If you’re planning to look for work while visiting New Zealand, a key step you’ll take when applying for a job is gaining an interview with potential employers.

This is an important part of the employment process – it gives job applicants a chance to prove they are the best candidate for the job and is an opportunity for employers to find out more about prospective employees.

Getting an interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but a bit of pre-interview preparation can help job seekers make a good first impression.  

First things first – visitors to New Zealand who plan to work while in the country need to ensure they have the right visa before applying for a job. A good place to check this is the Immigration New Zealand website, which lists the visa options available for working in New Zealand.

There are many websites that provide tips on how to prepare for a job interview, but two helpful resources to start with are the Working in New Zealand and the Careers New Zealand websites.

Both sites suggest that it’s a good idea to do a bit of research about the company/organisation you’re hoping to work for, and have some understanding of what the role you’ve applied for involves. This research will also help you to think about some questions you can ask during the interview.

Practicing answering a range of interview questions will also be helpful. The type of question you’ll receive will depend on the style of the interview, but a lot of sample questions can be found online and they should help get you started.

Some interview situations may also include a work test, an opportunity to meet the wider team, a presentation by applicants, or involve more than one interview. To help you prepare, you can ask about the interview format and how many people will be interviewing you.

It’s also important to plan what you’re going to wear to the interview. Ensure that it’s suitable for the occasion – aim for smart and tidy, and wear something that you’re comfortable in as it will help you relax, but no shorts or sneakers! If you’re not sure what to wear, you can ask if the company has a dress code and use that to help you plan your outfit.

When the big day arrives, give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue. Whatever you do, don’t be late. Aim to get to the venue earlier than you need to so you have time to collect your thoughts and calm your nerves.

It is okay to be nervous during the interview but try to stay calm, be friendly and polite, answer questions as best you can, and be yourself – and good luck!

For those looking to work in New Zealand, OrbitProtect has a wide range of insurance plans that will provide cover should the unexpected happen. You can find more about our policies here.