Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

"I would say so, yes. I started out in an Engineer role with another utility company and have always aspired to become an Engineering Manager. I started looking at the skillsets I need to get into management and took additional classes and coursework to help me get there. I am proud to say I now have over 5 years of experience as an Engineering Manager and I can bring a wealth of knowledge into BC Hydros' Engineering Manager role."

The interviewer would like to understand how you stay motivated and what you do to motivate yourself. Your career is something that most people think about on a continuous basis and BC Hydro also shows they value that with their employees. Consider where you started in your career, where you wanted to be, and how you got there as an answer to this question.

"It is still a work in progress, and this Engineering Manager role at BC Hydro will play a huge part in taking me to the next step in my career progression. This position should give me the additional skills I need to feel confident as an Engineer and as a manager. I have been taking extra online learning courses and webinars on how I can bring more skills to the table and jump right into this position and hit the ground running."

"I would say yes. I started my career young as a helper in a joinery shop, my goals for my career were to learn and gain skills in all aspects of carpentry. My career has led me through finish carpentry, historical renovations, concrete repair, forming and finishing, and construction of residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. I have developed the knowledge and skillsets in these fields not only to be self-sufficient in completing tasks but also to mentor co-workers and manage projects of various sizes."

How do you adapt to changing work schedules?

"I adapt quite well. I understand the nature of the business and I also understand that things happen in nature that we have no control over. I am willing to go above and beyond my normal scheduled work hours to ensure power is restored or any issues get fixed if there is a situation warranting so."

BC Hydro delivers and provides power to over 95% of the population in British Columbia. Knowing this, there will be times when emergencies arise that will require you to work outside of your scheduled hours a week. The interviewer would like to know if you have read the job description and understand the nature of the business. At any time power could go out due to storms and other weather-related catastrophes. A great way to approach answering this question is to focus on how you would be able to accommodate a shifting schedule based on business needs.

"I understand that taking care of our customers is one of the #1 priorities at BC Hydro. I am more than willing to put in the hours needed in order to get work done to keep customers satisfied."

How do you handle stress?

"I handle stress very well, and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure not to get distracted. I know this would be useful as a Coatings Specialist at BC Hydro. Staying on deadline is very helpful especially since this role works with customers and clients."

In your role at BC Hydro, you will encounter times that put you under pressure and stress. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to control pressure in the workplace and possibly describe a situation that you successfully handled a stressful situation.

"Stress is part of any demanding job, and I embrace it to the fullest. Working at BC Hydro as an Instrumentation Database Analyst, I understand that working with instrumentation and databases may get stressful when things are not working correctly. I take good care of myself to prioritize my workload to maintain a healthy balance in my stress levels and problem solve where necessary."

"I stay focused on the task at hand and make sure not to get distracted. I like to break the issue down to the simplest factor and work my way through the problem from there."

How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due from different stakeholders?

"I like to determine priorities in a few different ways. The biggest way I identify priorities is by first speaking with my manager. We are one team, and I like to make sure I am in alignment with expectations from my manager first before I decide what needs to be done. After that, it is up to me to prioritize and work together with the stakeholders and communicate. I like to set up meetings, clearly communicate all of the priorities and expectations, and have them help determine priority level so that we are on the same page."

One of BC Hyrdo's core values is "we are here for our customers." Another is "we are one team." This question is normally asked with their core values in mind, to help them understand how you handle stress and pressure while maintaining professionalism and upholding the company values. Approach this question by starting to think about how you would put their core values first to solve the priority and project question.

"Oftentimes I will set up calls or schedule meetings where the team and I can sit down and talk through priorities. I also like to use software such as Airtable or Trello for all of us to collaborate together and gain further alignment. It is also important that we can communicate and stay in constant communication should priorities shift and change. When working with customers, it has been my experience that priorities can and will change."

"I determine priorities from their overall importance to our team goals. If I have any uncertainties about which priorities should take precedence I do not shy away from asking our leadership group for further direction."

How do you manage a large workload?

"I adapt quickly to be able to manage a large workload. I tend to break down my workload into more manageable pieces and smaller tasks. I will use a to-do list and check off things as I accomplish them. I understand at BC Hydro that workload and responsibilities will change frequently and I'm happy to be kept on my toes."

Schedules and workloads change frequently, and BC Hydro is no exception. Oftentimes, you may feel you are under pressure to produce work and produce a large amount all within a short or small deadline. Approach this question with a positive note, and help the interviewer understand how you manage these stressful workloads. Explain specific ways you manage it. Think about prioritization methods, calendar organization, and other related tools.

