INTERVIEW GUIDE

LINC PROGRAM SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC

McInnis, Christopher
SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC, Regina Campus
 Table of Contents

1. Preparing for the Interview: pages 4 – 6

2. Types of Interviews: page 7
3. The Interview Process: pages 7-9
4. Pre-Interview Checklist: pages 9-11
5. Answer “Classic” Interview Questions: pages 12-14
6. Answer Behavioral Questions: pages 14-16
7. Questions to Ask at Interviews: pages 16-18
8. Illegal Questions: pages 18-19
9. Body Language in Interviews: pages 19-21
10. Added Interview Tips: pages 21-22
11. Prepare for Phone/Video Interviews: pages 22-23
12. After the Interview: pages 23-25

Appendix 1 – Making a Networking Card: page 26

Appendix 2 – Creating a Follow Up Email: page 27
Appendix 3 - Further Resources: page 28
LINC Interview Guide
Introduction
Are you someone who gets nervous at the mention of the word “interview”? If so, you are not alone.
Interviews are stressful for all job hunters, no matter what their backgrounds. The purpose of this guide is to
make interviewing a less stressful experience by giving you the knowledge necessary to become a better
interviewee. Like so many other things in life, interviewing is a skill, and by learning the rules and practicing the
right behaviors, we can become more successful and much less nervous about doing it.

Before we start, I’d like to address a common misunderstanding that I’ve often encountered among students.
An interview is not a one-sided process. It is not just an interrogation where the interviewer asks all of the
questions and you, the job seeker, have to respond.

While it is true that interviewers do much of the talking during interviews, this is also an opportunity for you to
learn about the company and the job and decide whether you want to work for them. Asking the right
questions of the person interviewing you will help you make a good decision and find a job that is a good fit for
you. It can also help you avoid taking a job that you won’t enjoy and stay in.

Conventional thinking about interviews goes this way: the company interviews you and based on your answers
and performance, decides to hire you – or not. What if you thought of the interview as an opportunity for you
to “interview” the company, to learn about it and decide whether it was where you really wanted to work?
What if you thought of the interview as a conversation, rather than a one-way interrogation? Rethinking the
interview process might free you to be more natural and curious in your interviews, and it might also help you
relax and be less stressed. As mentioned above, it might also help you avoid taking a job that isn’t a good fit for
you. Avoiding mistakes is something we can all use help with.

This guide will cover a lot of material. It will explain the things that you need to do before, during and after the
interview. It will include a lot of useful tips and address some of the myths about interviews. It will inform you
about the kinds of questions you will be asked and how you should and shouldn’t answer them. It will give you
suggestions about the kinds of questions that you should ask and avoid and why asking questions is important.
In the end, it is my hope that this will be a resource that you will keep and refer to over and over throughout
your working life.
1. Preparing for the Interview Part 1 – Start with Yourself
Some people believe that you can’t really prepare for interviews. They believe that every interview is different,
that interviewers all have their own style and preferences, and therefore, you should just show up to the
interview and “wing it”. These people are wrong, and this is a recipe for interview disaster. Preparation is
essential to performing well in an interview and getting the job that you really want. It’s not always be best
qualified person who gets the job offer. Often, it’s the person who performs the best in the interview.

So, what does interview preparation look like? People often think about things like researching the company,
planning their interview outfit, knowing about travel to the interview and parking, and a host of other
concerns. All of those are important and we will deal with them all in this guide.

The best preparation starts with examining yourself and knowing what you have to offer an employer. Not
doing this can negatively affect everything from your job search to your interview performance. Doing this well
will focus your job search, increase your confidence, and allow you to easily answer such questions as “Why do
you want this job”? or “Why should we hire you instead of another applicant”?

Your preparation should begin with asking yourself the following questions:

1. What is my area of expertise? (In other words, what industry or products do you know about? What is
your level of experience – beginner, intermediate or senior/advanced?)

2. What is my background? (This includes your education, work experience and accomplishments.
Identifying the latter builds your confidence and provides evidence of your effectiveness and impact.)

3. What are my personality and goals? (Are you an extrovert who likes to interact with lots of people, or
someone who prefers to work alone with a machine or a computer? Do you want a career in
management, or are you a technical person who wants to develop their individual skills?)

4. What makes me unique? (This is where you need to identify your strong skills, or maybe your special
combination of personal qualities. It would also be helpful to identify any unusual work or life
experiences that you have and that you bring to the job market.)

5. What do I want to say about myself in an interview? (How do you want to be remembered after the
interview? What will make you stand out from the other applicants?)

To do this properly, you need to do a 360-degree scan of yourself. This means assessing yourself from a variety
of perspectives. Look at old resumes to review your past roles and accomplishments. If you have copies of old
job descriptions, re-read those to refresh your memory of all of the things you’ve done. Rereading old
performance reviews can also be useful. Even if they contain negative as well as positive comments, they can
show you how you have overcome past problems or weaknesses and progressed in your career. If you can, talk
to former co-workers or supervisors to get their impressions of you as a colleague or employee. Ask them what
strengths and positives they remember about you.
Don’t limit your self-assessment to your work life. If you have volunteered or been involved in sports or
hobbies, consider what skills you developed from these experiences and what contributions you made to
others through these connections. Ask friends and family members to give you their impressions about you.
What do they see as your strengths, skills and best qualities? People who know us well often see positives that
we are unaware of or downplay. Use the feedback that personal contacts can provide to gain a broader
understanding of who you are and what you have to offer to an employer.

Once you have finished the first step of your self-assessment, you should ask yourself the following questions
about factors that affect workplace happiness. Before taking a job, you need to consider:

1. Your main motivator (What is more important to you, salary and benefits or chances for learning and
advancement?)

2. Size of the organization (Do you want to work in a small, medium sized or multinational company?)

3. Company philosophy or style (Are you comfortable with a traditional, structured environment or a
more independent, entrepreneurial one?)

4. Core skills you want to use (Do you want to be in leadership or in a technical or specialist role?)

5. Company communication approach (What do you prefer - face to face meetings, Zoom or conference
calls, or email?)

These factors can strongly influence your enjoyment and performance in a job. Several years ago, I was hired
to work as a Case Manager for an insurance company. The position was advertised as involving a lot of
interaction with people, but in reality, it was a highly technical role. Most of my activity was controlled by an
automated task management system and there was very little client contact. I hated the job and left the
position in less than a year, as it did not let me use my strongest, preferred skills.

