Your first job interview

An interview for an hourly job is usually short and friendly. The manager wants to know three things. Are you reliable? Can you work the shifts they need? Will you be kind to customers and coworkers?

You don't need perfect answers. You need honest, clear ones. A little practice makes a big difference.

What the interview might look like

Interviews for store, restaurant, and warehouse jobs come in a few forms:

A quick chat on the spot. Sometimes a manager talks with you when you drop off your resume. Dress neatly when you hand out resumes, just in case.
A phone or video call. Find a quiet place, charge your phone, and have your resume in front of you.
An in-person interview with a manager or supervisor, usually at the store or workplace.
A group interview. Some employers meet several applicants at once. Listen, take turns, and don't talk over others. Managers notice teamwork.

Common questions and how to answer them

"Tell me about yourself." Keep it short, about 30 seconds. Say what you are doing now (school, newly arrived in Canada, looking for a first job), one or two strengths, and why you want this job. For example:

"I'm in Grade 11, and I'm looking for my first part-time job. I volunteer at my community centre on weekends, so I'm used to helping people. I shop here often, and I like how friendly the staff are."

"Why do you want to work here?" Show that you know a little about the place. Maybe you like their products, it is close to home, or you want to learn customer service.

"What is your availability?" This is often the most important question for hourly jobs. See the next section.

"Tell me about a time you worked on a team." Use a school project, a sports team, volunteering, or family responsibilities. Explain the situation, what you did, and how it turned out.

"What would you do if a customer was upset?" Stay calm, listen, apologize for the problem, and try to help. If you can't fix it, get a supervisor. Managers like to hear that you know when to ask for help.

"Are you comfortable standing all shift, lifting boxes, or working early mornings?" Answer honestly. If you have a limit, say so politely.

"Do you have any questions for us?" Always ask one or two. Good examples:

What does a typical shift look like?
How will I be trained?
How are schedules made, and how far ahead will I know my shifts?

Talking about availability

For many hourly jobs, availability matters more than experience. Before the interview, write down:

The days and hours you can work each week
Times you can't work, such as classes, religious practice, or family duties
Any dates you will be away
How many hours a week you want

Be honest. If you say you can work every weekend and then ask for every Saturday off, it will cause problems later.

If you are an international student, your study permit limits how many hours you can work off campus during school terms. Read Your first job in Canada as a newcomer before you promise any hours.

What to bring and what to wear

Bring:

Two printed copies of your resume
A pen and a small notebook
Your written availability
A list of references, with their names, how they know you, and their phone or email. Ask them first.
Copies of any certificates

You don't need to bring your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Service Canada explains that an employer needs your SIN only after you are hired.

Wear clean, neat clothes, similar to what the staff wear but a little neater. Arrive about 10 minutes early. Turn off your phone's sound.

Questions an employer should not ask

Human rights laws in BC and Ontario protect job applicants, not just employees. An employer should ask only what it needs to know to decide whether you can do the job.

Questions about your religion, where you were born, your marital status, or your family plans are generally off-limits. Learn more from the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

An employer can ask whether you are legally allowed to work in Canada. It can also ask whether you can work the shifts the job needs.

In BC, employers also can't ask how much other employers paid you. That is part of BC's Pay Transparency Act.

If you hear a question that feels wrong, you can stay polite and bring the talk back to the job. For example: "I'm not sure how that relates to the job, but I can tell you I'm available every weekend."

Trial shifts must be paid

Some employers ask you to work a "trial shift" before they decide to hire you. In both provinces, this is work, and you should be paid for it.

BC: Employment Standards gives the example of an applicant asked to work a four-hour shift to see if they can handle the job. That person is an employee and is entitled to be paid (BC Employment Standards definitions).
Ontario: Since March 21, 2024, a person who works during a trial period is an employee, and those hours count as work time (Ontario hours of work).

After the interview

Say thank you. Send a short email the same day or the next day. Thank them, say you are still interested, and mention one thing you liked.
Wait about a week. If you haven't heard back, send one polite follow-up email or make one call.
Keep applying. Don't stop your job search while you wait.

Ontario has a newer rule that helps here. Since January 1, 2026, if an employer with 25 or more employees interviews you for a publicly advertised job, it must tell you within 45 days whether a hiring decision has been made (Ontario job posting rules).

If you don't get the job, it's okay to ask politely for one tip to improve. Every interview is practice for the next one.

Next steps

Polish your resume: Writing your first resume with no work experience
Learn the warning signs of fake jobs: Job scams that target first-time job seekers
Find jobs to apply for in Metro Vancouver or the Greater Toronto Area