"I like to identify which tasks are a high priority and which tasks are a low priority. Higher priority tasks, I like to focus on completing first. I also review these priorities with my manager to ensure we are in alignment. Through this system, I can focus on my tasks individually, rather than stress out by the multitude of tasks ahead of me. I know that providing excellent customer service is super important for BC Hydro, so typically customer related interactions take priority depending on the task."

Can you describe how you relate to BC Hydro's Core Values?

"In my previous role as an Engineer, I was responsible for forecasting and putting together models to predict how to manage our systems. There were times when the whole team's forecasting and numbers fell short and we would have to work late to recalibrate. There were times when everyone had a difference of opinion on which route to take next. I like to be inclusive and work together in a team when in my role, and I made sure we all took turns voicing our opinions. I helped the group come to a compromise of each person's thoughts and we were able to move forward."

It is important you do your research on BC Hydro before your interview. One of the first things you should familiarize yourself with is the organization's core values. Safety, customers, integrity/respect, teamwork, forward-thinking, and inclusion outline their values as a business. The interviewer is trying to assess how your attitude and values align with the company. You can use examples from your previous roles of how you exuded safety or customer service and what that means to you overall as you answer this question.

"As a current Program Manager, I like to be forward-thinking and innovative with any program I am managing. I make sure to keep each program I oversee on track, but I also look for ways to improve the program, throw out ideas, help to find workarounds, and be a team player."

BC Hydro has many different departments and growth opportunities. Where would you like to see your career go with us in the next couple of years?

"In the next 5 years, I would like to see myself acquire the skills and knowledge to pursue an Accounting Manager position. After researching your organization, I know that job shadowing, mentoring, and coaching are ways that BC Hydro can help uplevel someone's career aspirations and I really admire that commitment to your employees. Although I am applying for the Accounting Specialist position now, I always like to learn and grow and at least uplevel my knowledge."

Looking at BC Hydro's website, you can see their current openings for roles as well as their philosophy on career growth and development. It is recommended that you look through this page to see what resources would be available to you as an employee, and speak to the resources that you value and that you think would aid in your career development. In addition, it's wise to think and talk about what position or skills you'd like to have acquired within a certain time frame, to show that you set attainable goals for yourself.

"I have set up a 5-10 year career aspiration plan, and after researching your organization and learning more about this position, I feel that this role fits with my future aspirations and the skills I would like to develop. It is important to me to stay within BC Hydro and grow into multiple positions if I am able, and I would love to see myself promoted based on my hard work and results, and maybe eventually managing my team."

Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?

"I prefer verbal communication because I feel that with written communication, miscommunication can happen due to lack of tone, fluctuation, expression, and body language. I will try to have a face-to-face conversation whenever possible. However, I understand that due to the nature of BC Hydros' business, written communication may also be warranted for documentation purposes. I am happy to do both."

This question can sometimes be a trick question for candidates. The answer the interviewer is most likely looking for is that you excel at both. Do be truthful in your response, but being able to communicate both in verbal and written form is a skill that most companies look for and BC Hydro is no exception.

"I like to leverage both methods of communication when working. Sometimes, situations call for verbal communication, and other times, written and I like to stay cognizant of what works best in each situation. As a rule of thumb, I tend to practice verbal communication, with written follow-up or vice versa. In this role at BC Hydro as a Safety Manager, I think being strong in both will be beneficial."

Have you personally used the services of BC Hydro? If so, what was your overall experience?

"I have been a customer of BC Hydro for six years now. I have always had a pleasant experience when calling to ask questions about my bill or going online to find my statements. I have never had an issue and when I call, everyone is very professional."

Being able to have a personal account of BC Hydro's services will help you assess what their company is like. When you're asked this question, the interviewer really wants to know what you think of the company from the customer side, and also wants to find out what you've heard or witnessed. If you aren't a customer or never have been, you can be an exceptional candidate by calling their office and inquiring about their services - even if you don't need them. It will get you familiar with the organization so that you can truthfully tell the interviewer about your experience with the company.

"I have not been a direct customer of BC Hydro; however, I did call to inquire about your services and what you offer. I was treated with upmost respect and I felt the person I spoke with had a lot of knowledge to help guide me through what services are available to me."

Why do you want to pursue a career opportunity in the utilities industry?

