Sharing my interview experience at NDVO
I had my interview scheduled at 9:30 am on 9th March. Reached CHC at 8:30 am, completed security checks and went inside at 8:45 am.
There were 8 other people scheduled for interviews the same day. 4 different Visa Officers conducted the interviews. (Got this info by peeping into the list at the entry counter)
I chatted up with 1 person who was waiting for interview at 8:45 am. She was called for the interview at 9:15 am. I was waiting, people all around me were getting called for interviews. Some people's interview got over in 30 mts, some people in 45 mts.
The person I chatted with completed her interview only at 10:45 am(90 mts) in total. By then I was sure that I would also be called by the same VO as all other VOs had already started on their 2nd interview for the day.
So I was called in at 10:50 am. The VO was a lady, who immediately told me that I would have to wait for 5 more mts. (guess she wanted a break after her long interview Smiley ). So again, I kept waiting till I was called in around 11:00 am.
Extract of interview.
VO : This interview is being conducted to clarify details mentioned in your application. In case you are unable to understand anything I say, please do ask for clarifications
Me : Ok
VO : Listed out my educational qualifications and asked me whether they are correct.
Me : I told her that apart from the degrees she had listed, I had one more degree for which I had not done a ECA, but had mentioned in my application. She checked it and confirmed the same. Then she started typing the details I had mentioned on her computer
VO : When did you join your 1st job and where.
I answered and she recorded on her computer
VO : When did you join your next job ?
I was quite surprised to hear this, as I had mentioned in my application that my entire work experience (10+ years) was with 1 company only. So I told her the same
VO: Ok, what are the different grades that you have held with this company?
I listed out all the grades and the dates on which I had been promoted.
VO : How many people report to you?
I gave her the details
VO : What is the role that you are currently handling?
I explained the same to her. She however did not seem to understand the role (Digital Marketing specialist), so I had to explain in some very basic terms.
VO : Is this a full time job ?
Maybe i made it too simple, so I told her that of course it was, and started explaining in some more detail
VO : Do you have any material with you to demonstrate your job ?
I gave her a little blank look. She immediately assured me that it was not required, but she was just curious to understand it better. I told her that I don't have anything with me right now, but I can show her the creatives that I had worked on, if she has access to my company's website on the internet.
VO : Looked at the computer and said, I'm sorry you have to wait for 5 minutes, as I have to check on something.
I said ok and waited.
She came back after 5 minutes and immediately started questioning
VO : Do you have any relatives in Canada ?
Again I was surprised as I had mentioned about my brother in Canada and also claimed 5 points for this in my application. So I gave her the details about my brother in Canada
VO : Is he your own brother ?
Yes
VO : What is your spouse's background? Job description
I explained the same to her
Again she tells me that I have to wait for some more time as she needs to go out again and whether I would like to go out and come back or wait in the reception. I asked her how long it might take. She said 30 mts so I told her I will wait in reception. She insisted that I should definitely wait and not leave. I agreed and left.
The interview had lasted 25-30 mts. I settled down to wait again till about 12 noon. The remaining candidates left by about 11:45 am. I was the only one waiting in the reception. Around noon, the receptionist called me and said that the interview officer had told him that she might take some more time and that the interview will have to be continued at 1:15 pm. He asked me whether I would like to wait or go out and come back. I told him I had to make a few calls and had to go out since my mobile phone was with the security guard outside. He told me that 12:15 to 1 pm was lunch time and that I can come back in only after 1 pm, if I decide to go out, as the security guards will also be at lunch. I said ok, i will come back at 1 pm. He wrote a note on my interview letter to allow me back inside for interview at 1:15 pm. I went out and came back at 1:10 pm.
I was called in again at 1:15 pm. The VO apologized profusely and said that she thought that I might be hungry and hence gave me the option to go out and have lunch. I graciously accepted her apology and told her that it was fine and that she should not worry. She anyway insisted that it was not right to make me wait like this and that it was only due to the fact that it was unavoidable. We then got back to the interview
VO : Are you planning to settle in the same city as your brother. Which city is your brother in?
I told her that he was in Vancouver and we planned to settle there as well.
VO : What does your brother do?
I gave her the details
VO : Will your brother help you in settling down. Has he told you anything about the job market in Canada?
I replied in the affirmative.
VO : Have you tried to find any jobs in Canada?
I replied yes and also explained that my brother had helped me do the research and we have found that there is good scope for my current role in Canada. I also told her that I had applied for a few jobs using my brother's address and mobile no.
She herself then told me that I would not be getting any job offers without landing. I agreed and told her that I was aware of the same but was only researching.
VO : Will you be staying with your brother on landing?
I said yes, initially. After a few months we plan to purchase our own house.
VO : What about your spouse? I don't think his current profession has much scope in Canada.
I replied that we were aware of the same and that he plans to start his own business and gave her the details
VO : Did you apply through an agent / representative
I replied that I prepared and submitted the application myself.
VO : Have you stayed in any other country since the age of 18 yrs
I replied that I have only visited other countries for a few days. No stay greater than 10 days.
VO : Can you give me the PCC for India
I handed over the same to her and asked whether she would like to see our passports. She said that it was not required at this stage.
I also told her that we had our children's passports renewed after submission of application and that I would like to submit the new passport details. She accepted the same. I asked her whether she would like to see the new passports. She said ok and took a look at the same.
VO : We will let you know about the further process in some time.
I told her that I would like to know the outcome of the interview.
VO : We have provisionally accepted your application. However we have a few other formalities to complete. We will let you know about the further process, though I am not sure about how long it will take.
I thanked her and she once again apologized for making me wait.
At the end of the interview, I had no idea why my application was selected for an interview. Maybe it was a random pick up. There were no specific questions regarding job description and whether or not it will fit into NOC 1123 (which is what I had expected basis ratingcrady's interview experience). I was also not asked for the updated forms and any other documents, though it was mentioned in the call letter that all these have to be brought to the interview.
So, now I again wait....for MR Smiley
My time lines are as below
App recd. date : 2nd July
PER : 29th Oct
Second line update : 21st Jan
Interview call : 10th Feb
Interview date : 9th Mar
NOC : 1123
Visa Office : NDVO
