What about truck drivers? Are they expected to wear a shirt and tie too when they're going for a job interview?

Only if they are applying for a job as a commedian.

Too bad I'm out of karma for today......

In the end, the question about ties was irrelevant ... we had the first informal discussion via telephone

I got throught the first hoop ... the company in question require candidates to be interviewed by eight people in total ... they pay well, they have good benefits and a very low staff turnover and they want to keep it that way

Theye were one of the first companies to interview me when I first came to Calgary ... I was told to get more experience of big Canadian companies ... I was not impressed ... three years of working with big Canadian companes later, I understand why a freshly imported Brit attitude might not have gone down well

Hope it works out Glas, but 8 people in an interview !!! The most I've ever been interview by in one go is 4.

You say that a fresh brit attitude isn't what a big Canadain company wants, any specifics or just general approach to work?

Simon

Definitely a bow tie. Then, everybody will think you are a jackass!

In your case I'd recommend a spangly one that spins

I said a total of 8 ... I hope that doesn't mean 8 all at the same time.

General approach to work and attitude to life ... Canadians look at business a different way ... maybe I'm getting to understand the Canadian experience requirement.

Now you're getting it! Hope it turns out positive for you. You're right to look around and try to improve your situation, but understand (I imagine you already do) not to discuss this with any fellow employees at your current employer. You could get fired if they find out that you are looking for other employment.

I asked a friend of mine - who used to own a large business out of Vancouver - what he thought of Brits that he had employed in the past. He said at times he found the attitude of some of them rather annoying, because they would be critical of him with other employees and they had a superior attitude in general. So you Brits need to be rather circumspect in what you say on the job.

That is probably the one key thing that shapes attitudes here ... you don't have to do very much to get fired ... your boss just has to be having a bad day.

True ... be very cautious of what you say in general in Canada ... I just don't give any opinions any more and you can't trust your fellow workers as far as you can throw them either

Give what a Brit would call an honest opinion and you'll be branded negative ... always try to be constructive and positive.

Don't say "Fred's attitude is a pile of sh*t and I just can't work with him", say something along the lines of "we would work more effective as a team if we could communicate more effectively, I know somewhere that runs courses on that" ... just think for a few minutes before opening your mouth.

Gordon Brittas would love Canada

Useful advice, kiss ar** and never speak ill of the boss. This doesn't bode well for me though I've a reputation for speaking my mind. It seems to score points with 50% of people and lose them with the rest.

Actually, you can say whatever you want that is in no way job or employment related. However, if it is somewhat related to your employment or to other workers or the boss, you ought to be extremely careful with what you say - and perhaps that's the way it ought to be in any country. If people (especially the boss or those with a longer time with the company) end up being offended by you or simply can't stand working with you because of a poor attitude (which can drag the whole place down), why should they have to put up with you? They can work with a guy they hate or they can get someone else. In such a case what would you do?

Having a positive, gung-ho, kick-ass attitude for the company (or the business) can get you far in North America, and that's even when you really think the boss is a big asshole. Businesses want to see profits, and if they can clearly see that you're one of the guys that's making it happen for them, that will also get you promoted or get you nice pay increases.

Contrary to popular belief, ass-kissing will not necessarily get you very far, it may just prevent you from getting fired.

It's always nice to see a smile on an employee's face and a hop in their step when they show up for work, like they are enthusiastic about working there. An employee who looks like they slept in and had to drag themselves to work will impress no one.