How can I get an IT job when there’s been 200 applications already?
Pic courtesy of ChatGPT ;-)
As the market starts to come to life in 2025 there’s been a lot of positives with us already making offers, appointing new candidates, visiting new starters and seeing new jobs emerge.
What I’ve noticed as I’ve been interviewing candidates this year (and last) there’s been quite a bit of feedback on the amount of candidates on the market. Seek has quite a transparent feature (& LinkedIn) which it tells you how many candidates have applied to a role. Ie there’s been 209 applications in 2 days already which is a little bit scary and off putting, the reality is that about half of those tend to be people who live overseas who have no intention to move to New Zealand, the other half is a mix of candidates who are unqualified and tend to be applying for everything going – sometimes automatically. Every job just needs that one perfect person, and that could be you so keep applying and stay positive – you will find one.
In economies like this it can take more time and effort, and yes, there’s competition something the IT industry hasn’t experienced since September 11th back in 2001 and for a year in the GFC - the global financial crisis of 2009. We have had about 10 years of a very positive, buoyant economy until everything fell apart with Covid, which then saw it create it’s own hiring bubble which saw a surge of online activity and finally burst. This coupled with spiralling inflation has led to a flat market for the last couple of years which has been a slow grind but there’s always something new on the go in IT, and you’re always needed.
So what can you do to get ahead and land that new IT job?
Some practical things you can apply to your IT job search in Christchurch are:
Build relationships with IT recruiters and often they may reach out to you first on new roles if they’re aware of your current skills and you’ve shown your genuinely looking. Be able to gain access to the right people to have more meaningful conversations and meetings – which may mean making yourself available to meet in person to better get to know them - a one on one coffee is a good way to meet up – in times such as these human connection is key.
Get the basics right - make sure you send a customised cover letter to every application and explain why you’re the best for that particular job. And although I know you know this, check your spelling and grammar, it matters when you’re trying to differentiate yourself. Hot TIP - remember to mention a person’s name who might have referred you to Sunstone or the role you’re applying to, it might be a friend, colleague, or family member – it may add to your credibility and genuine interest in a role.
Again on cover letters - If you’re applying from another city tell us why you’d like to live in Christchurch :-) Recruiters or hiring managers are trying to work out if it’s worth spending time to meet you and are looking to answer the question around how likely it is that this person is really going to move to a new city ie do you have family here? Friends? Went to uni here? Or grew up in Christchurch - please mention it.
Do you have right to work in NZ? Make it ‘idiot proof’ ie crystal clear to the recruiter or hiring manager, preferably at the top of your CV. And reiterate this in your cover letter.
Networking - get along to the local networking groups in Christchurch for example check out: Canterbury Tech and some of the meet up groups like the AI Meet up, UX Design Meet up, UX Design Meet up, Product Management Meet Up, , JavaScript Meet Up and so on :-) You might get an opportunity just by meeting someone or you might find that person you met interviewing you a few weeks later - Christchurch is small, get to know people. It also just shows your passion for the industry to be a part of the community out there learning about new things, someone might interview you and say what have you been doing recently? I’ve been getting involved at Canterbury Tech, they might say ‘Hey I was there too and say the talk on AI’ etc. Put it in your CV under your ‘interests’ - get involved and amazing things can happen.
Seminars & conferences - head along to the Canterbury Tech summit which draws over 800 people from all around Canterbury & New Zealand to hear brilliant, inspiring speakers on latest technology topics like AI, security, blockchain, IoT, web, software product development etc. The next one is coming up in September so keep an eye on socials and get your ticket when they’re released. HOT TIP early bird tickets are A LOT cheaper so get in quick.
We really want candidates to succeed and show their best selves so we’ve created a ‘Learning’ section on our website that has some past useful blogs that nay help you land your next IT job: ‘How does the IT recruitment process work’, ‘Writing the ultimate tech CV’, ‘How to ace your IT job interview’, ’10 best tips on how to write a cover letter to get you a job interview’, ‘The IT recruitment glossary - all the job terms you need to know’
We know it can be very frustrating out there but keep positive and you will land something soon…I hope this helps :-)
I’m Paul, lover of coffee, dogs, biking, surfing & skiing. Founder & Principal Consultant of Sunstone, an IT Recruitment & HR company specialising in recruiting IT roles within software, web, digital, mobile, blockchain, data, cloud infrastructure, security & networks in Christchurch & South Island of New Zealand.