By Tate’s Employment for Immigration – NZ & Australia Migration Experts
You got the call — now what?
If you’re a skilled migrant and an employer from New Zealand or Australia has just invited you for an interview, you’re one step closer to the opportunity you’ve been working towards. But this moment can also feel daunting: a new country, a new process, and a video call that might decide your future.
Here’s how to approach it systematically, professionally, and with growing confidence.
⏳ Make Use of the Time Gap
Even if your interview is just a few days away, you can turn that time into preparation gold.
- Revisit the job ad and match each requirement with one of your real-life achievements.
- Research the company: what are their values, current projects, and growth areas?
- Confirm time zones early and double-check your internet setup and quiet interview space.
Remember, this preparation time is your advantage. Most local candidates don’t use it wisely — but you can.
🎥 Know the Interview Type
Most of our clients face two kinds of interviews:
- Video calls (Zoom, Teams): These are classic one-on-one or panel sessions with hiring managers.
- In-person (upon arrival): Often informal but still structured, particularly for trades or medical roles.
Occasionally, you’ll face:
- Pre-recorded video interviews: You’re given a few questions to answer on video with a time limit.
Knowing the format helps you prepare the right tone, timing, and delivery style.
✅ How Our Clients Prepare Systematically
If you’re one of our clients, more than 80% of your real interview performance is built during the Video CV preparation process. This is where we systematically record, review, and refine the most powerful way to express your skills — with evidence, impact, and clarity.
Even if you’re not a client yet, you can still benefit by understanding what we do:
2 Proven Ways to Express Skills with Impact
1️⃣ Show Value to the Employer’s Bottom Line
Use achievements that reflect real-world business outcomes.
Example: A software developer eliminates 90 minutes of manual work per employee per day across 40 staff →
That’s 60 hours saved daily, equivalent to 7.5 FTEs. If each FTE costs $100k/year, that one improvement creates over $750,000 in annual value.
This kind of quantified result speaks the employer’s language — efficiency, cost savings, ROI.
2️⃣ Show Competence Through Experience Volume
The number of times you’ve done something matters.
Example: A primary teacher with 10 years’ experience might have led over 8,000 classroom sessions. A nurse may have prepared 5,000 IVs or conducted 2,000 patient assessments.
These counts show repetition and mastery. Repetition builds trust. It tells the employer, “I can do this reliably.”
💬 Expressing Skills in Context
Great interviews don’t just list skills — they place them inside stories. The best stories:
- Start with the challenge
- Show the action you took
- End with a measurable result
This is the same STAR method we build into your Video CV — and it’s what makes you memorable to employers.
💡 Final Tips for First-Timers
- Dress professionally, even for video.
- Speak clearly and pause – local accents and fast speaking can reduce clarity.
- Have a printed summary of your projects with results and figures at hand.
- Use the time at the end to ask one thoughtful question about the role, team, or company’s future.
🧭 In Summary
You got the call — because you’re good enough. Now it’s time to show how your skills deliver value and how your experience builds confidence. Whether you’re working with us directly or preparing on your own, following a structured approach is the best way to stand out.
🎥 If you’d like help building your own Video CV or preparing your key interview answers with real impact, send your CV to Tate@employmentforimmigration.nz as a first step. He will respond within 1-day with insights and support.
We help you get ready to not just take the call — but to win the role.
Employment for Immigration to New Zealand, Australia and Beyond 