What is a "Good Work Ethic"? 5 Examples for Your Next Job Interview
Everyone talks about having a “good work ethic.” You see it in job ads all the time. But when you are sitting in a job interview and someone asks you what it means,
9 min read
September 25, 2025
Everyone talks about having a “good work ethic.” You see it in job ads all the time. But when you are sitting in a job interview and someone asks you what it means, it can be tough to find the right words. It feels like a big, vague idea that is hard to explain with a simple answer.
This guide is here to fix that problem for you. We are going to break down "good work ethic" into seven clear, simple examples. These are not just definitions. These are real-world actions you can talk about in your next interview to show an employer exactly what you bring to the table.
Why Work Ethic Matters More Than Your Resume
Your resume lists the skills you have and the jobs you have done in the past. That information is important.
But in hands-on industries like construction, logistics, and manufacturing, your attitude is often more important than your experience.
Think about it like this. A good company can teach you how to operate a specific machine. A good foreman can show you the right way to build something.
But nobody can teach you to have a great attitude. Nobody can teach you to care about your work. You have to bring that with you on day one.
A good work ethic is directly connected to the things that make a business succeed. It is about working safely so that everyone on your team goes home in one piece.
For companies hiring for labouring jobs or other no experience jobs, seeing that you have a strong work ethic is the number one thing that will get you hired. It shows them you are a solid investment.
Reliability - The Foundation of Trust
Reliability is the most basic and important part of a good work ethic. It means other people can count on you. It is about showing up for your shift on time, every single time.
It means when you say you will get a task done, you get it done without someone having to chase you up.
A reliable person is someone a manager can give a job to and have complete peace of mind that it will be completed correctly and on schedule.
Why It Matters for Construction Jobs and Warehousing Jobs
In hands-on work, one person’s actions can affect the entire team. Think about a construction job in Wellington.
The whole crew might be waiting for a delivery that you are supposed to unload. If you are 15 minutes late, that is 15 minutes where the entire team is standing around, unable to start their work.
This puts stress on the whole team and can cause delays in getting orders out to customers. Being reliable shows respect for your teammates' time and the company's goals.
How to Show Reliability in an Interview
The best way to talk about your skills in an interview is to tell a short story with a clear point. A simple way to do this is the STAR method. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Situation: Briefly describe a situation you were in.
Task: Explain what you needed to do.
Action: Describe the specific action you took.
Result: Explain the positive outcome of your action.
Here is an example you could use for reliability:
"In my last temp job, my shift started at 6:00 AM. (Situation) My task was simply to be on time and ready for the morning safety brief every day. (Task) So, I made sure I set two alarms and I checked the bus schedule the night before. I always planned to arrive at the site by 5:45 AM. (Action) The result was that in three months on that job, I was never late. My supervisor knew he could count on me to be one of the first people there, ready to go. (Result)"
Initiative - Looking for What's Next
Initiative means you are a person who looks for work to do. You do not just stand around waiting for a manager to give you your next instruction.
It means you can see a problem and you take action to fix it. When you finish one task, you actively look for the next important thing that needs to be done. It is about thinking one step ahead and making yourself useful to the team.
Why It Matters for Manufacturing Jobs and Labouring Jobs
In a fast-paced environment, managers cannot watch everyone all the time. They need to trust that their team will stay productive.
On a labouring job, there is always something that needs to be done. Initiative could be as simple as grabbing a broom and sweeping the area during a quiet moment instead of just leaning on your shovel.
It could mean asking a senior team member if they need a hand lifting something.
It shows that you take pride in your work and are helping to maintain a safe and efficient production line for everyone.
How to Show Initiative in an Interview
You can use the same STAR method to tell a story about your initiative.
Here is a great example:
"I was working a warehousing job in Auckland and we had just finished a big rush of orders. (Situation) My main task was complete, but we had some downtime before the next trucks arrived. (Task) I saw that the packing station was a mess with empty boxes and tape rolls everywhere. So, I took the initiative to spend 15 minutes breaking down the old boxes for recycling and restocking all the supplies. (Action) The result was that when the next rush started, the whole team could work much faster because the station was clean and organized. My supervisor noticed and thanked me for it. (Result)"
A Positive Attitude - The Team Multiplier
Having a positive attitude at work is about more than just smiling. It means you are coachable and open to learning new ways of doing things.
It means you do not complain when a job is difficult or when things do not go perfectly. It means you can stay calm when things get stressful.
A positive attitude is about being a good team player who helps make the workday better for everyone around you.
Why It Matters on a Team
You have probably worked with someone who complains all the time. You know how one negative person can bring down the energy of the entire crew.
Their bad mood can be contagious and it makes the workday feel longer and harder for everyone.
On the other hand, a single person with a positive outlook can be a team multiplier. They make tough days more manageable. Their good attitude can lift up the team, improve communication, and make the whole crew more productive.
This is especially true on a long, rainy day on a construction site in Napier or during a challenging shift in a busy factory.
How to Show a Positive Attitude in an Interview
You can use the STAR method to share a story that shows you can be a positive force on a team.
Here is an example you could adapt:
"We were working on a big landscaping project and a storm was forecast for the end of the week. (Situation) We had to finish laying all the pavers before the rain hit, which meant we all had to work extra hours. (Task) Some of the team started to complain about the long day. I made a point to stay focused and keep a positive outlook. I told my teammates things like 'We're working well together' and 'We can get this done'. (Action) The result was that we all pulled together as a team. We actually finished the main work ahead of schedule, right before the rain started. The client was thrilled. (Result)"
Honesty and Integrity - Owning Your Actions
Honesty at work is very simple. It means you always tell the truth. It means you admit it when you make a mistake, instead of trying to hide it or blame someone else.
Most importantly, it means you never cut corners, especially when it comes to safety rules.
Integrity is about doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching you. It is a sign of good character.
Why Integrity is Crucial for Safety
In high-stakes work environments like civil construction jobs or busy transport depots, honesty is not just a nice-to-have. It is essential for everyone's safety.
Imagine a worker accidentally damages a safety harness but says nothing because they are afraid of getting in trouble. The next person who uses that harness could be seriously injured.
Employers need to have absolute trust in their people. They need to know that if something goes wrong, their team members will have the integrity to report it immediately.
This allows the problem to be fixed before it causes a major accident. Your honesty protects you, your teammates, and the public.
How to Show Honesty in an Interview
Here is a great STAR method example:
"While I was operating a forklift at my last warehousing job, I was moving quickly and I accidentally clipped a shelf, damaging a box of product. (Situation) My task was to report any incidents, no matter how small. (Task) I immediately stopped what I was doing, secured the area, and went straight to my supervisor. I told him exactly what happened and showed him the damage. (Action) The result was that he thanked me for my honesty. We documented the incident, and he said he had much more trust in me for owning my mistake than if I had tried to hide it. (Result)"
