Service Canada Centre for Youth provides youth (ages 15-30) with access to a variety of services, including assistance in résumé writing and job interview preparation. Young people may also take part in workshops on effective job search techniques, offered by SCCY Youth Services Officers (YSOs), who are students themselves. In addition, registering with the Casual Labour program is an excellent opportunity to build a résumé while earning extra cash.
The SCCY also has a valuable resource library, which offers information on effective job search techniques, the labour market, health and safety in the workplace, and other Government of Canada programs and services.
While these resources are a great starting point to landing a preferred job, one of the most important steps in this process is the interview, and the best way to ace that interview is to be well prepared. Youth Services Officers have compiled a summary of tips and pointers to help you prepare for an interview. We also recommend that you take it one step higher and come into a SCCY for our no-charge one-on-one assistance!
Before the interview: Make a Good Impression
1. Be Organized: Prepare an extra copy of your résumé and cover letter
2. Be Ambitious: Arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview
3. Look the part: Prepare appropriate attire. Business casual will often work, however it is always a good idea to research the company to find out the dress code and then dress one notch higher.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Mock interviews are a great way to prepare for possible answers to the questions you may be asked during the interview.
During the interview: Be Memorable with the three C’s
5. Confidence: Have a firm handshake with the interviewer and always make eye contact
6. Courtesy: Only be seated when the employer gives you a seat
7. Comfort: Answer questions professionally and naturally
After the interview: Demonstrate your interest
An interview is not just for the employer to ask you questions, but it is also an opportunity for you to interview the employer. You are there to find out if you feel comfortable with the organization. That is why it is important to research the company prior to the meeting so that you can ask substantial questions about the employer; this demonstrates preparedness and a sincere interest.
8. Be genuine: Thank the interviewer and address them using their name.
9. Be interested: Ask when the hiring manager will make their decision and approximately when to expect to hear from them
10. Go the extra mile: Send them a thank you note saying that you appreciated the opportunity and reconfirm your interest in the position.
Common Interview Questions: Practice Makes Perfect
Prepare possible answers to the questions you may be asked during an interview. This ensures you won’t be caught off guard and makes you more confident during the interview. Below is a list of common interview questions.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* An overview of you. Keep it succinct, limiting the information to your education, work experience, interests and personal qualities as they would apply to the position you’re applying to.
* Connections between how you see yourself and the available position
* To determine your values and attributes
What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* A skills match of your strengths to their needs
* What you’ll bring to the company that others don’t
* That you can assess your own skills and deficiencies and have a plan for improvement
Why do you want to work for us?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* Motivation for wanting the job besides a pay check or any “job”, employees do better work if they’re are interested in that line of work
* Display that you researched the company and were motivated to apply for reasons that demonstrate a genuine interest and initiative
Why should we hire you instead of someone else?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* To find out how well your qualifications match the job
* To determine what makes you different from other applicants
* Demonstrates how much you really want the job
Give an example of a time when you’ve disagreed with someone on the job. How did you handle it?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* The methods you use to solve the problem
* Your openness to different perspectives
* Tact and willingness to compromise
How do you handle things when you have more than one task to accomplish?
What is an interviewer looking for?
* How you organize your tasks
* Examples of your resourcefulness
* Examine your willingness and ability to delegate or share responsibility
What are your future plans? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What is the interviewer looking for?
* Realistic, sequential and attainable career objective
* How does their organization fit in with your future plans
* What you are looking to gain from their organization
These pointers are just a starting point to your career kick-off, so please come into one of our SCCYs for personal assistance with all of your job search needs!
Visit the Vancouver SCCY between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 333 Terminal Avenue, call 604-666-HIRE (4473), fax 604-872-7423, or e-mail jacqueline.hoffman@servicecanada.gc.ca.
To find an SCCY near you or for information on the Government of Canada summer work experience programs, call the Government of Canada’s Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555, touch-tone phone or teletypewriter line (TTY) at 1-800-926-9105. Job postings are available online at www.jobbank.gc.ca, under “Student/Youth Job Search,” “British Columbia,” “Vancouver/Surrey/Fraser Valley.” For more information on Service Canada services for youth, call 1 800 O-Canada or visit servicecanada.gc.ca.
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