5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Job Interview

careers • June 5, 2023

After hours of hard work searching and applying for jobs, you finally have an interview - Congratulations! Interviewing for a new job is exciting, but it can also be very stressful. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about what to expect from a job interview in Canada.

Here are 5 tips that will help make sure you leave a great impression at your job interview:

1. Research the company before your interview

When a company is hiring a new employee, they want to know that the candidate takes initiative. That’s why it’s important to learn about the company before your interview. Having a good understanding of the company you are interviewing for shows the hiring manager that you are serious about the opportunity. Before your interview, spend some time on the company’s website to learn about:

• The product or service that the company offers
• The company’s history
• The company’s culture

2. Dress to impress

Your clothing choice says a lot about you, especially when meeting someone for the first time. When you are interviewing for a job, it’s important to be well presented. Unless otherwise indicated, we suggest following a business casual dress code for your job interview. Here are some resources to learn more about what business-casual attire looks like:

• Business-casual dress code for men
• Business-casual dress code for women
• Gender-neutral business-casual attire

Even if your interview is remote, it’s important to present yourself well. Follow the dress code above, but also make sure that:

• The lighting is good
• The background is neutral
• The internet connection is reliable
• You won’t be disturbed during your interview

3. Know what questions to expect during your interview

While all job interviews are different, many hiring managers ask similar questions during their interviews. Take some time to review these 19 common interview questions and answers to prepare. Aside from these questions, be prepared to answer questions about:

• Your experience in the industry
• The specific company you are interviewing for

4. Body language matters

Having good body language in a job interview can help set you apart from other candidates. Confidence is key! If appropriate, start the interview with a firm and friendly handshake. Make sure that you are smiling during your interview so that the hiring manager knows you are excited for the opportunity. It’s also important to practice good posture during your interview. Keep your chin up and your shoulders back to show the hiring manager that you are easy-going, and confident in your abilities. Finally, make sure to maintain eye contact. This will improve your communication and help build a connection with the interviewer.

5. Follow up after your interview

Before you leave your job interview, thank the hiring manager for their time and tell them you look forward to hearing from them. If you haven’t been contacted about the job after 5 business days, it’s a good idea to follow up. Send a short and respectful email to the hiring manager. This email should thank them again for the opportunity and let them know that you hope to hear back soon.

Interviews can be stressful, but now that you know what to expect, you have nothing to worry about. Just follow the tips and let your personality shine. You’re going to do great!

Learn more tips on how to find a job in Canada.