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| Subject: Detroit Interview Details |
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Interview Details:
Attire: Coat and Tie is not a requirement. I was planning to wear coat and tie until somebody posted here that we might look like somebody from Miami Vice, so I changed my mind. I saw several applicants wearing ?unoffice? attire but got the visa. One was even wearing a jogging suit pair and got the visa. One was not even wearing shoes, was wearing sandals though and got the visa. I saw one wearing long-sleeves and tie but was denied the visa. So it?s not about the clothes really. However, it is always to your best interest to go out there wearing presentable clothing. It would be good to note though that today, the visa officers that I saw were wearing casual clothing. Funny are the things you observe while waiting.
Arrival: If your schedule is between 9:00 AM to 10:30, expect some delays (between 1 hour to 1 ?). Your schedule coincides with the application/issuance of Temporary Visitors Visa. However, I would still recommend to go out there early and wait rather than be late. My schedule was 11AM but I arrived a little past 10 AM. I immediately informed the person in the Information Cubicle that I was there for an interview and gave the interview letter. About 10 minutes before 11, my name was called to submit the documents. Around 11:45, I was called in for the interview. About 12:10, the interview was over.
Research about Canada: I did a lot of this. None was useful during the interview. The officer focused on my job description and duties. However, going in the interview prepared with your researches can buy you some peace of mind knowing that you will be ready just in case facts about Canada will be asked.
English Test: In my case, I did not take it. I presented a detailed explanation of my English Ability and I included a lot of certifications from people that can support my claim on proficiency in English language. During the interview, the officer asked me if I took the test. I said I did not because I believe that I could explain my proficiency and could present several certificates from people that can support my claim. The officer then told me, okay I am even increasing your points from the original point given to you by the first officer. What an angel! Apparently, the first officer gave me a low score for reading and writing. No idea how she judged that though.
Eye to eye contact: Never look in any other direction. I was almost cross-eyed for staring eye to eye at the officer while talking but the officer was not even blinking =). You will not believe, while she was staring at me unblinking, she was typing so fast taking down notes.
?Questions about the job:
What the officer told me: Tell me what you do....but before you answer, this is what I want to hear. I don?t like you to describe the company. I don?t like you to start from 1976. I don?t like to hear ?we did this and that? I like to hear ?I did this and that?. If you are doing some work that is not related to what you are applying for today, I don?t like to hear about it. Really an angel! Made it easy for me.
My answer: I detailed every project that I did. I detailed every step that I took. From systems designing to coding to analysis etc. I did not answer in general terms I answered in details and I always used "I".
Follow up question: How do you design a system?
My answer: I answered based on my actual experience....too long to write here though. However, before I even finished, she cut me off?I got scared I thought I irritated her?but she told me ? I know it is not polite to cut somebody off but I am already satisfied with all your answers and you?ve said everything I want to hear? Is she an angel or what???
?Needless to say, the above events may or may not be applicable to every applicant/officer.
After that, she told us that we passed the points and that she is just waiting for the medical results and we should be okay. She then gave me a bookmark with O Canada words on it and she gave me her card. She told me to check on the Detroit list of files ready for visa issuance.
So that?s it?.my Detroit interview experience .... scary....challenging...satisfying...and full of blessings....Goodluck to all of you. =)
[23-09-2005,05:53]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05 |
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(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation - its very helpful. Congrats on clearing your interview.
[23-09-2005,12:23]
[**.117.66.45]
Kenny |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Wow--what a great post. Thank you Joe05 for writing such a detailed description of what some of us might encounter. This was very kind of you, and I´m so happy for you that you passed with flying colors. Congratulations!
[23-09-2005,16:02]
[***.188.116.10]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
thanks to you two and goodluck too... =)
[23-09-2005,20:16]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05 |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Congrats Joe05...i have my interview in October in Detroit....your detailed post is a great help for me...i really appreciate this......Thanks and Good Luck...can you tell me if when and where did you do your medicals...?
[23-09-2005,21:15]
[**.247.123.149]
Steve |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Hi Steve, goodluck to you....
