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Interview guides

Job interviews in Canada: what to expect if you are new here

Last updated . General advice, not a script.

A job interview can feel different in a new country. The rules are not written down, and nobody explains them. This page describes what many interviews look like and how to get ready. It is general advice. Every employer is different, and this is not legal or immigration advice.

What the steps can look like

Many jobs have more than one step. You might have a short phone or video call first, then a longer meeting, and sometimes a second meeting. For some jobs, you may be asked to show you can do a task. The job posting or the email that invites you will often tell you what to expect. If it does not, it is fine to write back and ask: “Could you tell me how long the interview will be, and who I will meet?”

How the questions are often asked

Many interviewers ask about things you have done, not only about what you know. You may hear “Tell me about a time when...” and then you tell a short true story. Say what the situation was, what you did and what happened. Use “I” for the parts you did yourself. In some cultures it can feel boastful to talk about yourself this way. In many interviews, you are asked to explain your own part, so it helps to practise saying it.

Talking about work from another country

Your experience counts. To make it easy to follow:

  • Say what the work was, in plain words, not only the job title. “I managed the stockroom for a shop with six workers” is clearer than a title that is not used here.
  • Say who you helped and what you were responsible for.
  • Do not worry if the employer’s name is not known here. You can say what kind of place it was.
  • Be honest about what is new to you. “I have not used that system, and I learn new systems quickly. Here is an example” is a good answer if the example is true.

A few phrases that are useful

  • “In my last job, my part was...” (to show what you did yourself)
  • “The result was...” (to finish an example)
  • “Could I take a moment to think about that?” (when you need time)
  • “I have not done that exactly, but I have done something close. For example...” (when you are missing one thing)
  • “Could you tell me more about what a normal day looks like in this role?” (when you want to know more)

You can write these on a card and say them out loud a few times, so they come easily on the day.

The practical parts

  • Arrive a few minutes early, or log in a few minutes early for a video call. Test the link, camera and sound the day before.
  • Bring the details you need: the address, the name of the person, and a pen and paper.
  • Have two questions ready for the end, such as “What would a good first month look like?”
  • A short thank-you message after the interview is polite. Keep it to a few lines.

If you do not understand a question

Ask. You can say “Could you say that again, please?” or “Do you mean...?” and give your idea. This is normal. It is better than guessing. If a word is new, you can ask what it means.

If a question feels too personal, you can give a short, polite answer and bring the talk back to the job: “I would like to focus on how my experience fits this role.” You decide how much to share.

Where to get more help

Many communities have settlement agencies, public libraries and employment centres that help with job searches and with practice interviews. Ask which ones are near you, and ask what they offer. A person who knows your local area can answer things this page cannot.

A one-page plan for the week before

  • Read the job posting and underline three tasks.
  • For each task, find one true example from work, school, volunteering or home.
  • Write your availability and the questions you want to ask.
  • Check the travel time, or test the video link and your sound.
  • Practise out loud on two different days, not only the night before.

A short plan is easier to follow than a long list, and you can finish it in a few evenings.

Practise out loud before the day

Choose three true stories: one about helping someone, one about solving a problem, one about working with other people. Write three short notes for each. Put the notes away and say each story out loud. It should take one to two minutes. If you can, practise with a friend and ask them to interrupt with a question, because real interviews do not run like a script.

What this page cannot tell you

Interviews differ by employer, job, city and province. We cannot tell you what a particular employer will ask, and we cannot advise on your immigration situation or your legal rights. Use this page as a starting point and check with people you trust.

Related guides

If you want to rehearse out loud

Dawnstep is an app where you paste a job posting, answer questions about that role out loud or by typing, and read written feedback on what you said. Feedback is written by AI and can be wrong, so use your own judgement. It is a practice tool. It does not predict whether you will be hired. It does not score your accent.

Dawnstep is coming soon to iPhone. It is not in the App Store yet. Read how Dawnstep works.