"I am passionate about the utility industry because these are essential services for any well-developed community. The utility industry allows me to tap into multiple career paths if desired. Plus, BC Hydro offers not only diversity and inclusion but diversity in different roles as well."

Approach this question with BC Hydro and its industry in mind. Tailor your response to why your career has led you here. Helping the company understand why you chose the industry and company helps to determine how long you will stay with them as an employee once hired.

"I went to school with going into the utility industry in mind. I like the government-regulated utility sector, and find that some of the best workers and customers come from this industry."

The utilities industry is highly regulated. How do you stay on top of policy changes and trends related to our business?

"With utilities and electricity being a very specific industry/sector, my go-to resources for industry-related news would be utilitydive.com as well as waterworld.com. I subscribe to these two websites as I find they always have up-to-date information, and they mirror industry changes BC Hydro may encounter. I would be interested to see if you know of other resources I might subscribe to or look for as well."

The interviewer is looking to see how motivated you are to keep up with changing trends. As BC Hydro is regulated fairly heavily by not only the government, but by the people of British Columbia, it is important that each employee know the regulations they are expected to adhere by. A great course of action when answering the question is to list any newsletters you are subscribed to, websites you follow, and certifications you will be taking or have to renew that pertain to the industry.

"I like to keep myself up-to-date on the latest industry trends by googling what is coming up in the hydroelectric power world. A great resource online that I have found is hydropower.org. I also like to look up recent market search articles to find anything that is currently trending and watch for upcoming industry-related changes."

On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your reliability and why?

"To give you an example of how reliable I am: in my last role as a Financial Analyst, my team and I were tasked with wrapping up our fiscal year-end. I happened to notice that 4 weeks before the fiscal year-end deadline, many of my coworkers took PTO and I was 2 of 4 people that were supposed to be there working to get everything wrapped up. I wanted to get everything done and closed, so I knew I needed to take initiative and stay late a few nights that week. I talked with my coworker and they agreed to do the same thing, and we were able to finish up fiscal year-end together. I would say I am very reliable and would do whatever is necessary to get the job done."

If BC Hydro hires you for a role, chances are they trust you will get the job done. This question serves to dive deeper into why you think you are reliable. Be able to back up your rating with either an example of a time you have exuded reliability or clearly explain what makes you reliable. Talk about a project that you followed through on or a project you finished when no one else did. How you problem-solved something even though you were not asked to. You could even talk about a time when a project or task was behind schedule and you pushed it forward to completion.

"I consider myself highly reliable. Giving a 10/10 seems a little bit overconfident, however, I have pushed multiple projects through to completion in my last role as a materials coordinator. I was in charge of delivery schedules and on-time deliveries for our customers of materials and made sure vendor information was correctly uploaded into the vendor management system. We had an instance where delivery was supposed to go out on a Friday (we did not deliver on weekends) and it was running behind. I jumped in to help craft the materials and we were able to get it done before the end of the day so that it could be sent to the customer."

Our industry is highly competitive. In your opinion, what are we doing right at BC Hydro? What could we be doing better?

"This company really stands out from its competitors in not only its sustainability efforts but also its focus on customer service and doing right by its shareholders. I can tell just by browsing the website that your customers are important to you as a business, and that isn't something that I see often in this industry. I know every organization has things they might be able to improve, and one item that stands out in this day and age is social media. I had a difficult time finding BC Hydro's social media presence. I know a lot of businesses enjoy added customer satisfaction when they can connect with customers easier. I think this would be a great way to continue to grow your customer service experience."

Get creative with your answer, but keep the answer positive. Choose something small that they could improve on that doesn't negatively talk about their business. Interviewers ask this question to see what you know about the company. For a positive example of what BC Hydro is doing well, you could talk about the value they place on their customers and dive in-depth into what they do that sets them apart in that arena and how you can help continue that. When you choose something they could do better, best to keep it small. This could be their online presence, namely their social media pages or lack of a blog.

"After having done some research on your website, I saw that there are many resources for customers on your website. I know that in BC Hydro's business, customers are the top priority. Having worked in the industry for the past x years, I have become familiar with electric companies having mobile apps in order to pay for their electric services digitally. I know customer service is important to the business and I thought that might be another great way BC Hydro could connect and bring even more services to their customers."

What in your opinion, sets us apart as an electric company?

"I know most electrical and utility companies operate off of natural gas and after doing research on your organization I understand you operate off of hydropower which tends to be more sustainable and clean. I admire that the organization cares about sustainability and I think that sets your organization apart from a lot of the other electric and utility companies."

