MMS #45 | Navigating a choppy job market: how to keep (or find) your dream job

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into effective strategies for building job resilience during an economic downturn (like we're seeing right now). If you're worried about your job security or looking to secure a new job, this episode will arm you with the insights and strategies you may be seeking. This episode covers:

• Current trends in unemployment, business closures, job applications and how these affect everyday Kiwis
• How to make yourself indispensable at work when redundancies may be on the horizon
• Strategies for effective job hunting, including how to optimise your CV (and how to use the various job platforms and networks you may not know of!)
• When to use AI, and when to avoid it - an important distinction when applying for jobs!
• The importance of building your personal brand - what, how, why
• Different ways you can network, whether you have a job or are on the hunt
• Tips on building your own financial resilience (aka safety net) to prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best

Resources mentioned in this episode:

- Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)'s Labour market snapshot 2025 provides the statistics we quoted around unemployment, job seekers and business liquidations

- Statistics New Zealand has even more stats on the job market if you're hungry for more

- LinkedIn professional networking platform (also great for job hunting!)

- Zeil - Zuru's new job app/marketplace

- Digital Passport: Offers free online courses in digital skills, job readiness, and AI, provided by the NZ government

- NZ Polytechnic: Offers some fees-free courses including diplomas in various disciplines

- Sorted.org.nz for financial planning tools

- MMS episode #26 for more on Rainy Day Funds, and MMS episodes #7 and #8 for managing debt. Bonus - MMS #32 for budgeting (great for working out how to trim costs if your income gets reduced)

 

By the end of this episode, we hope that you'll feel a little more comfortable facing what is obviously quite a challenging economic time for NZ (and the world) right now! We want you to be confident in facing the uncertainty we're seeing, given you'll have an arsenal of skills, ideas and ways to network your way to your next great opportunity - whatever that may look like!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.