Doing the self-assessment may seem like a lot of work, but it is not something you have to do repeatedly. Once
you have completed it, you only need to check in every year or so to make sure your answers to the above
questions haven’t changed. As well, the few hours you invest in self assessing will bring a lot of benefits. You
will be better able to focus your job search efforts and perform better in interviews. Not only will it help you
land a job you really want, but it may help you avoid a job that isn’t going to be a good career step for you.

2. Preparing for the Interview Part 2 – Know your Target

Once you have completed your self-assessment, it is time to do some research. You may have heard that it is
important to research the company you are applying to, ideally even before you write your cover letter. This is
true, but your target for any job opening actually has three parts – the industry, the company, and the specific
position.

If you are already working in the same industry that you are applying to, such as engineering or agriculture,
then you can skip the first layer of your target. However, if you are moving into a different industry or sector,
learning about it before going to an interview is a critical part of your preparation. Here are some of the things
you should do to cover the three rings of your target:
 ▪ Start with trade magazines and annual reports to understand the industry. You can also use websites
of competitors of your target company for a wider understanding of industry issues and rivalries.

▪ Search for news articles about the company and industry. Look at a variety of sources, including
newspapers and LinkedIn.

▪ Research the company. Identify their products and services, history, mission and values, and major
competitors. Have they recently been expanding? What challenges are they facing and how could you
help them with those?

▪ Contact your Chamber of Commerce to learn about the company, industry and possible contacts that
you might speak to at the company. LinkedIn is another possible source of company contacts.

▪ Carefully analyze the job description to understand employer needs and how you match them. This is
especially important in preparing to answer such questions as “why should we hire you instead of
another applicant?”

Researching your target (industry, company and job) is essential to good interview preparation. It allows you to
understand how you might best contribute to the company and demonstrates your interest. This knowledge
will allow you to better answer interview questions and also ask more in-depth questions of your own. The
extra preparation will also help you feel more confident going into an interview situation.

3. Know What the Job is Worth

Before heading off to any interview, you need to consider the issue of salary. For most positions in government
departments or Crown corporations, salary will be mentioned in the job posting. There may be little or no
flexibility in the starting salary, due to collective agreement rules. However, pay attention to the salary range
or starting salary that is posted. If you bring strong experience and qualifications to the role, it might be
possible for you to start at a higher pay level in the range for the position. Again, doing your research will help
here. You might be able to negotiate a higher starting salary if you can provide evidence that similar positions
for people with your experience are receiving higher salaries.

Many jobs in the private sector are posted without salary information. Knowing the average salary for a
position in the local job market is necessary to avoid making critical mistakes in an interview. If you don’t know
what a reasonable salary is, you risk having an employer “lowball” you by offering a salary that is below market
price and what you deserve. There are certainly unscrupulous companies that will try to do this, especially to
newcomers. If someone asks you what you expect to be paid, rather than making an offer, use your research
to reply in the form of a range. For example, you could say “according to my research, I would expect that the
salary for this position would be between $XY to $XZ dollars per hour”.

Doing your research also protects you from making mistake #2, which is asking for a salary that is too high.
Even if a company likes you and wants you as an employee, an unrealistic salary figure can lose you the
opportunity. Don’t ever enter an interview unprepared on the salary issue. Use resources like the Robert Half
Salary Guide or The Government of Canada Job Bank to help you with this. See the Resources section at the
end of this guide.

4. Types of Interviews
Not all interviews are the same. Here are some different types of interviews, along with brief explanations of
their purpose.

▪ Screening. These are often used by large companies, especially if they have a lot of applicants for a job
opening. They are usually done by phone, computer or in groups and may involve testing or
assignments. Successful applicants move on to next step.

▪ Panel. Here you meet with several company representatives, usually including the hiring manager and
a representative from Human Resources. If a company is unionized, a union representative may also
be part of the panel. This kind of interview may be done after screening interviews, or it may be the
only interview conducted for a position.

▪ Serial. This refers to several interviews that are done in sequence, often with different people. These
interviews may be informal, formal or mixed and are often used for senior positions. Companies use
them to compare the applicant’s personality and behavior with the credentials presented in their
resume and cover letter. Sometimes a company uses them when they want an applicant to be seen by
multiple company representatives, but schedules prevent them all from interviewing together.

▪ Phone or video. Previously these were done when the applicant and the company were in separate
cities. They have become much more common with Covid, due to safety issues and the rise of people
working remotely. There are specific preparation tips for these types of interviews, which will be
covered later in the guide.

5. The Interview Process

Interviews in Canada tend to follow an established pattern or flow. The most common steps or stages are
given below. In addition to those listed, some interviews involve a task, such as analyzing a case study or
writing something related to the job you are applying for. In the past, when writing for communications jobs, I
was asked to write something like a press release for an event or a brief to a politician about a current issue.
Sometimes you may be asked to do a short skills test. This portion of the interview may take place before or
after you have met with the interviewers. Here are the most common interview stages. These will be covered
in more detail in the section following the list:

1. Begin with handshakes, introductions, general conversation. Exchange business cards.

2. Lead interviewer gives overview (describes what will happen in interview).
3. Questions begin with general (“Tell me about yourself”) and move to more specific.
4. After interviewer has finished, you can ask questions. Do it!
5. Interviewer signals end by asking “Is there anything more you’d like to tell us?” or “Do you have any
other questions?”
6. Interviewer may ask for references.
7. Next steps. Find out the timelines for the hiring process.
8. Thank you and goodbyes.

