Preparing effectively for an interview will help you obtain a job offer. Whether you are switching your career or searching for a job as a newcomer, certain tips can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Today, we will discuss how you can prepare for a Canadian job interview.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
What You Need To Know Before A Job Interview In Canada?
The first step to prepare for a Canadian job interview is to have prior knowledge about the process. Here’s what you need to know!
The Process
In Canada, the interview process usually starts with a phone call, during which a recruiter/ human resource professional will ask you a few questions. The questions will confirm your skills and experience, whether you are still interested in the role, and information regarding salary expectations.
The initial phone call is a screening call – the interviewer’s focus is on weeding out any unsuitable applicants, not on making a hiring decision. On the screening call, you must ask the recruiter to tell you all the steps in the hiring process.
If you pass the screening, you might be advanced to the next phase, which is typically an interview with the screener/ hiring manager or a panel including the hiring manager.
The second interview, along with any additional interviews, will generally be the main factor for the hiring decision. These hiring interviews might feature questions that we will discuss further in the blog. You might also be asked if you have any questions regarding the role.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Getting that first interview is exciting, and it is easy to share personal information during the interview process. However, it is best to stay away from topics that disclose personal information like your age, marital/ family status, place of origin, or financial situation. This helps you appear more professional while also limiting the risk of possible bias.
Make a list of potential questions that you will be asked and stick to facts regarding your educational qualifications, professional accomplishments, as well as skills. Keep your answers to the point and avoid rambling.
Preparing In Advance
Research the company and the role well, and prepare talking points for questions that are bound to come up. Do not try to memorize answers verbatim; it is best to keep key points you would like to mention while letting the conversation flow naturally.
Asking Questions
Towards the end of your interview, the interviewer will likely allot time for any questions you might have.
Take the time to prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer. Asking questions not only demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm for the role but also shows initiative and a commitment to the opportunity.
Candidates who don’t ask any questions might come across as disengaged, which can leave a negative impression.
Dealing With Illegal Questions
In Canada, the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on factors like race, place of origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital/ family status, financial situation, etc.
In that light, the Canada Human Resources Commission has formulated that questions regarding these factors should not be asked during an interview.
If you are asked these questions related to the above topics, you can say you are not comfortable answering, or can ask how this is relevant to the position. You can also try changing the topic back to your professional accomplishments.
Questions You Can Expect From An Interviewer
Another way to prepare for a Canadian job interview is to know about questions an interviewer can ask you. Let’s discuss them in detail!
‘Tell Me About Yourself’
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
This question is not as open-ended as it might appear at first glance. In the context of the job interview, what the interviewer really wants to know is why you applied for the role, what value you can bring to the position as well as the company, and what distinguishes you from other applicants.
How To Answer:
Prepare a concise and clear answer to this question in advance and practice answering the question in one minute.
Some topics it should touch upon are:
- What attracted you to the company and to the position
- How you expect to be able to make an impact in the role for the company
It is best to get these points across with concrete, specific examples from your career, such as previous accomplishments.
Stay away from personal information unless it is directly relevant.
‘What Interests You About This Role?’
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
For most roles, the hiring manager will prefer to hire an applicant who cares about more than a paycheck because they know that your motivation level will directly impact your productivity and the value you bring to your company. This question allows you to show the hiring manager/ screener that you are genuinely excited about the position, which implies that you are more likely to deliver exceptional value and less likely to quit.
How To Answer:
In order to answer this question, make a compelling case by talking about parts of the job that excited you or which you expect to find particularly fulfilling.
One way to prepare for this question is to read through the job description carefully and to craft an answer that combines your skills as well as experience with the role requirements.
‘What Is Your Greatest Strength?’
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
The hiring manager is looking to get a better sense of the value you can bring to the company and what might distinguish you from other applicants. They are giving you an opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting your best attributes for the job. Before answering this question, be sure that you understand what strengths would offer the most value for the position.
How To Answer:
You must respond by highlighting a quality or skill that you possess that you believe is most valuable for the position and should back up your assertion with a concrete example.
‘What Is Your Greatest Weakness?’
The next question that will help you prepare for a Canadian job interview is this:
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
While hiring managers know that career changes are inevitable, they want to avoid hiring someone who is likely to leave soon, who will jump ship at the slightest hiccup, or who is likely not to be a good fit. They also want to see a genuine interest in the current opportunity.
How To Answer:
In general, if you are presently employed, it is best to emphasize positive things that interest you about the role you are interviewing for, such as opportunities for more responsibilities or other professional advancement. You can also be honest about facts of your past or current employment, which won’t be deal-breakers for the current position, such as having been laid off or the office having been moved across the country. If you were terminated for poor performance, you should be honest about this but should describe this very briefly and frame your termination as coming from simply not having been a good fit for the earlier role.
Always avoid criticizing a past employer or company.
‘Why Should We Hire You?’
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
This is similar to the greatest strength question. The hiring manager wants to know how you will bring value to the company in the role and what distinguishes you from other applicants.
How To Answer:
Use this question to highlight any other skill or quality you haven’t had the chance to talk about before. Mention the skill or quality and then tie it back to the job criteria and what it is relevant for the current position.
‘What Are Your Salary Expectations?’
Why The Hiring Manager Asks This Question:
In most cases, the company will have a pre-established pay range for the position and won’t be able to offer anything more than that. The screener/ hiring manager is afraid that you might demand higher pay than what they are able to offer you. They might also be trying to see if they can get you for less pay than their maximum.
How To Answer:
The traditional wisdom is to avoid giving a number or range but to say that you are open to negotiation. For instance, you can say, ‘If we decide that I am the right person for the job, I am confident we can agree on a number we are both happy with.’
You can also attempt to flip the question back by asking the recruiter or hiring manager their range for the position – they did create the job, after all! Moreover, if the job posting lists a range or the recruiter tells you the range, you can provide a higher but overlapping range. For instance, if the posting says 60k-80k, you can state that your expected range is 75k-95k.
You should research market rates for comparable positions before any salary negotiation. You must also try to avoid negotiating salary until near the end of the interview process when it’s clear that the employer wishes to extend you an offer.
Questions To Ask An Interviewer
Another thing to know in order to prepare for a Canadian job interview is the questions to ask an interviewer.
Well, when it comes to asking questions, be mindful that you do not ask something that is easily found on the company website or in the job description.
Here are a few questions that can help put you on the right track:
- “What are the immediate problems that would need my attention?”
- “Could you elaborate on the daily responsibilities this role entails?”
- “How does this position fit within the larger department?”
- “What is the biggest challenge of this role?”
- “What type of orientation does the company offer?”
- “How is success measured in this role?”
- “How would you describe the office culture?”
- “What opportunities for professional development are available for someone in this role?”
Post Interview Etiquette
Last but not least, it’s good manners/ etiquette to send an email thanking the interviewer for their time after the interview.
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