Information for migrants and refugees
On this page:
- How Career Services can help you
- How to contact Career Services staff
- Explore the Career Services website
- Real-life stories
How Career Services can help you
New to New Zealand and looking for work?
Whether you've just arrived or have been here for some time, we offer a range of free services to help you find a job. We will help you plan your next steps and find work, study or training options that suit your interests, skills and lifestyle.
Our career consultants will work with you to:
- see how your experience and qualifications fit in the New Zealand setting
- find out about the industries and jobs in your area
- prepare your CV
- write covering letters to introduce yourself
- understand the culture of Kiwi workplaces
- learn skills for job interviews
- build your networks and learn how to look for a job
- contact employment agencies and other support agencies.
“My advice to other migrants would be to improve your language skills, have a proper plan for finding work, be willing to compromise, network, use the Internet and finally, get advice from Career Services.”
Nasser Ahmed from Assam, India
How to contact Career Services staff
There are three ways you can contact us:
- Call our free advice line on 0800 222 733, available from 8am-8pm weekdays and 10am-2pm Saturdays
- Phone staff at the Career Services centre nearest to you. Contact details for Career Services centres
- Email us at careers@careers.govt.nz.
We are a government agency, so if you have New Zealand residency our career planning services may be free. If you are not a permanent resident, there will be a charge.
To make an appointment by email, fill in the Career Services appointment form and email it to us at careers@careers.govt.nz.
Download the Career Services appointment form (MS Word - 536KB)
If you make an individual appointment you are welcome to bring a support person or translator when you come in, or we can help you find one.
You may also be able to attend a Career Services group workshop.
Explore the Career Services website
While you’re on our website, there is a lot of information here about working, jobs and training in New Zealand:
- Find out about a particular job – what it’s like, the experience you need, and how much you can earn
- Read about the main industries in your area
- Find out which jobs use your skills
- Download our CV and covering letter templates
- Get advice on looking and applying for jobs
“It’s important that newcomers don’t just see migrating as changing residency, work setting or living in a new climate and physical environment. It’s about changing parts of your mind-set and the way you’ve lived before.”
Lay Lin Chan from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Real-life stories
Read about other migrants' experiences:
- Lay Lin Chan from Malaysia
- Nasser Ahmed from India
- Ajit Jogi from Zimbabwe
- Pankaj Jaintly from India
- Alex Suarez from the Philippines
- Radha Vallanki from India
- Pedro Romero from Chile
- Manuel Valdez from the Philippines
- Ray Pang from China
- Darshan Desai from India
- Stories of teachers who have migrated to New Zealand