The Interview Opening

This is your chance to make a good first impression. Smile and introduce yourself to those who will be
interviewing you. Shake hands firmly and repeat interviewer’s names back as you are being introduced. This
will help you remember names if you are being interviewed by several people. If business cards are being
exchanged, it is good for you to hand out a networking card with your contact information on it. If you don’t
exchange cards, be sure to get contact information from the interviewers at the end of the interview. You’ll
need this for your follow up. See Appendix 1 of this guide for how to make your own networking cards.
The Overview
In most cases, the lead interviewer will explain how the interview will be conducted – likely the company will
first ask you questions, followed by an opportunity for you to ask questions of your own. If you have a task or
assessment as part of the interview they should also explain when this will happen. Sometimes, however, the
interviewer will skip the overview and just start the questions.
Questions Section
The “Tell me about yourself” question is a common way to start interviews. Employers do it to “warm you up”
but also to see how you answer. It is important to answer this question well. I once lost a competition because
I had failed to answer this question to the company’s satisfaction. Don’t let this happen to you! How to answer
this question effectively will be covered in more detail in section 7 of this guide.
While you will be given time at the end of the interview for your questions, you may need to ask about other
issues earlier in the interview. If you are not sure you have correctly understood a question, you should always
ask for clarification! It is far better to ask the employer to repeat or rephrase a question, rather than answering
incorrectly, as that will raise doubts about your confidence, communication skills and level of English.
Your Turn
It is important that you have prepared several questions to ask at the end of the interview. Good topics for
your questions will be covered in detail later in this guide. You should have a number of questions ready
because some of them may be answered during the interview, and you don’t want to be left with nothing to
ask at the end. Not asking any questions may damage your chance at the job – you may be seen as
unprepared, uninterested in the job, or too passive.
The Closing
At this point the lead interviewer will signal the end of the meeting with one of the questions mentioned in
point 5 above. They may also ask you for references at this point. You should always come to interviews
prepared with a list of your references in case you are asked. If the company does ask for your references, this
is a good sign, and means that they are still interested in you as a candidate.
Before the interview ends, there are a few last things you need to do. First, if you are still interested in the job,
restate your interest and thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Next, find out what the next steps are in
the hiring process and how soon the company expects to decide. Finally, if you haven’t gotten a business card
from your interviewer at the beginning of the interview, you need to get their contact information. You will use
these last two pieces of information to do your follow up after the interview.
6. Your Pre-Interview Checklist
Before we move on to the important section on how to answer, and ask, interview questions, let’s consider the
following list. It deals with a number of practical issues that you need to take care of before interview day.
 Interviews are stressful enough without having some last-minute problem arise that causes you to arrive
stressed and nervous, or even worse, late. A bit of planning ahead can ensure that you get to your destination
relaxed and prepared. Beyond helping you arrive on time, the checklist includes some key reminders to make
sure you deliver your best performance once you sit down with your interviewers. Let’s take a look:

Interview Checklist

I have:
Researched the company I'm interviewing with, the industry and the job itself.

Conducted research so I know about parking, office location, paperwork, clothing, and the type of
interview that will be conducted. I have called to confirm the time and asked for good directions or
searched for directions from a site, such as MapQuest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps.

Prepared for the interview without memorizing or over-rehearsing my answers. I've reviewed the
questions I may be asked in the interview, as well as my planned answers. I’ve gotten someone to do
a practice interview with me and I have written my responses.

Planned interview clothing that is appropriate for the job, the company, and the industry. My outfit
is clean and neatly pressed and that my shoes are clean and polished.

Packed my briefcase with items I might need: comb and brush, hairspray or gel, makeup for
touchups and breath mints. I have extra copies of my resume to hand out if I have more than one
interviewer, as well as a pen and paper to take notes.

I have contacted my references about the interview and the position I am applying for. I have
brought my list of references to the interview.

I will:
Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early since arriving late for a job interview is never acceptable. If
I'm running late, I'll phone the company. I have a contact number with me in case this happens.

Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect and make a good first impression.

Not chew gum during the interview.

Greet the interviewer with a smile and call him or her by his or her title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last
name. If I’m not sure of the pronunciation of the interviewer's name, I’ll confirm that with the
receptionist before the interview.

Shake hands firmly and avoid a limp or clammy handshake! I’ll make good eye contact with the
interviewer(s) during the introductions and the interview.
Wait to be offered a chair before sitting. I will be aware of my body language and posture; I will sit
upright and look alert and always interested. I will avoid playing with my pen or other personal
articles or slouching in my chair.

Show enthusiasm about the position and the company. I’ll stress what I can do for the company
rather than focus on what the company can do for me.

Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as "like," "uh," "you know," and "um").
I’ll speak loudly enough to be understood and project confidence.

Maintain a high confidence and energy level. I will not act as though I am desperate for
employment.

Not say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers. I will highlight my
achievements and not offer any negative information about myself.

Be honest. I will answer questions truthfully and not give unnecessary information.

Avoid answering questions with a simple "yes" or "no”. Instead, I will explain and give examples
whenever possible to support the information on my resume. I will provide details that showcase
my talents, skills, and determination.

Use the research I have done on the company and industry, both to prepare questions to ask and
when answering questions.

Remember that the interview is also a time to evaluate the interviewer and the company. I will use
it as an opportunity to decide if I want to work for the company or not.

Take short pauses before responding to a question to plan my thoughts but avoid long pauses. If
needed, I will repeat the question aloud or ask for the question to be repeated to gain some time
to think.

Turn my cell phone off before the interview. It will be turned off completely, not just set to
vibrate!

Not ask questions about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after the
company has made a job offer. I will prepare for questions about salary before the interview but
will try to delay discussions until I have an offer.

Close the interview by repeating my interest in the job and asking about the next step in the
process. I’ll get business cards from each person I interviewed with or record their contact
information in my notes.

Do an immediate review after the interview ends and take notes so I don't forget details of what I
learned and how I performed. I’ll write thank-you emails within 24 hours to each person who
interviewed me and will follow all the rules of following up after the interview.
 7. Answering Interview Questions – Part 1 – “Classics”
The questions in this section can be called classics because they cover the essential information hiring
managers want to know about every candidate: who you are, why you’re a match for the job, and what things
you’re good at. Because these questions are so common, managers will expect you to be able to answer them
smoothly and appropriately. You may not be asked the questions in exactly these words, but if you have done
your preparation, you’ll be able to respond well to any variation in wording that the interviewer gives you.

You don't need to memorize answers to these questions, but you should have prepared what you want to say
and done some practice before the interview. Practice enough so that you can deliver your answer calmly and
smoothly but be careful not to sound like a robot when you are in the interview. Not speaking too quickly and
taking time to pause occasionally are ways to help you sound natural and not too rehearsed.

