" My overall impression is that they want quality people and if you are the right type of person, they will try their best to get you in rather than try to find a way to refuse you." [MORE] LARA |
The Canada List and The Canada Coffee Club are owned and managed by Penny Nelson All content copyright P Nelson. |
What really happens in an interview? [DETROIT INTERVIEW] [LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW] DETROIT INTERVIEW (LODGED IN BUFFALO) From Janine in Toronto: This is a proud new Canadian immigrant talking to you. The whole thing took about 20-25 minutes, but I waited for an hour and 20 minutes before I was called. This was nerve-wracking, watching people go in and coming out with either grim faces or smiles... But the interviewing officer couldn't have been nicer to me and didn't ask any of those awkward esoteric questions I was so dreading (like, why are you leaving SA, why do you want to come to Canada etc.) She said she wanted to concentrate on the job offer, (Penny, this is the way to go for sure!) and that I needed to convince her that I was as qualified and experienced for the job as I was made out to be. So I burbled on about precisely what it is one does as an editor, etc and answered a few questions about [my previous jobs]. She checked details on the application form and when it came to the point to check funds transferrable to Canada, I said that I had drawn the landing fee off the American account in the hope that I could pay it right there and then. She said, sure, if I had it on me I could do so and that this was good, because she was going to approve our application! Had we done our medicals? Yes, I said, and produced the receipt. Then to my amazement, she called up the results right there and then. Ottawa was doubtless super efficient in prcessing it all so quickly. She didn't even ask about the police clearance, only asked whether I had ever committed any crimes (!). Then I asked if I could please pre-pay for the documents to be sent by courier. She said this wouldn't be necessary because if I came back at 2, I could collect them there and then! So with profuse thanks and expressions of great excitement, such as you've made my day, my year, in fact, our lives, I took my leave. By then it was 12.20 so I floated blissfully back to the hotel, finished packing, made a few calls, changed my train ticket for the 5.30 train from Windsor and had something to eat in a realio truelio all-American diner! Just across the river, which is a bit like standing on the Embankment and looking at the buildings on the other side of the Thames, this is the distance between America and Canada. A quick 5 minute ride via the tunnel under the river and there one is and how totally different the 2 countries are. Got back here finally at 10.45 last night, exhausted but happy. I resisted the temptation of putting the big brown envelope containing the immigration documents under my pillow last night. There was a light snow fall during the night, so it's very pretty to see everything sprinkled. There's quite a wind, though, and oddly enough it's a whole lot colder than when I got here last week and Toronto was thickly blanketed with snow. Maybe I'll get to wear that thermal stuff afer all! [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW (LODGED IN BUFFALO) From Lara in Cape Town: [FOR LARA'S FULL STORY, CLICK HERE] We arrived at 8:30, half an hour early and onlygot called in at 11am! That 3-hour wait... well my insides were jelly, wondering, will I come out with a smile or tears. At reception, I was told to hand in all my documents. I had to take everything out the plastic sleeves and file and just hand it all over, including all our passports. I gave my research info in as well. Our interviewer was friendly, but my heart dropped when she there was a huge debate at Buffalo about my assessment, as they did not know in which category I qualified. She told me there was no demand for bank managers and she could not possibly pass me on that or on financial planning as there was low demand in these fields. I had the feeling she saw my potential and that I was skilled and could add value, that she wanted to pass me but just had to find out how. She asked me to describe what I did so I could be reassessed. I explained my job to her and she said she would place me in the investment analyst category as a lot of what I do falls in this category, and it's in demand. She scored me high on suitability and adaptability etc and got me up to 69/70 points, which is what she needed to pass me... and much to my relief, accepted! The interviewer said my original assessment was wrong to begin with and I could see how easily I could have been rejected without an interview (even though we used a Canadian immigration attorney). I don't blame my attorney, because the category in which she placed me also resembled much of what I did previously, before I went into investments. But the case officer was really helpful, and helped us find a suitable category in which to qualify. My overall impression is that they want quality people and if you are the right type of person, they