Ok. Advice wanted. NOW.

[ashley_rb]

...on the first interview I doubt they are going to have the observers until they hone down the applicants - if there are more than two or three really good candidates.

There will be observers, I absolutely guarantee it. And I can quarantee you some of the applicants themselves will be observers only pretending to be applicants. Behavourlists pretending to be applicants are called seedlings.

Seedlings are trained to start up friendly little chats and they will be wired for sound. They also pass themselves off as business people "just" waiting in the waiting room to be called if there are only 1 or 2 applicants.

We were asked about a job interview that's for "international affairs area....." and we were asked if "Anyone work for an embassy or diplomatic mission before?"

I'm assuming said1 isn't going to McDonalds to be a fry cook or Red Lobster to steam some crab. I doubt its not a restaurant or retail job where you can get by on high school diploma, good looks and a smile.

Video tape will be recording from the front door to the waiting rooms to the interview room. Depending upon the job, there could be as many as 2 behavourists for every 1 applicant.

Embassy and diplomatic job interviews are not the same as other job interviews. The interviewers and behavourlists all ready know about the applicant before each applicant enters the front door.

 

[Curiosity]

Zan

You wrote:
Thirdly, I was in a nice place mentally for the last interview as I was already employed in another position - I didn't NEED the new job, but I did WANT it... this gave me a sense of freedom to really relax and be myself - and to remember that I'm waiting for the RIGHT job that fits me perfectly - so I guess I viewed this is as much more of a 2-way street - us interviewing each other rather than me being the only one on the hot seat...

In addition to a terrific sketch of worthy advice for any job applicant I beg people here to download your response for others to use in the future, and I was particularly taken with the quote
I put up from your essay.

The frame of mind for the interviewee is often a frail one - feelings of inadequacy or need keep jumping into the picture, when the applicant should be focused on the positives he/she brings to the prospective employer.

Interviewing for a job is equally important in that a person will spend countless hours, time and invest a great deal in learning a new company, its personalities, its standards, its method of operation and its future potential for security and growth within.

The interview is important for both parties - and the applicant should always consider his or her needs be met as well and hopefully arrive at a feeling of "I am going to expand my world with this job....it is right for me..."

Too many people think the job is what the employer wants. That is the wrong perspective and places the applicant in a submissive position. It is equally important the applicant understand personal skills and attributes are just as important (or imperative) to an employer - and if there is a match - exceptional things can happen.

Equally important - if there are any doubts as to a "match", these points in question should be discussed fully - even if the interview then leads to a non-hire - nobody wants to be in a job they hate or one in which they will not have the capacity to master.

I had to laugh at the reactions you got with your model of collapsible hierarchy. Some management (insecure) would no doubt hear that as "crumbling heirarchy" hahaha...

Good work - thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Curiosity]

...on the first interview I doubt they are going to have the observers until they hone down the applicants - if there are more than two or three really good candidates.

There will be observers, I absolutely guarantee it. And I can quarantee you some of the applicants themselves will be observers only pretending to be applicants. Behavourlists pretending to be applicants are called seedlings.

Seedlings are trained to start up friendly little chats and they will be wired for sound. They also pass themselves off as business people "just" waiting in the waiting room to be called if there are only 1 or 2 applicants.

We were asked about a job interview that's for "international affairs area....." and we were asked if "Anyone work for an embassy or diplomatic mission before?"

I'm assuming said1 isn't going to McDonalds to be a fry cook or Red Lobster to steam some crab. I doubt its not a restaurant or retail job where you can get by on high school diploma, good looks and a smile.

Video tape will be recording from the front door to the waiting rooms to the interview room. Depending upon the job, there could be as many as 2 behavourists for every 1 applicant.

Embassy and diplomatic job interviews are not the same as other job interviews. The interviewers and behavourlists all ready know about the applicant before each applicant enters the front door.

Ashley - that's exceptional stuff you know

I forget we are discussing Canadian diplomatic procedure and perhaps they have more people to staff the initial interviews at the early stages as well. Seedlings (or snitches) sounds absolutely vile. If one has to be suspect from the first moment on, I would rather question the mindset of the hiring group. Paranoia Place!

Cameras recording body language and interview responses are standard procedure but at the intial interview when you have twenty or more applicants? Really?

Even if the position was in enforcement activity or investigation,
the initial stab would be a review of experience, skills, intelligence, ability to relocate, and the standard stuff of government work.

If Saidl is already familiar with this interview procedure, she has obviously worked in similar posts and would understand the drill,
but it seems she is coming from a first time position - not in work skills - but in milieu familiarity.

Most government positions have to be advertised as part of the hiring codes. ( I assume Canada adheres to this general bulletin kind of recruitment )... therefore I have to disagree with your
scenario of so many observers - that would come later when the candidates are few and hopefully Said1 will be one of them.

Thing is with general recruitment - they are not hiring internally - so I has to be a Level 1, skilled job with little security clearance other than the standard for government of Loyalty Oath.

Still you have some real inside information and insight into the hiring practices and have opened doors many people may not have been aware of.

