Your application caught the attention of a company in Canada or the United States? The interview will almost always take place by video, often in several rounds, with slightly different codes from European recruiters. Here is how to prepare.
Master the remote format
- Check the time zone: Montreal, Toronto and New York are six hours behind Paris, Vancouver and San Francisco nine hours.
- Test your connection, camera and microphone, and choose a neutral background.
- Log in a few minutes early: punctuality is expected.
Prepare your introduction
“Tell me about yourself” opens almost every interview. Prepare a one-to-two-minute answer: your studies, one or two key experiences and what specifically motivates you about this internship.
The STAR method for behavioral questions
North American recruiters ask many “Tell me about a time when…” questions. Structure your answers with the STAR method:
- Situation: the context, in one sentence.
- Task: what you had to achieve.
- Action: what you personally did.
- Result: the outcome, quantified if possible.
Prepare four or five examples from internships, projects or student activities: teamwork, handling a conflict, a failure you learned from, taking initiative.
Anticipate visa questions
The company will want to know whether you can legally work during the internship. Briefly explain the planned framework, such as the International Experience Canada co-op permit or the J-1 visa in the United States, and what steps remain. See our guides on interning in Canada and the J-1 visa.
Ask your own questions
Have two or three questions ready: what a typical week looks like, the team and your mentor, the goals expected by the end of the internship. It shows genuine interest.
Send a thank-you email
Within 24 hours of the interview, send a short thank-you note to your interviewer. It is common practice in North America and a simple way to stand out.
Get support from Linkor
Linkor prepares students for their applications and supports them until departure. See our internship offers or reach us via our contact page.
