Interview FOI Flashcards
Walk me through my resume GO THROUGH RESUME
- “Sure, I’d be happy to walk you through my resume. I graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a Bachelor of Laws, Senior Status, and prior to that, I completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University.
- In terms of relevant experience, I’ve been actively involved in various roles such as volunteering with Support Through Court, where I provided essential support to clients navigating legal processes. Additionally, I served as the LLB Law Senior Status Course Representative at Nottingham Law School, where I led presentations and analyzed student campaigns.
- I’ve also worked as a Volunteer at Nottingham Legal Advice and Pro Bono Centre, providing expert legal advice to clients. Moreover, I’ve interned virtually with prestigious law firms like Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance, gaining experience in Mergers & Acquisitions and Business & Human Rights Global issues.
- Outside of my academic and professional roles, I’ve been engaged in extracurricular activities such as serving as the Post Graduate Equality and Diversity Chair at Nottingham Trent Students Union and being a member of the Lexis Law Society. At Wilfrid Laurier University, I served as the Faculty of Science Biology Lead and conducted research as a Research Assistant.
- Moreover, I’ve been involved in various memberships including The Canadian Bar Association and the Women’s Law Association of Ontario. I possess proficient skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Westlaw, and LexisNexis.
- In summary, my diverse experiences have equipped me with a strong foundation in both legal and scientific domains, alongside valuable leadership and interpersonal skills that I believe will be beneficial in contributing effectively to your team.
Tell me about yourself Freedom of Information (FOI) TELL ME ABOUT YOU
- I pursued my undergraduate degree in biology at Wilfrid Laurier University, driven by a love for science and a desire to make a positive impact in healthcare. However, upon entering the healthcare field, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. This realization, coupled with the onset of the pandemic, prompted me to reassess my career path.
- Fascinated by the idea of exploring new countries and cultures, I decided to pursue law school in the UK. During my time there, I immersed myself in the country’s history and diverse experiences while falling in love with the field of law. This passion for justice was further fueled by my volunteer work at Pro Bono centers and legal advice charities.
- Upon graduating, I returned to Toronto with a renewed commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.
- This is why I’m drawn to opportunities that allow me to merge my expertise with my values, such as the Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator position at Infrastructure Ontario and I am excited about the prospect of applying my skills to the success of the team.
DO where do you see yourself in 5 years IN 5 YEARS
- In five years, I envision myself as a key contributor within Infrastructure Ontario’s legal team, having made significant strides in my role and positively impacting the company’s success and growth
- while continuously challenging myself to grow professionally
Why are you interested in the FOI Coordinator role at our company? WHY IO AND THIS ROLE
- While my background in both law and science has provided me with invaluable knowledge and skills, I’m drawn to exploring opportunities that offer a broader scope of impact.
- The FOI Coordinator role at Infrastructure Ontario aligns perfectly with my passion for legal compliance and privacy protection
- I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to IO’s impactful work while applying my diverse skill set in this position
Can you walk us through your experience with handling Freedom of Information (FOI) requests?” DEALING WITH FOI REQUEST
- In terms of handling Freedom of Information (FOI) requests under FIPPA, while I haven’t directly managed these requests, my experience in legal support roles has equipped me with valuable skills applicable to ensuring compliance.
Such as when I volunteered at the Nottingham Pro Bono and Legal Advice centre, I had to conduct a lot of legal research on client cases and have through understanding of the issues and then draft legal memos which I would send to the lawyer in charge, and I believe those are key initiatives that come into play in this role
What is my greatest strength - WILLINGNESS TO LEARN/STRENGTH
- My willingness to learn and adapt
- Whether it’s navigating complex legal scenarios or analyzing scientific data, my background demonstrates a commitment to expanding my skills and ensuring I can effectively tackle the any challenges of the FOI Coordinator position.