will try their best to get you in rather than try to find a way to refuse you. Besides clarifying my job they asked very little else, just generally questions and very briefly about the cold. We said we had visited Canada in December. She asked nothing else, I happened to mention many people were leaving SA and she asked why. I just spoke about our high crime rate and she agreed people cannot live like that. And she thought LA had the highest crime (haha)! I said I was sure we would be very happy in Canada and she agreed. When they gave me the booklet on new immigrants to Canada with all the information about moving... well, I could have hugged it because that was when it felt real! In truth, the whole thing was such an anti-climax even though I was still shaking afterwards... it felt unreal that we had finally been accepted. As the day wore on, excitement increased and I started feeling relieved, excited and very thankful to my Maker who made it possible. Now it is just the medicals, but my only slight concern is with hubby's high cholestrol and stomache ulcer. PRETORIA INTERVIEWS (LODGED IN PRETORIA) From Brigitte, about to leave SA: All I can remember was that they aren't interested in why you want to leave SA, but more why you want to Canada. I know this is very vague. Sorry I cannot help more. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] From Tracey in Ontario: I don't know if the interviews are the same in Buffalo as in Pretoria. We went through an Immigration Service who gave us all the tips when we were called in. One excellent point we were given was to be prepared and take a file of all our homework. They can be harsh and really nail you on all questions but our interview was wonderful. Such a lovely lady and we had a good chat for close to an hour. The drive up to Pretoria was dreadful. Our nerves were shot and after waiting for almost an hour for them to call us we were eventually called in. Did not ask us to many questions but more interested in my husband's line of work. We were called in for the interview, as my husband came up two points under the required amount and the interview officer did not want to reject our application without meeting with us. She was very interested that he had had Airforce training. (At the time we did not know why they called us in - she told us in the interview that we were two points short). He is a Field Service Engineer. We were told to take a file containing all our financial statements (estate agent valuation, all available money that can be taken with us, bank statements, any shares/unit trust certificates etc), Certificates of any kind (CV birth certif, marriage certif), references, all info we had obtained from the internet, books etc on Canada. Which all had to be set out smartly in plastic sleeves. The Officer in particular loves seeing that you come prepared. All along we were told by our agent that an interview does not always mean good news. In our case it was up to the Officer to give us a "positive recommendation" if she was happy with us (which she gave us, which then had to be approved by her Senior). We weren't told in the interview if we had been accepted and had to wait another week and a half to hear. I was not asked many questions, but as mentioned before, she really nailed my husband. Hopefully it is a good sign that you have already received your medical forms. We only got ours after our interview which still then had to be sent to Nairobi for approval. Were do you have to go to for medicals? She only asked us why we had chosen Canada and nothing else as I said, she was more interested in my husband's line of work. She knew everything about his job description and typed everything he said onto her laptop which gives her a final point at the end. Hope I have been of some assistance. The wait has been extremely long (19 months in total) and a week ago we received our Landed Immigrant Visas. After being told that our interview was successful we had to go for our medicals - which took 8 and a half weeks to get a reply back. But it was all worth it in the end. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] CAPE TOWN INTERVIEW (LODGED IN PRETORIA) From Pieter, still in SA: My letter of confirmation and the letter for the Medicals after my interview have finally arrived. As you can tell, the interview went well. The lady that did our interview was an absolute sweetie. She flew down from Pretoria specially for our interview here in Cape Town. That saved me a trip up north. The interview was a bit of a tough one for me. It lasted not for the normal 30 minutes, nope - mine lasted all of one hour and forty five minutes. She wanted to know my work experience from day one till now. That was so that she could determine if I am entitled to apply for immigration under the job title that I did. The only other thing she asked us was if we would be able to cope with the winters. That's it. Nothing else. At the end of the interview she said that she was happy with what I told her and that, pending the medicals, we are accepted. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] |
