This study investigates a conceptual model that explains the mechanisms linking positive orientation (POS — i.e. a pervasive mode of viewing and facing reality from a positive stance) to future job performance in a sample of 388 security agents. Job performance was rated by three supervisors, and examined via the company’s performance appraisal tool. Results indicated that work engagement partially mediated the relation between POS and job performance. This was particularly the case when work self-efficacy beliefs were high or medium, but not when work self-efficacy beliefs were low. Likewise, POS exerted a residual direct effect on job performance when work self-efficacy beliefs were high or medium, but not when they were low. Overall, the findings demonstrated that work engagement and work self-efficacy beliefs refer to key mechanisms turning POS into job performance (read more)