Industry experts share career advice with IT students

IT students had the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals when Paul Kelly and Steven Sandhu from Absolute IT joined us on campus yesterday.

Drawing on their experience working with employers across New Zealand’s technology sector, Paul and Steven offered practical insights into what recruiters and hiring managers are actually looking for when reviewing early-career candidates.

The session focused on how students can present their skills effectively through their CVs and cover letters, with particular attention to how technical capability, project work, and transferable skills can be communicated clearly to employers.

They also spoke candidly about expectations within the IT industry, including how graduates can position themselves for entry-level opportunities, what makes an application stand out in a competitive market, and common mistakes they see when reviewing candidate profiles.

Sessions like this provide valuable exposure to the perspectives of those working directly in the recruitment space and help students better understand the pathways into the technology workforce.