What really happens in an interview? [DETROIT INTERVIEW] [LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW] DETROIT INTERVIEW (LODGED IN BUFFALO) From Janine in Toronto: This is a proud new Canadian immigrant talking to you. The whole thing took about 20-25 minutes, but I waited for an hour and 20 minutes before I was called. This was nerve-wracking, watching people go in and coming out with either grim faces or smiles... But the interviewing officer couldn't have been nicer to me and didn't ask any of those awkward esoteric questions I was so dreading (like, why are you leaving SA, why do you want to come to Canada etc.) She said she wanted to concentrate on the job offer, (Penny, this is the way to go for sure!) and that I needed to convince her that I was as qualified and experienced for the job as I was made out to be. So I burbled on about precisely what it is one does as an editor, etc and answered a few questions about [my previous jobs]. She checked details on the application form and when it came to the point to check funds transferrable to Canada, I said that I had drawn the landing fee off the American account in the hope that I could pay it right there and then. She said, sure, if I had it on me I could do so and that this was good, because she was going to approve our application! Had we done our medicals? Yes, I said, and produced the receipt. Then to my amazement, she called up the results right there and then. Ottawa was doubtless super efficient in prcessing it all so quickly. She didn't even ask about the police clearance, only asked whether I had ever committed any crimes (!). Then I asked if I could please pre-pay for the documents to be sent by courier. She said this wouldn't be necessary because if I came back at 2, I could collect them there and then! So with profuse thanks and expressions of great excitement, such as you've made my day, my year, in fact, our lives, I took my leave. By then it was 12.20 so I floated blissfully back to the hotel, finished packing, made a few calls, changed my train ticket for the 5.30 train from Windsor and had something to eat in a realio truelio all-American diner! Just across the river, which is a bit like standing on the Embankment and looking at the buildings on the other side of the Thames, this is the distance between America and Canada. A quick 5 minute ride via the tunnel under the river and there one is and how totally different the 2 countries are. Got back here finally at 10.45 last night, exhausted but happy. I resisted the temptation of putting the big brown envelope containing the immigration documents under my pillow last night. There was a light snow fall during the night, so it's very pretty to see everything sprinkled. There's quite a wind, though, and oddly enough it's a whole lot colder than when I got here last week and Toronto was thickly blanketed with snow. Maybe I'll get to wear that thermal stuff afer all! [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] LOS ANGELES INTERVIEW (LODGED IN BUFFALO) From Lara in Cape Town: [FOR LARA'S FULL STORY, CLICK HERE] We arrived at 8:30, half an hour early and onlygot called in at 11am! That 3-hour wait... well my insides were jelly, wondering, will I come out with a smile or tears. At reception, I was told to hand in all my documents. I had to take everything out the plastic sleeves and file and just hand it all over, including all our passports. I gave my research info in as well. Our interviewer was friendly, but my heart dropped when she there was a huge debate at Buffalo about my assessment, as they did not know in which category I qualified. She told me there was no demand for bank managers and she could not possibly pass me on that or on financial planning as there was low demand in these fields. I had the feeling she saw my potential and that I was skilled and could add value, that she wanted to pass me but just had to find out how. She asked me to describe what I did so I could be reassessed. I explained my job to her and she said she would place me in the investment analyst category as a lot of what I do falls in this category, and it's in demand. She scored me high on suitability and adaptability etc and got me up to 69/70 points, which is what she needed to pass me... and much to my relief, accepted! The interviewer said my original assessment was wrong to begin with and I could see how easily I could have been rejected without an interview (even though we used a Canadian immigration attorney). I don't blame my attorney, because the category in which she placed me also resembled much of what I did previously, before I went into investments. But the case officer was really helpful, and helped us find a suitable category in which to qualify. My overall impression is that they want quality people and if you are the right type of person, they will try their best to get you in rather than try to find a way to refuse you. Besides clarifying my job they asked very little else, just generally questions and very briefly about the cold. We said we had visited Canada in December. She asked nothing else, I happened to mention many people were leaving SA and