How do you define success?

"I define success by my ability to extend my reach beyond the goals set out for me by others, or by myself. I am proactive in strategizing the most efficient approach to yield the most productive results. Every target set out for me I view as an opportunity to further my professional development, which is what I am after, as long as it complements what we aim to achieve as a team. More often than not, what I learn professionally benefits me in my personal life as well. And for me, that is what defines success."

Throughout your interview, you'll be evaluated for your fit, based on how well you align with their culture and values. With this question, they are curious whether your definition of success will complement how they operate. Teck classifies their values both by who they are and how they operate. One of the values they list under how they operate is "Excellence. We achieve leading performance through innovation and commitment to continuous improvement in efficiency and productivity." So, how you answer the question will inform them of how well you've prepared for this interview, and whether you've come prepared with the knowledge of how they, at Teck Resources, define success.

Take time to prepare for your interview by thoroughly researching their website. Then take account of all the ways you fit their mold as an ideal candidate. Write out your answers to each of these interview questions. Determine which of their culture keywords and phrases could be interchanged with yours, and practice. With this question, look back on your career and experience, and make a list of all your significant achievements or when you surpassed significant milestones. Then decide which of those best aligns with their definition of excellence.

What would you describe as the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?

"The most challenging problem that I encountered in my career was when I was entrusted with an incredibly important project with a major client whose contract contributed greatly to our annual budget. I was very excited and eager to embark upon this, but it was also a lot to adjust to and manage with my other responsibilities. After some initial difficulties getting off the ground, I was able to get a good pace going. The client was challenging to work with. They were rarely available, due to extensive international travel. So, for the 6 months of the project, I made my work hours more flexible to better coordinate with their time zone. Making this adjustment allowed us to communicate via Skype daily. It was a sacrifice and meant late night and early morning calls, which was challenging. I'm not at my best at either the beginning of my shift, or when I am winding down at quitting hour, but I rose to the challenge of being on at those times. The outcome was more successful than I imagined."

Your interviewer needs to get a sense of the person behind the resume and CV. With this question, they aim to assess your emotional intelligence and level of experience. They'll do this by evaluating what you interpret as a challenge. Being challenged professionally isn't always a negative thing. For most career-minded professionals, it is a positive. Setting up or seeking out new challenges promotes one's professional development and furthers one's career goals.

On their website, Teck Resources Limited advertises they aim to recruit those who have leadership potential, and they encourage professional development with all of their employees. "Our approach to leadership development is primarily focused on four programs: Leading for the Future, Leading for Excellence, Leading Together and Emerging Leaders. Teck also provides employees with access to unlimited online training through an external provider, encouraging upgrading of skills and knowledge for their current or future roles."

Avoid offering any examples where you describe difficulties working with challenging individuals or anything negative about the work environment or leadership. This will simply portray that you prefer the status quo over being challenged, and have difficulty establishing interpersonal relationships.

Are you applying with any of our competitors?

"Well, I manage all of my projects well, including my job search. So, I am not the type to put all of my eggs in one basket. But having said that, I have a lot of integrity as well, and speak honestly and with transparency. So, working at Teck Resources is at the top of my list, and I am pursuing this opportunity first before all others. I am impressed with the company's Top 100 Employers award, along with their scenic locations, many of which are destinations I am drawn to. I could keep going down the list, but I feel this is the best fit for me, so I am shooting for the stars first before I consider interviewing with or accepting a job offer from any of Teck's competitors."

How you answer this question could inform your interviewer of whether you are genuinely interested in working specifically for them, and why. Or, it could inform them of whether you are simply playing the numbers game and trying to land a job with any company in the industry. In truth, it matters less if you are considering pursuing opportunities elsewhere in the industry, and matters more that your preference would be working with Teck over their competitors, and being able to elaborate on why.

Teck was named one of Canada's top 100 employers by Mediacorp, Canada's largest publisher of employment periodicals, where Canada's Top Employers program recognizes companies for exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies, and grades employers on eight criteria, including training and skills development, vacation and time off, and health, financial and family benefits."This award is a reflection of our talented and engaged employees whose commitment, enthusiasm and ability is critical to our ongoing success," said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. "Teck is focused on building a culture of safety and employee engagement while supporting diversity, innovation and leadership development across our workforce."

Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?

"Ideally, five years from now, I would love to see myself growing into a more prominent leadership role at Teck. I would like to be well-connected and considered a trusted go-to resource by my teams. Ideally, I would love to make my way through the company to work in Chile. Aside from that, I feel my career interests align very nicely with your company's values, which enables me to envision this being a great long-term fit."

Your interviewer, as a recruiter for Teck Resources, is expected to have a "proven ability to build, maintain and develop high-performing teams." So, they are looking for employees who are interested in pursuing long-term employment with them. On their website, they detail that "Teck took several actions to enhance our talent pipeline, with a record number of recruitment marketing activities and campaigns to fill vacancies. We track employee turnover, including voluntary resignations, involuntary layoffs, and retirements. Industry growth and the shift toward flexible work approaches have resulted in a very competitive market for talent. In response to these shifting expectations, Teck has adjusted our approach to compensation, benefits, development and work conditions in order to engage and retain our employees."

It's difficult to say where you will be in five years. When conducting your research on the company and the position, also explore where a career with Teck Industries could potentially take your career. Explore other positions that interest you, even if they are beyond your current experience level. Explore their opportunities for furthering your professional education and the doors that could open. Map out a career path with Teck that will assure your interviewer you are sincerely interested in a long-term professional relationship. As they advertise on many of their job postings, "Are you ready for a career that combines adventure, responsibility, and the chance to make a difference in a breathtakingly beautiful location? Look no further!"

