HOW EMPLOYABLE
ARE YOU?

No – A drivers licence is crucial in the trades. Your boss might ask you to pick up supplies for a job, or you may need to travel between different work sites during the day.

If you don’t have your licence yet, it’s the number one thing you can do while you’re training to help you get a job later.

When you’re just starting out, a restricted licence is fine for many jobs. If you already have your restricted licence, getting your full licence will make you even more valuable to an employer.

Find out more about how to get your driver licence.

No – Employers want reliable workers, and many trades jobs involve early starts. If you’re not known for being reliable, start making it a priority now. Turning up five minutes early to class, rugby practice or your part-time job helps show people you can be punctual – so when you apply for jobs later, you’ll have references who can tell your future boss how reliable you are.

No – Having a good CV can help you get a job in the trades. Your employer’s first impression of you isn’t usually face-to-face – they’ll read your job application first. So if your CV isn’t up to scratch, you’re much less likely to score an interview. Find out how to write your CV and cover letter, or ask your MPTT Navigator for help.

No – Employers will want to talk to people who know you before they hire you, so they can make sure you’re suited to the job. But what if you haven’t had a job before or can’t ask your old boss to vouch for you?

First, try asking a tutor from your course if they’d be happy to be your referee. They’ll have seen you learn skills in your trade, as well as demonstrate soft skills like showing up to class on time.

You can also ask people who know your character, even if they don’t know anything about your trade. This could be your rugby coach, the pastor at your church or a friend of your whānau.

Remember, always ask people first before passing their details on to your future boss. If the employer gives your referee a call, it’s better if they’ve had a bit of time to think about the nice things they want to say about you. Don’t be whakama (shy) – most people enjoy helping out.

No – Employers will usually ask you about your strengths and weaknesses in a job interview, so it’s good to have an answer in mind.

When it comes to your strengths, choose the things you’re good at that are most relevant to the job (see what they’ve asked for in the job ad for ideas). Make sure you give examples of times where you’ve shown these strengths. If you’re a good team player, you might talk about how you needed communication skills for a previous job, or how you support your teammates as part of a sports team.

What about your weaknesses? This is one of the hardest questions to answer in an interview. The key is to answer honestly, but say how you’re working to improve in that area. For example, you might say something like: “I’ve sometimes struggled with confidence. So during my pre-trades course I worked on asking questions and speaking up in class to put myself out there more.”

Get more job interview tips.

No – Remember, your interviewer’s first impression of you doesn’t start when you begin talking; it starts when they first see you. Even though you might be applying for a job on a worksite, you need to wear clean, smart clothes to meet the person who interviews you. Also check you have clean shoes and tidy hair.

No – Your future boss will probably call you before an in-person interview, and the voicemail message they hear should make a good impression. Go for a simple, clear message that includes your name, and you’ll be sorted.

Here’s an example of what you could say: “Hi, this is Sam Jackson. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks!”

No – An important part of learning your trade is knowing how to stay safe on the job. To show you can work safely on-site, you’ll usually need what’s called a Site Safe card. Most employers require you to get this card before you start work. Ask your MPTT navigator what’s needed for your trade.

No – Most employers will test you for drugs and alcohol as part of their site safety practices. You’ll need to be able to pass these tests when you’re looking for a job, plus any ongoing tests that your employer might do. Find out how staying sober at work will help you do well in your trade – plus what to do if you’ve taken drugs in the past, and where to get help if you need it.

No – Finding work experience should be a top priority. Many employers won’t consider hiring someone with no practical experience, so you should do what you can to get some hands-on work in your trade. Find out why you should do work experience and how to find it.

No – Having a realistic idea of what you’ll be doing as a new tradie is important. Your boss will be impressed if you’re humble and keen to do whatever needs doing. Talk to your MPTT navigator about what an entry-level job might be like, so you’re prepared for your first role. Plus, check out these tips on how to show your boss you have a good attitude.

No – When you’re just starting out, it’s important to be humble and keen to learn. Even though you’ve learned some good skills in your pre-trades course, remember there’s still a lot of practical knowledge to learn on the job. Check out these tips on how to show your boss you have a good attitude.

No – Even if you have hands-on experience in your trade already, it’s always good to keep learning from others. Check out these tips on what employers are looking for in an employee.