• Tell Me About Yourself.

This question seems simple, and as a result, many people fail to prepare for it and answer incorrectly.
Employers are NOT looking for you to give them your detailed personal history as an answer here. What they
DO want is a brief explanation of how your work history makes you a good fit for this job. Some job seekers
use a present, past, future formula to answer this. They first talk a bit about their current or most recent job
role (including the scope and perhaps one accomplishment), then give some background as to how they got to
the current stage in their career. Finally, they transition into why they want this job and would be an excellent
fit for it.

Your initial answer to this question should not be too long – one to two minutes is enough. If the employer
wants to know more about anything you mention here, they will ask follow-up questions. Don’t be like a
student I once interviewed, who went on for 10 minutes in answering this question! Despite my best efforts he
ignored all my attempts to get him to stop talking! He not only demonstrated that he didn’t understand the
purpose of this question in the interview, but also that he didn’t pick up on cues about when to let the
interviewer speak. This kind of mistake can get you instantly disqualified for the job.

• How Did You Hear About This Position?

If you found out about the job through a friend or professional contact, be sure to name that person. Then, go
on to share why you were so excited about the opportunity. If you discovered the opening by attending an
event or reading an article, share that. Even if you found the posting through a standard website or job board,
be able to explain what interested you in the role.

• Why Do You Want This Job?

Companies like to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a strong answer about
why you want the position. Start by identifying some specifics that make you a great fit for the role (e.g., “I
enjoy customer support because I love the human interaction and satisfaction that comes from helping people
solve problems.”) Then, share why you are interested in the organization (e.g., “I’ve always been passionate
about education and the environment, and I want to work somewhere that allows me to combine those
interests.”)

• Why Should We Hire You?

If you think you are the best candidate, be prepared to say why. Make your response a short sales pitch that
explains what you have to offer the employer, and why you should get the job. While this question seems
intimidating, it’s also a great opportunity for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your
answer needs to show that you can not only do the work, but also add value to the company. Talk about how
your strengths match the key requirements listed in the job posting and use a story to illustrate and provide
evidence of your claims.

• What are your Strengths and Weaknesses?

When you are asked about your greatest strengths, it's important to mention attributes that will qualify you
for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates. Pick two or three specific qualities that are
relevant to this position and illustrate them with stories of you acting in appropriate ways.

Remember, however, to match your strengths to the job. I once did an interview with someone who had been
a senior banker in China and wanted to return to that sector in Canada. When asked about his strengths, one
of the things he mentioned was kindness. While that is generally a positive quality, it’s not one that most
people would associate with a financial executive. It would be much more appropriate for someone seeking a
job as an early-years teacher, social worker or counselor, not a banker. Choose strengths to match the job.

Be similarly careful when presenting your weaknesses. It’s best to choose only one – you want the employer to
remember you for your positives, not your negatives! When dealing with weaknesses, it’s safe to mention skills
that aren't critical for the job, focus on skills you have improved on, or turn a negative into a positive. An
example of the latter might be explaining that you used to focus too much on details, with the result that you
worked too slowly. Going on to tell how you’ve learned to better use your time and work more efficiently
would be a good answer in this situation.

• Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This question is designed to find out if you’re going to stay with the company or move on as soon as you find a
better opportunity. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company you’re interviewing with. You need
to demonstrate to the company that you understand the job you are interviewing for and where it could lead
you in the future. At the same time, you must avoid saying anything to suggest that you only want this job as a
short-term opportunity.

As a young, inexperienced job hunter and recent university graduate, I once interviewed for a position with a
city planning department. I was well qualified for the job and the interview was going well until I was asked the
question about my future plans. At that time, I was still thinking about going back to school to do graduate
work and I foolishly told the interviewer that. Her face dropped, and I realized that I had made a huge mistake.
Of course, I didn’t get the job. Recruiting is time consuming and expensive, and companies don’t want to invest
in people who won’t stay with the organization. Don’t give them a reason for screening you out of the
competition. Here’s a sample of how to answer this question:

“The most rewarding part of working in HR has been putting together training or development sessions to help
my coworkers learn something new. In five years, I’d like to be an expert in learning and development. I’ll have
learned more about creating learning opportunities for employees and will have coordinated or delivered
training sessions myself. By then, I’d also like to be participating in decisions about business training programs
and how to ensure employees are benefitting from them.”

While there are many more so-called classic interview questions, we’ve covered a number of the most popular
ones here. Use the list of resources at the end of this guide to learn about a wider range of common interview
questions and what to do – and NOT do – when faced with them in an interview.

In addition to preparing yourself for the kinds of questions above, you also need to know about a newer kind
of interview question that has become popular in the last 10 years or so. This is the behavioral or behavioral
descriptive type of question. Most interviews are now a mix of classic and behavioral questions, so you really
need to be able to recognize them and answer properly. That’s the topic of our next section.

8. Answering Interview Questions – Part 2 – Behavioral Questions

Behavior-based questions are designed to get information about how you have performed in the past because
past behavior is a good indicator of how you will act in the future. Interviewers develop their questions around
the qualities and skills that are necessary for succeeding in a specific job or organization. Employers feel that if
you can tell a believable story about your past performance in teamwork or problem solving, it is evidence that
you have that skill. They see that as being much more convincing than if a candidate merely claims to have a
skill, experience or quality without providing any evidence.
These questions usually begin with phrases like:
• Tell me about a time...
• Describe a situation in which...
• Give me an example of…

The STAR Approach to Answering Behavioral Questions

In the STAR approach, S is for Situation, T is for Task, A is for Action and R is for Results. Your answers to these
questions should include all four parts. Here are some tips about preparing answers to these questions:

• In the Setting/Situation, you must give enough information so the interviewer can understand the
background to your answer. Mention the company you were working for at the time, your job title and
a short description of your role or responsibilities. Don’t include information that isn’t relevant.

• When describing the Task, clearly describe the problem or challenge you were facing. What did you
have to fix, create or solve? Add details such as how quickly this had to be done, or other information
that shows why the task was important or difficult.

