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immigration interview preparation

Immigration interview at the Canadian embassy.
Examples of questions and good answers.
Civil engineer.

Иммиграционное интервью в Канадском посольстве.
Примеры вопросов и ХОРОШИХ ответов.
Инженер-строитель.

Why do you want to leave Russia?

I am looking for opportunities for further professional growth for myself. Canada is an excellent country to raise children in. I am looking for social and economic and social stability….

Why do you want to come to Canada?

What do you expect Canada to be like?

Friendly people, a very pleasant country overall, the sort of environment that encourages one to live and work to the fullest.

Is there any specific reason why you chose Canada as your destination?

We have relatives there. We’ve been to Canada and came to the conclusion that everyone will benefit if we relocate there. It has a climate almost identical to Russia. This country has a huge economic potential. It has vast territories, some of which will require development as the population grows. As a civil engineer, I will be in demand for the next 30 years (unlike in Europe).

What do you do now?

I work for a construction company. I am responsible for the entire construction process. I have a number of projects going at a time. March is a slow season. We wrap up the old projects and are preparing for new ones to start in May. March is the time for looking for orders and intense negotiations with clients and sub-contractors.

What do you see yourself doing in five years from now?

I hope (in fact, I expect) to have my own construction and development company. I will probably be building single family houses.

How do you plan to support yourself for the first few months in Canada?

I have some savings. Construction is (or was till recently) a very profitable business in Moscow. I am a partner of the company where I work, and our company is a successful operation.

What is the source of your money?

As I said, construction was a profitable business till last year’s crisis. Plus I have some property I may be selling. That will allow myself to live comfortably while learning English, upgrading my skills, and looking for a job. I may even be able to make a good down payment on a house using my savings.

Does you mother plant to join you in Canada?

My parents were born and raised in Moscow, and they are very strongly attached to the city. Plus, they are very well off. Chances that they’ll want to make such a move are quite low. I’d venture to say she won’t.

What if you are not allowed to immigrate?

Naturally, I’ll be disappointed. But life will go on. Canada will have one less good civil engineer and one good tailor.

What will you do if you can’t find a job?

I am an active person, and being out of work is not my thing. Perhaps the job I’ll have will not be ideal, but being totally out of work is simply not possible. If, however, I don’t get the right sort of a job, I’ll ask myself what I am doing wrong. Quite possibly I’ll need to upgrade my skills, or learn the job hunting techniques.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I am, first of all, a family man with two teenage kids. They require lots of attention. That’s what I do with my spare time. I dare to say that they seem to be turning into quality young adults…. We like sports and culture, such as theatre and exhibitions.

Where in Canada do you want to go to?

We’ll go to Toronto first. The rest will depend on where I can get a good job. I understand that the demand for civil engineers is higher up north, so I may have to go there. The reason why we’ll go to Toronto first is because our relatives are there. They’ve been living in Canada for a long time and they are very knowledgeable and well-established. Being able to go to them for an advice will help us considerably during the adaptation and settlement stage.

What do you know about demand for people of your profession there?

I know that finding a good job in Toronto will not be easy. At the same time I will always be able to make a living there. I know that I will have to take professional courses and obtain Canadian professional certificates. I expect to spend a year or so learning English and another year attending professional courses. So, if all goes well, I should be all settled in 2-3 years. Fortunately, I have some savings to support myself during that time. I promise I will not be a burden to the taxpayer during the adaptation and settlement phase. While attending courses I will probably work part time. That will help me professionally too.

How will you look for a job?

Networking and communication is the key. I will talk to people and tell everyone who I am and what I can do. I will study the job market, make a list of serious construction companies in my area and contact them. I will post my resume in the Internet and subscribe to job search databases.

What do you know about Canada?

I have only very general knowledge about Canada. This is beautiful country, with developed economy, high technology, good educational system. As an engineer I know quite a bit about construction techniques used there. They are becoming fashionable in Russia now. In our company we use and recommend to our clients Canadian models and techniques.

Do you have any friends or relatives there? Tell me about them.

Luba has lots of relatives there. They are Ukrainians who came to Canada shortly after the Bolshevik revolution. Most of them live in or around Toronto.

What is your wife’s occupation? What university did he go to?

Luba is a tailor. Her specialization is outer garments. She graduated from the tailors college in 1980.

Whose decision was it to apply for immigration?

It was a joint decision. It is a very important decision, and we needed to discuss it thoroughly.

How do you plan to support yourself while learning English?

I have some savings. I am financially prepared to spend a few months in the intense study of English and perhaps attend professional development courses to bring my qualifications up to the Canadian standards and requirements.

What do your parents think about your plans?

They think I am crazy.

What will you do if unable to find a job?

I will ask why. Perhaps I need to improve my English. Or may be the matter is my social skills. Or professional level, in which case I will get a part-time job in the industry and attend college.

Do you have any close relatives who will remain in Russia?

Just my parents.

What is your state of health?

Excellent. We live healthy lifestyle and take care of ourselves. We understand how important it is to be healthy.

Do you have any other skills in addition to your main profession?

Lots of things. I can act as an architect. I can work as a surveyor. Electrical work is another thing I can do. Construction equipment repair too…. I am a fairly proficient computer user.

Will you keep your Russian citizenship?

I would prefer to keep it. No doubt I will need to travel back to Russia once in a while. Having Russian citizenship will make the process easier.

Have you been to Canada before?

Yes, twice. I went there in 1989 for the first time, and then in 1995. We wanted to visit our relatives.

Where do you work?

I work for construction company “Instroyservice”. I and four friends of mine set it up in 1996. This company specialized in single family housing in the Moscow region.

How long have you been working there?

Since 1996, when it was founded.

Where did you go to school?

I graduated from the Moscow Civil Engineering Institute, the Faculty of Industrial and Civil Construction. I graduated in 1986 or 1987.

What was your area of specialization?

Industrial and civil construction. Now, of course, I work almost entirely as a civil engineer.

Is your profession in demand in Russia?

Yes, very much so. This is one of the most demanded professions, and it pays well. Or it did before the crisis anyway.

Are you able to read professional literature in English?

Occasionally I do. In fact, I often have to read Canadian materials because Canadian methods and techniques are becoming very fashionable in construction.

What exactly are your job responsibilities?

[TO BE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY]

Do you have any publications? Tell me about them.

No, unless we count orders and construction site instructions as publication.

If engineers of your type are not in demand in Canada, what will you look for next?

I will have to see how I can adjust my professional profile to fit the market demand.

Why do you think you will be better off professionally in Canada?

Actually, I am quite well off in Russia. There is one exception though: I need stability. I am a family man, with two children, and I need predictable environment to do my best.

Do you have any children?

Yes, a son and a daughter. They are 12 and 13. I spend a lot of time with them, and they seem to be turning into good young adults. I think they’ll benefit greatly by relocating to Canada.

Aren’t you afraid to be homesick after a while?

Yes, that’s one of the dangers. I think I will be too busy to be homesick, for the first few years anyway.

Tell me about your obligations in Russia.

I have not unfulfilled obligations. Other than supporting my parents, of course.

What kinds of emergencies did you have do deal with as part of your job?

Good Lord, none! In our company safety comes first. Actually, I never had a serious emergency at any of my sites.

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immigration interview preparation