How we support you

Our team is dedicated to helping you bridge the gap between your studies and your future career. Whether you're just starting out or preparing to graduate, we're here to assist you in identifying your strengths, developing your career management skills, and connecting you with potential employers.

Our support is available to you at no cost throughout your time at university and for up to three years after you graduate. Explore the types of support we offer and how you can access them below.

Creating a CV or cover letter

Learn how to craft a standout CV and cover letter, tailor them to any job, and land your dream career with our free modules on Canvas.

Access a free CV and cover letter builder on our MyCDES+ platform.

Online CV check with CV360

Check your CV with CV360 and receive instant tailored feedback and tips on how to improve it. CV360 will score your CV against more than 50 checks which commonly trip up an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), and give you feedback on presentation, structure, content and language. You should aim to get your CV into the 'green zone'. You'll then be prompted to submit the CV to a career consultant for a final check.

Please note that online reviews may take up to 5 working days. CV360 will allow each user a maximum of 10 CV uploads.

Online cover letter check

Access via MyCDES.

Upload your cover letter under 'My Documents'. Label it with your name, Student ID, and 'cover letter'. Click 'Cover Letter' (not CV), upload as a Word document, and click 'Submit'.

Please note that online reviews may take up to 5 working days.

Drop-in

Attend our drop-in for a 10-minute CV OR cover letter check with a career consultant. No appointment needed.

During busy periods or times when we are understaffed, please understand that we may only be able to accommodate a limited number of students per drop-in session and that you may be turned away if we are at full capacity.

Our drop-in takes place during the times below (apart from when the University is closed, such as on public holidays, or on days when the CDES team are hosting Career Expos). There will be no drop-in on Wednesday 4 December or during the University's Christmas close-down period (23 December - 3 January). 

Enhance your employability with MyCareer Check

Assess your career confidence and receive tailored tips and resources to improve your employability. The MyCareer Check self-assessment tool lets you track your progress and offers personalised learning opportunities.

MyCDES+ online resources

Access our 24/7 online library of e-learning courses and career resources on MyCDES+. Topics include self-management, teamwork, problem-solving, and more.

CDES workshops and programmes

Attend our weekly workshops covering various career development topics. We offer a range of programmes to support your career journey, from self-discovery to job search strategies. Register for free workshops via MyCDES.

We welcome your ideas for workshops or programmes. Email us at careers@auckland.ac.nz with your suggestions.

Employer recruitment events

Each semester we host employers eager to recruit University of Auckland students for internships or graduate roles. Visit our recruitment events webpage to see the full list of recruitment events.

Career expos and CDES events

Join us at our career expos where numerous employers gather on campus to meet you. These events might seem overwhelming, but they are incredibly valuable. We offer pre-event workshops to help you approach employers confidently. Check our events webpage.

NZUni Talent Jobs board

Explore student and graduate opportunities from top employers on the NZUni Talent jobs board. Find graduate and internship positions, full and part-time vacancies, scholarships, and volunteering roles conveniently in one place.

Information on our website

Access a wealth of information on the application and recruitment process on our website.

One-on-one appointments

Book an appointment with a career consultant to discuss any career-related issues you're facing. Choose between online via Zoom or in-person on campus. Book directly through MyCDES.

Please note: Appointments are not for CV, cover letter, or LinkedIn checking. Please use our drop-in or online services for this.

CDES workshops

Join our workshops designed to help you find your career direction. Topics include 'Finding your career direction', 'The trouble with passion', and 'What do I really want to do'. Register for the next session on MyCDES.

'Navigating interviews' Canvas module

Learn how to manage interview preparation, performance and follow-up intentionally and efficiently with our self-directed online module available free to all students.

Website resources

Visit the 'Applications, Assessments, Interviews' section on our website for essential tips on mastering job applications, cover letters, psychometric tests and interviews.

Interview360 tool

Practice answering tailored interview questions and receive instant feedback using Interview360 on MyCDES+. It provides feedback on your body language, communication, camera position, and video quality. Ideal for preparing for video interviews.

Watch this video on how to use Interview360

Māori and Pacific students

For information on tailored programmes, workshops, and events, visit the CDES Māori and Pacific student webpages.

International students

For details on support designed specifically for international students, visit the CDES international student webpages.

Meet the team

While you can book appointments with any available consultant, our team members specialise in specific faculties or student groups. To find out more about our consultants' portfolios, visit our 'Meet the team' webpage.

If you found our expo or other CDES services useful, tell your friends! We're here to support all University of Auckland students and graduates (up to three years after graduation).

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding our services or anything else, please email us at careers@auckland.ac.nz.