• Move on to the Action, where you clearly describe what you did. Be logical. If this required several
steps or actions, describe them in order.
 • Remember to include the Result. A good story needs an ending, and to have maximum impact, you
need to include what happened or changed because of your work. If possible, use numbers, dollar
figures or percentages to quantify results.

Start with the Job Advertisement

As you’ll see below, there are many topics for behavioral questions. How do you know which ones to prepare
for before an interview? Start by using the job advertisement as your guide. Find the main qualifications that
are mentioned in the ad and prepare answers for questions that are related to these key competencies. For
example, if the position is asking for management experience, you should develop answers to topics 2, 3, 6 and
10 below.

Prepare your answers to behavioral questions BEFORE going to the interview because it is difficult to create
them while under pressure in an interview. Once you’ve developed your STAR stories, take the time to practice
them with a friend or in the mirror. Get comfortable talking about your past behavior in a way that highlights
your abilities. Don’t be modest. If you're shy, practice is even more important. With enough repetition, you'll
be able to market yourself in a natural way that won't sound like bragging.

Common Topics for Behavioral Descriptive Questions

1. Working effectively under pressure. Example: Tell me about a time that you had to work under pressure
in a job.
2. Handling a difficult situation with a co-worker
3. Applying good judgment and logic in solving a problem
4. Thinking creatively
5. Completing a project when there was pressure or a deadline
6. Persuading team members to do things your way
7. Writing a report or proposal that was well received
8. Making an important decision with limited facts and information
9. Making a quick decision during the absence of a supervisor
10. Making an unpopular decision
11. Being tolerant of a different opinion
12. Using your personal skills to promote a program or idea that you really believed in
13. Dealing with an upset client or customer
14. Overcoming a major problem or difficulty
15. Prioritizing the parts of a complicated project

Sample STAR Answer

Here’s an answer using the STAR method. In this case, the interviewer has asked: “Tell me about a time when
you achieved a goal that you first thought was impossible.” The candidate responds with the following story:

“In my previous job as a digital marketer, my company decided to focus on email marketing and wanted to
quickly increase their list of email subscribers.” (S)

“As the email marketing manager, my target was to increase our email list by at least 50% in just one
quarter.” (T)
 “I started by going back through our old blog posts and adding in new content to encourage email
subscriptions—which immediately increased the size of our list. Next, I worked with the rest of the marketing
team to plan and host a webinar that required an email address to register, which added more interested
users into our list.” (A)

“As a result of those changes to our email strategy, I increased our subscriber list from 25,000 subscribers to
40,000 in three months—which exceeded our goal by 20%.” (R) In this case, the speaker used numbers, which
is an excellent strategy for demonstrating results.

Prepare and Practice

The STAR process for answering behavioral interview questions might seem difficult at first, but it will become
easier with practice. Don’t skip this step, as practicing is definitely something you should do. Talking through
your interview answers in advance so they feel natural will help you perform better when you’re in the
interview. If you can do this with a partner, you also have the possibility of getting feedback on your
performance. However, if you don’t have someone who can help you with this, practice in front of a mirror.
This will allow you to check your eye contact and other body language while you deliver your answers.

With practice, you’ll become more comfortable answering behavioral interview questions and won’t be
confused or nervous when they are asked. Instead, you’ll see them as an opportunity to use the STAR to show
that you are a star and convince employers that you are the best candidate for the job.

9. Now It’s Your Turn…

Once the employer has finished with their questions in an interview, they will signal that it is your turn to ask
them some questions. Usually, the lead interviewer will say something like “That’s all we wanted to ask you
today. Do you have any questions for us?” There are several important reasons why you must take advantage
of this opportunity. Not having questions to ask can send negative messages about you to the employer. They
may decide that you did not prepare well enough for the interview, that you are not very interested in the
company or the position, or that you are a passive (as opposed to proactive) person. Even if you have
performed well in the interview up to that point, not preparing questions can harm your chances of getting the
job.

While you may think of an interview as being an “interrogation” (the company asks all of the questions and it is
your job to answer), in its best form an interview is actually more of a conversation. Think of a job interview as
a two-way process. Employers ask questions to learn if the applicant is a good match for the job. At the same
time, the smart job hunter uses the interview to decide how they would fit in, if they would be able to do their
best work there, and how well their goals and working style match up with those of the employer. It will be
very difficult to make these decisions if you don’t ask questions in the interview.

So, asking questions will help you avoid being seen negatively, and it is also critical for your information
gathering to help you know if this is the company and job for you. A number of years ago, I was in an interview
for a position in a government department. I had answered the questions well, but by the end of the interview
I was starting to have doubts about the person who would be my director. She seemed to be very cold, lacking
in a sense of humor or even basic human empathy. In retrospect, I wish I had asked some better questions at
the end of the interview to help me decide if I wanted to work for her. I was offered the job, accepted it, and
then spent 2.5 years in one of the worst work situations of my career.

As the above story indicates, asking good questions at the end of an interview might be the difference
between achieving your dream job, as opposed to ending up in your “nightmare” job. But you need to know
what questions to ask, as well as which ones to avoid, if you are going to finish the interview strongly. Here are
some suggestions, along with explanations of why they should be used or avoided.

Questions to Ask and Avoid

I recommend having at least three questions prepared to ask in an interview. Some of your questions may be
answered during the interview so you want to make sure you have at least one question to ask at the end. The
following is a short list of good questions that will provide you with important information and help you make
a positive impression on the employer.

1. What kinds of projects would I be working on if I were the successful candidate?

2. What opportunities exist in the company for advancement and professional development?
3. What are the most important things you’d like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60, and
90 days on the job?
4. What’s your favorite part about working here?
5. What are the company’s current goals, and how does this position support those goals?
6. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
7. What’s the company and team culture like?
8. What are the next steps in the hiring process for this position?
In general, questions that show you are thinking ahead and imagining yourself in the role are good to ask. Just
be careful not to be overconfident and project that you think you already have the job! Now let’s consider a
few questions that you should not ask during an interview.

1. If I get this job, when could I start applying for other positions?
2. If I get hired, when could I change my days of work or shifts?
3. How much does this job pay?
4. What benefits do you offer and how many weeks of vacation?
5. Does this company monitor internet use?
6. Do you do criminal record checks on applicants?
7. What does this company do?
8. How did I do in this interview?