Has your current position progressed to your liking or are you more happy with the status quo?

"Change is a constant for me in my current company, and that's the way I like it. And, I made that known when I started with the company that I have ambitious career goals, and that I was determined to reach them. My role does not look the same at all, and I am thankful for the growth opportunity that my current company has offered me. I was a junior-level operator when I started 8 years ago. Today, I am responsible for leading a team of 8 operators. I am awarded new responsibilities regularly and have earned the trust they've given me. It seems I am almost always training new employees, hosting lunch and learns, and occasionally writing or revising policy. This pace of growth complements me well. But I am now interested in steering my career in a direction different from what my current company can facilitate and am excited to explore further the variety of career and developmental opportunities Teck Resources has to offer."

This question stands to potentially inform your interviewer of several things. Your answer might provide insights into the condition under which you left your current or previous position. It might suggest whether you are an overachieving career-minded professional interested in development and growth, and your leadership potential. Or, your answer might suggest you are resistant to change, avoid challenging situations, prefer the status quo, and have little to no ambition to move beyond your current station.

Whether you have progressed professionally or been promoted as swiftly as you would have preferred, focus on the positives when answering this question. Use this as an opportunity to advertise which of their recruiting efforts enticed you to make this career move and pursue a position with them. For example, on their careers site, they answer the question, "Why Work at Teck? Find challenging work assignments and excellent opportunities for career and professional growth with Canada's largest diversified natural resource company. Growth: Teck offers the chance to chart your own career journey through different operations and business units across the globe while working to solve rewarding challenges. From site to head office, there's no limit to how far your ideas and passion can take you. Grow at Teck. We believe in supporting and investing in our employees so they can see the world and change it."

Fifty percent of your interview preparation is researching the company you are interested in working for, and the other fifty percent of preparation is researching yourself, and determining if it seems like a good fit. Think back on your career progression, outline your career progression to date, and the timeline of overcoming your career goals and developmental milestones. Make a list of any entrusted responsibilities, promotions, and accomplishments that advertise your competence and attest to your success in your role.

How would you describe your communication skills?

"I used to, on occasion, not communicate as clearly as I preferred. So I took several online courses on communication. This was about three years ago. I was astonished by how much goes into being an effective communicator. Now, I do all I can to keep myself open and available. I am receptive and transparent, often seek out feedback, and consider everything offered situationally. I am always clarifying, asking questions, and actively listening. I never go in assuming anything and want to learn. I take nothing for granted in communication, never speak with authority on a subject I am not fully versed in, and am more comfortable saying I don't know. So, I am confident in my skills, and look forward to continually improving upon them."

Your interviewer is interested in the communication skills you possess. How you answer this question, and how well you communicate it, will probably inform your interviewer of your experience level. As they detail in several of their job postings, they're looking for effective communicators with a "collaborative working style based on openness, transparency and mutual respect," with "strong writing and public presentation skills."

Some of the categories of communication include active listening, empathy, seeking clarity, asking questions, open-mindedness, situation observation, emotion control, adaptability, confidence, and presentation. This includes verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Think about situations where your communication skills shined and those where you were challenged and identified areas where you still had room to grow. Showcasing your experience level with forethought will position you as an emotionally intelligent, and professionally driven candidate.

Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.

"I have a saying. Always play to your team's strengths, and never exploit their weaknesses. So, even when I am delivering feedback, I am playing to their strengths. Everyone communicates differently, and you have to take care not to trigger their defenses. For example, I recently noticed it was taking a member of my team more time than usual to turn in their reports. So, knowing one of their strength lies in wanting to help others out on the team, preferring working more collaboratively than alone, I told them another employee could really use their help. I then asked them if they were in a position to help them out, and asked if they were in a position to quickly wrap up anything else they were working on. They were eager to help, but expressed they had three reports they needed to finish. I then asked them what was going on with that and if there was anything I could do to help them overcome whatever they were struggling with. They volunteered what they were struggling with, and we were able to collaborate in creating a plan to tackle those growth opportunities, right then and there. They were very appreciative and expressed they found our conversation very motivating."

This is another question aimed at evaluating your leadership potential. How you answer this question may inform your interviewer of whether you'll be capable of relaying the company's vision and direction in a way that inspires every member of your team to feel like a stakeholder. Your response should demonstrate your ability to encourage your team, identify growth opportunities, articulate constructive feedback, and inspire change. Also, make sure you communicate your answer articulately while avoiding using any speech tics or crutch words, and add structure to your answer.

Being an effective leader requires being an effective communicator. This includes having strong mediation skills, a sense of diplomacy, and being skilled in persuasion. In fact, in many of the positions advertised on their site, they describe they are looking for candidates with "excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to inspire, motivate and influence people and engage resources across different areas and levels of the organization."

What is you approach to honesty, on and off the job?

"I've been told that I can be compulsively honest, and my wife reminds me that I'm the worst liar in the world. I approach everything with transparency. For example, if someone asks me how I'm doing, and I'm feeling a little tired and cranky, I'll be honest rather than saying I'm just fine. I am a transparent individual. This helps avoid any miscommunication, such as coworkers misinterpreting nonverbal cues. My character is also formed by my integrity. So, whenever I feel it is the right thing to do to speak up and be honest, even if I wasn't asked, I will take the ethical road forward at speed."

This question is aimed at providing your interviewer with a broader picture of the makeup of your character. How you answer may inform them of whether you'd have any difficulty adhering to their code of ethics, and whether you would conduct yourself in a manner which reflects favorably upon their company. Search for their for Teck Resources' code of ethics online, and you'll find the PDF readily available. Then pull up your current or previous employer's code of ethics and see how the two align. When speaking to this point, showcase how your integrity forms your character and is aligned with what they expect of their employees. Taking this approach will showcase how well you've prepared, and that you have a strong work ethic, positioning you as a desirable candidate.

