CBSA Mock Interview
Master 60 CBSA interview questions covering border security, integrity scenarios, and situational judgment.
Question 15 of 60
Canada Border Services Agency considers the use of prohibited substances a severe matter. Have you ever used, possessed, sold, or distributed illegal drugs?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
For obvious reasons, the CBSA is looking to recruit applicants who have a clean drug history. If you've never involved yourself with illegal substances, state that with conviction, and that any associated behavior is against your values, morals, and nature. If you have had illicit participation in the past, be ready to disclose it for the sake of pure transparency. Depending on the situation, you may pass through to the next stage of candidacy. Being dishonest about it, and it turning up on a background check, however, will cause an immediate rejection of your application.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have had no involvement in the sale, distribution, or illegal possession of drugs. When I was 22 years old, I smoked marijuana while traveling to Amsterdam. It was not illegal to do so there; however, I did not enjoy the experience and have remained abstinent from drugs since that day. I was raised conservatively and believe that it's best to refrain from any substance use and keep my body as healthy as possible."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
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.
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Anonymous Answer
No, I have never possessed or used drugs or alcohol. It's my nature to never indulge in those activities because of my religion and personal ethics. I have only puffed a cigarette once and found it disgusting. I like to maintain physical fitness.
Rachelle's Feedback
Solid answer! The interviewer should feel very confident knowing that you uphold your virtues and beliefs so strongly.
Anonymous Answer
I have never used, possessed, sold, or distributed any illegal drugs. My parents raised me conservatively and I believe it's best to refrain from using any type of illegal substance or substance that doesn't benefit my body in a positive and healthy way. I was never brought up around drug use and no one who I associate with engages in any type of illegal activity.
Rachelle's Feedback
Strong response! The interviewer should feel very confident that you have a strong character and solid reasoning to never enter into illegal activities of this kind.
Anonymous Answer
In the past, I have used marijuana on a recreational basis only. With saying that, I no longer use marijuana in any way. I have never relied on it to get through my day. Marijuana is the only drug I have consumed. I have never possessed, sold, or distributed any illegal drug.
I have always been involved with horses which has always given me a sense of responsibility for that animal in my care. Having this responsibility has kept me away from any excessive drug/alcohol use, as it would cloud my judgement when working around those animals, which could lead to potentially dangerous situations.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a good start! I've cleaned up the answer a touch to be more direct. I recommend removing phrases such as 'always' and replacing them with more accurate statements.
"In the past, I have used marijuana recreationally. I have never relied on it to get through my day. Marijuana is the only drug I have consumed, and I no longer use it in any way. I have never possessed, sold, or distributed any illegal drug. I attribute my clean lifestyle to my involvement with horses over X years. Having animals in my care has given me a sense of responsibility, an important factor in keeping me away from excessive drug or alcohol abuse, growing up."
Anonymous Answer
Never, I am certified SMART SERVE.
Stephanie's Feedback
Given the nature of this question, I would suggest explicitly answering by stating "NO" that you never used, possesses, sold, or distributed illegal drugs.
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