she asked why. I just spoke about our high crime rate and she agreed people cannot live like that. And she thought LA had the highest crime (haha)! I said I was sure we would be very happy in Canada and she agreed. When they gave me the booklet on new immigrants to Canada with all the information about moving... well, I could have hugged it because that was when it felt real! In truth, the whole thing was such an anti-climax even though I was still shaking afterwards... it felt unreal that we had finally been accepted. As the day wore on, excitement increased and I started feeling relieved, excited and very thankful to my Maker who made it possible. Now it is just the medicals, but my only slight concern is with hubby's high cholestrol and stomache ulcer. PRETORIA INTERVIEWS (LODGED IN PRETORIA) From Brigitte, about to leave SA: All I can remember was that they aren't interested in why you want to leave SA, but more why you want to Canada. I know this is very vague. Sorry I cannot help more. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] From Tracey in Ontario: I don't know if the interviews are the same in Buffalo as in Pretoria. We went through an Immigration Service who gave us all the tips when we were called in. One excellent point we were given was to be prepared and take a file of all our homework. They can be harsh and really nail you on all questions but our interview was wonderful. Such a lovely lady and we had a good chat for close to an hour. The drive up to Pretoria was dreadful. Our nerves were shot and after waiting for almost an hour for them to call us we were eventually called in. Did not ask us to many questions but more interested in my husband's line of work. We were called in for the interview, as my husband came up two points under the required amount and the interview officer did not want to reject our application without meeting with us. She was very interested that he had had Airforce training. (At the time we did not know why they called us in - she told us in the interview that we were two points short). He is a Field Service Engineer. We were told to take a file containing all our financial statements (estate agent valuation, all available money that can be taken with us, bank statements, any shares/unit trust certificates etc), Certificates of any kind (CV birth certif, marriage certif), references, all info we had obtained from the internet, books etc on Canada. Which all had to be set out smartly in plastic sleeves. The Officer in particular loves seeing that you come prepared. All along we were told by our agent that an interview does not always mean good news. In our case it was up to the Officer to give us a "positive recommendation" if she was happy with us (which she gave us, which then had to be approved by her Senior). We weren't told in the interview if we had been accepted and had to wait another week and a half to hear. I was not asked many questions, but as mentioned before, she really nailed my husband. Hopefully it is a good sign that you have already received your medical forms. We only got ours after our interview which still then had to be sent to Nairobi for approval. Were do you have to go to for medicals? She only asked us why we had chosen Canada and nothing else as I said, she was more interested in my husband's line of work. She knew everything about his job description and typed everything he said onto her laptop which gives her a final point at the end. Hope I have been of some assistance. The wait has been extremely long (19 months in total) and a week ago we received our Landed Immigrant Visas. After being told that our interview was successful we had to go for our medicals - which took 8 and a half weeks to get a reply back. But it was all worth it in the end. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] CAPE TOWN INTERVIEW (LODGED IN PRETORIA) From Pieter, still in SA: My letter of confirmation and the letter for the Medicals after my interview have finally arrived. As you can tell, the interview went well. The lady that did our interview was an absolute sweetie. She flew down from Pretoria specially for our interview here in Cape Town. That saved me a trip up north. The interview was a bit of a tough one for me. It lasted not for the normal 30 minutes, nope - mine lasted all of one hour and forty five minutes. She wanted to know my work experience from day one till now. That was so that she could determine if I am entitled to apply for immigration under the job title that I did. The only other thing she asked us was if we would be able to cope with the winters. That's it. Nothing else. At the end of the interview she said that she was happy with what I told her and that, pending the medicals, we are accepted. [TOP] [BACK TO MYTHS!] |
Page last updated: 30 June, 2001
That interview! |
The Canada List and The Canada Coffee Club are owned and managed by Penny Nelson All content copyright P Nelson. |
" My overall impression is that they want quality people and if you are the right type of person, they will try their best to get you in rather than try to find a way to refuse you." [MORE] LARA |