As they state on their website, "Teck Resources Limited is committed to transparency, that means full disclosure." They also specify that they consider honesty, integrity, and respect as intertwined. "The Code of Ethics affirms Teck's commitment to uphold high moral and ethical principles and specifies the basic norms of behaviour for those conducting business on Teck's behalf. We believe that honesty is the essential standard of integrity. Teck's activities are to be based on honesty, integrity and respect."

If you had a personal mission statement, what would it be?

"Well, I actually do have something of a personal purpose statement, as it were. My child asked what I do for a living when they were very little, and I told them that I was an archeologist for the things that haven't been built yet. That instead of digging up things from the past, I dig up things for the future. So, I would say that my professional purpose is just that, that I am excavating the future with care for the generations to come."

With this question, having a pre-scripted mission statement isn't expected of you, though meditating on what you find personally rewarding in your career couldn't hurt. Your interviewer is more interested in assessing your self-awareness of what drives and motivates you, along with familiarity with Teck Resources' purpose statement. They'll also evaluate how consistent your answers are from question to question. Therefore, how you navigate this question will more so speak to your experience as a professional, while providing the interviewer with insights into your sincerity and potential fit within the teams they are building.

On its website, Teck Resources defines its purpose in the following statement, "To provide the essential resources the world is counting on to make life better while caring for the people, communities and land that we love." They go on to elaborate on this throughout their website. So, when thinking about what you find rewarding about working in your industry, and how you would explain it to those who ask, consider coming up with a statement that summarizes what you do in a way that emphasizes the importance of your work.

What is your approach to safety?

"Safety has always been a very high priority for me. This is one of the reasons why Teck Resources stands out, especially since it is a core value, which you just don't see every day. I go out of my way to set the example of consistently ensuring all safety precautions are being taken at work and off the job. Life's too short. I frequently volunteer to lead our safety committee, and always speak up if I see someone doing something unsafe, or identify a less-than-ideal safety condition. Setting this sort of example not only protects me and the members of my team but protects the company's interests as well."

Before considering hiring anyone, a recruiter has to assess whether a candidate would be an asset or a liability. One of their values, under how they operate, is "Health and Safety. We are focused on ensuring everyone goes home safe and healthy every day." Therefore, your interviewer needs to ensure anyone who they consider hiring will prioritize safety as they do. They even have articles on their website featuring safety heroes who spoke up, brought attention to safety concerns, and served as courageous safety leaders.

When researching their website you'll find they repeatedly reiterate their safety priorities as one of their core values. Nearly every one of their positions requires candidates to "be a courageous safety leader. Safety is a core value at Teck, and we believe we can operate without fatalities or serious injuries. This belief is at the heart of Courageous Safety Leadership (CSL), which is central to our safety strategy at Teck. CSL is a journey, for each of us individually, within our teams, and for our company, one on which we are constantly strengthening our culture of safety. It starts with each of us having the courage and responsibility to speak up. CSL is a values-based approach to safety that challenges existing beliefs and attitudes, and empowers every employee to be a safety leader. In CSL, we also learned about the ripple effect our safe work choices can have on our family, friends and coworkers. Courageous Safety Leadership is the heart of safety at Teck."

Who are our competitors and what sets us apart from them?

"I would say it depends on the region. Sociedad Quimica y Minera, in Chile, Franco-Nevada, and Wheaton, to name a few. But I would say none of them can truly compete with how future-forward thinking Teck Resources is, especially concerning how they're leading the world in technological advancement and sustainability."

Throughout your interview, you may be asked similarly phrased, or similarly themed questions that put your attention to detail to the test. How capably you answer each question, without being repetitive, will speak to how experienced you are as a candidate, and how well-prepared you are for your interview. So, go beyond reading through Teck's website, and do some basic searches on their competitors, and what sets them apart. Often, any company will advertise their unique accomplishments on their own site. But the last thing you want to do is speak with authority on a subject you know little about or ask clarifying questions you could have easily answered on your own.

When it comes to performances on stock values Teck Resources outperforms their chief competitors in over half of the performance categories. Among their main competitors are Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), Franco-Nevada (FNV), Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM), ArcelorMittal (MT), Steel Dynamics (STLD), Cameco (CCJ), Westlake (WLK), Albemarle (ALB), Celanese (CE), and Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM).However, it is in Teck's purpose and mission, as one of Canada's leading mining companies, that it distinguishes itself. They establish their focus as providing products that are essential to building a better quality of life for people around the globe. They also distinguish themselves from their competitors through their awards and recognition. "Teck has been recognized as a world leader in sustainability and responsible resource development in several indices and through awards for our sustainability and safety performance."

In their commitment to continually enhancing their sustainable practices in the industry, while contributing to helping sustainably meet growing demand, Teck Resources was awarded the Copper Mark in recognition of environmentally and socially responsible production practices."Copper is an essential metal for the transition to a low-carbon economy," said Jonathan Price, President and CEO of Teck. "Being awarded the Copper Mark demonstrates our operations' commitment to responsible copper production, for our customers and for the environment and people where we operate." The Executive Director of the Copper Mark said, "Teck's operations are a great example of our multi-metal approach, having achieved the Copper Mark, the Zinc Mark and the Molybdenum Mark. We are grateful for Teck's commitment to the Copper Mark assurance framework and look forward to continuing our partnership on the responsible production of key metals supporting the clean energy transition."

How strongly do you feel about sustainability being a necessary priority in this industry?

