Question on the interview questions

[Pandora01 0]

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

[payxibka 10,047]

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

Answer all question as calmly and accurately as you can... You might find that the interview is actually anti-climatic

[Krikit 1,165]

Unless you give/have given them reason to think something is amiss, the interview in Canada is mostly just a "hi-how-are-you-nice-to-meet-you-here's-your-visa-you-take-care-now" type meeting.

[aravis227 1]

Unless you give/have given them reason to think something is amiss, the interview in Canada is mostly just a "hi-how-are-you-nice-to-meet-you-here's-your-visa-you-take-care-now" type meeting.

That's definitely how ours was. They asked how we met (Dennis just gave rough times of year "Spring of 2006") and she interrupted him halfway through telling her to ask when we planned on getting married, what we did for a living, then told us we were approved and to sit down. The other two couples there that day got more in depth questions...but both had been RFEed and one had been denied for a tourist visa because she lied about why she was getting it. They were also not very well organized...searching for papers when asked for them and not knowing what they had with them. As long as you're calm and collected, you should be fine. Good luck on your interview!

Edited October 7, 2008 by aravis227

[truckerbob 0]

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

I just came back from my interview in Montreal yesterday. If your not sure about something just tell them and give an appoximate date but let them know that your not 100% sure...do not ever lie to them...relax they are very friendly in Montreal just be honest and up front with them...Good Luck!

[antda 13]

Hi Pandora01,

Good luck on your interview next week. It's ok to be nervous before and during interviews, so if you still feel that way it's normal, as I'm sure everyone has felt that way before.

In terms of remembering dates and stuff, maybe you can write it all down beforehand on a piece of paper, and bring that along with you for your interview, so in case they do ask, you have that all prepared to read out to them and/or they can make a photocopy of this list. After all, you are allowed to bring paperwork and evidence for most immigration interviews (lol..maybe except for civics tests answers for citizenship), then why not bring such if allowed, right?

For my AOS interview (I didn't do the K1 process, so I have no idea how those interviews are), I brought along a typed-out list of important dates and occasions that I had prepared beforehand, as frankly, I don't remember specific dates and numbers properly when asked for. Funny, I've always had trouble remembering anything that has to do with numbers for some reason or other, regardless of the situation. I'd be lost without pen and paper for numbers!..lol...

Needless to say, during my AOS interview they never did ask about those specific dates during the interview. Perhaps they were just too busy asking other questions and looking at the photographs in the photo albums I brought, which I wrote the specific dates and other important information in them anyways.

Hope this helps. Good luck on your immigration journey.

Ant

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

Edited October 8, 2008 by AntandD

[Carlawarla 1]

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

I just came back from my interview in Montreal yesterday. If your not sure about something just tell them and give an appoximate date but let them know that your not 100% sure...do not ever lie to them...relax they are very friendly in Montreal just be honest and up front with them...Good Luck!

And??? Did you get your visa? I remember truckerbob you got your appointment letter like a week before your interview! And you hadn't your medical done yet etc. So...what happened?

[Pandora01 0]

Thank you everyone for your help. Maybe I'm overstressing a little bit!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I just knew the years of my now husband's 2 divorces - not the month or the days - and had the original documents with me at the interview. They asked to see the original documents - had to get the Texas one 'vetted' as they didn't recognize the format - but asked me no questions about Joe's former marriages or divorces. They were more interested in our relationship. I suspect any questions they have will be along those lines, and yes, you will probably find the interview anti-climatic:-). Good luck!

[Pandora01 0]

Thank you, Kathryn. What do you mean by 'vetted'? First time I see that word.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

hehehe my animal back ground is getting exposed - to be 'vetted' means something is checked out and approved as 'good' in the same way a vet would check over an animal before you buy it to make sure it is healthy.

[Emancipation 2]

Ok, my interview is in a little over a week. I'm doing my best to stay as calm as possible but it's getting harder!

I do have a question though. When they ask you for a date during the interview, how specific do I have to be? For instance, let's say they ask me when my fiance got his divorce. Can I just say 1988? August 1988? Or should it be as specific as August 10, 1988?

Also, should I know by heart absolutely all the dates mentioned on all the forms? Dates of studies, moves, marriages, divorces, birthdates of ex'es, etc.

All those dates are swirling in my head and I'm getting worried I might mix them all up and screw things up for us.

Hey listen.. this was EXACTLY my issue with the interview. When i get flustered and stressed i TOTALLY forget numbers & dates and get them all messed up. Someone very wisely here on VJ told me if I was feeling flustered just to let the interviewer know that.. and I did say something like "this is a little stressful for me" and the guy was like - don't be!! This will be easy (or some such reassuring sentence) and he didn't ask me any questions about specific dates. It's not a "prove you have your whole package memorized' kinda interview.. Just some basic questions about where you met and when you'll get married (we didn't even have a date set at that point), etc. so it's basic and you don't have to worry about that stuff.. although I completely get where you are coming from.

[Krikit 1,165]

Pandora, you'll find that stressing over the interview is the worst part of the interview. So go easy on yourself and stop it. Think of it more along the lines of dropping off your paperwork. That's really all you're doing.

[Pandora01 0]

Kathryn - Thanks for the explanation, Kathryn. Now it makes sense. I like learning new words Just out of curiosity, when they said they needed to verify it, did it delay the issuance of your visa or was it a quick check they did on the spot?

Emancipation - Thanks, Emancipation. I'm starting to feel more confident about the interview. At first I thought it would be like some kind of "you gotta prove this is a legit relationship 'cause I don't think it is" kinda thing. Yeah, I'm the nervous type who can't help imagining all of the worst scenarios! Guess it's the way I can prepare for those eventualities *shrug* Thanks again

Krikit - Thanks for your encouragement, Krikit. That's what I'm starting to realize indeed and I feel relieved Still have some questions though and I'll be starting a thread about them later.