What do they ask at interviews in Canada?

During interviews in Canada, they ask different questions to understand whether you are suitable for a particular position. But don't worry, it's not an interrogation, it's more like a conversation. It is important to be confident. To do this, you should prepare for the interview. And to prepare, you need to know what questions are asked at interviews.

Types of interviews

First of all, you need to understand that there are several types of interviews in Canada:

• At professional (technical) interviews, you will be asked about your skills and experience.
• At behavioral (psychological) interviews, they look at how you react to different situations.
• At mixed interviews, you will be asked about your work and your character. Mixed interviews are usually attended by two people: one is an expert in your field, and the other is an HR person who will pay attention to your behavior. Before the interview, it is better to prepare for all possible types of questions. You never know exactly what they will ask. They may ask about your work or your life. So prepare for both technical and psychological questions.

What do they ask at interviews?

Now let's talk about specific questions. Here's what they might ask:

• About your work experience. You will have to tell them where you worked, what you did, and what projects you had. Don't forget to brag about your achievements, but without any unnecessary embellishments.
• Your skills. If you are, for example, a programmer, you may be asked to write some code on the spot. If you are an accountant, you may be asked to solve a tax problem. If you are applying for a job in a store or hotel, you may be asked to describe a situation and ask what you would do.
• About your strengths and weaknesses. The key here is to be honest, but not too much. Talk about your strengths confidently, and about your weaknesses in a way that shows that you are working on them.
• Situational questions. For example, “What will you do if your colleague is always late?” Here you need to show that you know how to solve problems constructively.
• About the company. They may ask what you know about them. So before the interview, you should Google the company and check their website.
• About your goals. Where you want to go next, what are your plans for the future.
• Why you want to work for them. Here you need to show that you are not just looking for any job, but are interested in this particular company.

What not to ask at the interview

After you've been interviewed, it's your turn. You should ask a few questions to show your interest. But there are some topics that are better not to bring up so as not to spoil the impression:

• “How long does it take to get a promotion?” It looks like you're only interested in your career, not the job itself, and if you don't get promoted quickly, you'll start looking for another job.
• “How often do you have to work overtime?” This question can show that you are not ready to give your best.

What to ask instead

Instead of these questions, it's better to ask:

• What is a typical working day like in the company.
• What is the company's corporate culture like.
• What are the opportunities for professional development.
• What kind of team you will be working with.

The main thing is to show that you are interested in the job and are ready to do your best. Remember, an interview is not just about being evaluated. It's also your chance to evaluate the company and see if you want to work there. So be confident, honest, and open. Show your best side, but don't try to be someone else.