"I love what I do for a living, but I have to admit, that at times, when I have to tell people what I do for a living, such as when people ask me, whether at a party or a PTA meeting, it isn't always well received, and sometimes turns into a heated discussion. I try to explain that this is an integral industry, but haven't always been happy with the track record of my previous employers. This is one of the primary reasons I would really love to work with Teck, especially since their sustainability goals and accomplishments are so impressive. If I worked here, and someone asked me where I worked, I could speak to how the future looks brighter, thanks to the forward-thinking of my employer, and could speak to this with pride."

Your interviewer is curious whether you prioritize sustainability as a priority, and whether Teck Resources' commitment was a determiner in pursuing a position with them. How you answer may inform them of whether you would serve as a valued addition to the teams they are building. Go on their website and explore their commitments to sustainability, their code of sustainable conduct, their approach to responsible resource development, and how they work to achieve their purpose while staying consistent with their values and policies through responsible environmental, social, and governance performance.

According to several watchdog groups, including the World Benchmarking Alliance, Teck Resources ranks among the highest among their competitors, for their "sustainability strategy and accountability and commitments to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It ranks fifth among its 97 peers in the metals and mining industry." Sustainability is an integral part of their identity as a company. So much so that they've included sustainability among their core values. "We make a positive contribution to the environment, and ensure the wellbeing of the communities and Indigenous Peoples where we operate."

How knowledgeable are you with our corporate governance practices?

"As I am new to this industry, I do not have a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to corporate governance. With that said, I am new to the subject and have explored it a bit just recently. Corporate governance is primarily how the board of directors governs, and directs the company, keeping the stockholders' interests and concerns top of mind, while focusing on four primary areas: people, process, performance, and purpose. Based on what I recently read about Teck Resources, some of the primary focuses today are on their people, especially concerning their diversity efforts. Some of the other efforts they are focusing on are their sustainable business practices surrounding the environment and indigenous heritage. But as I said, I am no expert. What more can you tell me about the subject?"

Most corporate governance stakeholders include a company's board, shareholders, directors, and auditors. The four Ps of corporate governance are people, process, performance, and purpose. Aside from their company purpose and their sustainability practices, which define both their process and performance, Teck Resources mostly discusses their diversity, equality, and inclusion efforts when covering the topic of corporate governance. Therefore, your interviewer is curious about how culturally competent you are, and how adeptly you're able to work and collaborate with those who come from different backgrounds or walks of life than your own.

You can find a good deal of the necessary information on their website needed to answer this question. They have an entire webpage dedicated to their corporate governance practices, "Our people establish a culture of safety, employee engagement and support diversity. We are able to do more, and be more, together. To provide the essential resources the world is counting on to make life better while caring for the people, communities and land that we love.Teck is committed to establishing a culture of both physical and psychological safety, employee engagement, employee development, fostering leadership, and support for equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Our Board of Directors has adopted a Board Diversity Policy that requires consideration of a candidate's gender, membership in a visible minority, and Indigenous heritage, and whether a candidate self-identifies as a person with disabilities, in addition to their business skills, qualifications and career history. "

How strongly would you say your education has positioned you in your career?

"I earned a degree in Business Management from Strayer University and a PMP Certificate from the Project Management Institute. The biggest takeaways from my education, aside from my degree and certification, are the multitasking skills I picked up, being able to function highly while working on complex projects and being able to anticipate the needs of my superiors. I also bring fifteen solid years of experience in the industry. My attitude informs my development, however. I am one of those who has an insatiable curiosity, and every answer to each question just creates more questions that need answering. So, I am very interested in continuing my education and learning everything I can while on the job. That is one of the things that really lured me into pursuing a career with Teck, the many developmental opportunities they create for their people."

Your interviewer is curious about what your formal or informal education has offered your career. The required educational experience varies from position to position, some requiring graduating from high school, and others more advanced post-secondary education. Also, thoroughly explore their in-house training and development, and their benefits and incentives in helping their people further their education.

Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the position. Breathe life and a deeper context in the educational experience you've outlined on your resume. Go beyond what you learned in the curriculum of your formal education, and share those experiences and life lessons that helped inform your character and furthered your professional development. Then explore the opportunities they offer to further your education and evaluate which of those appeal to you based on your career and development goals.

"Teck offers sponsorship for employees who wish to pursue business education through a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and an Executive MBA program. In partnership with Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business, we offer graduate-level business courses through our business education program. These include master of business administration (MBA) level courses relevant to work life at Teck and lead to a graduate diploma in business administration (GDBA). Also, in partnership with the Beedie School of Business, Teck's internal MBA program enables employees to work toward their executive MBA designation while working full-time. This EMBA program is open to nominated graduates of the GDBA program. We encourage and support employees' efforts to maintain their skills designations."

Tell me about the most feedback you received at your job, and how you felt about it.

"I regularly seek out feedback from my supervisors. On most occasions, for the most part, their feedback is positive and encouraging. Most recently, they showed me some areas where I could go the extra mile to improve my documentation. So I am currently working on that. I can be a perfectionist and tend to hyper-focus on things. I've been told that I should widen my vision when I get so singularly focused on something. I learned a long time ago to just listen, observe, and process the feedback. If you knee-jerk react and respond, you might be doing so defensively, which doesn't foster the growth you're after. So, I just listen, thank the person for the feedback, and learn what I can."

Your interviewer wants to know more about your level of emotional intelligence, and whether you view receiving feedback as a negative or a positive. Career-focused candidates will go out of their way to seek out feedback with a determination to grow and develop themselves professionally. Whereas those who prefer to cruise along with the status quo, performing at the bare minimum, are more likely to view no news as good news and try to fear receiving feedback. Lastly, how one responds to feedback could inform them of your communication skill level, and whether you respond maturely to feedback or defensively.

