Researching job options
On this page
Tips for finding job information on our site
The best way to find job information depends on how clear you are about what you’re looking for. Tips at the top of the list are best if you know exactly what you’re interested in – those further down are great if you need ideas.
Type the job name into the search box on each page
Browse our job information a-z or by interest area
Match your skills to jobs
Match your school subjects to jobs
Using our website to research jobs
Our site has detailed descriptions of almost 700 jobs, each of which includes:
- Real-life stories of people doing the job – what they like and dislike and how they got into it.
- How to enter the job – qualifications, training and experience needed for each job, plus links to specific courses.
- Pay and progression – how much you can earn and what other jobs and roles each job could lead to.
- Outlook – what are the chances of getting a job? What types of employers can you work for? Where can you do the job? What’s happening in the job?
- Tasks and duties and personal requirements – the day-to-day work involved in the job and what type of person would be suited to it.
New Zealand’s job market
Understanding where different jobs fit within the New Zealand job market is a useful thing to research before deciding on any change in career. Use our job summaries, industry information and news reports to help you answer these questions:
- How easy is it to find the kind of job you want?
- Are there jobs available in your region?
- Can you progress within this job and develop your skills?
Tips for researching your job options
- Talk to people who are in the job you’re interested in about how they find it.
- Speak to your current employer about your options for upskilling, or possible advancement within the organisation.
- Contact professional associations. They’ll be able to give you a good idea of what is involved in their field of expertise.
- Read relevant newspapers and magazine articles about the area of work you’re interested in.
- Go to career expos to meet training providers, industry representatives and prospective employers and ask them everything you want to know.
- Investigate voluntary work as a way of trying a job out and getting experience.
- Find out more about voluntary work
- Find out more about the benefits of work experience
- Find out more about contacting employers directly to research jobs
Stories from real people researching career options
Jewellery apprenticeship helped Helen Gruber decide to change career
When Helen left school, she decided that she didn't want to work in an office; however, she did want a qualification. She thought an apprenticeship seemed a natural way to go. After researching her options she decided to become a jeweller.
How temping helped Gavin Lodge decide to become a landscape gardener
Next steps
Record the information you gather about each job option in a job research summary.
