Mastering the Canadian Interview: Key Tips for International Students

Following your degree completion in Canada, you're eager to start working in the thriving job market of that nation. As an international student, you bring fresh perspectives and practical skills that you have acquired during your studies abroad. Finding a job is always challenging, particularly when you’re new to a country. Being an international student from India preparing to enter the Canadian Job market, the potential of job interviews may seem exciting and daunting. But with the right preparation and mindset, one can confidently and securely navigate the interview process and land their ideal job. In this write-up, I will be sharing a few insights and key points to help prepare for breaking an interview.

1. Deep dive into research

• Company Savvy: Spend as much time as possible browsing the company's website, social media accounts, and most recent news stories before the interview. Understand their goals, principles, and current initiatives. Knowing this shows that you genuinely care about them and enables you to respond to their needs specifically. Research the salary packages of various job titles offered by different companies on Glassdoor.co.in, Indeed.com, LinkedIn Talent Insight tools, etc.

• Canadian Work Culture: Compared to several other nations, Canadian businesses typically foster a more casual and cooperative atmosphere. Understand more about standard Canadian interview protocol, encompassing proper greetings and attire expectations (business casual is common). Research for specific job requirements is also important as it differs from requirements for similar jobs in India.

2. Highlight your advantages as a Canadian

• Canadian Education: Emphasise the skills and knowledge you acquired during your Canadian studies. Did you collaborate on group projects? Did your coursework involve practical applications relevant to the position? Highlight how your Canadian education prepared you for the role.

• Canadian Experience (Bonus): If you completed internships, co-ops, volunteer work, or part-time jobs in Canada, spotlight these experiences. They demonstrate your understanding of the Canadian work environment and one’s ability to adapt.

• Canadian Resume building: Build a resume following the Canadian resume standard format. Unlike India Canadian job resume format is reverse chronological format type, emphasising your job experience upfront which is most familiar to the recruiters. Know everything on your resume inside and out and be prepared to clarify anything. Create precise case studies that bolster your professional background. One can also add a Cover letter and portfolio along with a resume.

3. Transparency regarding work authorisation

• Honesty is Best: Be upfront about your work authorisation status (e.g., Post-Graduation Work Permit) and your visa status. Employers appreciate transparency and can guide the next steps if necessary. Research the specific work permit requirements for your desired position beforehand.

4. Craft powerful responses

• Common Questions: Prepare yourself for some common interview questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Why are you interested in this position?". Customise those responses to highlight your abilities and potential contributions to the organisation.

• Behavioral-Based Questions: Canadian interviews often involve behavioural questions, where employers ask about past experiences to gauge your future behaviour (e.g., "Describe a time you faced a challenge and how you overcame it"). Try the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to effectively organise your interview answers and highlight your strengths.

Research and preparation are the greatest ways to get ready for this nerve-wracking encounter. You can refer to the following tools for getting yourself prepared for interview questions using LinkedIn‘s Interview Prep (LinkedIn), AI-powered platforms like – Huru, Talk berry, Wizco’s Ava, etc.

5. Additional tips for 2025

• Don't Underestimate Virtual Readiness: With more remote work, virtual interviews are crucial. Here's how to shine in yours. Ensure a stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and professional attire from head to toe (remember, video calls can be deceiving!).

• Highlight Your Adaptability: Canadian employers value candidates who can adapt to new situations and technologies. Showcase your willingness to learn and grow in your responses.

• Express Your Desire to Stay (Optional): If you're open to staying in Canada long-term, mention it during the interview. This can be a positive factor for employers seeking long-term hires but remember to tailor your response to the specific situation.

• Networking and establishing connections: Networking is important to getting a job. Participate in the community, join clubs or organisations, and attend events relevant to your field of study. You can also contact alumni of your university who work in your field of interest.

Remember: Confidence is key! Be prepared, be enthusiastic, and showcase your unique value as an international student with a Canadian education. Good luck with your job search!

