Hey guys, I just wanted to share my CSQ Interview Experience. I'm not sure this is the thread to put it, but here goes. Before I start, let me just provide a little information about my application and timeline so far.
Marital Status: Single
Location: USA
Points Before Interview: 53
Points Needed: 55
Field: Computer Engineer
Level of French: A2
Filed Application: November 2012
AOR Received: February 2013
Interview Waitlisted: November 2013
Interview Confirmation: December 2013
Interview Date/Site: February 2014/New York
My interview was scheduled for 2 o'clock, but I arrived at 1 o'clock as I wanted to make sure I didn't get lost as it was my first time in New York. When I started, I was greeted by the Quebec immigration official. She greeted me in French and I responded in kind. Before we really got into the more difficult questions, she asked me some basic questions in French such as where do you live, how are you, what do you do for a living, etc? Afterwards, she told me what was going to happen during the interview. She said I needed 55 points in order to receive a selection certificate. This was said to me in English. I'm not sure why she switched to English. Perhaps it was because I could not claim any points for French language ability as I only scored an A2.
The first thing she did was to review my records. She asked me about the original information that was provided. She confirmed all of my biographical information. There were a few things that changed since I filed my application, primarily my address and the company I work for. She took note of this and wanted to see my passports and work authorizations. I gave her my current and olders versions of my passports (3) and work authorizations (3). After she looked at my documents, she gave them back to me.
She asked me what I had planned to do in Quebec and what I have done to prepare myself for going to Quebec. I responded that I have tried learning French using a variety of methods including Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and classes at the local Alliance Francaise. I also assured her that I would continue to study French and that I will take advantage of the language courses provided by Quebec when I arrived there. I also told her that I planned to settle in Montreal as it is where more of the 85% of the jobs that are related to my field are located. As I started talking about my field, she asked me if I knew what it took to practice in my field in Quebec. I told her that I would need to be licensed by the Ordres des Ingenieurs du Quebec. Fortunately for me, I can easily get a Junior Engineer designation as my school is part of the Washington Accord and that I did not need to have an Admissions Examination. I also told her to become a full Engineer, I would need 36 months of experience under an already qualified Engineer, pass the Professional Examination, and prove fluency in the French language.
Afterwards, she asked me to describe the work that I do in my current and previous jobs. I responded that I was a software/firmware engineer and described my job functions. After it seemed like she was able to understand what it is I did for a living, she asked one more question. She told me that a Canadian company may not recognize my university as it was not Canadian. She asked me if that was a concern of mine. I told her that it could be a concern. However, as I can easily get a Junior Engineer license from the Ordres des Ingenieurs du Quebec, it would show employers that I indeed had the qualifications for my field of work. After I answered, she told me that I would be given the CSQ and printed out the certificate.
The interview lasted around 45 minutes which surprised me as I thought it would take longer. All in all the interview was more pleasant and less stressful than I thought it would be. I certainly have had much more stressful job interviews. I am not sure if it was due to the fact that I only needed 2 out of 6 adaptability points and couldn't claim points for French language abilities, but the line of questioning was almost entirely in English.