Another of Teck Resources' core values is "Humble and Driven. We are open and we listen, learn, and are relentless in the pursuit of excellence." They also go into detail about how they prioritize performance and development, which they describe as a development process "by which salaried employees have regular performance reviews, development planning and career conversations with their supervisors." But they also describe how they ensure feedback goes both ways, through their engagement and inclusion surveys, where they ask "employees to share their perceptions on Teck's business strategy, goals and objectives."

Why is our industry a fundamental one?

"As I say, the mining of metals keeps the world turning. Whether it's copper and steel for infrastructure, lithium for more sustainable batteries, or electronics and microchips, without these, we wouldn't be seeing the progress and transformation our societies are seeing today. All other industries rely on our industry."

Teck Resources recruiters are hoping to recruit employees who see value in their company and their industry. Those who take pride in, and enjoy, their work are more likely to be happier and stay longer. Whereas those who just see it as a job are more likely to experience burnout and contribute to employee turnover. So, share your knowledge of the industry, and how it continues to contribute to humanity, especially when those resources are cultivated sustainably.

"Going beyond their purpose of sustainably providing essential resources to the world, familiarize yourself with the products they source, including copper, zinc, and steelmaking coal. "Copper plays an important role in meeting the world's growing demand for infrastructure and products and is a vital component in power generation and transmission, construction, clean technology and electronics. Climate change is top of mind for much of the world's population. The transition to renewable energy and electrification will require commodities like copper. The copper we produce is helping to build the low-carbon future. Zinc protects steel by improving its durability. The primary uses of zinc are for galvanizing steel to protect against weather and corrosion, producing brass and bronze, and in die-casting to produce a wide range of metal products. Zinc can increase crop yields and crop quality. And, as an essential nutrient in human development and disease prevention, zinc saves lives.Steelmaking coal is an essential ingredient in the production of steel. Also called metallurgical or coking coal, it is necessary for building infrastructure such as rail, bridges and schools and improving the quality of life for people around the world. Steel and steelmaking coal used to make it are also required for everything from clean energy projects like wind or solar power to transportation alternatives like rapid transit, buses and hybrid vehicles. Teck is a world leader in the production of lead and a significant producer of specialty metals such as germanium, indium and cadmium. Teck also produces and markets gold dore and silver. Teck is committed to responsibly providing products that are essential to building a better quality of life for people around the world. Teck produces a range of products, which are all recovered from our zinc and lead smelting operations in Trail, B.C."

What challenges do you think the metals and mining industry will face in the next year?

"Well, I'd say that the political climate could stir things up, and destabilize the industry and world economies, especially in more extreme or populist governments. Outside of that, COVID was something of a game changer in the job market, resulting in the growing preference for remote work. Now, employee retention and attrition are genuine concerns, especially with keeping things moving forward in the workplace. The less staffed a company is, the more stretched thin and burned out the current staff gets, which worsens the problem. It is an interesting time for sure, but that's just life."

This question may help inform your interviewer of whether you would be successful in representing the views of Teck Resources. Therefore, you want to make sure any insights or opinions you share with your interviewer are not in contradiction to the positions they hold. So, explore the industry issues that are trending, and the positions and solutions Teck Resources has to offer.

As of the writing of this content, the most current industry challenge Teck Resources tackles is employee turnover. "We track employee turnover, including voluntary resignations, involuntary layoffs, and retirements. In 2022, turnover due to retirements was similar, year over year, while voluntary turnover increased, leading to an overall increase in turnover rate. Industry growth and the shift toward flexible work approaches have resulted in a very competitive market for talent. In response to these shifting expectations, Teck has adjusted our approach to compensation, benefits, development and work conditions in order to engage and retain our employees."

Tell me about a unique responsibility that routinely fell on your shoulders in your last position?

"Well, I am always seeking out new challenges and opportunities to grow. My leaders often make fun of me, because as soon as I turn in my work, which is often finished early, I always seem to say, what else have you got for me? In my previous position, I was entrusted with the staff schedule. A huge responsibility and I am proud I was entrusted with it."

Your interviewer is curious about what your brand of innovation is and what going above and beyond looks like to you. By gaining insight into your model of over-performing, they'll be able to form a better picture of what your typical day-to-day work standard looks like. How you answer may also inform them of whether you have difficulty stepping outside of your comfort zone, versus feeling more prone to expanding your comfort zone.

"At Teck, we're building a team of nex generation innovators who share our values and are excited to find new and better ways to provide the products that are essential to building a better quality of life for people around the globe. Our people are a community of learners, innovators and doers. Who are you? You are the kind of person that is continuously learning and open to feedback. You enjoy working in a fast-paced, customer-centric and product-driven environment. You enjoy working alongside a diverse and inclusive team. You bring your unique and diverse thinking, perspectives, and ideas. You embrace working within a culture of transparency and trust and are aligned with Teck's values. You'll work on real-world projects that make a real-world meaningful impact. You'll learn from the best and work alongside people who value both work and play, connection and innovation. Unlock your potential with us. There's no limit to how far your ideas and passion can take you."

What universal skills and characteristics do you have which qualify you for this job?

"I'd say that I'm a great communicator, which is what I primarily attribute my coaching and training skills to. I am both analytical and creative in my thinking. I'd say I study everything closely, take it apart in my mind, put it back together, and then examine things from an outside-of-the-box perspective, I look for room for greater efficiencies. Then, I take what I learn and pass it on. So I have a million tips and tricks of the trade which I impart to others to help everyone do their job just a little bit better."