The interviewer wants to know how much you understand about the electric and power industry and what specifically you know about BC Hydro. BC Hydro operates on hydro powered electricity, which is different from alot of other electric companies you will see. They also focus on clean, sustainable energy which is another key item specific to their business. Research the differences between hydro power versus natural gas, solar power, etc.

"I understand that BC Hydro is owned by the Provincial Crown corporation, where the main shareholder is the Province of British Columbia: the people. After reviewing your website, I found a lot of information about how you care about customers and aim to keep their rates low with sustainability and innovation initiatives. I admire that you are looking to continue to better your services for the customers you serve and find ways to better their experience."

If we hire you at BC Hydro, how will you make an impact in the first 90 days?

"I have about 10 years of experience as a Safety Advisor. I understand from the job description that a task I would be given in this role is to update all safety bulletins and regulations for the company. I would search out the current bulletins and make an inventory of what BC Hydro currently has and work on updating the outdated ones within 30 days."

The interviewer wants to know that you already have a plan of action in place for your success with BC Hydro and wants to assess how much you know about the position and why this position is being recruited for. Outlining a 30,60 or 90-day plan will take researching the job description and the company website. If you are applying for a safety advisor position, discuss how you plan to update safety protocols, for example. Be sure to address the needs that the company has outlined in the job posting or job description.

"In my first 90 days with BC Hydro, I would like to make an impact by learning and understanding everything about my role. This means meeting with key members on my team and other key players that I would be working with and establishing working relationships."

BC Hydro is a regulated utility. Can you explain to me your understanding of what that means?

"Based on my research from your website, I understand that BC Hydro is regulated by the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) under the Utilities Commission Act. I saw that this act lists several things a utility company must adhere to. Some of the things I familiarized myself with were how you are able to set rates, and it holds BC Hydro responsible for providing safe, reliable, and non-discriminatory services."

Similar to another question that an interviewer might ask you, however, this question is explicitly looking for what you know about the regulations that BC Hydro operates under. Be diligent and review the "About Us" page on their website. Here you will find a wealth of information. Some key items you can talk about to answer this question could be: talking about how rates are regulated by environmental and social costs, safety and emergency planning, and customer reporting.

"I know that the organization is regulated by the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) under the Utilities Commission Act. One key item I saw from researching your website that was interesting to me was the Revenue Requirements Application and how the company has to receive approvals to rates, revisions to new or existing regulatory accounts, and the setting of depreciation rates by the BCUC."

How do you stay motivated and how would you ask your manager to support you?

"I like to know that my efforts are being noticed. That could be through words of praise or additional responsibilities that I have expressed interest in. I like to be publically recognized for my efforts which also include recognition rewards."

There are many ways BC Hyrdo strives to motivate its' employees including leadership training programs and continuing education. Those types of motivation for career growth are important, however, keeping motivated in the day-to-day is equally as important. This question seeks to explore how you can stay motivated during those times and how BC Hyrdo can best support you.

"I respond very well to positive feedback and praise. I appreciate it when my manager or peers notice how hard I am working. I also admire when my manager shows complete trust in my work and trusts me to follow through. My last supervisor was very approachable and trusted I would get my job done and that I would come to her if I hit a roadblock or had questions."

What questions do you have for me?

"I do have a few questions for you. What skills are YOU looking for specifically in this role at BC Hydro? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, what do you like about the organization?"

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review BC Hydro's website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are a healthy mix of questions about the role and the company. The company has a wealth of information on its website. A great place to start is their "About Us" page, "Projects and Operations" page, and "News."

"What is BC Hydro's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months? How long has this role been open? Why is this role available? How would I be trained in the role in the first 30, 60 days?"

Do you have reliable transportation?

"I have reliable transportation and will be able to get to the office at the scheduled days and hours required."

It may seem like an arbitrary question, but it is an important question. If you are applying for a role at BC Hydro that requires you to drive your vehicle, or requires you to be on call for certain times of the day/night/weekend, it is important to be able to get to work. If you do not have reliable transportation, now would be a good time to figure out how you would be able to get to work depending on their scheduling priorities.

"I take public transit; however, I find it to be very reliable. I know exactly what public route I need to take to arrive at the office and build in extra time during my commute in the event there are delays out of my control."

Why do you want to work for BC Hydro?

