Re: ANY CANADIAN INTERVIEW TIPS PLEASE -MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Dear All,
I have been very fortunate today as one of the directors I sent my resume to in Calgary is actually coming to the UK shortly and will interview me here. Prior to our meeting however, this gentleman would like to conduct a telephone interview with me.

May I please ask your advice on this - it may seem like a weird question - how to act in an interview - but I know when I came to UK 10 years ago I blew a couple of interviews in London because I wasn't self deprecating enough ( I came to UK via South Africa) and I mentioned money!!! A no-no in England. Also in South Africa the less you say (within reason) the more seriously people take you - in England it is seen as a lack of confidence if you don't talk a lot.



I want to thank Judy most warmly for all the info I got on looking for jobs in Canada (Thanks Judy, I followed the advice on writing a cover letter and I've had this response) I get the impression Canadians want you to "blow your own trumpet" a bit but would appreciate any tips on handling a phone interview based on your experience.

I have done a lot of research on the company and feel relaxed that I can discuss technical issues around the business, it is more the communication style I would like to learn about.

Best regards
Hazelr

Re: ANY CANADIAN INTERVIEW TIPS PLEASE -MOVING TO CALGARY
 

I`m absolutely delighted to hear that you`ve reached the interview stage, Hazel. :thumbsup:

If you haven`t already stumbled on it, there is a BE Wiki article called Job Interview. It includes advice on phone interviews as well.

I think it probably would be a good idea not to raise the topic of money during initial discussions with a prospective employer.

Canadians usually are friendly, but generally more introverted (quieter) than Americans. Of course that`s a broad brushstrokes description of the entire nation`s collective personality. Naturally there are differences from person to person.

Canadians also are quite informal. For example, the interviewer and you probably will be on first name terms right from the start.

I would say that, compared with South Africa, a prospective Canadian employer would expect you to blow your own trumpet more. But, on the other hand, don`t go overboard either. There`s a happy medium. I think that, if you`re a Saffer who has lived in the UK for a while, you probably have achieved that happy medium by now.

Try to find out whatever you can about the hiring company between now and the interview. This will help you to draw attention to the ways in which your skills and experience would be a good fit with the company`s needs.

Also review in your own mind your work experience, and consider the ways in which your work has added value for the companies for which you`ve worked. Think of the problems you have solved, the ways in which you`ve saved the company time, the ways in which you`ve saved the company money, the ways in which you have increased revenues, the ways in which you`ve streamlined procedures, the ways in which you have delivered excellence to customers, etc. Try to think of these achievements in quantifiable terms, e.g., how much time, how much money, how big of a reduction in customer complaints, or whatever.

Be ready to use these concrete examples when you answer questions about your strengths.

Prepare an answer in case the interviewer asks you what you main fault or weakness is. It`s a good idea to name a characteristic that some people would regard as an asset, e.g., you sometimes have a tendency to be a perfectionist.

Send a thank you email after the interview. Use it as an opportunity to flatter the interviewer by mentioning something that he said about his company during the interview that impressed you favourably. Also use the opportunity of the thank you email to draw attention one or two ways in which your skills and experience fit with the company`s needs.

This past weekend I wrote a new Wiki article called Marketing Yourself. If you haven`t already stumbled on it, you may find it helpful.

Another thing I would advise you to do is to go into the interview with the idea that the interview is a potential business partner of yours. You want to enter into a win-win relationship with him. You want a job in Calgary, but you also want him to find a suitable person for his vacancy. Don`t be too hung up on whether or not you are the the suitable person for that vacancy. Try to feel happy for the interviewer if he finds a suitable person, any suitable person.

Regardless of whether or not you are selected for this position, the interview will provide you with invaluable information and feedback about that specific industry in Calgary and about job hunting in Calgary. Be grateful for that information and the opportunity to obtain it.

You now have proved to yourself that you are interview material in Calgary. That achievement is huge. Celebrate that.

Also remember that you were successful in relocating from South Africa to the UK. You are more than equipped to relocate from the UK to Canada.

Now ....... go get em, girl. :thumbsup:

Look out for a dose of karma. :)


Postscript: Kudos to mcrocker, who created the Wiki on covering letters. :thumbsup:

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Hazel,

I don't quite know how to break this to you, but ...

If this poster thinks the Calgary Shames are awesome, then you will have to treat the rest of his comments with a large pinch of salt.

With regrets

JonboyE

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Jerome Iginla for MVP 07/08!!! \o/

Shinkansen

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Please don't tell me that you think the Vancouver Cannots are better. ;):p:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

But the difference is that most Canucks fans know better than to have high expections of their team or to call them awesome. They suck and we don't care cos that's what we expect. :cool:

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

I can't answer for Flames fans as I'm not one of them, but they do appear to be very much bandwagon jumpers. :p

I have been a supporter the WHL Calgary Hitmen for the 13 years they've been in Calgary. ;)

I truly believe it's a much better brand of hockey at a way more reasonable price. :)

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

10/06/07 Van 4 Cal 3 OT @ Calgary
11/08/07 Van 3 Cal 2 @ Calgary
11/18/07 Van 4 Cal 1 @ Vancouver
12/31/07 Van 1 Cal 2 @ Calgary

QED.

I must admit that Jerome would look pretty in a Canucks uniform.

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

There is more to the NHL than games against Calgary. :p

Apologies to OP for hijacking thread.:o

I'll say no more on the topic and see if it drifts back to where it belongs.;)

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

I know! I remember that scary, macho, intimidating Calgary Hitmen teddybear hanging from your rearview mirror. :p :rofl:



I agree. I use to go watch the Victoria Cougars ... many years ago! They are now in Prince George (I think?).

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Amen to that Steve !! The WHL (and AJHL) is accessible and entertaining hockey....:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

MrM

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

Certainly true about the price. Even in the cheap seats at GM Place you are looking at $100 each once you throw a couple of beers into the mix. Giants (Vancouver's WHL team) charge $16.50 in the "popular" end and $18.50 elsewhere.

You get a good game of hockey too.

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

That wasn't/isn't a Hitmen teddy bear. I just like teddy bears so I have a little one hanging from my rearview mirror. People who know me are surprised when they see it. :confused::p:rofl::rofl: Mrs_P has a Hitmen bear on her mirror though.;)

Yes they are.:)

Re: PLEASE HELP A NEWBIE MOVING TO CALGARY
 

I support the Flames (whenever I support an ice hockey team, hard to do from the UK!) as that's my second home; the city I've lived in before and where I intend to live in the future.

Much like I support Portsmouth as that's where I was born and bred for 21 years! Blue blood in these veins.

I don't think that constitutes bandwagon jumping? Quite the contrary. I think it's impossible to truly support a team without feeling some affinity for the city/town they represent.

Shinkansen