The above questions should be avoided for various reasons. Asking about changing jobs or major details of the
job will make the employer think that you are not really interested in the position that is offered or that you
will not be a good fit for their needs. Even if the salary and benefits for the position have not been mentioned
in the job ad or interview, you should avoid asking about them until the company offers you the position.

Questions 5 and 6 will make employers worry that you have some bad work habits or something to hide in
your background and you will be instantly disqualified. Number 7 will likely also put you out of consideration
because it shows you haven’t done any research on the company. Finally, the last question is unfair to the
interviewers because it puts them in a difficult situation. If you are being interviewed by a panel, they will
often discuss your performance immediately after the interview to decide about your suitability. If you haven’t
performed well, the interviewers may be embarrassed to tell you that or be forced to lie to avoid hurting your
feelings.

Here are some good general tips on how to ask your questions during the interview:

• Avoid multi-part questions that can confuse the interviewer or only be partly answered.
• Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes/no. Prefer questions that will lead to more
dialogue and information sharing.
• Don’t ask multiple questions about just one subject. For example, only asking questions about your
manager/their managerial style may raise suspicions that you have problems with authority.
• While it is a good idea to establish a connection with your interviewer, avoid personal questions that
are not public information.

10. Illegal Interview Questions and How to Handle Them

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prevents employers from asking questions on application forms and in
interviews that would lead to discriminating against applicants. This includes questions that are related to
religion, marital status, sex, age and a variety of other factors. More detailed information on this topic can be
found in the following document:
https://saskatchewanhumanrights.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/SHRC_App-Forms-and-Interviews.pdf

It is important to consider that illegal questions are not always asked deliberately. An inexperienced
interviewer may not realize that the question is illegal or may not know how to ask for information in an
acceptable way. Before answering, try to determine why the interviewer is asking the question. Give an
answer that addresses their concern and turn the conversation back to your job-related strengths.

As an example, employers may be tempted to ask female candidates about their marital or family status to see
if they are likely to stay with the company long-term. If asked about whether you are planning to get married
or work after having children, a good answer might be something like “I’m not in that situation yet, but I’m
really interested in career paths and opportunities with your company. Can you tell me more about that?” This
avoids the illegal part of the question but demonstrates that you are thinking long-term about the company.

When facing an illegal question, you have to consider a variety of factors in deciding how to answer—the
intent of the question, how much you want the job, and how your response might hurt your chances of getting
it. Of course, if asked an illegal interview question you always have the right to end the interview or refuse to
answer. This may be awkward to do, but you need to be comfortable working at the company. The questions
you are being asked during the interview often indicate the company's policies and ethics, so you may be
better off knowing these things before accepting a job offer.

11. Beyond Questions – Be Aware of Body Language

Body language is what you’re communicating without speaking. This can include your posture and eye contact,
fidgeting behaviors like toe tapping and pen clicking, and how you gesture and use your hands. People process
each other’s body language and speech to make dozens of judgments that affect whether we like, trust, or
respect a person. These quick judgments can powerfully affect the decision of whether to hire someone or not.
You need to communicate strength, assuredness, and confidence at your interview, but not at the expense of
being relaxed and friendly. Much of creating a good impression depends on our body language. We can say, ‘I
am a great fit for this position,’ but depending on our tone, posture and facial expression, we may sound
confident and knowledgeable or unsure and inexperienced.
One study that looked at facial behaviors during job interviews found that eye contact and smiling were
particularly important to employers. In a survey by the staffing firm OfficeTeam, senior managers said that
after eye contact, facial expressions, posture and handshakes were the most important nonverbal cues in an
interview. I once did a practice interview with a student whose body language was almost hostile. She never
smiled once, rarely made eye contact, and had a harsh, almost angry tone in her voice. Not surprisingly, she
didn’t pass her interview assessment, and if that had been a real interview, she certainly would not have
gotten the job. Body language communicates so much about who you are and how you would be to work with.

