Be ‘Kiwi confident’

In a New Zealand job interview you need to be confident without seeming arrogant.

In order to do this well, you need to give the interviewer evidence about your skills in a way that does not seem like you are boastful. You should be confident, but not so much that it seems like you are too important for the job or the company.

These scenarios show different ways of responding to a difficult question. 

Which answer demonstrates the appropriate level of confidence?

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

In five years I will be the general manager of this company. I have the skills and experience to advance very quickly.

That is too confident, almost arrogant. It’s not likely she will be in that position in five years. She hasn’t explained how she thinks she will get there either.

My aim is to find a position with a company that will allow me to grow and develop my skills further. Within a few years I would like to have some management responsibilities, and eventually move into a more senior role. This role will allow me to build my career and advance towards my goals.

She’s saying that she is keen to stay with us and develop her skills further. She’s also thought about her career development which shows forward thinking. I think she’d be a good person to invest in. Maybe she’d be a good fit for a senior role in a couple of years.

I am keen to stay in this role for a while because it will give me useful New Zealand experience. But I’m not too sure about the future.

Oh no. It doesn’t sound like she’s planning on being here for long. She also doesn’t sound very confident about her career goals. I feel a bit worried about her level of commitment to the job.

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View Transcript

Migrant: I need to show that I am ambitious and will advance to a senior role quickly.

Migrant: “In five years I will be the general manager of this company. I have the skills and experience to advance very quickly.”

Employer: That is too confident, almost arrogant. It’s not likely she will be in that position in five years. She hasn’t explained how she thinks she will get there either.

Migrant: Here is a good opportunity to tell him that this company is a good place to move my career forward.

Migrant: “My aim is to find a position with a company that will allow me to grow and develop my skills further. Within a few years I would like to have some management responsibilities, and eventually move into a more senior role. This role will allow me to build my career and advance towards my goals.”

Employer: She’s saying that she is keen to stay with us and develop her skills further. She’s also thought about her career development which shows forward thinking. I think she’d be a good person to invest in. Maybe she’d be a good fit for a senior role in a couple of years.

Migrant: I should say how this role will help me with my life in New Zealand.

Migrant: “I am keen to stay in this role for a while because it will give me useful New Zealand experience. But I’m not too sure about the future.”

Employer: Oh no. It doesn’t sound like she’s planning on being here for long. She also doesn’t sound very confident about her career goals. I feel a bit worried about her level of commitment to the job.

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