Preparing for a trade interview with a New Zealand employer

From overseas, the interview is often a video call. Many trade businesses are small, so you may speak directly to the owner or the person who will supervise you.

The tone is usually relaxed and friendly, but it is still a real assessment. The interviewer often starts with a greeting and some small talk.

Expect practical questions more than theory:

• Step-by-step questions. "Walk me through how you would find this fault." Explain each step in order and give your reason.
• Your daily work. What you do in a normal week and what you can do without supervision.
• Safety. How you check a job before you start, and what you do if something looks unsafe.
• Working with others. How you handle a disagreement or a mistake.

Answer in simple, clear sentences. If you miss a question, ask the interviewer to say it again. Skills Practice lets you answer trade questions out loud.

These points are common in New Zealand workplaces, but every team has its own habits.

• First names. Most people use first names with everyone, including managers and owners.
• Greetings. You may hear "kia ora", a Māori greeting that means hello. Many people use it in everyday life and at work.
• Modest, plain speech. People often describe their own skills in a quiet, factual way. Say what you can do and give an example.
• Speaking up about safety. Workers are usually expected to report a hazard or stop and ask, whatever their position.
• Asking questions. If you are unsure, ask before you start. This is normally seen as responsible.
• Being on time. Arrive ready to work at the start time. Tell your supervisor early if you are delayed.
• Helping out. In a small team, people often do tasks outside their main job.

You can practise situations like these in Living & Working Here.

Many trade words in New Zealand are the same as in Australia and the United Kingdom. A few are local.

Employers often ask about safety, so it helps to know the official bodies by name.

• WorkSafe New Zealand is the main regulator for health and safety at work.
• Employment New Zealand is the government service for employment rights, such as employment agreements, pay and leave. It says migrant workers have the same minimum employment rights as New Zealand workers.
• Immigration New Zealand is the government agency for visas to visit, study, work or live in New Zealand.

Links are in the official sources list on this page. We are not connected to any of these bodies.

You will probably be asked why you chose New Zealand. The question can come in different forms:

• Why New Zealand and not another country?
• Will your family move with you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers usually want to hear real reasons and realistic plans. Hiring from overseas takes effort, so they often hope you will stay.

• Start with work. Say what you want from the job, such as steady work in your trade.
• Add your personal reasons. Safety standards, family and a settled life are fair reasons if they are true for you.
• Show you have looked. Mention something you found out about the area or the business.
• Keep it natural. Do not learn a speech by heart. Remember your main points and speak normally.

One short example: "I am a carpenter and I want steady work with one employer. I like that your town is small. My plan is to stay and bring my family later."

Use your own reasons, not this one. General Practice has questions on why you are moving and your future plans.

• Check the time difference carefully. New Zealand is ahead of most countries, so the date may differ too.
• Test your video call set-up the day before, and join a few minutes early.
• Use the interviewer's first name if that is how they introduce themselves.
• Describe your skills with facts and examples, not big claims.
• Explain practical jobs one step at a time, with the safety checks included.
• Say so if you have not used a tool or system before.
• Practise speaking your answers before the day. See how it works.