Job seekers may come across a variety of interviews in Canada, each with a unique structure and objective. Among the most typical interview formats are the following:

• Traditional One-on-One interview: During a one-on-one interview, a single candidate meets with a single interviewer to go over their credentials, background, and suitability for the job position. It can be conducted online, over the phone, or perhaps in person. It enables the interviewer and interviewee to have a targeted and customised conversation.

• Panel & Group Interview: A panel interview is a special kind of interview where two or more people evaluate you at the same time. Potential managers, team leaders, HR specialists, and other company decision-makers are examples of these panelists. Whereas in a group interview, a single interviewer interacts with multiple candidates simultaneously. Hospitality, food service, retail, and other jobs are examples of these kinds of interviews.

• Behavioral Interview: A behavioral interview is a sort of job interview where the emphasis is on the candidate’s prior handling of experiences and responses to various scenarios. Interviews like this type of assessment to better understand a candidate’s abilities to act and provide a much more realistic approach to how they will work.

• Case Interview: A case interview is a standard technique in consulting, finance, and other analytical fields where candidates are given a fictitious business problem or scenario and asked to analyse and suggest solutions. It is intended to evaluate the applicant's soft skills and analytical abilities in a practical business setting.

• Phone & Video Interview: In this kind of interview, an initial pre-screening is done over a phone call to evaluate the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and interest to see if they are the right fit for the job. During these interviews, potential candidates are evaluated based on their communication skills, experience, availability, desired salary, and quick thinking to reduce the number of candidates. Most phone screen interviews take place over the phone, but they can also happen through video conference using Skype or Zoom used in long-distance interviews where face-to-face interview is not feasible.

• Sequential and Multiple Interview: A sequential interview, sometimes referred to as a serial interview, consists of multiple job interview sessions that happen one after the other. Different facets of the candidate's credentials, abilities, or cultural fit may be the focus of each round. Sequential interviews are frequently used for senior-level jobs or jobs requiring a strict hiring procedure.

Remember: Gaining knowledge about the various interview formats and types will enable you to adapt to different interview settings in Canada and prepare for interviews more skillfully.

Canadian businesses are actively looking for talent from abroad. For international students to find opportunities and land a job in Canada, they must conduct industry research and build professional networks. Making use of career services offered by universities and going to job fairs can also help make connections with possible employers. Online platforms such as Indeed and LinkedIn can be valuable resources in your search for these specific opportunities. Here is the list of top companies hiring international students:

• Google

• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

• Bell Canada

• Scotia Bank

• Bombardier

• KPMG

• IBM Canada

• Amazon

• Microsoft Canada

• TD Bank Group

• Accenture

• P&H Farming

Canada's higher education institutions have a proven track record of assisting international students in finding jobs upon graduation. Although individual circumstances and fields of study can influence success, the following universities are renowned for their industry connections, career support services, and welcoming immigration policies for international graduates. The high employment placement rates of these institutions are a result of their emphasis on industry partnerships, career support services, and experiential learning. However, when deciding where to study in Canada, students must investigate programs, co-ops, and industry connections. Here is the list of top Institutions based on their placement in the Canadian job market:

• University of Toronto

• Wilfrid Laurier University

• Humber College

• Seneca College

• University of Waterloo

• Toronto Metropolitan University

• Goerge Brown College

• University of British Columbia

• Simon Fraser University

• McGill University

• University of Calgary

• University of Alberta, etc.

_{*Source: https://www.glassdoor.ca/Explore/top-student-companies-canada_IO.4,11_IL.22,28_IN3.htm}

With over two years of expertise in the Student placement, Monika specialises in guiding students and professionals toward achieving their Canadian education and settlement goals. Currently serving as a Counsellor at IDP Education in Amritsar, she oversees operations and provides strategic insights for Canada-bound aspirants, ensuring a seamless journey toward their dreams.

Before joining IDP, Monika honed her administrative and managerial skills at Fortis Escorts Hospital, where she excelled in streamlining operations and enhancing team efficiency. Her diverse experience in healthcare administration and student placement has equipped her with a unique blend of clarity, sensitivity, and strategic planning.

Passionate about empowering individuals through education and opportunities abroad, Monika is dedicated to delivering personalised and effective solutions for every client.