20 TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Interview Questions and Answers

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the public transit authority in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is North America’s third largest transit system by ridership, behind New York City’s MTA and Mexico City’s Metro. The TTC operates an extensive network of buses, streetcars, subways, and light rail vehicles that serve nearly 2.8 million people in the Greater Toronto Area.

If you’re applying for a job with the TTC, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of TTC interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Interview Process

The interview process at TTC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Transit Operator, there is an initial testing phase followed by a behavioral interview. For other positions, like Summer Student Collector, the interview may be more focused on your work experience and education. Overall, the interview process is generally friendly and professional.

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, think about your strengths first. Think of three or four things that you feel confident talking about. Then, think of two or three weaknesses that you would like to improve on.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which has helped me stay on top of my work throughout the years. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m always able to explain complex ideas to others. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much work. To combat this, I make sure to prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary.”

2. How would you deal with a difficult customer?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation that could be challenging for some people, such as dealing with an angry or impatient customer. In your answer, demonstrate your problem-solving and interpersonal skills by showing the steps you would take to resolve the issue.

Example: “I have experience working in retail, so I understand how frustrating it can be when customers are rude or don’t follow store policies. If someone was being particularly difficult, I would first try to calm them down and diffuse the situation. Then, I would find out what they needed help with and do my best to assist them. If they were still upset after I helped them, I would offer to call another employee over to help.”

3. Do you have any experience working as part of a team?

The TTC is a large organization that requires employees to work together as part of a team. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working in teams and understand how they function. In your answer, share an example of a time when you worked well with others on a project or task. Explain what made the situation successful.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about public transportation, so I decided to pursue a career at the TTC. While studying for my degree, I was able to get an internship here. During my internship, I learned how important it is to work as part of a team. My fellow interns and I were tasked with creating a new app for the TTC. We all had different skills, which we used to create the best app possible.”

4. Why do you want to work for the TTC?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the TTC that you are excited to work with and why you feel passionate about them.

Example: “I want to work for the TTC because I am passionate about public transportation. I grew up in a small town where there was no public transit system, so when I moved to Toronto, I was blown away by how easy it is to get around using the TTC. I love being able to help people navigate the city and find their way home or to their destination. I think I would make an excellent addition to the team.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision in a short amount of time.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your decision-making skills and how well you can prioritize tasks. When answering, try to highlight the steps you took to make an informed choice quickly while also highlighting your ability to work under pressure.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at my local grocery store, we had a rush of customers come in right before closing time. We were out of several items that people wanted to purchase, so I had to decide which ones to put back on the shelves first. I decided to start with the most expensive items because it would be easier for us to restock them than the cheaper ones. This helped us get through the rush of customers more efficiently.”

6. Have you ever worked directly with customers before? If so, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you interact with customers and whether or not you have experience doing so. If you haven’t worked directly with customers before, consider describing a time when you had to help someone who was confused or needed assistance.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly with customers, but I do have some experience helping people in my previous role as an administrative assistant. One day, one of the drivers called me because he couldn’t find his keys. He asked if I could check his desk for them. I found the keys right away and gave them back to him.”

7. Describe a time where you took initiative on a project or task that wasn’t assigned to you.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach tasks that aren’t assigned to you. Use examples from previous work experiences or school projects where you took initiative on a task, completed it successfully and received positive feedback for your efforts.

Example: “In my last position as an administrative assistant, I noticed the company was having issues with their email system. The IT department wasn’t responding to our requests for help, so I decided to take action. I researched the issue online and found out that we were experiencing a server error. I contacted the IT department again and explained what I had learned. They appreciated my proactive approach and fixed the issue.”

8. Do you feel comfortable driving in all types of weather conditions?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your driving skills and experience in adverse weather conditions. If you have previous experience driving in inclement weather, share that information with the interviewer.

Example: “I’ve driven in all types of weather conditions, including heavy rain, snowstorms and extreme cold. I feel confident driving in these conditions because I know how to handle my vehicle safely. In fact, I once drove a bus through a blizzard when another driver called out sick. I was able to navigate the bus through the storm without any issues.”

9. Can you tell us about a time where you were faced with a conflict and how did you resolve it?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. This is because working in customer service can sometimes involve resolving conflicts between customers or with other employees. When answering, try to think of a specific example that shows how you resolved the conflict and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at a grocery store, there was an instance where a customer came through my line who had a coupon for $10 off their purchase. However, they were only able to use it on one item, which happened to be the most expensive thing they bought. They became upset when I told them they couldn’t use the coupon on that item, but I explained to them that we have strict rules regarding coupons and that I wasn’t able to make any exceptions.”

10. Would you be able to work overtime if needed?

The TTC is a 24-hour transit system, so employees may be asked to work overtime. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re willing to do the job they need you to do. In your answer, explain that you are committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Show them that you can stay late if necessary and that you will always put in 100% effort.

