A week-by-week job search plan (and how to stay motivated)

Set expectations before you start

As at October 2026 unemployment is at its highest in over a decade (5.6% in the June quarter) and employers have been cautious about hiring. That means more applicants per job and longer waits. It does not mean something is wrong with you. Plan for a search of a few months, build a routine you can sustain, and look after your money (see the Money Runway tool) so you aren't forced into a bad decision in week three.

Weeks 1-2: get set up

1. Decide your target: 1-3 job titles and a realistic pay range. Write down what you will and won't accept (hours, distance, pay floor).
2. Write a master CV (see the NZ CV guide) and a LinkedIn profile that matches it.
3. Make a list of 30 people to tell: ex-colleagues, managers, suppliers, friends, whānau, clubs, your old school or uni network.
4. Set up a free job alert on SEEK, Trade Me Jobs and Indeed for each target title and your region.
5. Book a free Direct Career Service appointment if you're unsure about direction (0800 222 733).
6. Set up your tracking sheet (below) and a separate email folder for job-search emails.
7. Line up three referees and ask them properly (see the references guide).

Weeks 3-8: a weekly routine that works

Quality beats volume. Ten tailored applications beat fifty copy-pasted ones. A sustainable target for most people is about 25-30 focused hours a week if you're searching full time, less if you're working or caring for others.

Track your applications

A simple spreadsheet (or notes app) is enough. You'll forget which version of your CV went where, and recruiters sometimes ring weeks later.

Staying motivated when it's slow

• Count inputs, not outcomes. You control how many applications and conversations you do, not who replies.
• Expect silence. Many NZ employers don't reply to unsuccessful applicants. Silence is usually process, not a verdict on you.
• Keep a daily anchor: get dressed, get outside, and finish at a set time. Search is easier when it has edges.
• Do one thing a week that isn't job hunting: exercise, a volunteer shift, a short course. Volunteering also gives you a current reference and something to say in interviews.
• Share the load. Tell one person your weekly goal and check in on Fridays.
• Bad stretch? Contact 1737 (free mental health support, call or text) any time. See the looking after yourself guide.

Review at week 4 and week 8

Ask honestly: am I getting interviews? If you send 20+ applications and get no interviews, the problem is usually the CV, targeting or channel. If you get interviews but no offers, work on interview practice. If you get second interviews but lose out, check your references and salary expectations. Take your CV to a Direct Career practitioner or a trusted contact in the industry for a blunt review.