How important to you is 'self-esteem'?

The scenario:

I have a job interview. I walk into the room, head held high, exuding confidence because I’ve prepared myself well. Now that I’ve been selected for the interview and gotten in the doorway, I know that my potential employers would like to see me get the job and I’m about to prove them right. My handshake is firm, my smile contagious. We engage in a two-way dialogue as I make a lot of eye contact, and with every question asked of me, I pause for a moment or two, and reply with a thorough answer which shows that I’ve put some thought into the question.  I can give examples about successes in the jobs I’ve held and when asked about my failures, I have a couple of funny stories which show that I learned something in the process of failing. I ask pertinent questions which show I've done my homework on the company. As I exit the interview, I know that I’ve successfully put my best foot forward. A day later, I receive a phone call that the company is pleased to offer me the position.

Is this perfect example of self-esteem/self-confidence really me?  NO! I only wish it was! I would love to be able to handle an interview in this manner. No fumbling, no tentativeness, no loss for words, no nervous laughter. Just a calm assurance that I have the ability to handle the job, and I’m able to successfully convey that to my potential employers.

Yes, I think that high self-esteem opens doors and presents opportunities that would not be there otherwise. And it’s something I’m always struggling with in myself--a constant work in progress.