Example: “Yes, I would be happy to work overtime when needed. I understand that sometimes things happen that require us to work later than usual. As long as my family knows what’s going on, I’m happy to help out however I can. I know how important this position is for the city of Toronto, so I am ready to do whatever it takes to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

11. Are you willing to work nights, weekends and holidays?

The TTC has a variety of shifts available, and the interviewer wants to know if you’re flexible enough to work any shift. This is especially important for positions that require driving or operating heavy machinery. Your answer should show your willingness to adapt to different schedules.

Example: “I am willing to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed. I understand that these are often necessary when there’s an increase in ridership during certain times of day. I also understand that working these hours can be challenging, so I’m prepared to take advantage of training opportunities to help me adjust.”

12. Who is your favorite Toronto sports team?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any connection to the city. They want to know that you’re passionate about the area and would be excited to work there. If you don’t have a favorite team, consider choosing one of the teams in the league with which you are most familiar.

Example: “I’m actually not much of a sports fan, but I do follow the Toronto Maple Leafs because my dad is a huge hockey fan. He took me to my first game when I was five years old, and it’s something we still enjoy doing together every year.”

13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. It can also help employers determine whether you’re likely to stay with the TTC for long-term employment. When answering this question, be honest about your future plans while also showing that you are committed to working at the TTC.

Example: “I hope to still be working as a driver for the TTC in five years. I love driving and interacting with people, so I would like to continue doing this job. In five years, I’d also like to have earned my commercial driver’s license and become an instructor for new drivers.”

14. What makes you the best candidate for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched the position and understand what it entails. It also gives you a chance to highlight your skills, abilities and experience that make you a good fit for this role. When preparing for your interview, read through the job description and think about which of these responsibilities you are already familiar with or feel confident in performing.

Example: “I am passionate about public transportation and committed to providing excellent customer service. I’ve worked as a bus driver before, so I know how important it is to be friendly and helpful to passengers. I’m also very organized and detail-oriented, which makes me well suited to this role.”

15. What is your availability like?

The TTC is a 24-hour transit system, so you need to be available for shifts at all hours of the day. Employers ask this question to make sure that you are able to work these hours and have no conflicts with your availability. Before your interview, check out the schedule to see what times they offer shifts. Make sure you can commit to working those hours if offered the job.

Example: “I am available to work any shift on the schedule. I know that the TTC offers night and early morning shifts, so I would be happy to work one of those. I am also willing to take weekend or holiday shifts as needed.”

16. What type of shift would you prefer to work? (Day/Night)

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability. They want to make sure you’re available for the type of shift they need to fill. In your answer, explain which shifts you are most comfortable working and why. If you have experience working a specific shift, mention that as well.

Example: “I am most comfortable working night shifts because I find them easier to manage than day shifts. However, I do have some daytime driving experience, so I would be willing to work either shift if needed.”

17. Do you have any mechanical skills?

The TTC is a transit system, so it’s important that you have some mechanical skills. Employers ask this question to see if you can fix things on your own and how much experience you have with fixing vehicles or machines. Before your interview, think about any experiences you’ve had repairing cars, bikes or other machinery. If you don’t have any personal experience, you can talk about someone in your family who does.

Example: “I grew up helping my dad work on his car. He taught me all the basics of changing oil, checking fluids and replacing parts. I also helped him change the brakes on our minivan when I was in high school. It was a little challenging at first, but once I got the hang of it, I realized I really enjoyed working on cars.”

18. What was a recent event that impacted your life negatively?

This question is a behavioral one, which means you’re being asked to describe an event in your life and how it impacted you. This can be a great way for employers to learn more about your character and see if you’ve learned from past mistakes. When answering this question, try to focus on the positive outcome of the situation and what you learned from it.

Example: “A few years ago I was involved in a car accident that totaled my vehicle. The other driver was at fault, but they were uninsured. I had to pay out-of-pocket for repairs to my vehicle, totaling $3,000. It took me several months to save up enough money to cover the cost. Since then, I have made sure to always carry sufficient insurance coverage.”

19. How would you describe your leadership style?

The TTC is a large organization that requires many employees to lead others. Your answer should show the interviewer your leadership skills and how you can apply them in this role. You can describe your approach to leading teams, delegating tasks or motivating people.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is collaborative. I like to work with my team members to find solutions to problems and make decisions together. I also think it’s important for leaders to be open to feedback from their team members. This helps me learn more about what my team needs and motivates them to do their best work.”

20. What kind of training will you need to become familiar with our company?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your research skills and how you plan for new roles. Show that you are willing to take the time to learn about the company’s history, its current projects and any training programs it offers employees.

Example: “I did some preliminary research on TTC before our interview today, but I would definitely like to do more. I think it would be beneficial to read up on the organization’s history and see what kind of training or development opportunities it has for employees. I am always looking for ways to improve my professional knowledge and skill set, so I would also love to attend any trainings or workshops offered by the company.”