Information Interviews

The New Canadians Centre, through its employment counsellor, also facilitates information interviews.  The purpose of these information interviews is to allow you to meet an employer, a manager or owner of a particular organization face to face and ask industry-specific questions.  Oftentimes newcomers coming from different cultures do not understand the daily function of their former professions within a Canadian context.  How does a particular industry operate?  How do employers obtain business and who are their customers? How does one obtain employment in a particular sector?  What skills and attributes are employers looking for when they hire someone?  Here are some basics objectives of information interviews:

• To give you an opportunity to learn about an organization
• To ask managers about the different services available at their organization and in their sector
• To ask about how to apply for work with an organization and in a sector
• To find out how your qualifications can prepare you for a position

Please keep in mind that information interviews are not job interviews.  Instead of trying to get a job there focus on the advice and information that is offered.  The key question: how can you better prepare yourself going forward.  The information you gathered from someone connected with an industry is very valuable and assists you in your career path.