"It's important to me that I work for a company that has a great culture and promotes from within. I see that BC Hydro has a leadership development program and also participates in career and succession planning. This tells me you value your employees and want to keep them."

Find a way that you can connect something you're passionate about with BC Hydro. The company wants to make sure that you have done your research on the organization and ultimately if you would be happy working there. This is also a helpful way for them to find out if you are applying for any and every job and to see if you really have a keen interest in the company itself. Your reasons for wanting to work there could include how you can connect with their Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, or how their view on how they treat their customers aligns with your values.

"The primary reason your company stands out to me includes your focus on employee development and continued education. I see that BC Hydro values its employees and offers mentoring, shadowing, and even tuition reimbursement opportunities for your employees to grow. I value being a part of any organization that values me and I tend to want to stay with companies like that for a long time."

Tell me about yourself.

"A bit about me - I am a recent grad from Columbia University and have spent the past 12 months working an internship in structural engineering at Columbia. The courses I studied that are pertinent to this role are civil engineering, structural mechanics, and fractural mechanics. I'm looking to get my career started in this engineering role at BC Hydro. Professionally, my strongest skills are reliability, my ability to research, and my ability to learn quickly."

Take a few minutes to tell the interviewer a few things about yourself. This is a great opportunity to give an "elevator pitch" about your education history, your career journey, the relevant skills and experience you bring to the table, and why you are interested in the role. Try to stick to work and job-related topics as this often is one of the first questions you will be asked in an interview, including at BC Hydro. The interviewer wants to know what background, experience, and interest you bring to the role you're applying for and BC Hydro itself.

"I graduated with my degree from the University of Victoria in 2016 and since then have gained over 3 years of experience as a structural engineer. I have 3 years of experience doing field investigations and analysis/design of structural components. I am looking for a role where I can utilize my strongest skillsets including reliability, trustworthiness, and my ability to learn quickly "

It seems that your resume is missing certain skills that are necessary for this position. How do you plan to compensate for these missing skills?

"On the job description for IT Manager, I see that you are looking for 8 years of experience working in Smart Metering Infrastructure (SMI) and/or large enterprise organizations. I have about 6 years of experience, however, I have a vast understanding of SMI and am happy to answer any specific questions you have related to this."

It is almost impossible to have each and every skill required in a job description. In the job descriptions with BC Hydro, you will see sections that say "Qualifications" and another section that says "The following are considered assets." Know that most of the time qualifications are ranked from most important to least in a job description. The "assets" are going to be those nice-to-have skills that are not necessarily required but might give you a leg up in being considered for the role. If you don't meet all of the criteria for the role in either category, explain ways you have gone outside that box to gain the knowledge or skills they are looking for.

"I understand that you are looking for an Accounts Payable Manager that has a Certified Professional Accounting certification. I do not currently have the certification but I am in the process of studying for the exam and should have the certification in 6 months."

Tell me about the most important skill you have gained in the past year. How will that skill help you succeed in this role with BC Hydro?

"I think it is imperative to introduce new skills to my repertoire continually. This year, I took the time to self-study and uplevel my Project Manager skillset, and learn more about Agile methodologies through Linkedin Learning. This knowledge has helped me to expand my abilities in more areas than I initially expected, and I hope I can bring these skills to this position with BC Hydro."

The interviewer wants to know that you continue to better yourself by gaining new skills and strengthening your existing skills. Continued education and skill up-leveling is a culture that BC Hydro promotes straight from its website. Discuss what you believe to be the most valuable skill acquired in the past year and what steps you took to obtain it.

"I have recently taken online courses in public speaking to grow my confidence level. I am now more confident in the way I present myself and speak and I hope to bring these newfound skills to this role as an Engineer Team Lead. I will be able to communicate more effectively to my team at BC Hydro."

At BC Hydro we believe in continued education opportunities. In what ways are you continuing your education or knowledge currently?

"Continued education is something that has always been a main priority for me in my career. I am currently pursuing my Project Manager certificate. Being PM certified would help me gain even more credibility as a Project Manager and test my skills on effective ways of performing in my role."

Bc Hydro has many opportunities for growth and development and shows so straight on their website. The interviewer essentially wants to know if you are a good fit for their culture and if you are motivated to continue learning. Continued learning doesn't necessarily mean going back to get a post-secondary or graduate education. It could always be ways that you continue to uplevel certain industry-related skills or sit for industry-related certifications and exams to better your knowledge.

