An interview is a two-way conversation. The employer wants to know whether you can do the job and work well with the team. You want to know whether the role, the manager and the organization are right for you. Good preparation helps you do both with confidence.
Before the interview
Research the organization and the role
Read the job posting again and note the key requirements. Look at the employer's website, recent news and its products or services. If you're working with a recruiter, ask what the hiring manager values most and what format the interview will take.
Prepare examples using the STAR method
Many Canadian employers use behavioural questions, such as "Tell me about a time when you…". Their aim is to understand how you've handled real situations. The STAR method helps you answer clearly:
- Situation: the context, briefly.
- Task: what you needed to achieve.
- Action: what you did. Use "I", not only "we".
- Result: the outcome, measured if possible, and what you learned.
Prepare five or six stories that you can adapt. Useful topics include solving a difficult problem, handling conflict, meeting a tight deadline, improving a process, learning something quickly and making a mistake you learned from.
Prepare for common questions
- "Tell me about yourself." Give a two-minute professional summary that connects your background to this role.
- "Why are you interested in this position?"
- "What are your strengths, and what are you working to improve?"
- "What are your salary expectations?" Research typical ranges in advance, and look at the posted range if there is one. In some provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario for employers covered by the rules, many publicly advertised postings must now include pay information.
Plan the logistics
Confirm the date, time, time zone and format: in person, phone or video. For an in-person interview, plan your route and aim to arrive about ten minutes early. Bring copies of your resume, your list of references and a notepad.
Video interviews
Video interviews are now common. Treat them as seriously as an in-person meeting:
- Test the software, camera and microphone beforehand.
- Choose a quiet space with a neutral background and good lighting.
- Look at the camera when you speak, and close notifications and other applications.
- Keep a glass of water and your notes nearby, but don't read from a script.
If you need an accommodation for any part of the interview process, such as extra time, accessible formats or a different interview format, you can ask for it. Employers have obligations under human rights and accessibility laws.
During the interview
- Listen carefully and ask for clarification if a question is unclear.
- Keep your answers focused. Aim for about one to two minutes for most questions.
- Be honest about gaps or areas you're still developing, and explain what you're doing about them.
- Show interest in the work, the team and the outcomes the role is expected to deliver.
Questions to ask the employer
Prepare two or three thoughtful questions, for example:
- "What would success look like in the first six months?"
- "How does the team work together day to day?"
- "What are the next steps in the hiring process, and what is the timeline?"
Questions an employer shouldn't ask
Human rights laws in Canada limit questions about protected characteristics, such as age, marital or family status, religion, disability, and national or ethnic origin, unless the question relates to a genuine job requirement. If you're asked something that makes you uncomfortable, you can politely steer the conversation back to your qualifications. The Canadian Human Rights Commission (opens in a new tab) explains how discrimination is defined. Provincial human rights bodies cover most employers.
After the interview
Send a short thank-you email within a day. Thank the interviewer for their time, restate your interest and briefly mention a point from the conversation. If you were introduced by a recruiter, let them know how the interview went. They can often pass on feedback and clarify next steps.
If you aren't selected, it's reasonable to ask politely whether there's any feedback that would help you in future.
Official resources
- Job Bank: Preparing for an interview (opens in a new tab) (Government of Canada)
Next step
Ready to put your preparation to work? Explore current job opportunities, or learn how our recruitment process works for candidates.
