Answer with complete honesty. Have you ever committed a crime, participated in any illegal activity, or maintained inappropriate criminal affiliation by association?
An agency such as the CBSA will perform a background check on any candidates they seriously consider advancing. They are explicitly clear that, when crafting your CBSA application, you must answer every question with complete honesty. Failure to do so will result in application denial. Performing background checks requires capital. Any background checks that reveal relevant information that contradicts what a candidate relayed will undoubtably be passed on as a candidate. Not only is this considered disrespectful to the hiring authority, but it reflects the candidate's lack of integrity. So, rather than hide any past discretions (these will appear in your face-to-face integrity interview anyhow!), be upfront about them. Answer with complete honesty and if you have an opportunity to, explain the circumstances. Most people have had a misstep of some sort in their life. Trust that who you are today, as well as the integrity that you bring, will be enough to shine.
"I understand that I must answer with utmost honesty and integrity for consideration with CBSA. In my teen years, I had a couple of indiscretions with marijuana use. I was temporarily involved with a group of friends who did not make good choices. I could have said no; however, I chose to take part in the drug use. The last time I participated was nearly 15 years ago and, although I regret going down that path for a short time, I am thankful that my support system was strong. When I decided to pivot my path, I had exceptional family and friends to support me. When I initially applied for a career with CBSA, I carefully read through the standards of conduct and will wholeheartedly abide by every word."
As with any behavioral question, it is framed in a way that asks you 'about a time' when you faced a situation in the past. Your interviewer will listen to your example and study how you responded to and handled the situation, and what you learned from it. They will take the information you share and view it as a predictor of what to expect from your performance in the future. When answering a behavioral question, the STAR method is the recommended approach to organizing your answer. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and is intended to help you frame and organize your response in a way that will resonate with your interviewer. So you would start by introducing the situation you faced and the task at hand. You would then present the action you took, why it was significant and how you came to deciding on this approach, and ultimately the result of your actions.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have been guilty of provincial-level offenses (driving-related tickets, for example) and have partaken in marijuana (before it was legalized), MDMA as well non-prescribed Adderall. I have never committed a federal-level offense and have not used illegal drugs since 2017. I have never willingly associated with any criminal persons. When I came to realize that people in my social circle were engaged in any such activity, I immediately ceased all contact. My desire to work in a security and enforcement environment and that motivated me to make the right changes and commitments in my life. I want to be competitive in this process but also maintain my personal sense of integrity. Hence, these were not hard decisions to make.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very well said! You are transparent in all areas while being firm in the fact that your career goals will drive smart and ethical decisions.
Anonymous Answer
CBSA's core values revolve around honesty, integrity, professionalism, and accountability. When I first received my driver's license when I was 16, I was stopped for a traffic infraction. I acknowledged my mistake and cooperated fully with the officer. This interaction ended with a written warning. I used this as a learning opportunity in order to never put myself in a similar situation again. It has had a positive impact on me given that I am both a better, more attentive person, and also a safe driver.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a good story of learning a lesson at a young age! It's evident that you are committed to doing the right thing and keeping your records clean.
Anonymous Answer
No, I have not.
Rachelle's Feedback
This response is very straightforward and to the point. Depending on the interviewer(s) personality and the mood of the interview, you may want to expand on your answer slightly. For instance, you could include a qualifying statement at the end, such as, 'When I initially applied for a career with CBSA, I carefully read through the standards of conduct and will wholeheartedly abide by every word.'
Anonymous Answer
I understand that my answer must be made with complete honesty. Prior to the legalization of marijuana, I used marijuana recreationally. Other than marijuana use, I have not participated in any other illegal activity. I pride myself in knowing that the life that I have led thus far has not involved any criminal or illegal activity.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your response is honest, and you exude pride in the fact that you live a life you can be proud of. This is a confident answer - good work!
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