Body Language Tips for Peak Interview Performance

1. Make a good first impression. This starts the moment you enter the building for your interview. Smile
when greeting the receptionist, make good eye contact and introduce yourself in a strong, confident
voice.
2. When you meet your interviewer, do the same, and accompany it with a firm handshake.
3. Look them in the eye. Eye contact is essential because it shows confidence in yourself and in your
answers and builds connection with your interviewers. Avoid looking all around the room, looking
down at your watch, or not making eye contact at all, as it makes you look nervous and distracted. If
multiple people are interviewing you, look at all of them, not just the person directly in front of you.
4. Be an active listener. Lean slightly forward and make eye contact when an interviewer is speaking to
you. Nodding your head also demonstrates that you are following what the other person is saying.
5. Maintain good posture. Sit up straight, with your shoulders back. Slouching or slumping in your chair
makes you look tired and non-confident. You can move your body forward sometimes to show interest
 or engagement, but don’t lean ahead with your elbows on the table or desk in front of you. This is
especially true if the interviewer is on the other side, as it makes you look unprofessional.
6. Be aware of your hands. You can use them to gesture when you talk, if this is your habit, but don’t
“fidget” by playing with your pen, notebook or worse, your phone! I once had an interview candidate
who clicked his pen through the entire interview! It was very annoying and distracting. As well, try to
avoid touching your face as this can be interpreted as signaling dishonesty in an answer. When not
speaking or taking notes, keep your hands in your lap.
7. Finish strong. When leaving the interview, repeat the steps in points 1 and 2. Even if you felt the
interview went badly, try to maintain good posture, eye contact and a smile. Thank the interviewers
for their time and put your chair back in its original position before you leave the room.
8. Practice those moves. Practicing with a friend or family member not only allows you to work on your
answer delivery, but it can help you with your body language. Ask your partner to watch for things like
poor posture, lack of eye contact or distracting hand movements so you can eliminate those problems.
If you can’t find someone to practice with, do it in front of a mirror and be your own observer, or use
your computer to record yourself doing a practice interview. Watch it later, focusing on areas for
improvement.
12. Some Interview “Extras”
Here are a few suggestions to improve your interview performance and elevate yourself above the
competition. Use what works for you.
• If you struggle with confidence going into interviews, try one of the following. Have a short
conversation with someone who is positive and builds you up when you are full of doubt. If you don’t
have someone like that accessible, identify a song or piece of music that makes you feel energized and
happy and play that beforehand.
• If nervousness is your problem, try a technique like meditation or deep breathing before going to an
interview. Deep or slow breathing can even be used during an interview if you notice you are getting
panicked and need to relax. It is also good to avoid caffeine on interview days as it can make anxiety
worse.
• Become good at small talk. The goal of interview small talk isn’t to stand out—it’s about making the
other person feel more comfortable chatting with you. If you can’t think of anything else, have some
easy open-ended questions ready. You could say something like, “I’m so glad it’s finally summer. Do
you have any vacation plans?” Even if it feels awkward, practice small talk whenever you have the
chance. Do it when you’re waiting in line in the grocery store, when you encounter a neighbor, or even
when you see friends.
 • Polish your storytelling. As we saw earlier in this guide, storytelling is at the core of the STAR method
for answering behavioral questions. Use storytelling to connect your career history to the job you’re
applying for, as this will help the employer to see you as the ideal candidate. Practicing your interview
storytelling skills with a friend or family member will help you find the right balance in your stories.
You need to give enough background for a story to make sense to a listener, but not share
unimportant details that might interfere with your main point.
• Develop your empathy. Empathy involves putting yourself in others’ shoes, trying to understand how
they feel and what they need, and responding appropriately. As job hunters, it is very easy to focus
solely on what we want and forget to consider the employer’s needs. This is a huge mistake. Imagining
the employer’s challenges allows you to think of solutions and offer yourself as someone who could
help overcome them. Demonstrating empathy during the hiring process also signals your interviewer
that you would be an understanding coworker and teammate if they hired you.
• Use your best voice. Practice will help you speak more confidently during an interview, but there are
other aspects of speech that you need to consider. In the short term, you cannot eliminate your
accent, but you can minimize communication problems by doing two simple things. First, speak loudly
enough. Having a small, quiet voice shows a lack of confidence and can worsen the effects of an
accent. Next, don’t speak too quickly. Nerves can cause us to speed up our speech, but speed
combined with an accent creates communication headaches! Aim for a moderate rate of speech.
• Finally, don’t forget to smile occasionally during the interview. It helps create connection with the
interviewers and it can also give your voice a warmer, friendlier tone. This is especially important if
your normal speaking voice tends to sound too formal or cold.

13. Preparing for Phone or Video Interviews

While many of the rules for regular interviews apply to these types of interviews as well, there are a few things
you should do to ensure you perform at your best on the phone or online. Consider the following:
 • Even though you don’t see your interviewer while on the phone, your body language is still important.
Smiling and sitting up straight during your phone interview will give you a warmer and more confident
voice tone.

• Get dressed up for the phone interview, just as you would for a face-to-face opportunity.
Experienced job hunters say dressing professionally helps them focus and perform better on
the phone.
• Try to schedule the phone interview for a time when you can give it your full attention. If an
interviewer calls you at an inconvenient time, ask if you can arrange to take their call when
you are better prepared.
• When scheduling your phone interview, consider the time of day you are most alert. If you
are not a morning person, try to arrange an afternoon time. Make sure you allow yourself
extra time for the call, in case it lasts longer than expected. Don’t schedule another activity
too close to the time of your phone interview.
• There’s only one good spot for a phone interview, and that’s at your home. Interviewing at
home gives you control over the environment, but you still need to eliminate possible
interruptions. Turn off other devices and take steps to prevent background noise from family
members or pets.
• When preparing for a video interview, start by setting up your interview space. The room should be
well-lit and quiet with no background clutter. Your computer should not be facing a window; that way,
there will be no reflections on the screen and your face will not be backlit.
• Well before the interview, test your computer, camera and microphone with a friend. Test that your
speakers are on and that you can clearly hear the other person and they can hear you.
• Set up the camera and position yourself so that you are not too close or too far in the screen. Place the
camera so you can make eye contact. When you are being interviewed on video, you need to look at
the face of the interviewer. If necessary, resize and move the window with their video image as close
to your webcam as possible.
• Dress as you would for an in-person interview – simple and professional. Avoid loud and distracting
colors, styles and patterns - including stripes – as they don’t always look good on video.
• Don’t wear a lot of jewelry, especially if it’s sparkly or large. It’s distracting, can make noise and is not
businesslike.

14. Your Interview Post-mortem

In reality, nobody died during the interview, but sometimes it can feel like we are about to die as we wait in a
reception room for an interview to start, or if we are asked a question and find our mind has gone completely
blank. What we mean by a postmortem is a review of what happened during the interview. I recommend that
as soon as possible after the interview is finished, you should sit down and reflect on what just happened. Get
out your pen and paper and note the questions you were asked and how you answered them. Identify
questions that you could have answered more completely or effectively.
You should also note any new things that you learned about the job you applied for and the company. If the
interviewers seemed particularly interested in some aspect of your qualifications or experience, take note of
that as well. Doing a review as soon as possible after an interview is important for two reasons. First, it will
help you avoid repeating mistakes and improve your long-term interview performance. Second, you can use
what you learn from your review to send a follow up email to the company. Not only will this create a good
impression with the interviewers, but it can also improve your chances of getting the job.
Send a Thank You Email

You should always send a thank you email or note after you have had an interview, and you should do it within
24 hours. There are a number of reasons for this:
1. An email repeats your interest in the position and reminds the employer of why you are a strong
candidate.
2. Not all job seekers do this. Those that do make a better impression on the employer.
3. You can use such an email to improve your chances of being hired. If you didn’t completely answer a
question during the interview, you can add to your answer in your follow up note. As well, if you
noticed that the interviewer was particularly interested in an aspect of your qualifications, you can add
information about them or explain how you think you can use them to benefit the company in this
role.
I once used a follow up email to help me with point #3 above. When doing my interview post- mortem after an
interview for a training coordinator position, I realized that I had only partly answered one important question.
In the thank you email, I added a couple of sentences to strengthen the answer I had given. I sent the email off
just a few hours after the interview, and within two days, I had a job offer from the organization.

