The Big Picture
Getting a job offer involves more than deciding whether you want the position. You need to understand the job conditions, pay, hours, expectations, and other terms before you accept.
You also need to know how to handle rejection, probation, benefits, and leaving a position professionally. The way you communicate with an employer matters from the interview through your final day of work.
Look for Nova Scotia CCA Notes throughout this page for current provincial guidance.
Quick tip: Tap, click, or press Enter on any term with a dotted underline and an ⓘ icon to see its plain-English definition.
Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed
Focus on these core ideas:
- Review each interview so you learn from the experience, even when you do not get the job.
- Before accepting a job, clarify the wages, hours, requirements, expectations, and any conditions attached to the offer.
- Health care employers often make conditional offers that require specific documents before hiring.
- A probationary period usually lasts 3 to 6 months.
- When leaving a job, give adequate notice, stay reliable, and communicate honestly and tactfully.
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Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know
What to Do After an Interview
A job offer might come at the end of an interview, within a few days, or weeks later. Keep looking at other employment opportunities while you wait.
Even when you do not get the job, the interview still gives you a chance to improve your skills.
Review your interview performance
Ask yourself whether you:
- prepared and practised possible responses, listening skills, and relaxation techniques
- arrived with plenty of time
- paid attention to grooming, clothing, and conduct
- presented a calm, professional, positive image
- brought a professional portfolio
- listened attentively
- spoke clearly and calmly
- answered questions honestly
- used your experience to support your opinions
- connected your skills and experience to the job requirements
- showed enthusiasm for the position
- expressed interest in the job before leaving
- sent a thank-you note afterward
A portfolio is a binder or electronic file containing items such as certificates, recommendation letters, awards, proof of volunteering, and other relevant information.
If You Do Not Get the Job
Contact the employer and ask why you did not receive the position. Ask to speak with the person who interviewed you, either by phone or in person.
Treat the conversation as a learning opportunity. Stay calm and professional rather than sounding angry, bitter, or accusatory .
Accepting an Employment Offer
An employer often presents a conditional offer through a letter of hire. You might receive it after the interview, during another meeting, or by mail.
Signing and returning the conditional offer means you have accepted the position.
Before accepting, find out:
- the terms of employment
- whether the offer has conditions
- whether the job starts with a trial period
Clarify the Terms of Employment
At the time of the job offer, clarify:
- wages
- hours of work
- job requirements
- employer expectations
If the position requires a car, ask about the employer’s policies for mileage and repairs. Employer procedure manuals often address questions like these.
Contract positions
Before accepting a contract job, find out:
- how long the contract lasts
- the terms of the contract
- what the contract includes
- what the contract does not include
Working directly for a client or family
If a client or the client’s family hires you directly, you must specify the terms of employment.
The client might need to:
- contribute to Employment Insurance
- contribute to the Canada Pension Plan
- submit your taxes directly to the government
Before accepting this type of employment, read Revenue Canada’s Employee or Self-Employed, Catalogue Number RC4110. The booklet is available online or through a local Canada Revenue Agency office.
Conditional Offers in Health Care
Health care employers often make employment offers conditional. This means you must meet specific requirements before the employer hires you.
Common conditions include:
- a health report signed by your family physician confirming good health
- a police record check showing no criminal record
You are responsible for providing the required documents. Getting these documents sometimes involves a fee.
An employer might also require equipment needed for the job. In a community setting, for example, a cellphone might be essential.
Nova Scotia CCA Note
Sorrentino’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition describes conditional employment requirements in general terms. In Nova Scotia, people working in a CCA role must also belong to the mandatory CCA Registry . Newly employed CCAs register when they begin employment, and registration must be renewed each year. CCAs in Training working under a conditional hire also require registry membership. (novascotiacca.ca)
Why this matters in Nova Scotia: A CCA job may involve provincial registration requirements in addition to the conditions set by the employer.
Official source: CCA Registry Information – Continuing Care Assistant Program
Last checked: September 7, 2026
Probationary Periods
Most employers place new staff on a probationary, or trial, period lasting 3 to 6 months.
During probation, both you and the employer decide whether the job is a good fit.
During this period:
- the employer may end your employment at any time
- you may leave without the usual two weeks’ notice
- giving notice still increases the possibility of getting a reference
A reference is a person who can speak to a potential employer about an applicant’s skills, abilities, and personal qualities.
Nova Scotia CCA Note
Sorrentino describes probation as lasting 3 to 6 months and explains that an employee may leave during probation without the usual two weeks’ notice. Current Nova Scotia Labour Standards bases the legal notice requirement on how long the employee has worked for the employer.
