Here at ExecutiveONE we have written a significant number of CVs or proposals for individuals looking to apply for Māori related roles. In recent years many of these roles have expanded, creating either standalone jobs or positions encompassed into previous requirements.

Examples of CVs we have written in the past include:

1. Directorship or management for Iwi related organisations
2. Management and senior professionals for Iwi controlled organisations, e.g. Whanau Ora
3. Education, leadership, business, medical/health, community, and broadcasting roles
4. Positions which call for a strong knowledge of Māori affairs, including understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, settlement, and other Māori related matters
5. Government and public sector roles

This is a unique space in which to write a CV as we find that there are limited guidelines with regard to this. We often work with clients to update their CV and are happy to share a few of our key insights into the complex process when they express interest in Iwi or Māori focused jobs.

Consider including a Mihi

Many of our customers consider it appropriate to include a Mihi, or greeting, and we find that the hiring organisations respect and appreciate it. Ideally, this is included at the start of a CV.

Showcase your achievements

Many of these types of roles call for strong, tangible skill-sets and a high level of experience. Historically we have found that a lot of older CVs brought in by customers are limited, with many of them either omitting their achievements or failing to elaborate appropriately on them. Because it is important to set yourself apart, consider including:

1. Tangible achievements, such as implementation of new training schemes or KPI targets for the staff within an organisation.

2. Fiscal results: dollars earned, saved, raised, etc. If you have managed budgets, include information on how large they were - $500,000? $5,000,000? Including numbers and real world results on your CV will make it come alive and also convey how well you perform.

3. Percentages and ratios, including information on how you improved matters such as morale, profitability, productivity, and growth.

Additionally we recommend that you tie your achievements into the Māori community, especially if they are relevant to the desired role. As an example, if you speak Te Reo fluently and you implemented a language programme within the education field, this could be an excellent point to describe with metrics as well as use to demonstrate links back to the local community and staff. Framing your achievements with an overall focus on Māori culture is critical.

Do not be afraid to boast

Respectfully, we find many people in New Zealand often try to be quite modest within the job market, but it’s better to go ahead and showcase your achievements proudly. How else will the recruiter or employer know you have those skills? It’s not fair to ask them to assume. Speak confidently and proudly about your past achievements, but don’t embellish or ‘decorate’ your CV with a bunch of fluffy adjectives. Keep it balanced with clear bullet point examples (such as the points mentioned above).

Include community involvement, but keep it brief

Many organisations will applaud community involvement and including this information can help a CV to shine. Your community is very important and involvement conveys the fact that you are a well-rounded candidate. However, be certain that this information makes sense and flows logically into the rest of your CV. Spending a whole page on this and neglecting other professional points can be detrimental to the overall effectiveness of the document. If your community involvement/volunteer work is not a key aspect of the role you are applying for, consider limiting it to about a quarter or a third of a page toward the end of your CV. This will help ensure that your overall document is kept to the ideal length for a CV, which is approximately three pages.

Explain your philosophies in your cover letter

Organisations want to understand that the individuals they hire truly understand the principles surrounding Māori affairs and can apply them in a workplace environment. Touch on your experience and explain your philosophies and beliefs. Then, link these beliefs back to tangible achievements. How did you use those philosophies to deliver results in the workplace? Including your principles can often get you noticed and convey the type of person you are – however, they will need to be concise and well written so as to observe the expected one-page length for the entire letter. If you believe that it is important to “support youth within the organisation”, write about  why you believe this is important; if you can link this principle to a past role where you exhibited that quality you will certainly be ahead of the game.

Consider seeking professional CV assistance

Here at ExecutiveONE we have a large amount of experience in developing professionally written CVs and cover letters for Māori related positions. To set yourself apart and stand out from others vying for the same role/s as you, ask us to professionally write your CV. We take the time to understand you as a client before getting started. We also have significant dealings with many organisations and understand how they want a candidate to present themselves, so we are more than happy to focus on how we can ensure you are the best suited candidate for the role.

New Zealand, called Aoteoroa in te Reo Māori, is a country with a rich history of interwoven cultures and people from various backgrounds; as New Zealand continues to grow as a nation we will always look back on history and learn from it. Many employers and organisations now understand how important culture is to both employees and clients, and how a sensitivity to this will truly help the organisation to thrive. We expect to see more and more roles that require people to understand the importance of Māori culture and tradition in the workplace, especially when Māori interests form the foundation of the organisation.

ExecutiveONE can help you navigate these requirements successfully. We welcome with open arms anyone who chooses to request our services. Contact us to learn more. Kia ora rawa atu, noho ora mai. [Thank you, stay safe.]