What is my greatest weakness – Auncertainity/ WEAKNESS
** I think my greatest weakness lies in managing uncertianity. Law often involves interpreting complex statutes, navigating case law, and advising clients in uncertain situations. While I want precision and clarity in my work, I know that there are instances where the law may be open to interpretation or subject to evolving precedent.
* I view this weakness as an opportunity for growth and use it as a learning opportunity in my career
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to analyze case law? ANALZING CASE LAW
- I did a moot court, for my criminal law class. Which involved me to I analyzed case law to prepare for a criminal trial scenario. I researched relevant precedents, including key cases and legislation
- I applied these legal principles to the moot case, providing a strong argument that considered both parties’ rights and responsibilities.
Can you discuss a time when you had to lead training programs or deliver presentations to promote awareness and compliance with legal regulations? DELIVERING TRAINING
During my time as the Equailty and Diversity Chair at Nottingham Trent University, I organized various events and activities to enhance the university experience for the students.
I led networking events bi weekly, for students to get to meet over coffee and discuss any topics about what they wanted to see improve within the university and how we can promote equality and diversity initiatives within the community.
Excited to apply these skills as the FOI Coordinator, I aim to deliver comprehensive training programs both internally and externally to ensure compliance organization-wide.
How do you prioritize competing demands and manage time effectively in a fast-paced legal environment? TIME MANAGEMENT/ORGANIZATION
- I thrive in fast-paced environments I love always having something to work on
- Through both my university degrees, I did multiple extra curriculars, volunteering, sports and while balancing academic responsibilities
- I learned to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, This allowed me to effectively manage competing demands and meet deadlines
- Which will ensure timely responses to FOI requests in this role
A challenging situation – HGH STRESS SITUATIONS/ SENSTIVE INFORMATION
- My experience at Nottingham Pro Bono and Legal Advice Centre, I had to deal with a lot of sensitive and confidential information. I had to be careful not to copy or discuss the matters with anyone outside of the cases. When I would then have to conduct legal research on and draft memos about later.
- This background equips me to handle difficult situations with professionalism and sensitivity in the FOI Coordinator role.
Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a significant obstacle. HARDEST OBSTACLES – MOVING
- Transitioning from studying in Canada to attending law school in the UK posed a significant obstacle, as it meant navigating and adjusting to a different cultural and academic environment.
- To overcome this challenge, I had researched the UK’s legal education system, familiarizing myself with its requirements and expectations. I sought guidance from advisors and alumni who had made similar transitions, tom gain a better understanding of what it would be like
- Despite the initial uncertainties and adjustments, I remained adaptable, embracing the opportunity for personal and professional growth which
Describe a situation where you had to handle a dissatisfied customer or client. HARD CLIENTS /CONFLICT
- While working as a Staff and Patient Assistant at Providence Healthcare, I encountered a dissatisfied patient family who expressed frustration with the level of care provided mind you this was also in the pandemic
- I actively listened to their concerns and took action to address their needs by escalating the issue to the clinical team
- By prioritizing patient satisfaction and had proactive communication, I was able to resolve the situation effectively.
Discuss a project or task where you demonstrated leadership skills. LEADERSHIP
- As the Faculty of Science lead for the Biology department, I demonstrated leadership by gathering feedback from peers, and advocating for positive changes within the academic community. I addressed concerns within the faculty in meetings and we implemented effective solutions for each issue that would arise
- egs, course curriculum changes, there were quite a few parts of the courses that the students to be extremely challenging so we would discuss what makes sets could be taken for that.
- Eg,
Describe a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it, and what did you learn? MISTAKE
Describe a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it, and what did you learn? MISTAKE
* During my undergrad biology labs, I accidentally placed an experiment in the wrong incubator at the end of the lab. I had realized the mistake when coming in the next day to check on the sample. So I immediately, removed the contaminated sample, restarted the experiment
- This taught me the importance of focus, attention to detail. As a result, I implemented stricter quality control measures in all future labs.