Employees normally do not need to give notice when they have worked for the employer for less than 3 months. From 3 months to less than 2 years, an employee normally must give 1 week’s written notice. After 2 years or more, the employee normally must give 2 weeks’ written notice. The provincial guide also says employer notice requirements generally begin once an employee has worked for 3 months, subject to exceptions. Employees working under a collective agreement are among those excluded from these specific Labour Standards notice rules. (novascotia.ca)
Why this matters in Nova Scotia: Do not assume that an employer’s entire probation period is automatically free from notice requirements. For Nova Scotia study and employment purposes, the length of employment affects the provincial notice rules.
Official source: Guide to the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code
Last checked: September 7, 2026
Benefits
Find out what the employer’s benefits package includes. Employers often provide booklets explaining their benefits plans.
Keep these points in mind:
- Benefits do not usually start until the probationary period ends.
- Part-time employees might not qualify for benefits.
- Pay special attention to benefits when a client hires you directly to work in the client’s home.
Refusing or Leaving a Job Professionally
You might decide that an agency or facility does not suit you. You might also decide to leave a job you already accepted.
Leaving professionally matters because employers spend time and money training staff. You might also want to work for the same employer again later.
Ask to meet your supervisor in person. Dress professionally for the meeting and treat it as another opportunity to leave a good impression.
Give Adequate Notice
Two weeks’ notice is considered the minimum amount of notice when leaving a job. Most employers prefer more time when possible.
Employers are more likely to provide a good reference when you:
- give sufficient notice
- remain reliable until your employment ends
The probationary period has an important exception. During probation, you may leave without the usual two weeks’ notice, although giving notice still helps when seeking a reference.
Explain Your Reason Honestly and Tactfully
Some reasons for refusing or leaving a job are straightforward to explain. Examples include:
- returning to school
- accepting full-time work elsewhere when your current position is part-time
- moving to another city
- pregnancy and deciding not to work for a period of time
Whatever your reason, stay honest, tactful , and pleasant with the employer.
When You Are Unhappy With the Workplace
You still need to communicate professionally when you dislike the workplace atmosphere or feel unhappy with the agency or facility.
Prepare what you want to say before the meeting. Write your thoughts on small index cards if that helps you stay organized.
Begin by explaining what you liked about the workplace. Be fair when discussing your concerns.
Be Specific About Problems
Avoid vague criticism. Explain the exact practice or issue that concerns you.
For example, instead of saying you dislike the staff, you might identify a specific practice, such as afternoon staff putting residents to bed by 6:30 p.m. You might then explain your concern that residents should have a say in when they go to bed and that their families should take part in the decision process.
Stay honest. Do not lie or exaggerate to gain favour with the supervisor.
The Final Decision Is Yours
Your comments help the supervisor understand problems within the agency or facility.
If the employer values your work, the supervisor might ask you to reconsider leaving. You decide whether to stay or leave.
Whatever you decide, communicate your decision professionally and pleasantly.
Exam Clue Words
- Must: If a client or family hires you directly, you must specify the terms of employment.
- Before accepting: Clarify the employment terms and find out whether the offer has conditions or a trial period.
- Minimum: Two weeks’ notice is considered the minimum when leaving a job outside the probation exception.
- During probation: You may leave without the usual two weeks’ notice.
- Avoid: Do not lie or exaggerate when explaining concerns to a supervisor.
Fast Review
Focus on the facts that affect what you do before accepting a job and how you handle leaving one.
- Keep exploring other opportunities while waiting to hear after an interview.
- Review your interview performance and use rejection as a learning opportunity.
- Signing and returning a conditional offer means you have accepted the position.
- Clarify wages, hours, requirements, expectations, conditions, and any trial period before accepting.
- A contract worker should know the contract length, terms, inclusions, and exclusions before accepting.
- When a client or family hires you directly, you must specify the employment terms.
- Health care employers often require documents such as a health report and police record check before hiring.
- A probationary period usually lasts 3 to 6 months.
- Benefits do not usually start until probation ends, and part-time employees might not qualify.
- Two weeks’ notice is considered the minimum when leaving a job, except for the stated probation rule.
- Stay reliable through your final period of employment.
- When refusing or leaving a job, stay honest, specific, tactful, professional, and pleasant.
Final Pep Talk
There are several rules and exceptions to keep straight here, especially around conditional offers, probation, and notice. Review those differences a few times, and focus on what happens before accepting a job and what professional behaviour looks like when leaving one.