Mastering the Art of the Canadian Job Interview

It is Monday, 9:00 a.m. My palms are sweaty, and my stomach is upset. I quickly practice some answers before my first Canadian job interview. The hiring manager connects to the Zoom call and says good morning. It’s showtime. My fingers are crossed for good luck.

Twenty minutes pass, and the meeting concludes. It seems that crossing my fingers did not help, as the interview did not go as well as I had expected. I understood that I would not get the job, because at one point in the interview—and this no exaggeration or fiction—the HR manager laughed discreetly at how I answered some questions. It was clear I had made mistakes. But what were they?

I decided to contact Javier Lavalle, career specialist at Cornerstone International Community College of Canada (CICCC), to discuss my experience and some general job interview principles I could learn to avoid the same outcome. If you haven’t already read Javier’s tips on writing a great cover letter, check out the article here.

Credit: JumpStory

Javier’s Six Commandments for Nailing Every Single Job Interview

1. Thou shalt know thyself.

Have you thought about how you will answer the dreaded, “Can you tell me more about yourself?” question? This is not the time to talk about how much you love going to Kitsilano Beach, your interest in certain Youtubers, or your Five Nights at Freddy’s Funko collection. The HR manager wants you to expand on your resume and cover letter, talk in-depth about your previous experience and skills, and, basically, sell yourself as the perfect candidate for the position. It’s important to keep your answers professional and focused.

2. Thou shalt know thy company.

Research everything about the company you are applying to; understand the job role and how it contributes to the organization. Demonstrating knowledge and alignment with the company’s objectives highlights your enthusiasm and commitment. This way, you won’t be left speechless when the question, “Why do you want to work with us?” arrives. You can also express genuine enthusiasm by asking insightful questions about the company's plans, team dynamics, and potential challenges. A proactive approach reflects your eagerness to contribute positively.

3. Thou shalt prove your worthiness in Canadian lands.

Following this, addressing the concern of Canadian work experience is crucial. You are a newcomer and employers are somewhat hesitant about your home country’s experience and skills because it might not fully align yet with Canadian work culture and etiquette. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. To solve this issue, spotlight your transferable skills gained from previous roles, education, and volunteer work. Emphasize your adaptability, punctuality, complete respect and tolerance towards other people, and eagerness to learn.

4. Thou shalt be self-assured.

Canadians appreciate directness and clear communication. Don’t expect the employer to trust you with a job offer if you stumble upon your words and look like you are about to have a nervous breakdown. You can be both professional and funny, without coming off as informal. It is important to find a balance: do not go too far the other way and behave in an arrogant manner!

5. Thou shalt present thyself professionally.

This could sound like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people go to their interviews wearing an old Metallica T-shirt and dirty Converse shoes. Dress professionally and conservatively. Choose attire aligned with the company's culture and the role. When unsure, opt for slightly formal attire. Your goal is to make your appearance create a positive first impression; using Crocs for an interview does not create one.

6. Thou shalt tell your anecdotes following a strategy.

Behavioral questions assess past experiences to predict future behavior and skills, helping employers evaluate candidates' suitability. These are very common in Canadian interviews. When you hear a question akin to “How have you handled setbacks at work?” don’t respond in a vague manner. “Pretty good” is an answer that will get you disqualified instantly.

You need to tell your stories using a now industry-standard method called STAR, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method allows you to organize your ideas and create a compelling narrative that will surely captivate your employer.

Situation: Set the context.

“In my role as a project manager, I led a team handling a critical client project with a tight deadline and high expectations.”

Task: Define your objective or challenge.

“My responsibility was to ensure smooth project execution, meeting the timeline and client requirements.”

Action: Detail the issue and the steps you took.

“Unfortunately, miscommunication within the team led to developing a feature that didn't align with the client's expectations.

I took immediate ownership, discussing the issue transparently with my team. We identified the cause and openly analyzed the problem. I also reached out to the client, acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for any inconvenience caused.”

Result: Share outcomes and lessons.

“Our proactive approach impressed the client. We reworked the feature to meet their expectations within an extended timeline. This effort not only fixed the issue but also strengthened the client's trust in our team's problem-solving abilities. We implemented better communication protocols to prevent such misunderstandings in the future.”

Delight your interviewers with these simple tips! Credit: JumpStory

7. Thou shalt follow up thoughtfully.

Finally, after the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to the interviewer. Express gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. This small gesture reinforces your appreciation and professionalism. Job interviews as a newcomer to Canada offer you a chance to shine. Remember, each interview is a valuable learning experience. With preparation, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, you'll thrive in the Canadian job market in no time!