Career opportunities in New Zealand for international students
As well as having a world-class higher education system, New Zealand is a great place to begin your career. New Zealand has a thriving job market, welcoming overseas talent and offering excellent post-study work rights for international graduates to start their career right here in New Zealand.
With skills shortage across various sectors including IT and tech, business, engineering, health services and many more, New Zealand offers of opportunities for our graduates to get a foot in the door to their dream job.
Besides these countless career opportunities, there are many other reasons to live and work in New Zealand. Ranked the 2nd most peaceful country in the world, you can expect to be welcomed into the community. There is a definite relaxed vibe in New Zealand and its people, and as a result life work balance is highly valued.
Job opportunities in New Zealand
The best way to begin your career in New Zealand, and to find job opportunities that interest you, is to study a degree in a related subject area. If you’re an international student looking to study and work in New Zealand, you can begin your journey at Taylors College Auckland which offers pathways to degree study at the University of Auckland.
New Zealand has many opportunities for international students looking to kick start their career. To access these career opportunities, one option is to check the skills shortage list on the NZ immigration website. Look for roles that interest you and align to your choice of study. Of course, if your dream career is not on the list, you can still apply for your three year post-study visa and apply for jobs in your field. New Zealand continually invests in its talent, helping young professionals to do exceptional things, and welcomes graduates from all over the world to enter the workforce here.
If you’re an international student looking to study and work in New Zealand, you can begin your journey at Taylors College Auckland which offers pathways to degree study at the top ranked university in New Zealand for Graduate Employability, the University of Auckland.
Below are just some of the industries you may find employment in here:
Engineering
There are plenty of career opportunities for international students in the engineering sector. According to the World Economic Forum Jobs of Tomorrow report 2022, Engineering is one of the top five global employment sectors, providing over 100 million jobs globally. This includes New Zealand, which, like many other countries, is in short supply of qualified engineers – many of them on Immigration New Zealand's long term skills shortage list.
IT and tech
New Zealand has a strong IT and tech industry and there are many job opportunities for those with skills in areas such as software development, data analysis and cybersecurity. These jobs can provide a great way to gain valuable work experience in a growing and important industry. The best way to begin a career in IT or technology is to study a related degree, but there are other opportunities for you to learn on the job depending on where you work.
Healthcare
The healthcare industry is another major employer in New Zealand and there are many job opportunities for international students with healthcare-related qualifications. These can include roles in nursing, physiotherapy, medicine and more.
Business and commerce
Business is a popular career choice all over the world and New Zealand is no different. The best thing about choosing a career in business and commerce is how unique it is to you. Perhaps you’re an entrepreneur hoping to gain experience and start your own business, or maybe you want to share your knowledge with a pre-existing company through consulting and strategy work. Whatever area of business you’re interested in, New Zealand’s strong economy and international outlook make it a great place to work in the industry.
Banking and finance
New Zealand has over 27 registered banks, creating lots of career opportunities for recent graduates. Whether you’re interested in accounting, finance, banking or insurance, you can use the skills learnt in your degree to begin a career in a sector that interests you.
How to apply for a job in New Zealand
Once you’ve found a job that interests you, you will need to apply for it. To do this, you will need your own CV or resume. Your CV should include:
- Name
- Contact details
- Education history
- Employment history and work experience
- Relevant skills to the job you’re applying for
- Personal interests that show who you are as a person.
A good tip is to personalise your CV for each role (or industry) you apply for. Each job is different, and the job advertisement will list the specific skills the employers are looking for. Your CV will have limited space on it, so you can’t tell an employer everything about yourself. Choose your skills and experience that most closely align with the role you are applying for.
Graduate employability at the University of Auckland
International students who have graduated from a New Zealand university may be eligible for a post-study work visa, which allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years after completing your studies.
The visa conditions are open, meaning you can work for almost any employer and won’t be restricted to a specific job or location. If your degree is needed for occupations that have a skills shortage in New Zealand, it may increase your chances of gaining employment here after you graduate.
By studying at Taylors College, you can plan for your career from the day you begin your pathway programme. Working closely with a student careers service, wherever you choose to study, means you will be more prepared for the workforce by the time you graduate.
The University of Auckland can also help prepare you for work in New Zealand. The University is ranked among the top 100 universities globally (QS World University Rankings 2023), so graduating with a degree from Auckland will help you stand out to employers in New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easy to get a job in New Zealand?
You can aid your job application process by making sure your CV is right for the job. Personalise your CV for each job role or industry you apply for, and write a strong cover letter, to help show employers why they should hire you.
What qualifications do I need to work in New Zealand?
You can work in New Zealand as an international student by graduating with a degree from a New Zealand university, which qualifies you for a post-study work visa. This visa will allow you to work in New Zealand for up to three years after graduating.
Is New Zealand good for international students?
New Zealand is a great place for international students to study. Thanks to its small population, New Zealand is a welcoming base for your studies. Additionally, the main language of New Zealand is English, which is a global language and understood around the world.