Your interviewer is curious if there is more you feel you have to offer beyond what you've already detailed or shared. This question provides you with a great opportunity to shine and advertise more of your merits. How you answer will inform them of whether there is more to you than meets the eye, and if you are the type of candidate who couldn't fit it all on your resume.

There are many ways that you can be a fit for a position, even though you do not come with direct industry experience. Think about the variety of skills that you have and how those can benefit Teck Resources Limited, despite the industry background you may have. These are your transferable skills and don't necessarily have to be hard skills, such as developing software or operating a forklift. They can include your interpersonal skills, your attention to detail or communication skills, or other strengths and capabilities.

Teck places a lot of emphasis on retention, training, and development. "Teck is committed to the ongoing development of our people, with a focus on leadership development, safety training, new-hire training, cross-training, refresher training and knowledge transfer." In an effort to align your language with their culture-language, other skills that could be derived from the heavily used keywords they use are being a quick learner, being self-managed in your work, being adept at taking a systems approach to your work, streamlining, standardizing, tracking progress, being respectful, being focused on your development, monitoring results and output, among others.

How do you keep up with industry trends and policy changes?

"I know there are a few solid resources dedicated to the metals and mining industry, but I honestly don't regularly deep-read any of them. Mostly, I just do quick reads through the newsletters I subscribe to and what moves into my news feed. I check out the headlines, maybe tap into some articles, and if it is super relevant or groundbreaking, I'll read on. However, I do stay current on the news articles, blogs, and other information pieces put out by the company I work for and represent. I think it's super important to have your finger on the pulse of your company. You need to do your best to represent them, right? I did the same with Teck Resources and read up on some of your more recent news stories. I also read a few issues of 'Connect'. Some really great stuff there that gave me deeper insight into the company. How about you? What are some of your favorite resources?"

Your interviewer wants to understand how extensive your industry knowledge is and to what extent you can be trusted as a reliable source of information, accurately representing the values and interests of the company's stakeholders. This will also offer a glimpse into your leadership potential, and whether your teams can turn to you for valuable information when they need to.

Before answering this question, make sure you explore the Teck Resources news page on their website. There you will find news stories, coverage of their events, and stories that they present in their magazine called "Connect," where in every issue they cover stories of interest on their people and the places, sites, and scenes where they work. "Engaging employees through our company magazine Teck's Connect magazine is our source for company-wide communications. In this quarterly publication, we highlight employee achievements, community engagement activities, and much more." They also publish several reports, from financial reports to sustainability reports.

What motivates you in your job?

"I've been called an over-achiever more than once, and I suppose being awarded with a chance to grow and develop my career with consistency is a major motivator for me. Also, working in a beautiful place, as well as working outdoors. But most of all, working with leadership and teams where they really care and look out for each other. Empathy, words of kindness, encouragement, and recognition are worth a lot. That, more than anything, makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger than yourself."

This question is aimed at determining what motivates you and contributes to your job satisfaction. How you answer this question should inform your interviewer of whether you'd be a reliable and sustainable employee, versus only being motivated by the money and benefits, which suggests you're up for the highest bidder. So before answering this question, determine what it is that Teck has to offer that few others can compete with, that would greatly contribute to your job satisfaction over the long term.

Beyond heavily focusing their efforts on sustainability, Teck advertises that they have a lot to offer when it comes to helping their employees sustain a strong work-life balance, with many positions even offering remote work, and even a compressed work week with alternating Fridays off. They also advertise, "We live and work in some of the world's most incredible locations. This, combined with the work schedules that support work/life balance, allows you to get the most out of your time off to do the things you love, against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the Alaskan wilderness, the Atacama Desert, and other incredible locations around the world. Outdoor adventures at your fingertips. Whether it's biking and skiing, or the laid-back atmosphere of fishing and hiking, there is something for everyone!"

Tell me about the last time you lead by example.

"I was working on a shift with a leader who was covering for our usual shift supervisor. They weren't used to the tasks we routinely perform. They started off early on the shift, taking the work we had ahead for granted. Instead of taking advantage of the slow period to prepare for the end of the day, they spent too much time taking it easy, and later frantically played catch up. Their stress was visible, and as I played quarterback for the work that still needed to be done, I kept things light and merry. Then, when this supervisor, in their hurry, started to do something unsafe, I quietly called them out, took over, and suggested they take a smoke break to cool down and collect themselves. I reminded them that we've done this stuff a million times and that we got this. The end of the day went fine, and we all learned a lot about each other."

Regardless of whether you've held a formal leadership position, your interviewer is curious about the example you set for your teams and the strength of your character. As they state online, their ideal candidates are "leaders of leaders." Your interviewer is curious whether you are courageous, guided by your integrity, and your propensity to do the right thing at all times. And, again, they are also interested in learning more about your leadership style, and whether your approach and work ethic align with the types of leaders they aim to promote within their company.

"We want to help you. With a leadership team of some of the most experienced people in the natural resource sector, our objective is to develop leaders who confidently and efficiently manage safe, respectful, and productive operations. Through various rich work experiences, professional mentorship, training and development programs, our employees gain the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to prepare for the next stage of their careers or explore new ones at Teck."

What type of manager brings out the best in you?

"I work really well with managers who are patient, are strong coaches, clear communicators, and who exemplify a transformational, inspirational leadership style. Where they are somewhat democratic, and trust and empower their people to be self-managed in their work, so long as they've been equipped with the tools to do the job well. Where they participate in and support your development."

Your interviewer is curious whether you would thrive or flounder working under the leadership culture they've created within their company. Additionally, with a heavy focus on developing their future leaders from within, how you answer this question stands to offer clues as to the type of leadership you would model your own style after. So spend time familiarizing yourself with the leadership style they describe fostering, and see how it aligns with the mentors you've had who influenced your development the most.

