Canadian Career and Culture: Job Guide for Making a Great Impression

In this week’s issue

• Job Guide for Making a Great Impression

• Phrases for Dealing with Stress at Work

• Newcomer-Friendly Job Listings

• 4 Secrets to Building a Life in Canada

Career Corner

Job Guide for Making a Great Impression

A great first and last impression can make you more memorable – and it’s easier to do than you think.

Austin Belcak recently made a post about this, and spoke specifically about how you can improve the small talk at the beginning of the interview and your questions at the end.

The key to small talk? Do your research!
With social media, it’s easy to find a shared interest or hobby and find a way to weave it into conversation.

Maybe your interviewer volunteers for a local animal shelter—or they recently attended a conference you also followed. Mentioning this early on can help build rapport and make the conversation more human, less transactional.

✅ For example: “I saw on LinkedIn that you spoke at the Toronto Tech Summit. I’ve followed that event for a few years now—how was it in person this year?”

But don’t fake it.
It might be tempting to invent a shared interest to sound relatable, but that can backfire fast. Authenticity matters, and trying too hard can come off as disingenuous. The point isn’t to impress someone by pretending you like rock climbing or niche software—it’s to connect on real ground.

✅ Instead, look for overlap that naturally fits your experience or interests—even if it’s small. You might both be new to Canada, have studied at the same university, or care about mentorship.

End strong with thoughtful questions.
At the end of the interview, skip generic questions like “What’s the company culture like?” Instead, ask something that shows you’ve been paying attention and are already picturing yourself contributing.

✅ Try this: “You mentioned the team is exploring new ways to streamline reporting—how do you see someone in this role contributing to that initiative in the first few months?”

Learn the Lingo

Phrases for Dealing with Stress at Work

How you deal with stress has a huge impact on how you’re seen at work.

While stress itself is inevitable, a quick shift in your communication can make a big difference in how you're perceived—especially in the Canadian workplace, where calm communication and solution-focused language are often valued.

Dr. Carolyn Frost, a work-life integration specialist, recently shared a list of phrases to avoid in high-pressure moments. Here are a few that stand out to us—and how you can reframe them to stay grounded and professional.

"Why is this happening to me?"
This phrase often slips out when you're caught off guard or feel like things are spiralling out of control. It may seem like a harmless way to vent, but it can come across as defeatist or self-pitying—especially in team settings where others may also be under pressure. Rather than focusing on the why, shift your attention to the what now.

✅ What to say instead: “What’s the next step I can take here?” or “Let me clarify what’s expected so I can move forward.”

“I can’t handle this right now.”
You might say this when you’re feeling overwhelmed, under pressure, or receiving last-minute requests with no clear direction. Instead of reacting in the moment, take a beat. Even a short pause can help you respond with clarity and control.

✅ What to say instead: “Can we prioritize the most urgent tasks?” or “I need to focus on one thing at a time to do good work.”

“I’m stressed out.”
Saying you’re stressed can feel like an honest expression—but it may sound reactive or vague to others. Instead, try describing your next action or time frame to give people confidence that you’re still moving forward, even if things are tough.

✅ What to say instead: “I need some quiet time to get this done well”

“This wasn’t my fault.”
In moments of tension, it’s natural to want to defend yourself. But the Canadian work context often values accountability over blame. Shifting to a forward-looking response shows maturity and builds trust—even if the mistake wasn’t yours.

✅ What to say instead: “Here’s what I observed, and here’s how I plan to move forward.”

SECURE YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE IN CANADA

Planning to move to Canada but unsure where to start?
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Newcomer-Friendly Job Listings

• Construction Site Foreman/Woman, Niagara Falls, ON

• Construction Site Supervisor, Brampton, ON

• Administrative Officer, Calgary, AB

• Plumber, Surrey, BC

• Sales and Marketing Manager, Surrey, BC

• Agricultural Equipment Technician, Oyen, AB

• General Manager - Financial, Communications and Other Business Services, Surrey, BC

Canadian Culture Highlight

4 Secrets to Building a Life in Canada

Last week on My Great Canada, Lidia May shared her story of how she settled in Canada—and the mindset shifts that helped her thrive.

We highlighted the 4 biggest takeaways from her journey:

Let go of what you thought you knew
Cultural surprises are part of the journey. Lidia learned to treat them as opportunities to grow—not signs she didn’t belong.

Make friends outside your cultural bubble
Some of her most meaningful friendships came from pushing past the comfort zone of her own community.

Learn how the system works
Understanding Canadian systems—from social norms to job search culture—wasn’t optional. It was empowering.

Choose optimism, even when it’s hard
Lidia doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. But she believes optimism is a tool—and she uses it daily.

Now a Canadian citizen, mother, and creator of the YouTube channel Ice to Nice, Lidia shares honest advice for newcomers navigating Canadian life.