Congratulations! You have passed the written exam(s). Many individuals perceive the hardest aspect of the recruitment process to be the written portion.
When will I be notified?
Most departments in the Government of Canada will invite you for an oral interview two to three weeks prior to the interview date. If you cannot make it to the exam on the assigned date, contact the designated person immediately. They will do their best to accommodate your needs and find a mutually convenient time. If you are invited for an interview within less that 72 hours, I highly advise that you attempt to reschedule your appointment so that you have at a minimum of days to prepare.
What will I be assessed on in the oral interview?
Before describing the goals of the Canadian Public Service interview, it is important to know that the exam is structure differently from the typical types of interviews in the private sector. Firstly, you will have no less than two people interviewing you. Secondly, you will be evaluated based on an assessment guide which is a list of pre-determined questions (and answers) that you will be asked during you interviews.
Taking the above in mind, apart from your knowledge and personality, the only way to distinguish yourself from others will be by asking detailed questions at the end of your interview. The questions that you will be asked in the oral interview have three principal goals:
1) To assess if your personality and that of your future department is a good fit;
2) To assess your knowledge of the department and other qualification criteria as per the Statement of Merit; and,
3) To assess your ability to express your ideas orally.
Note that hiring mangers have the flexibility to hire based on merit criteria as well as other organizational needs and will not hesitate to employ an employee who they believe is knowledgeable and a good fit for their unit.