"That is a great question, and I appreciate that you consider continued education options for your employees. I just received my Master's Degree in Computer Science and I am actually taking some courses online through LinkedIn learning to learn more about CGR RFMESH networks, security components and infrastructure."

What are your greatest strengths? How will these skills benefit BC Hydro, if hired?

"I am an excellent communicator and have often been praised for my ability to get groups of people together and on the same page. I am able to bring this skill to the table to ensure that communication lines are always open and if any roadblocks arise on a project or task, that those are handled and figured out right away."

This should be a question that you think about ahead of time to be prepared for. Think about the things that you do well. BC Hydro wants to know that you bring strong skills to the table. Do not hesitate to let the interviewer know what you consider yourself strong in and how they will be able to benefit from those strengths.

"I am excellent at time and project management. I like to organize myself by making a task list and checking off my tasks once complete. I am known for always delivering a project and my tasks on time."

Would you be willing to work over 40 hours a week?

"I know the requirements of the role are to be open to a rotating schedule based on customer needs. I am happy to be a team player and work some overtime, as required."

This question is similar to another question that you might be asked. The focus of the ask here is whether or not you are willing to go above the hours required for the role if needed. Think about the industry that BC Hydro operates in and the rotating schedule requirements on their job descriptions. You should have decided prior to the interview that if that is a requirement for the role, whether or not you would be able to accommodate it.

"Yes, I can meet those expectations. The only thing I would ask is if I am able to get advance notice of the overtime so that I can schedule my life outside of work accordingly for that time period."

Describe your leadership skills.

"Previous feedback from a recent manager outlined that my leadership style is attentive, open, and confident. I will always listen to my team and give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their performance. I am always fair and encourage an open-door policy with all teammates."

There are two ways to look at this question. The first is how you have used your leadership skills in past roles to lead employees and peers. Second, if you have no leadership experience, think about how you step up in certain situations and take the lead. As BC Hyrdo positions itself with leadership development opportunities, the interviewer wants to know how you will step up if needed and what those leadership skills look like.

"I have taken many workshops and courses to improve my leadership skills over the years. My leadership qualities are best summed as dedicated, attentive, and motivating. I like to recognize my employees' small wins because that motivates them to continue achieving."

When do you best demonstrate yourself as a leader?

"I am often recognized as a leader in my everyday work. At my last company, I was a maintenance engineer, but I had been working in the industry for about 5 years at the time. I worked with my last company for 6 years and through that time became known as a Subject Matter Expert. Often, I would have coworkers and peers come to me with questions about how to do something and I would provide guidance."

Being a leader is important, especially at BC Hydro. Even if you are not interviewing for a role in management or leadership, it's important to show leadership skills in your work and role. The goal is to identify how you take charge and how you would take charge in your role at BC Hydro. Perhaps you like to take charge of projects and tasks without being asked, or you are a Subject Matter Expert that your peers feel comfortable going to for assistance. If you are in a leadership role, outline how you like to lead. Specify what is important to you as a leader and how you treat your employees.

"When you call my previous supervisor, she will tell you that I am one of the employees that really stepped up when needed. Whether that was to meet a tough deadline or to provide guidance and input on tasks with my teammates, I would not hesitate to help."

Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?

"I do have experience giving disciplinary action to employees for various performance and behavioral reasons. I am comfortable with these types of tasks and understand that they are sometimes necessary."

If you are applying for a manager or leadership role at BC Hydro, there is a certainty you will have to give out corrective action or disciplinary measures. Other times you will be responsible for terminations. Understanding your skill set and the knowledge you have so far is what the interviewer is trying to gauge. If you have experience, you could describe a time you had to give out corrective discipline. If you do not, you can explain that you understand the concepts and what you are doing to bridge the skill gap.

"I have not been in a position to perform terminations or hold corrective discipline meetings; however, I would be willing to perform these types of tasks with a small amount of training and research. I am currently enrolled in a management and leadership course through Coursera so that I can learn best practices."

How do you respond to feedback both positive and negative?

"It's important for me to be able to learn and grow, which I know is important at BC Hydro. Even though it can be difficult to hear criticism, I always pause before I respond and take time to think about what feedback is being given to me. I will often ask if I am able to have some time to think so that I can come back with solutions."

Learning, growth, and career development are important in an organization. BC Hydro operates the same way. It's important to the interviewer to understand how you respond to both positive and negative feedback. When answering about negative feedback, stick to how it will provide a learning opportunity for you.

