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Have an upcoming interview with a Canadian employer? Read on to find out how you can be their best candidate.


Before the Interview


Preparing for your interview is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. A well-prepared candidate shows the employer that they are organized and enthusiastic, and will bring those skills to the workplace. The following tips will help you impress your potential employer!


Get set up for the call in advance.

For video or phone interviews, be sure all of your technology is working. Prepare the following at least a day ahead of time:

  • Test your internet connection, microphone, camera, and speakers. Conduct a test call with a friend or family member to make sure everything is working.
  • Find a quiet area where you will not be interrupted by outside noise. For video calls, find a place with bright lighting and a simple background, such as a wall near a window in your home.
  • If the employer is calling you on the phone, be sure to provide them with your full phone number in advance, including your country code.
  • Be sure to check your email in the days leading up to your interview. Employers may reach out with questions, scheduling details, or video call links. Make sure you don’t miss any information that can help you to be prepared.


Know why this is the right job for you.

Be prepared to answer the question, “Why do you want to work for our company?” Employers love to see candidates who are excited to learn and advance their career in Canada. 

Hiring foreign workers is a big investment for employers. They want to feel confident that the candidate plans to work for them for a long time. Showing that you have researched the company and want to work there specifically will excite the employer. If you plan to seek permanent residency in Canada, be sure to let the employer know. 

Canada is a big country, and not all jobs are in large cities. You should know whether the location is urban or rural, what the weather is like, and whether French or English is the main language spoken. This will help you decide if the opportunity is right for you and give your employer confidence that you are ready to stay for a while. Show the employer that you have researched these aspects of the job as well.


Be ready to discuss examples of your successes in the workplace.

Canadian employers often ask candidates to talk about specific examples that prove you can succeed in the job. This is called behavioural interviewing, and it is becoming more and more common.

For each responsibility listed in the job description, think of a time when you used the required skills or a time you completed similar tasks. 

When an interviewer asks you to tell them about a time you solved a problem, communicated with coworkers, or used any other skills required for the job, give your answer in the following format:

  • Summarize the challenge you faced and how it needed to be solved.
  • Tell them about the actions you took to solve the problem.
  • Finish your answer by telling them the result of your solution.

 

During the Interview

If you have prepared for your interview in advance, you are all set up to impress your interviewer. Follow the guidelines below to connect with the employer and communicate the answers you have prepared clearly.


Arrive on time.

Join the video five minutes in advance. Arriving after the agreed upon starting time is considered very unprofessional by Canadian employers, and most expect candidates to be five to ten minutes early.


Take your time.

Don’t be afraid to pause before answering a question. Taking a moment to think of the best answer shows the employer that you are thoughtful and a good communicator.

Avoid speaking too quickly, as it can make it difficult to understand your answers. If you are having trouble understanding the interviewer, you can always ask them to repeat themselves.


Ask questions.

At the end of the interview, most employers will ask if you have any questions. Having no questions to ask can make the interviewer think that you are not interested in the job. It is best to think of one or two thoughtful and specific questions as you prepare for the interview. This can also help you gain more information to decide whether you would like to accept the job if it is offered to you.


Be mindful of cultural differences.

International candidates may be surprised to find Canadian employers more casual than employers in their home country. Canadian employers highly value friendliness and enthusiasm as well as professionalism. Applicants can give a good impression by smiling often, making eye contact with the speaker, and showing the employer that they are excited to be interviewing. If an employer introduces themselves by their first name, you can call them by their first name.

 

After the Interview

The hardest part is over! After the interview, leave your interviewer with a professional impression.

Thank the employer for the opportunity as you finish the interview. If you like, you can also reach out with a short email afterwards, thanking them for their time and mentioning an aspect of the job that excites you.


Follow Up

If you haven’t heard back from the employer after a week or two, you can send them an email asking whether the role has been filled. Even if you are not selected, always be polite - another opportunity with the employer might come up!


Ready to apply for more Canadian jobs?

Check out our job board and apply to our many opportunities today!


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End-of-Year Immigration & Work Permit Updates

By Dirk Propp • November 17, 2025
As provinces work to use up their remaining 2025 nominations and travel-based permit applications gain popularity, it’s never been more important to plan ahead, both for employers and workers.  Provincial Nominations Have Returned Provinces across Canada have received some of their unused nominations back, meaning more opportunities for both employers and applicants. We encourage you to check each province’s immigration website for updates as they begin issuing these newly available spots. From experience, government programs operate on a “use it or lose it” basis. Provinces that don’t use their full nomination allotment may receive fewer in future years. With the end of the year approaching and a potential reset of nomination quotas, most provinces will be working to allocate every remaining nomination before 2026. In Saskatchewan, where the program previously closed after reaching capacity, the province is now creating a list of employers and contacting them to confirm whether positions are still needed. This allows them to issue Job Approval Letters (JALs) and proceed with nominations. If you’re an employer in Saskatchewan who hasn’t yet joined the queue, now is the time to get your name on that list. Holiday Work Permit Applications to Work in Canada Holiday Port of Entry Applications are a new and growing trend, and I believe we’ll see a steady increase in these for those who qualify. Traditionally, people would go to the nearest land border to obtain a new work permit based on their LMIA, nomination, PR in process or an applicable exemption. However, beginning in 2025, land borders will no longer be able to issue work permits, which makes Holiday Port of Entry applications a new and viable option. It’s important to note that people previously had the opportunity to apply for work permits from within Canada, so this wasn’t a problem. That option has also been removed, further reinforcing the relevance of Holiday Port of Entry applications for work permits. If you're from a country not listed below, you’ll need to apply for a new work permit and cannot use a Port of Entry to obtain a decision without submitting an application. In that case, your options are to apply from your country of citizenship or from a country where you are legally permitted to be and currently present. This introduces the concept of the Holiday Application, many destinations now have quick work permit processing times. By applying online after you land, you can enjoy a short warm (or cold) holiday while waiting for a decision on your new work permit. Individuals from the countries listed below are able to apply for a work permit upon entry, based on holding an eTA. There are two main groups to consider: Visa-exempt countries that can always apply upon entry, and2. Conditionally visa-exempt countries, where eligibility depends on the applicant having held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or currently holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. In my opinion, it would be wise to stay at least a day or two as part of your holiday so that it’s not blatantly obvious that you are “Holiday Flag Poling.” Take the opportunity to genuinely enjoy a short holiday before obtaining your work permit to return to Canada. For individuals who are not from a visa-exempt country, check which countries you are legally permitted to travel to and how long you can stay there. Then, review how long it takes to obtain a work permit from that location if you’d prefer not to return to your home country to apply. For employers: If you have a worker whose status has expired or who has gone out of status, and that worker entered under a Dual Intent LMIA, you are not required to pay for the flight home or to another country they choose (as long as both parties agree). For Low-Wage LMIA applications, however, it’s important that employers do pay for the return flight, so speak with your employee or applicant in advance to confirm costs and ensure this is arranged. Lastly, applying for a work permit while traveling does not guarantee approval. A strong and professionally prepared application is always recommended. Ultimately, the immigration officer has the discretion to make the final decision. So feel free to reach out to the team at Fill a Role before hand to get assistance and a second-opinion.