Your Canadian interview checklist to prepare for success

PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS
Your Canadian interview checklist to prepare for success

Congratulations! After diligent networking and optimizing your CV, you landed the interview!

If it’s been a while since your last interview, you may feel a bit out of practice. Preparing ahead of time is key to staying calm and confident. Here’s a quick checklist based on an article by Professor Kerry Brown, an expert in employment and industry (via The Conversation), to help you cover all the essential bases:

⬜️ Cultural and organizational fit
Be ready to explain the unique value you’ll bring to the company and how you would fit into its culture. Prepare answers for key questions. Kerry highlights important ones like:

• “Why should we hire you?”

• “What makes you the best person for this job?”

⬜️ Show enthusiasm and commitment
In preparation, Kerry suggests asking yourself questions like:

• “What is it about this company’s work that excites me?”

• “If I got the job, what would make me proud to work here?”

⬜️ Do your homework
Research isn’t just about repeating facts from the company’s website. Take the time to understand the person interviewing you and the company’s latest projects or initiatives.

⬜️ Give “I” answers
This means using storytelling to frame your achievements in a way that directly connects with the company’s needs. Create compelling narratives that showcase your value.

CAREER COACH Q & A
Navigating New Horizons with Expert Guidance from a Seasoned Career Coach

Q: What are some networking mistakes that might be preventing opportunities?

A: Career coach Reno Perry recently shared a list of common networking mistakes, and two glaring ones stand out:

• Only asking for things and not adding value. It’s easy to overlook your ability to contribute, especially when job searching. Yet, adding value can be as simple as congratulating someone on an achievement, offering an insight, or engaging meaningfully with their content.

• Not following up. Many people forget to follow up after initial conversations. A simple trick is to keep an Excel list with notes and dates. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to nurture these connections—sending a quick message or commenting on updates can go a long way in strengthening relationships.

WELCOME ABOARD
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• Web Developer, Richmond Hill, ON

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*all job postings available at time of email publication

LEARN THE LINGO
Phrases to elevate your job interview stories

While you may have identified your main professional achievements and crafted compelling stories for your job interview, there is one key factor that people often overlook—connecting your stories to the company’s specific needs.

As with any effective communication strategy, it all comes down to understanding your audience. Career Coach Austin Belcak recently emphasized how critical it is to frame your stories based on thorough research about the company.

Here’s a helpful script to guide you as you frame your experiences in your interview.

1. Mention the research you did before the call
Show that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company and its industry. This demonstrates genuine interest and preparedness.

✅ "I spent time reviewing your recent quarterly report, and I noticed that expanding into international markets is one of your key priorities for the next year."

2. Call out the company’s goals and challenges
Identify a specific goal or challenge the company is facing, which allows you to align your answers with what matters most to them.

✅ "It seems that increasing brand recognition in new regions is a priority for your team, but I imagine maintaining consistency in messaging across different markets could be a challenge."

3. Tie an achievement from your past to that goal or challenge
Connect one of your previous achievements directly to the company’s needs, making it clear how you can help them succeed.

✅ "In my previous role at XYZ Company, I led a marketing campaign that expanded our reach into three new international markets. As a result, we saw a 20% increase in brand engagement within six months."