CBSA Mock Interview
Master 60 CBSA interview questions covering border security, integrity scenarios, and situational judgment.
Question 53 of 60
In a training session, you find that the trainer has a thick accent, and you can't understand what's being said...
Example Answer
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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.
Anytime you are in a situation facing linguistic diversity, your goal is to make your communication easier and more relaxed. Sometime we need help to communicate across accent and language barriers, from learning proper name pronunciation to understanding reports.
Listen carefully to everything they have to say and be mindful of your body language at all times. Take care to show positive nonverbal communication by making eye contact and keeping your body language open and non-defensive. The goal here is to remain open, friendly, while exhibiting patience and tolerance, despite how frustrating the gap may feel. So go slowly, speak slowly. The slower you go, the more likely they will follow suit. In situations where this doesn't help, make sure your frustration isn't hindering your ability to listen and understand. Avoid jumping to conclusions or making assumptions about what they are trying to say. Don't give up. Focus on your communication, adapting your style, taking care to avoid using any slang or speech crutches.
Focus your approach on your team effort. They may be struggling to speak English in a way you'll understand. You may be struggling to understand and to use a formal form of English they'll understand. Take some of the responsibility for this challenge. They've already made a considerable effort to learn your language. You need to show them you are making efforts as well.
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.
Most of the CBSA's role-play questions will focus on your interpersonal skills and conflict management skills. Take notes on the relevant information which will guide you on how to respond and react. Decide on a strategy and commit to your approach as soon as you have a clearer understanding of the role the actor will play. Since this is testing your responses, you'll want to practice. Watch your body language in the mirror. Record your voice and listen for tone, speech-crutches, slang and choice of words. This is especially important when immersed in scenarios surrounding linguistic diversity.
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.
This question will evaluate your effectiveness regarding the respect and sensitivity you exhibit in your interaction concerning race and diversity. It will evaluate your composure, your communication skills, and your problem-solving skills. It will also test your ability to develop yourself, your skills, and whether you easily identify growth opportunities, are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, and are quick to hold yourself accountable for the actions you took, or the actions you promised to take, while staying true to your word and your integrity.
Lastly, it will test your ability to identify your trainee's needs, from their need to feel heard, validated, empathized with, and will test your conscientiousness and reliability, and how consistent you are in your responses, your approach, and your overall handling of the situation.
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Anonymous Answer
I would pay attention to his body language, and mouth movements, listen carefully, and if necessary, apologize for not being able to understand him and ask if he could speak more slowly. I would speak politely and apologize for having difficulty understanding him, never blaming the speaker but myself.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! It's great that you would be so attuned to his non-verbals. The interviewer will also appreciate that you apologize for the trouble and are polite and considerate. Excellent!
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