Andrew Milner, Teck's Senior Vice President of Innovation and Technology, says on their website, "I believe in transformational, empowering, participative and supportive leadership styles and always trying to learn from leaders who demonstrate these qualities. I believe these leadership traits can help unleash a mindset of innovation and help empower our workforce to explore new ideas and bring them forward."On their website, Teck also states, "Conversation is essential to achieving goals. We emphasize meeting regularly with employees to discuss career aspirations and opportunities for growth and change. We offer guidance and mentorship to employees throughout their career development, ensuring they reach their full potential."

When have you made a mistake delegating tasks to your team members?

"Earlier in my career, I didn't understand the importance of communication when delegating tasks. I assigned duties at random, instead of playing to my crew's strengths, just assuming everyone had the skills to complete any company-related task. Then, when the quality of the work wasn't as expected, I found myself feeling resentful towards those employees. Then, when discussing this with my mentor, they asked if I explained not only how to do the work, but why it was important, and how it fit into the big picture. I told him I didn't, and that I was trying to hurry and keep up the pace and that would've taken too long. They then asked me which took longer, explaining how to do the job right, or the rework involved later on. Message received. Unfortunately, the best lessons are often the hardest learned. Thankfully, that hasn't been an issue since."

This question concerns both your leadership skills and your communication skills. The saying "if you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself" is misguided, and suggests a lack of leadership experience. A more honest rephrasing would be, "It's too difficult for me to explain how to do something right, so I find it easier to just do it myself." So, your interviewer wants to know whether you are capable of effectively delegating to your teams while ensuring your communication is thorough, and enabling them to be self-managed in their work, ensuring a successful outcome.

Several of Teck Resources' job postings advertise that they are looking for candidates who are "able to create environments where accountabilities are clear and potential is developed, ensuring job expectations are clearly articulated and personnel are held accountable, coordinating work assignments, conducting training and proficiency development, mentoring and empowering staff throughout all functions." So, when answering this question, share how you break down the entire big picture of the work needing to be done by the team as a whole, and the part each individual has to play. Share how you inform them of not only how to do the job, and when it needs to be done, but also why that work is important and how it impacts the work performed by each member of the team, and the company as a whole. This approach makes them stakeholders, places the responsibility for the quality of their work in their hands, and ensures accountability.

What is your approach to solving complicated problems you haven't faced before?

"Well, one of the nicknames my supervisors have for me is eavesdropper. This is because I am always actively listening and have an ear bent to what they are discussing amongst themselves, especially when they are talking shop. This has often gifted me with the insight to anticipate their needs and make the types of decisions they would make in complicated situations. Granted, I always, always, respect the chain of command, but sometimes you just have to act, and in those situations, you don't always have all the information you need to make a fully informed decision, nor a supervisor close by to make those decisions for you. So, using an educated guess, with a familiarity of how they would move forward, I have on occasion made decisions to protect the interests of our teams. Every risk I take is highly calculated. Or, as I like to say, I rarely take a bet I am not positive I can win. So my approach is staying informed, in every way that I can."

Your interviewer wants to learn more about how resourceful you are, your brand of innovation, and whether you are capable of outside-of-the-box thinking. How you answer also stands to inform your interviewer whether you seek help from your leaders or teammates, and collaborate and involve others in your decision-making. Your answer may also inform them of your approach to taking risks at work, and how informed and calculated your approach to risk-taking is.

Even after spending a little time on their website, you can see their ideal candidates are imaginative, innovative, have vision, and are prone to explore and discover. "Work reimagined. When you envision your career, do you see yourself discovering, innovating, protecting, evolving? If the answer is yes, you belong at Teck. We offer challenges, rewards, growth and adventure. Best of all, we offer the chance to help shape the future." Consider this when formulating your answer to this question.

What steps do you take when you have to make an immediate decision and you do not feel you have all the relevant or necessary information?

"I weigh the pros and cons at speed. I quickly take notes on how I chose to move forward so that I can later offer my superiors a full report. And, if I do not have all the necessary information, I try to find every resource available to me that is within reach. If it is a volatile or complicated situation that is beyond my scope or authority, I will seek out a supervisor without delay."

Your interviewer is asking whether you are decisive when under pressure or in high-stress situations. How you answer stands to inform them of your emotional intelligence and your general attitude. Their ideal candidates are those who can objectify any given situation and approach it pragmatically, not allowing themselves to be governed by their stress, which can often result in task paralysis or procrastination.

Teck Resources defines their values by who they are and by how they operate. One of the values that fall under "who they are" is Responsible and Courageous. "We do the right thing, even when it's hard or requires bold action." Taking this into consideration, to align yourself with their values, walk the interviewer through your process, how you go about governing your stress and not allowing it to dictate your behavior, or influence the behavior of your teams, or their confidence in your abilities.

What is your current salary?

"I am currently earning a base salary of $78,000 plus a car allowance of $900/month plus health benefits and two bonus opportunities. I have my next bi-annual performance review next month and typically receive a 3% increase every six months. I would like to move upward in salary, with opportunities for growth more aligned with my career goals."

This is a delicate question, and how you navigate it could reveal more about you as a candidate. Your interviewer is curious how your self-perception of your professional worth aligns with your interview performance. As they state on their website, "The actual base salary offered is determined based on the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, and competencies." So put in the work ahead of time to quantify a realistic number to start from as a negotiating point. The more prepared you are for every stage of your interview, the stronger your work ethic will seem, increasing your worth.

