From the US to New Zealand: How I Landed My First UX Role in Auckland

I’m a UX designer from the United States with about two years of professional experience.
Before moving to New Zealand, I worked at a mid-sized tech startup where I focused on user research, wireframing, prototyping, and working closely with product managers and engineers.

I’d always wanted to work overseas, not just for career growth, but also for a different pace of life. New Zealand felt like the right balance between meaningful work and a healthier lifestyle.

The hardest part wasn’t my skills — it was convincing employers to take a chance on someone without local experience.

A lot of job descriptions mentioned “New Zealand experience,” and I could feel hesitation as soon as my visa status came up. Even when I got interviews, I sensed that companies weren’t sure if hiring me would be “worth the risk.”

At one point, I seriously considered three different paths:

1. Keep applying only for permanent UX roles and hope for the best
2. Look for short-term or contract roles to get my foot in the door
3. Pivot slightly toward UI or digital design roles that felt more flexible

I decided to focus on contract and fixed-term UX roles instead of permanent positions.

It felt more realistic. Contract roles lowered the commitment for employers, and for me, it was a chance to prove myself in the local market. I also realized that once I had New Zealand experience on my CV, future opportunities would open up much more easily.

Here’s what I actually did, step by step:

• Rewrote my CV to focus on outcomes and impact, not just design processes
• Adjusted my portfolio to highlight practical, shippable work rather than abstract case studies
• Targeted smaller tech companies and design-led startups in Auckland
• Proactively explained my visa situation in interviews instead of avoiding the topic

I eventually received a six-month UX Designer contract with a SaaS company in Auckland, working on improving user flows and onboarding for their product.

About three months into the role, the company started conversations with an immigration advisor about longer-term options.

“I thought I wasn’t good enough at first.Looking back, I just needed a smarter entry point into the New Zealand job market.”

If I could do it again, I’d stop trying to make everything perfect from day one.Getting started — even on a short-term contract — mattered more than waiting for the ideal role.

If you’re an overseas designer, don’t underestimate contract work.It’s not a compromise — it’s often the most practical way to build local experience and momentum.