"I accept both kinds of feedback, as I feel it's important to be able to learn and grow. Sometimes negative feedback can be uncomfortable, but sometimes growth comes from outside of your comfort zone."

What would you do if a client asked you about a product or service and you were unsure of the answer?

"If I had a client ask me about something that I didn't know enough about, I would find the answer for them before giving a potentially false answer. I would find the answer quickly by asking the appropriate person or finding it within the company's internal resources. I am also not afraid to communicate that I do not know the answer immediately, but that I will find out."

It's always good to take another look at BC Hydro's core values. This can really tell you a lot about how to handle a customer situation and what the company values the most when in these interactions. One of the core values is "we are a team." Utilize this core value and provide an example of a team approach you could use to solve this problem. The interviewer is checking to see if you will use all of your available resources when tasked with a problem or questions you don't know the answer to.

"I am accustomed to having to think on my feet and come up with a creative answer based on the information I have at hand. With that said, I'm not going to tell a client something that is untrue or could potentially create a long-term issue. I am happy to get out of my comfort zone to grow, learn, and help a customer. One of BC Hydro's core values is "we are a team" and I do not take that lightly. I will not hesitate to involve the appropriate parties, do my research, and work collaboratively to solve the situation."

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $62,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus based on performance. Last year my earnings were $74,400, and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

Be transparent about what you are looking for as a salary. Be sure to include the total compensation package that you are looking for consisting of salary, bonus, and any additional perks such as employee stock options. If you are unsure about the salary you are looking for, another approach to this question would be to ask what BC Hydro has budgeted for the role.

"Based on my research on this role and the salaries that are common for this industry, I would be looking for $100,000 plus a 10% bonus. Please let me know if that salary is in line with that BC Hydro has budgeted for the role."

Sometimes our customers do not understand their bill and they will reach us with questions. Tell me about your communication skills and how you would respond to an irate customer.

"I had a customer call last week because her bill was twice the amount of what she was expecting. She was distraught because her bill had always consistently been the same. I listened and let her know I understood where she was coming from, ensuring her I would move as quickly as I could to find a solution. Listening and empathizing helped her to calm down and ease the tension during the call. My manager agreed that we would, one time only, discount her bill by half. She was happy, and we kept a customer complaint from blowing out of proportion."

Keeping a customer calm when they do not understand their bill can be a challenging task. Customer service is important at BC Hyrdo, so the interviewer wants to hear about a situation where you used your customer service skills to handle an irate customer and were successful in de-escalating the situation.

"Irate customers are usually just wishing to be heard. If I were to come across a customer who is unhappy, I would ask them to tell me more about what was bothering them. Once I have a clear understanding of the true problem, I can research ways to bring a solution to them."

Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond.

"Last week I noticed that my teammate had not completed reviewing her test plans for the following week which would put us behind schedule. In an effort to stay on schedule, I offered to take on some of her workloads. We worked together for a couple of overtime hours that day and were able to catch her up on everything. It felt good to help but also benefited the project we were working on to keep it on schedule."

Display to the interviewer that you are someone that goes above and beyond outside of your job description. BC Hydro outlines that they are innovative and want to grow in all areas of their business. The interviewer simply wants to see if you fit in with its culture and if you will be able to not only help grow your role but the organization as well.

"I often go above and beyond when it comes to helping new employees to feel comfortable and welcomed. In my current position, I like to take them under my wing and act as a mentor and let them shadow me if they are in a similar role. I like to make sure to be inclusive of all people and positions, and I would definitely strive to do that at BC Hydro."

Tell me about a time you had to stick to strict requirements on a project.

"In my last role as a property coordinator, I was required to approve requests for new electricity service. There were strict approval processes, documents to fill out, and communication information requirements that I had to follow before I could establish service. When I have a task similar to this, I like to use a checklist to make sure I have met all of the requirements and tasks that need to be adhered to and to make sure I am following protocol."

Often times there will be standards that you will have to be aware of when working on a project or in your everyday tasks. Since BC Hydro is government regulated, it is part responsibility of the employees to know what standards and regulations they need to adhere to. Sharing a situation where you have either worked on a project that was under strict requirements or standards would fit this question nicely. A suggestion is to format your answer mirroring the S.T.A.R method (describe the situation, the tasks involved, the actions you took, and how the resolution came about).

