Prepare (the 2-hour version)
- Reread the ad and underline the top five requirements. Write a quick example from your experience for each.
- Research the organisation: website, news, LinkedIn, annual report, values. Know what they do and who their customers are.
- Confirm the logistics: time, place or video link, who you'll meet, how long, parking, dress code.
- Prepare a 60-second 'tell me about yourself' that links your past, present and why this job.
- Prepare 5-6 STAR stories (below).
- Prepare 3-5 questions to ask them.
- Plan your journey; arrive 10 minutes early. For a video call, join 5 minutes early.
The STAR method
Behavioural questions ('Tell me about a time when...') are standard. STAR keeps your answer clear and short (about 2 minutes).
| Letter | Meaning | Length |
|---|---|---|
| S | Situation: the context in a sentence or two | 15% |
| T | Task: what you were responsible for or needed to achieve | 10% |
| A | Action: what YOU did, step by step ('I', not 'we') | 50% |
| R | Result: the outcome, numbers if possible, and what you learnt | 25% |
STAR example: 'Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer'
S: "At my last job a long-term customer rang furious because a $12,000 delivery had arrived damaged on the day of their event." T: "I needed to calm the situation, fix it quickly and keep the account." A: "I listened without interrupting, apologised, and told them what I'd do. I rang the courier, arranged a replacement for the next morning and organised a courier to collect the damaged goods. I updated the customer by text twice that day and followed up after delivery." R: "The replacement arrived on time, the customer stayed with us for the next two years and later wrote a positive review. I also changed our packing checklist to prevent a repeat, and damage claims dropped by half."
Stories to prepare
- A time you solved a problem.
- A time you worked in a team through conflict.
- A time you handled pressure or a tight deadline.
- A time you made a mistake and what you did about it.
- A time you learned something fast.
- A time you went beyond what was asked.
- A time you dealt with change, such as a restructure.
Common questions in NZ interviews
| Question | What they want to hear |
|---|---|
| Tell me about yourself | A concise, job-related summary; not your life story |
| Why do you want this job / our company? | Specific reasons showing you researched them |
| What are your strengths? | 2-3 strengths with evidence from past jobs |
| What is your biggest weakness? | A real but manageable weakness and what you're doing about it |
| Where do you see yourself in 5 years? | Realistic, committed growth without sounding like you'll leave |
| Why did you leave your last job? | See the redundancy answer guide; keep it factual and forward-looking |
| What's your notice period / when can you start? | Honest dates |
| What are your salary expectations? | See salary guide |
| How do you handle conflict or pressure? | STAR story |
| Do you have any questions for us? | Yes: always |
NZ employers often value teamwork, humility and 'getting stuck in' alongside confidence. Say 'we' when describing teamwork and 'I' for your actions, and avoid exaggerating. Te ao Māori values such as manaakitanga (hospitality, care) and whanaungatanga (relationships) matter to many organisations; use them naturally if they fit you, but don't fake it.
Panel and video interviews
Panel interviews
- Common in government, education, health and councils. Typically 2-4 interviewers, each asking prepared questions.
- Make eye contact with the person asking, but include the rest as you answer.
- Write down the names as you are introduced. Thank each person.
- Public sector questions are often competency-based and scored, so answer the question asked and give full STAR examples.
Video interviews (Zoom, Teams, Meet)
- Test your camera, microphone and internet an hour before. Use a laptop on a stable surface if you can.
- Plain background, light facing you, camera at eye level, phone on silent.
- Dress as you would in person, at least from the waist up.
- Keep notes out of view of the camera but nearby. Look at the lens when answering.
- No computer? Ask Work and Income, a library or a community centre about access to a private room and a device.
Recorded (one-way) interviews
You record answers to set questions, often with a time limit and one or two attempts. Practise with a phone camera first; keep answers to the time allowed.
Questions to ask them
- What would success look like in the first three months?
- How is the team structured, and who would I work with most?
- What are the biggest challenges for this role right now?
- How do you support training and development?
- What are the next steps and when can I expect to hear?
Thank-you email (same day)
Subject: Thank you: [Job title] interview Kia ora [Name], Thank you for meeting with me today. I enjoyed learning about [specific topic discussed] and am even more interested in the role. [One sentence adding value: e.g. 'I've thought further about your point on X and would approach it by...']. Please let me know if I can provide anything else. I look forward to hearing from you. Ngā mihi, [Name]
Sources
- Tahatū Career Navigator: Looking for a job (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Transition to Work grant (opens in a new tab)
- Employment NZ: Discrimination (opens in a new tab)
- Tahatū: Doing an interview (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.