Our general job interview section covers a lot of the advice needed to overcome this process. But in Canada, job interviews have specific requirements that are necessary to take into account to secure employment. Read the tips below to find out more.
Advice for the Canadian job interview
Planning for the interview
When you are asked back for a job interview with a Canadian company, it is best to be fully aware of what you will be up against. You are permitted to ask if there will be a test as part of the job interview and also how many people will be present at the interview. Through this, you can gauge what type of job interview you will be heading into and prepare accordingly.
To prepare well, it is also essential to practice potential job interview questions. It is important not to memorise answers or you will come across in an unnatural way to the interviewer. However, you should be able to easily recall any previous experiences or skills to aid you when answering the questions. Consult our pages on tips for job interview questions and the list of typical job interview questions for find out more.
The final preparation tip for Canada is to double check the time of your interview and arrive at least 15 minutes early. Look up the route and plan for any possible delays. Canadian job interview tend to last about 1 hour.
What to bring to a Canadian interview
To the Canadian job interview you should bring:
- A copy of your Canadian resume for each interviewer.
- A copy of your cover letter.
- A pen and paper, to write down any important logistical information.
- Copies of letters of recommendation, if you have any.
How to behave during the job interview
When you arrive for the job interview, you should follow the tips below to find out how to behave.
- Greet the interviewer or panel members formally. Stand up and introduce yourself whilst shaking hands firmly.
- Smile. Interviewers want to employ candidates that they like the look of – a smiling candidate is an employable candidate.
- Stand until you are invited to sit down.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewers as much as possible during the job interview; do not stare at a wall or the floor.
- Sit up straight and rest your hands on your lap; do not fiddle with your hands because you will look nervous and unsure of yourself.
- Answer the questions in a firm, clear, confident voice.
- Ask the interviewer to repeat a question or for more explanation if you do not understand a question. It is better to ask for clarification than to answer inappropriately.
- During the Canadian interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Prepare a couple of questions to demonstrate commercial awareness and knowledge of the company. You may also ask for more information about the position for which you are being interviewed.
What to do after the job interview
Tips about what to do after a job interview in Canada.
- Send a thank you letter to the interviewers. Thanks the potential employer for taking time out of their busy schedule to interview you and restate your interest in the job. Mail or e-mail the letter within 24-hours of the interview.
- Reflect on the best and worst parts of the interview, so you can improve for the next time.
- Make sure you are available to answer your phone as often as possible. If you miss a call from the interviewer then call them back. If you do not hear from the employer when they have stated they will call you, then phone the company to find the status of your application.
- If you are rejected it is not the end of the world. In fact, it can actually be a good thing. Every setback means you will be stronger and more experienced for the next job application.
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