Graduate Jobs in Auckland overview
Living in Auckland as a young professional
Auckland is undoubtedly at the cutting edge of what is cool and vibrant about New Zealand life. Known for its vibrancy, culture and diversity, Auckland is full of amazing cafes and incredible career opportunities for university graduates and young professionals.
Graduates and young professionals either working in Auckland or considering making the move, have a plethora of choice when it comes to amazing neighbourhoods to live in. However, it's worth factoring in the real estate market and steep rental prices. Auckland is the most expensive city to live in New Zealand, with Auckland City, Ponsonby, Parnell, Grey Lynn, Meadowbank, Onehunga and Mt. Albert being highly desirable areas to live in amongst young professionals.
Getting around is very easy by train, bus and ferry. The Auckland bus service, in particular, is by far the most extensive, whilst trains provide an alternative when travelling to the southern part of Auckland.
Employment opportunities in Auckland
Contributing 38% of the nation's GDP, Auckland is New Zealand's economic engine room, connecting New Zealand to global business. Luckily for soon-to-be graduates, Auckland has a fantastic mix of graduate jobs and programs on offer.
The top consulting employers in New Zealand like Deloitte and PwC have multiple roles for university graduates, and then there are the likes of WSP Opus, Aurecon and Beca who are some of the top engineering companies globally, who all offer roles to aspiring graduates.
Where to find graduate jobs in Auckland
The graduate job market in Auckland is very competitive, which poses a challenge for students when applying for graduate jobs. The positive spin is there has been a steady rise in the number of graduate jobs and programs for New Zealand students, however, there has also been a rise in the number of students and graduates applying for the roles.
The most sought-after graduate employers in Auckland include:
- Deloitte
- ANZ
- GHD
- EY
- Westpac
Top tips to land your dream graduate job
1. Research employers, then make targeted applications
With literally thousands of articles, tips and tricks just a click of a button away, arm yourself with as much knowledge about the industry and the employer you have applied for.
2. You’ve got to show passion
It doesn’t matter if your CV is printed on gold paper or if the job you’re applying for was your childhood dream, you’ve got to be passionate about the role and company you’re applying to, otherwise you simply just won’t stand out to the recruiter.
3. Secure an internship
One of the best ways to get your ‘foot in the door’ and land that dream graduate job, is to complete an internship. There are hundreds of employers in New Zealand that hire interns in a range of sectors including accounting, finance, engineering and IT. Read our article here on how to secure a quality internship.
4. Be authentic
At the end of the day, the old adage of ‘be yourself’ rings true. Starting with the application you write, the interviews and group assessment centres you attend, it’s like many things in life, one big “getting to know you” exercise. Be honest with the recruiter about who you are, your interests and hobbies, and what drives you. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect.
5. Soft skills are key
Graduate employers seek candidates who are strong communicators, who can work effectively in a range of roles and with diverse teams, and have a desire to learn. Showcasing these soft skills and behaviours could be the difference between you getting hired and not.
When looking for graduate jobs, be sure to keep an eye on new listings on the Prosple NewZealand website.
Auckland career fairs and employment evenings
Auckland offers a range of valuable career fairs to attend that will allow you to connect with graduate and internship employers. These connections are valuable, as you have the opportunity to get one-on-one face time with hiring managers, plus the ability to ask their current graduates about what life is like in the graduate program.
Universities offer various career events, such as:
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The University of Auckland - check out The Career Development and Employability Services (CDES), who organise these career fairs, and usually update on their site.
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Auckland University of Technology - offers a range of industry-based career fairs like ICT, Engineering and Law.
Member-based organisations Chartered Accountants ANZ, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Engineering New Zealand all have student services and generally run some career fairs and employment evenings for students.