🔍 WHAT THIS GUIDE COVERS

If you work in a federal ministry, chances are your oral exam will revolve around you — your job, your tasks, your daily grind. This guide covers the top 10 questions evaluators always ask Canadian public servants, with tips to help you answer like a pro (and maybe even enjoy it 🍊).

🔹 THE TOP 10 QUESTIONS

1. Your Role

Parlez-moi de votre rôle au sein du ministère.
Tell me about your role within the department.
đź“Ś Tip: Keep it clear and simple. Avoid acronyms or internal jargon. Structure your answer as if you were explaining your job to a newcomer.

2. Responsibilities

Quelles sont vos principales responsabilités?
What are your main responsibilities?
đź“Ś Tip: Use strong verbs like manage, coordinate, review, draft. Stick to 3 or 4 key responsibilities.

3. The Files You Handle

Quels types de dossiers traitez-vous?
What types of files do you work on?
đź“Ś Tip: Give 2 examples of the types of files, and explain your role in them.

4. A Typical Day

Décrivez une journée typique dans votre poste.
Describe a typical day in your position.
đź“Ś Tip: Break it down (morning, afternoon). Include meetings, written work, emails, team work.

5. Collaboration

Avez-vous Ă  collaborer avec d’autres directions ou ministères?
Do you have to collaborate with other sectors or departments?
đź“Ś Tip: If yes, say how. If no, mention potential collaboration and show awareness.

6. Handling Pressure

Comment gérez-vous les délais serrés ou les urgences?
How do you manage tight deadlines or urgent requests?
📌 Tip: Provide a short story. Bonus if it involves a briefing note or a minister’s request.

7. Language Use

Quelles compétences linguistiques utilisez-vous dans votre poste?
What language skills do you use in your position?
đź“Ś Tip: Talk about reading documents, writing emails, participating in bilingual meetings, etc.

8. Writing in French

Avez-vous déjà eu à rédiger un courriel ou un rapport en français?
Have you ever had to write an email or report in French?
📌 Tip: If rarely, that’s okay. Say it’s part of your learning goals. Show openness and motivation.

9. Challenges

Quels sont les défis de votre poste?
What are the challenges of your position?
📌 Tip: Stay professional. Talk about complexity, timelines, multitasking — not office drama.

10. What You Enjoy

Qu’est-ce que vous aimez dans votre travail?
What do you enjoy about your work?
đź“Ś Tip: Be sincere. Talk about meaning, public service, teamwork, purpose.

🌟 BONUS: USEFUL PHRASES FOR ANY ANSWER

  • Je travaille principalement sur…

  • Je dois respecter des Ă©chĂ©ances très serrĂ©es.

  • Je participe Ă  des rĂ©unions intersectorielles.

  • Je rĂ©dige des notes de service en français.

  • Je communique avec des collègues dans les deux langues officielles.

🤎 FINAL SQUEEZE

These questions aren’t a surprise — they’re part of the public service world. The more you practice speaking about your own job in French, the more natural your answers will sound. And if you need help building fluency and structure, we can tackle all this (and more) together in mock interviews, with real feedback and real results. 🍊