Words (Core Vocabulary)
- phone screen / HR screen / hiring manager interview
- panel interview / technical screen / case study / take-home
- STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- culture add / values alignment
- offer letter / conditional offer / background check
- compensation (salary, bonus, equity/stock options, RRSP match)
- probationary period / start date
- onboarding / orientation / buddy / mentor
- policies (code of conduct, privacy, security, harassment)
- tax forms (e.g., TD1), direct deposit, emergency contact
- equipment / access / accounts / permissions
Phrases (Prep → interview → offer → start)
Interview prep
- Could you share the agenda and interviewers’ names?
- How long should I expect for the panel and case?
Answering with STAR
- Situation/Task: In my last role, we faced…
- Action: I led a cross-team plan…
- Result: We cut defects by 40% within a quarter.
Questions to ask
- What does success look like in the first 90 days?
- How is performance measured (KPIs/OKRs)?
- What’s the team’s collaboration style (tools, cadence)?
Offer & negotiation
- Thank you for the offer—is there flexibility on base or RRSP match?
- Could we clarify the probationary period and vacation policy?
Onboarding
- I’ve completed the TD1, direct deposit, and policy acknowledgements.
- Could IT confirm my accounts and equipment for Day 1?
Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)
- Before interview: Hi [Recruiter], could you confirm the panel format and whether there’s a whiteboard or take-home?
- Negotiation: Thank you—based on market data, I’m targeting $X base; is there room to align?
- Onboarding: All forms submitted; laptop received. Could you grant access to the shared drive and Jira?
Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)
Interviewing
- prepare STAR stories
- research the team
- practice case studies
- align with values
Offers
- review the offer letter
- clarify compensation
- negotiate base/bonus
- confirm the start date
Onboarding
- complete tax forms
- set up direct deposit
- acknowledge policies
- request system access
Canadian Cultural Context (How to sound natural & polite)
- Interviews are typically polite and structured; being concise and data-backed helps.
- Negotiation is common; keep tone respectful and evidence-based.
- Expect probation and standard onboarding paperwork in week one.
Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)
- STAR opener: “In that situation, the team lacked metrics; I introduced a weekly dashboard and reduced backlog by 30%.”
- Offer ask: “Is there flexibility on vacation or RRSP matching?”
- Day-1 check: “Could you confirm access to email, calendar, and repositories?”