I did my medicals a little late...August (Connecticut USA)... and accdg to the visa officer 3 months is the minimum for them to see the meds results....but I already saw from the tracking numbers that my meds have reached Ottawa last Aug 31. Goodluck Steve....just make sure you know your job duties by heart and you´ll be fine....
[23-09-2005,21:22]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05 |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
That was really nice of you Guyz, and appreciate your efforts in sharing your experiances...Good luck n Welcome to Canada.....Cheers :)
[23-09-2005,22:58]
[**.92.143.215]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Hry Joe05...You wrote that officer asked you,"Tell me what you do"...its little unclear for me.....Did officer mean that What do you nowadays or you have been doing in the past or what is your work history.....Because in my case, i graduated in December last year and haven´t got any job uptil now.....i am unemployed, i do an odd job to manage my living.....During my medical exam, Doctor asked me, what am i doing these days. I replied i am a student, i have no job. I dont know why but i did not mention my odd job. And Doctor wrote that on my medical forms infront of me that i am a student and doing nothing. Thats why i am little confuse if Visa Officer asked you if what do you do now or what have you done in the past.
Secondly i did not take the IELETS as well instead i sent some letters from my teachers about my english proficiency. Do you think i should get the new letters or those old letters are gonna work? Please advice Joe05...i know i am asking lots of your time but it will be a great help my friend.....thanks and waiting for your reply....
[23-09-2005,23:16]
[**.247.123.149]
Steve |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
English Test: I included the old certifications from my original application, also I included new letters/certification from new people that can support my knowledge on English language...so get as much certifications as you can from people who knows you can communiate in English...Include certificates from your banker....pastor or priest or rabbi (whichever applies)...teachers are great....
Work History: As I have mentioned, I chose to be honest with the officer so I gave them my pay stubs for my odd jobs as well as work letter for this odd job too. When the officer told me....TELL ME WHAT YOU DO....she meant my job....but she immediately followed it up with....LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I WANT TO HEAR...do not describe your company...do not start with 1976...If you are doing some work that is not related to what you are applying for today, I don?t like to hear about it. So my interpretation was she just wanted to hear everything that concerns the job position that I am applying for in Canada...as a Systems Analyst/Programmer...so I just mentioned about the things I did as a Sytems Analyst/Programmer....
She reviewed all the papers that I submitted on the day of the interview so I assumed she saw everything there including my being a delivery driver...
My question for you: Are you applying as a skilled worker? What NOC # did you apply? Did you have years of experience in this NOC? If your experience happened within the last 10 years then you are okay.
I am most happy to be of help...If there´s some more vague things about this, please don´t hesitate to ask...I will answer as much as I can.
Goodluck and God Bless!
[24-09-2005,00:54]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05 |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
PS...
I think what you said to your doctor will not have any bearings on this...goodluck
[24-09-2005,00:58]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05 |
(in reply to: Detroit Interview Details)
Thank you so much Joe05....actually i am an international student in USA....graduated in December 2004 and presently looking for a job on OPT.....During the education period i worked as Student Security Officer with my University Police for about one year. Before that i used to work as Assistant Lecturer at one of the Universities back home. Well all my experience happened within last 7 years. Since security job was on campus, after the graduation its no more. I am on OPt and have applied thousands of jobs but no success so far. Therefore i work sometimes as a cashier, and sometimes sales person for different leather products companies on biker shows. I have no appointment letters for such jobs because most of the jobs i do are on cash, because they are seasonal and my bosses are mostly from my home country. So there is no such formality of paystubs, appoinment letters. I hope you have an idea what i am talking about. When i applied as a skilled worker, ofcourse i mentioned that i am working as a Security Officer, because that was the job i was doing. But i have no intention to go to canada to work as a security guard or officer. Definetly its not the job i would be looking for in Canada. I have switched so many jobs, every kind of experience i have on my resume, therefore i have no idea if Visa Officer ask me such question, what am i suppose to answer.....any feedback will be highly appreciated. Thanks Joe....
[24-09-2005,01:09]
[**.247.123.149]
Steve |
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