What experience do you have relating to people with a background different from yours?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Entry Level Example
Answer Example

Per Air Canada's diversity, equity, and inclusion section of its website, the company believes that these principles are essential to its success in creating a healthy and rewarding work environment. Given that they serve a very diverse passenger base in Canada, the company has received recognition as one of the country's best diverse employers. Your interviewer needs to be sure you would come to their team willing and ready to embrace a diverse and equitable work environment.

When you build relationships with people of a different background from yours, you must be open-minded, ready to listen, eager to learn, and open to new situations. Everybody has a powerful and unique story regarding their background, culture, experiences, and beliefs. Talk to the interviewer about the exposure you bring relating to others with a narrative different from yours. The hiring manager at Air Canada will want to see your open-mindedness and desire to grow in acceptance of those different from you.

"The last four years of my undergraduate program in Toronto put me in a new situation working with and collaborating with a very diverse group of students. I have loved this environment, getting to see how others use their background and culture to think through problems and solve them. As I hope to embark on my career at Air Canada, I greatly look forward to living your values of a respectful workplace that treats all colleagues and passengers with warmth and compassion."

"Over the last ten years with my current company, I've thrived working on a diverse team with people from all over the world. We learn from each other and share each other's views, which leads to better results. One bit of advice that has stuck with me for years is when my mentor suggested that I seek friendships with people of different backgrounds than me. I also notice different communication styles and core values, which I find interesting. Rest assured, should you choose me to join your team, I will get to know my co-workers with an open mind and an interest in their background and story."