Use the following tips to create the most effective email possible:
• If more than one person interviewed you, send the email to each interviewer separately.
• Make sure you have the correct spelling and email address of your interviewer. Use the business cards
you got during the interview.
• Write a simple, clear and short message (2-3 paragraphs will do).
• You should include a thank you for the interview opportunity, a mention of something you enjoyed or
learned in the interview, and some extra information to strengthen your case.
• Close with a short summary of the reasons you think you are a strong candidate for this position and a
restatement of your enthusiasm for the job.
For further help with creating a thank you email, see Appendix 2 of this guide.
In Closing
At the beginning of this guide, we talked about how interviewing is a skill. As such, it is something that we can
all learn and improve. Actually going to interviews and practicing the process is a stressful, but necessary part
of this process. Sadly, there is no replacement for learning by doing. However, by following the suggestions
and using the information in this guide, you can dramatically reduce the number of mistakes you will make and
increase your chances of being successful in your interviews.
I encourage you to use the resources and information provided at the end of this guide to further sharpen your
interviewing knowledge and skills. Now go out and get that job that you have been wanting, preparing for, and
deserve to have. It could be just one interview away.
 APPENDIX 1: MAKING YOUR OWN NETWORKING/CALLING CARD

Calling cards are a great networking tool. They’re a quick, easy way to leave your contact information with
someone you have talked to about a job. Some people have their calling cards printed by a print shop. The
results can be very professional, but to save money, it is easy to make your own calling cards.

Steps to making a calling card in Word:

1. Open Word 2016. Open a blank document. Click on the Mailings tab at the top of the page.

2. Look for the Labels icon and click on it. A box will open. Click on Options.

3. Look for Label Vendors in the centre of the page. Click the downward arrow and select “Avery US
Letter”. From the Product Number box, go to the end of the list and select one of the numbers for
business cards. For example: 8471. Click OK.

4. A box called Envelopes and Labels will open. Click “New Document.”

5. A grid page will open with blue lines. This is where you will enter your calling card information. Look at
the sample card at the bottom of the page for ideas. Most people include: their name and contact
information, a list of their top skills and qualifications, and a line (like an Objective) the mentions the
kind of work you are looking for.

6. Type your calling card information in the first square area. Then, copy the finished information to all of
the other squares. You will now have your master page that you can use to print or copy a whole page
of cards. Save your finished page of cards to your personal folder on the computer. Then, email it to
Chris.

7. You can buy special packages of prepared business cards for printing at stores like Office Depot or
Staples. If you do this, make sure that you buy the correct cards. The number on the cards you buy
must match the Product Number in step 4 above (for example, 8471). If you don’t do this, the spacing
will not be correct when you print or copy your information onto the card paper. To save money, you
could buy special heavy paper (or card stock) from an office supply store and use that to print your
cards. If you do this, you will need a paper cutter or a sharp knife and a ruler so that you can cut your
cards evenly.

8. Want more ideas about card design and content? Microsoft has downloadable templates for business
cards. Or check out this link:
https://www.vistaprint.ca/business-cards/standard/templates/networking-cards-
c2233?m_pf_id=B7T&xnav=Networking+Card+Product+Page

Carla Vierra, B. Comm.

Experienced Executive Assistant

306-529-9549 [email protected]
Advanced Microsoft Office and Computer Skills*50
wpm keyboarding*Excellent writing skills*Strong time
management and prioritizing abilities*Well-developed
customer service skills

Professional*Tactful*Self-directed*Proactive
 APPENDIX 2: CREATING A FOLLOW UP EMAIL
1. Say thank you for the opportunity. Let the employer know that you appreciated the chance to meet
with them.
2. Let the employer know that you are still interested in the job. If something was said during the
interview that increased your interest in the job, mention it. For example: “Your explanation of the key
role of the Executive Assistant in your office has convinced me that this is a job I would enjoy”.
3. Communicate why you think the job is a good fit for you: “With my strong teamwork, communication
and organizational skills, I believe I would be able to make a valuable contribution to your company in
this position”.
4. Add more information. Maybe you forgot to mention something during the interview that would be
helpful to you getting the job. Or maybe you can improve an answer that you gave during the
interview. Example: “I would like to add that while I was secretary to the General Manager at Abko, I
was responsible for taking minutes of monthly meetings, writing them up and distributing them to the
staff members”.
“In addition to being familiar with Word and Excel, I regularly used Microsoft Outlook to schedule
meetings and coordinate the schedule of the General Manager. I also used a variety of websites to
arrange for his business travel”.

5. Repeat your interest in the position and tell them how and when you intend to follow up.

Sample follow up email:

Dear Mr. Shaadi:

Thank you for the interview we had today for the position of Management Trainee at Global Sound. I wanted
to particularly thank you for taking me on a tour of the store at the end of the interview. The friendly staff I
met, and the attractive working environment convinced me that I would enjoy working for your company.

As I mentioned in the interview, I have previous customer service, sales and cash handling experience and I
enjoy working in teams and with the public. I believe that all of these qualities would make me a strong
candidate for this position. During the interview you explained that Management Trainees might be expected
to train staff in future. I forgot to mention that in a past job at Tech Mart, I regularly had to work with new
staff to ensure they were doing their jobs correctly. This often required me to review store practices and
policies with them – an experience that helped me develop patience and training skills that I could use at your
company.

I really appreciate the time you took to interview me. I want to restate my interest in working for Global Sound
and I look forward to hearing from you about this position. I understand you are planning to make your
decision by this Friday. If I don’t hear back from you by that time, I will follow up with your office next Monday
to know your decision.

Yours sincerely,

Benjamin Ghazal
 APPENDIX 3 – FURTHER RESOURCES

Answering Classic Interview Questions

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interview-questions-and-best-answers-2061225

https://www.themuse.com/advice/interview-questions-and-answers

Answering Behavioral Questions

https://www.themuse.com/advice/30-behavioral-interview-questions-you-should-be-ready-to-answer

Interview Questions to Ask and Avoid

https://www.themuse.com/advice/10-interview-questions-you-should-never-ask-and-5-you-always-should

Websites for Researching Salaries

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Country=Canada/Salary

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages

Following up after Interviews

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-following-up-can-help-you-land-the-job

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNPWzQLQrM

Body Language for Job Interviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCWVi5pAa30&t=9s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ILREyQRh4

Material in this guide was adapted from the Muse website