Application Screening

• Your application will be reviewed by Human Resources and the Hiring Manager.
• Only those chosen for an interview or assessment will be contacted and that generally takes place within 2-4 weeks from the application deadline.
• All communication will be made by email or phone. Check emails including junk/spam mail folder regularly for messages.

Interview and Assessment

• The interview panel will consist of a Hiring Manager and a representative from Human Resources.
• You will be asked a set of pre-determined questions that will allow the hiring panel to determine how closely you meet the requirements of the position.
• The recruitment process may require you to complete a practical assessment or a presentation. If this is required as part of the recruitment, you will be advised and provided with the necessary instructions. 
• We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation please notify Human Resources and we will work with you to meet your needs.
• Your interview may be conducted virtually. Please see tips below on how to best prepare for a virtual interview.

Job Offer

• Once all the assessments, interviews and reference checks for a position are complete, the successful candidate will be contacted with a verbal offer. If you are not the successful candidate, you will receive a notification by email.
• Your job offer is conditional until all additional documentation (example, criminal records check) has been provided and accepted by Halton Region.

Onboarding

• You will be asked to complete new employee paperwork before your start date.
• We offer corporate and departmental onboarding for new hires.

Interview Tips

The key to a successful interview is preparation!  Below are tips that the Talent Acquisition team has put together to help you prepare for your interview. 

Tips for Before the Interview

1. Research the position and Halton Region before the interview. The more you know about us, the more prepared you will be to speak to how you’ll bring value to our organization.
2. Review the job posting and think about how your experience and skills align with the requirements.
3. Reflect on who you are. Think about: Why do I want this job? What do I have to offer?
4. Practice responses to common interview questions including behavioral, situational and technical questions.
5. Review experiences you have had at work, in school and in volunteer activities.
6. List your accomplishments.
7. Prepare questions to ask the panel at the end of the interview. This helps to show your interest in Halton and that you have done some research. You might consider asking:

• How various departments work together?
• How employees are oriented to their new role?
• What challenges the organization face?
• What are the expectations of the role in the first 3-6 months?
• What can you tell me about the workplace culture?

Tips for During the Interview

1. Be on time for your interview. Plan your schedule so that you can arrive 10–15 minutes early.
2. Wear appropriate attire to the interview.
3. Ensure to turn off your mobile devices.
4. Take notes if you need, especially when interview questions are being asked.
5. If you need an interview question repeated, just ask. If you need to skip a question and go back to it later in the interview, that’s fine too. 
6. Be honest about your experience, skill set or expectations.
7. Keep your answers concise and focused.
8. Do not speak negatively of previous employers.
9. Be yourself! Your responses will feel and sound more natural.

Types of Interview Questions

You will be asked a standard set of interview questions specific to the position you are being interviewed for. Questions may be in various formats such as:

1. Behavioural interview questions: This type of question is an open-ended question that invites you to draw on your past experience. Some examples of behavioural interview questions are:

• Tell us about a time where you had to use your communication skills to ensure the message was clear and concise when delivered. Would you do anything differently?
• Tell us about a time when you had a conflict with another team member and how it was resolved?
• Tell us about a time when you had to act quickly, with very little planning?

To answer these questions thoroughly, you should use the STAR approach. Discuss the specific Situation, Task, Action and Result of the situation you are describing:

• Explain the situation or task at hand.
• Describe what you did and how.
• Describe the outcome of your actions.

2. Skills-based interview questions: These are job-specific questions to confirm that you have the required education and/or skills for the job. An example would be:

• Please highlight how your qualifications, experience and skills make you an excellent candidate for this position. What interests you most about this position?

3. Situational-based interview questions: Situational interview questions are similar to behavioral interview questions but they are focused on the future, and ask hypothetical questions. Some examples of situational-based interview questions are:

• Describe a time your team resisted a new idea or policy. How did you handle it?
• The priorities for a project you were working on suddenly changed. How would you handle this situation?

Tips for After the Interview

1. Have questions prepared to ask the panel – this may help you stand out from your competition!
2. Be patient, the hiring process may take longer than the hiring panel expects.
3. Be positive, learn from your interview experience, if you are not selected for the position don’t be discouraged.

Your Virtual Interview:

We are currently conducting all interviews using Zoom.. Below are some tips to help you prepare:

• Test your software: You will be sent the Zoom meeting details by the Talent Acquisition Assistant before the interview start date. Test your software before the interview. Make sure your signal strength is adequate and the camera and microphone both work and are set up so the selection panel can easily see and hear you. 
• Minimize distractions: Find a spot that is free of anything distracting in the background. The space should also be well-lit and control for outside light. Too much light coming through the windows or too little can make you difficult to see, and that can get in the way of connecting with the selection panel.
• Dress the part: your attire should be the same as an in-person interview. 
• Monitor your body language: During a virtual interview, the main way to convey confidence is through your body language. Sit up straight, smile and keep the camera at eye level to avoid looking up or down.
• Contact our team for any issues: Get in touch with the Talent Acquisition Assistant for any issues in connecting via Zoom.

NOTE: You DO NOT have to download the Zoom app to attend the interview. You can join using the web browser, by simply clicking on “Launch Meeting”, which will give you the “join from Web browser” option.

Good luck at your interview!