"THE BIG QUESTION LIST"
A selection of some typical questions asked of at the immigration interview at the Canadian Embassy. Some have sample answers or comments. Start your interview preparation process here.
Why do you want to leave Russia?
(Everyone has their own reasons, but that life here treats you badly is of no concern to the visa officer unless you are applying under the refugee category, which is probably not the case as Russia does not generate refugees.)Why do you want to come to Canada?
(Give positive, dynamic reasons. Re-orient your thinking from past problems to future opportunities. See the Linguistic Masochism exercise.)What do you expect Canada to be like?
Is there any specific reason why you chose Canada as your destination?
What do you do now?
(Russians tend to point out their place in the hierarchy: I am a director, I am a chief engineer etc. A brief description of your job would be more appropriate here. See Values and Differences.)What do you see yourself doing in five years from now?
What, if anything, are you doing in preparation for your life in Canada?
How do you plan to support yourself for the first few months in Canada?
What is the source of your money?
Does you mother plant to join you in Canada?
What if you are not allowed to immigrate?
What will you do if you can’t find a job?
(The only proper response, in word and deed, is analysis and action. You will ask yourself and/or obtain advice to determine why, and plot an appropriate course of actions: English/French courses, professional development or what not.)What do you like doing in your spare time?
(You are a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests. If by the end of the day you are so tired that you can only plump into a chair in front of TV, you are out of the game.)Where in Canada do you want to go to?
(Do your homework, demonstrate preparedness.)What do you know about the demand for people of your profession there?
(Same. I'll be glad to help you investigate the Canadian job market.)How will you look for a job?
(That's one huge separate topic. See the summary of my CREATIVE JOB SEARCH TECHNIQUES seminar. This event will probably be repeated in September or individually on demand.)What do you know about Canada?
(Do your homework, and concentrate on what is RELEVANT. If you are a mining engineer, it would be good for you to know where mining is done etc.)Do you have any friends or relatives there? Tell me about them.
(If you do your homework right, you will make some friends pretty soon.)What is your husband’s occupation? What university did he go to?
(University of Nizhnii Tagil does not mean much unless you say that he/she studied mining, aircraft building or whatever. Give some RELEVANT information. See the HELICOPTER JOKE.)Whose decision was it to apply for immigration?
How do you plan to support yourself while learning English?
What do your parents think about your plans?
What will you do if unable to find a job?
Do you have any close relatives which will remain in Russia?
What is your state of health?
Do you have any other skills in addition to your main profession?
(That's your key to quick adaptation and future success. Pick up new skills as you are waiting for your application to be processed. You will not go wrong studying English/French, computers, or getting your driver's licence. See the "Life Skills" section.)Will you keep your Russian citizenship?
Have you been to Canada before?
(A simple NO sounds ugly.)Where do you work?
(Avoid Soviet-era minimalistic answer such as "Enterprise Voskhod". "I assemble and test water pumping systems for the Voskhod company in Syktyvkar. Half of salt mines in Russia use Voskhod pumps because they are most reliable and economical. A few years ago a Canadian company Canuck Industries bought a truckload of pumps from us.")Please describe your typical day.
How long have you been working there?
Where did you go to school?
What was your area of specialization?
Is your profession in demand in Russia?
Did your work involve a lot of travel?
Are you able to read professional literature in English?
What exactly were your responsibilities at this job?
(An example of a typical BAD answer: I was a chief engineer. My responsibilities included various engineering duties.)Do you have any publications? Tell me about them.
Where did you learn programming?
If engineers of your type are not in demand, what will you look for next?
How did you find your present job?
Tell me about building under permafrost conditions. How is it different?
Why do you think you will be better off professionally in Canada?
Do you have any children?
Tell me about your relatives in Canada.
Aren’t you afraid to be homesick after a while?
Tell me about your obligations in Russia?
Some questions will be very technical and specific to your profession:
What exactly are CNC machines? Where are they used? What skills are needed to operate them?
What kinds of emergencies did you have do deal with as a powerhouse engineer?
What is involved in setting up an Internet site?
What is UNIX?
What's the difference between UNIX and LINUX?
What irrigation techniques would be appropriate for tomato farming in Manitoba?
What road surface materials do you work with?
Note: An interview is not an interrogation. It is perfectly OK for you to talk back
and to take an (appropriately) active role. Ask questions, take notes, draw illustrations, use all the means at your disposal to come across as an active, adaptable professional.