"As an Administrative Assistant, I was responsible for making sure I entered the route drivers' mileage correctly into an Excel spreadsheet. Our CEO wanted us to make sure the mileage was entered as well as the rates we were paying out (showing the calculations) so that the drivers could see how their rate reimbursement was calculated. I like to make double-check that each of those boxes is filled out on each form after I am done entering all of the mileage reimbursement to ensure I am following the correct protocol."

BC Hydro Interview Questions

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1. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
2. How do you adapt to changing work schedules?
3. How do you handle stress?
4. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due from different stakeholders?
5. How do you manage a large workload?
6. Can you describe how you relate to BC Hydro's Core Values?
7. BC Hydro has many different departments and growth opportunities. Where would you like to see your career go with us in the next couple of years?
8. Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?
9. Have you personally used the services of BC Hydro? If so, what was your overall experience?
10. Why do you want to pursue a career opportunity in the utilities industry?
11. The utilities industry is highly regulated. How do you stay on top of policy changes and trends related to our business?
12. On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your reliability and why?
13. Our industry is highly competitive. In your opinion, what are we doing right at BC Hydro? What could we be doing better?
14. What in your opinion, sets us apart as an electric company?
15. If we hire you at BC Hydro, how will you make an impact in the first 90 days?
16. BC Hydro is a regulated utility. Can you explain to me your understanding of what that means?
17. How do you stay motivated and how would you ask your manager to support you?
18. What questions do you have for me?
19. Do you have reliable transportation?
20. Why do you want to work for BC Hydro?
21. Tell me about yourself.
22. It seems that your resume is missing certain skills that are necessary for this position. How do you plan to compensate for these missing skills?
23. Tell me about the most important skill you have gained in the past year. How will that skill help you succeed in this role with BC Hydro?
24. At BC Hydro we believe in continued education opportunities. In what ways are you continuing your education or knowledge currently?
25. What are your greatest strengths? How will these skills benefit BC Hydro, if hired?
26. Would you be willing to work over 40 hours a week?
27. Describe your leadership skills.
28. When do you best demonstrate yourself as a leader?
29. Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?
30. How do you respond to feedback both positive and negative?
31. What would you do if a client asked you about a product or service and you were unsure of the answer?
32. What are your salary expectations?
33. Sometimes our customers do not understand their bill and they will reach us with questions. Tell me about your communication skills and how you would respond to an irate customer.
34. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond.
35. Tell me about a time you had to stick to strict requirements on a project.

BC Hydro Interview Questions

1. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

2. How do you adapt to changing work schedules?

3. How do you handle stress?

4. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due from different stakeholders?

5. How do you manage a large workload?

6. Can you describe how you relate to BC Hydro's Core Values?

7. BC Hydro has many different departments and growth opportunities. Where would you like to see your career go with us in the next couple of years?

8. Would you say you are a better verbal or written communicator?

9. Have you personally used the services of BC Hydro? If so, what was your overall experience?

10. Why do you want to pursue a career opportunity in the utilities industry?

11. The utilities industry is highly regulated. How do you stay on top of policy changes and trends related to our business?

12. On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your reliability and why?

13. Our industry is highly competitive. In your opinion, what are we doing right at BC Hydro? What could we be doing better?

14. What in your opinion, sets us apart as an electric company?

15. If we hire you at BC Hydro, how will you make an impact in the first 90 days?

16. BC Hydro is a regulated utility. Can you explain to me your understanding of what that means?

17. How do you stay motivated and how would you ask your manager to support you?

18. What questions do you have for me?

19. Do you have reliable transportation?

20. Why do you want to work for BC Hydro?

21. Tell me about yourself.

22. It seems that your resume is missing certain skills that are necessary for this position. How do you plan to compensate for these missing skills?

23. Tell me about the most important skill you have gained in the past year. How will that skill help you succeed in this role with BC Hydro?

24. At BC Hydro we believe in continued education opportunities. In what ways are you continuing your education or knowledge currently?

25. What are your greatest strengths? How will these skills benefit BC Hydro, if hired?

26. Would you be willing to work over 40 hours a week?

27. Describe your leadership skills.

28. When do you best demonstrate yourself as a leader?

29. Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?

30. How do you respond to feedback both positive and negative?

31. What would you do if a client asked you about a product or service and you were unsure of the answer?

32. What are your salary expectations?

33. Sometimes our customers do not understand their bill and they will reach us with questions. Tell me about your communication skills and how you would respond to an irate customer.

34. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond.

35. Tell me about a time you had to stick to strict requirements on a project.