Some are at the beginning of their career journey.  Some are returning to work after a break for travel or caring.  For others looking for new work opportunities may have been forced upon them due to change or upheaval in their lives or workplaces.

Whatever brings someone to the point of seeking a new position, Wellington City Libraries has many  job-hunting resources that may assist.

If you are:

• Starting out;
• Looking for a job;
• Assessing your skills;
• Getting your cv (resume) prepared;
• Brushing up on some work skills;
• Gaining confidence for an interview;

Read on to learn more.

Assess your skill set

If you are a school or university leaver, not certain about your skill set, or maybe someone thinking of changing careers, a good starting site is Careers New Zealand.  Here you will find tools that can assist you figure out what roles your skills and experience may be a good match for.  There is also guidance on cv preparation and other useful information.

Find a vacancy

To apply for a job you need to first know what companies are seeking workers and what roles are being advertised.

If you know what you are looking for and already have a cv prepared you can create a profile and upload your documentation to Seek or Trademe jobs.  Both these sites allow you to create alerts so that you are emailed a listing whenever a job in your area of interest is advertised.

For an experienced worker, looking to change roles or companies, there are a variety of recruitment agents in the Wellington CBD.  Some specialise in certain roles such as labour, IT, professional or executive recruitment.  Others have a more general approach.

Don’t forget the power of networking.  There are a variety of different networking groups in Wellington so search and see if you can find one that is a good fit for you. Online business networking group LinkedIn is also a good place to start.

Prepare your CV/resume

Your cv and covering letter are what will attract a prospective employer to you.  Or not.  So how do you get noticed in among all the other applications?  Like everything, there are trends to how to present your cv and this article outlines some of the resume trends you should be aware of while this one suggests some things that should be on your cv.  If you are uncertain about some information, ask a trusted friend or colleague to check it over.  There are also professional companies that will work with you to produce a standout cv.

Acquiring or brushing up on skills

If, as you read through a job description, you feel you need some new or additional skills to be appropriately qualified for a role then there are many courses available to help you upskill.  Our blog on Professional development opportunities are available online. EdX provides links to short university courses across all topics, and from around the world.  With your WCL membership you can access Linkedin Learning courses for free. Massey University and Open Polytechnic offer distance learning courses.  while in-person courses are offered throughout the year from Wellington High School‘s Community Education Centre or Victoria University‘s short course options.

Acing interviews

You’ve done all the above, and now you have an interview.  What next?  If, like many people you get nervous when faced with a panel of interviewers asking you questions then preparation is the key.  Look for the company website and brush up on your knowledge of their structure and people.  For a senior role, check to see if the company Annual Report is available and have a read.  Sometimes you may be questioned on how much you know about an organisation, for example, how it may be funded.  This is when your research will pay off.  There’s also the chance of an “awkward” question.  Have a look at the advice offered in this HBR article How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Failed” in a Job Interview.

Within our broader library collection we also have resources like those listed below, that library users are welcome to borrow.  Or contact your friendly and helpful library staff for further suggestions.