Good stuff and absolutely riveting to read. I also liked your observation regarding the Burkha tape on another thread and the fact some of the cloaks could be disguise for males.... you have been well trained!

 

[Jay]

Re: RE: Ok. Advice wanted. NOW.

Thanks for all the great advice and well wishes.

My clothes are ironed and I'm armed with bus tickets.

Till tomorrow.

Good luck, Said1!!

 

[jeckgo]

just pray to HIM....

good luck

 

[Said1]

Thanks again all, your comments are great.

Now, to the interview. As I suspected, there wasn't one. Just a group of 15 or so in a room waiting for over an hour to take a "test". I don't think everyone showed up either, not sure though.

During this hour, many people were rude to the receptionist, complaining and talking on cell phones. All the while people were coming in and out. Very heavy security, so I assume there were cameras everywhere and the receptionist could see everywhere with the monitors placed in her booth.

Having been in this type of situation once before, I just sat there and read old term papers I had in the bag I brought with me, because I thought I would more than likely have to wait.

Anyway, after about an hour and 15 min, the Deputy Commissioner finally emerged with 6 other men to distribute the test questions, clip board and pens. We had two small essays and a letter to write on the following topics: What do you like about Canada? Write a letter to the mayor complaining about the lack of snow removal in front of a city building downtown and What do you think the major challenges immigrants face after entering Canada? Any suggestions. Easy enough, despite my terrible penmanship and probable spelling errors. We had one hour and fourty minutes to do this with all the above mentioned present.

And that was that. I'll find out more later.

I was curious to see if anyone had interview with an embassy or commission because I knew the tactics Ashly mentioned were used, although to the extent of which I was unsure and wanted some pointers as to what to watch out for. I've been interviewed for embassy positions twice, one instance I turned the job down, the second position had language requirments I didn't have so I was turned down. Not sure why they wanted to meet with knowing this before hand, but it was a fun experience nonetheless.

Again, let me say thanks to everyone and taking the time to post in this thread, I really appreciate it!

 

[Jay]

Oh and I forgot to mention....wear something skimpy and revealing.

 

[MMMike]

Re: RE: Ok. Advice wanted. NOW.

Oh and I forgot to mention....wear something skimpy and revealing.

That's totally good advice, try flirting with the interviewer too. If you're nervous for the job interview, I always recommend bringing a flask and having a couple nips before going in. Or if it's more your thing, take a couple tokes a while before the interview... don't forget the visine. Make sure you don't come across as too eager or too uptight. Laugh a lot during the interview, and look at your watch often. If it is not going well, fake an illness and try to re-schedule.

I hope it goes well Said1! If you need anymore advice or tips, feel free to email me at unemployed_mmmike at hotmail dot com.

Cheers!

 

[Curiosity]

Said1 How exciting to read of your adventure!!!

It was so neat of you to include the whole forum and the advice you received - especially from Ashley concerning all the monitoring - no doubt put you way ahead of the group.

Now the wait begins ick!!

I am surprised they allowed cell phones in the offices. U.S. government will not unless you pass through some kind of security clearances and then only in designated areas. But they are way more paranoid down here....

I hope you have a treat planned for yourself after going through that stress this morning..... whatever it is relax and enjoy and we will be waiting for the next chapter !!!

WC

 

[Said1]

Woooot, round II tomorrow afternoon!

 

[Curiosity]

Said1

YAY!!! Crossed eyes, fingers and toes for ya....

At least you didn't have to wait for a week or longer. They sound like they mean business - rapido.

 

[cortez]

Ah, Said1, I hope you included this forum as one of the things you like about Canada...

Good luck on round 2....

 

[Said1]

Said1

YAY!!! Crossed eyes, fingers and toes for ya....

At least you didn't have to wait for a week or longer. They sound like they mean business - rapido.

I think they do mean business,which is good thing because they'll probably decide Wednesday at the latest.

@Cortez

How about giving the goat a shake, or whatever it is he needs to predict my future? Bbbhhhaaaaaaaa.

 

[cortez]

Frank the goat god carried you through this mornings interview...he has taken a liking to you....he thinks things will go very well for you....but he wants to tell you himself. Tonight he will appear in one of your dreams....do not be afraid.....he is a wise and kindly goat god, despite what you might have heard from the unbelievers.

PS He recommends that you not discuss the political content of these forums in your interviews.......

 

[Jay]

Re: RE: Ok. Advice wanted. NOW.

Woooot, round II tomorrow afternoon!

:thumbleft:

 

[Haggis McBagpipe]

Said, congrats, and good luck tomorrow. Beware of goat dreams, though. I have heard that they can be followed by Zoofer dreams, and sometimes even Zoofer Twofer dreams.

 

[I think not]

Good luck Said1

 

[Said1]

It went ok. Drilled with dozens of unusual questions, he laughed at my french. All in all, it was very intense and an experience I won't forget. I won't hold my breath though.

 

[I think not]

You could of always have told your interviewer to "talk to the hand"

 

[Haggis McBagpipe]

Hey! ITN has a new avatar, picked up on his travels! Is it a self-portrait? Said, if you didn't get the job it is because they suck. Who wants to work for them if they suck?