Selling yourself too short could suggest low self-worth and make them wonder if there's more to your story that would substantiate that lower figure. Aiming too high could suggest over-confidence or even arrogance. But finding a number that is just right takes time. There is a lot that goes into finding the right number. It starts with trying to gain a general understanding of the budgetary restrictions the recruiter has to work with. For example, most of Teck Resources' job postings display the salary range for the position. These are the numbers you have to work with. However, it's important to remember that anything that lowers your cost of living or contributes to your financial health is worth incorporating into your negotiation. This includes benefits, retirement contributions, bonuses, gym membership, and anything that has a dollar value. Also, consider your projected income, the frequency of your pay increases, and the percentage of each increase. Lastly, take into consideration anything that they have to offer which doesn't necessarily pay out now, but will ultimately increase your worth over time, such as helping facilitate your career goals, or being awarded a more prestigious title.

Teck Resources states online that they are committed to internal equity and that they are "committed to providing all employees and contractors with a fair living wage that is above the local minimum wage for all of our operations. We monitor the employment market to ensure we maintain a competitive total rewards offering while attracting and retaining the employees needed now and in the future. We conduct a living wage review for all our salaried employees in Canada, the U.S. and Chile, where our operations are located. The review is conducted by comparing the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee in each jurisdiction to the living wage information available through external data sources."

How do you retain your patience in challenging and high-stress situations?

"I just objectify the situation and rise to the challenge. If I go showing everyone I work with that I am stressed out, they're just gonna assume I'm not up to the challenge. So, I keep things cool, carefully assess the situation, take whatever time we need to get organized at speed, and move forward. If another employee is overwhelmed by their stress, I take a moment with them, communicate with empathy, and work with them to move forward and get on the same page."

Teck Resources is looking for future leaders, and this is another question aimed at evaluating your emotional intelligence, and the example you set among your peers. How you answer this question will help them determine whether you remain proactively productive, finding other work to do while waiting to work on something else. It also stands to reveal whether waiting causes you stress, and whether you make your stress, or other such emotions, known in the workplace, which has a high likelihood of impacting morale. Reflect on these points when considering how you would answer such questions.

Many of their positions share common themes in how they describe their ideal candidates, "Humble and determined, thrives in both complex and ambiguous scenarios. Proficient at forging relationships that drive long-term value. Results-oriented with exceptional organizational and planning skills and strong attention to detail. Strong analytical skills and capacity to identify risks, analyze information and generate detailed recommended solutions." But, even among their teams and their leaders, they recognize that their people's well-being sometimes needs additional support.Teck has several benefits designed to support their peoples' mental well-being, including holding mental wellness webinars, such as Living Well with Stress, Importance of Unplugging, and Intro to Mindfulness. "At Teck, mental health is an important component of our goal of everyone going home safe and healthy every day. Our Employee and Family Assistance Program provides resources and support to help maintain good mental health and overall wellness. Users can use virtual health services to speak with and seek advice from clinicians, including psychologists and psychiatrists, about medical or mental health concerns."

How often do you discuss your work with your colleagues, on or off the job, and what comes from these conversations?

"I would say that I talk with everyone on my teams at least once a day. Even when not in a leadership position, I think it is important to perform check-ins. Otherwise, you'll end up being in the dark about your team's morale, their interpretation of the company vision, or the capabilities of their leadership. Without offering your ear and transparent input, you'll also quickly lose their trust. It's also important to discuss work with colleagues in a collaborative nature to encourage all types of ideas to come forth. Often, when people put their heads together, they will create something better than something one individual could have done alone. This way, everyone has a voice."

Your interviewer is curious how effectively you build relationships in the workplace, and how inclusive you are. Your answer could also provide clues to how collaborative you are with your teams, as well as your personal brand of innovation.

"We are committed to making sure all Teck team members feel included, a sense of belonging and value. We've operated creatively and collaboratively for more than 100 years. Generating ideas, challenging the status quo, reimagining the norm. Innovation is a mindset. Great ideas are the result. This is Teck innovation at work."

How would you react if a co-worker called in sick and asked you to take over their project?

"I'll always do whatever I can to be a team player. But I would first ask why they weren't reaching out to our leadership. Ultimately, the decision should fall on their shoulders. Now, if one of my leadership team asked me to help, or asked this coworker to reach out to me, that's a different story. If I could deliver on their project while managing the workload I had at the time, then yes, absolutely I would help. But, depending on the situation, there's a lot to take into consideration, starting with respecting the chain of command."

This question goes beyond how readily you would go out of your way to support your fellow teammates. Your interviewer is also curious how you would go about balancing the priorities and responsibilities you were committed to, as well as whether you would involve your leadership in this decision, and how it might impact the many moving pieces they may be presently managing. Consider these points when answering this question. Showcasing your scope of the big picture will help position you as a more desirable candidate.

Teck Resources places a lot of emphasis on their employees' performance development and promotes the frequent use of clear channel communications with their superiors. "Salaried employees have regular performance, development, and career conversations with their supervisors. To communicate, clarify and align business priorities with individual performance and development expectations, to provide meaningful feedback on job performance, and to contribute to employee development that is aligned with individual career aspirations and business needs."

Teck Resources Limited Interview Questions

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1. How do you define success?
2. What would you describe as the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?
3. Are you applying with any of our competitors?
4. Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?
5. Has your current position progressed to your liking or are you more happy with the status quo?
6. How would you describe your communication skills?
7. Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.
8. What is you approach to honesty, on and off the job?
9. If you had a personal mission statement, what would it be?
10. What is your approach to safety?
11. Who are our competitors and what sets us apart from them?
12. How strongly do you feel about sustainability being a necessary priority in this industry?
13. How knowledgeable are you with our corporate governance practices?
14. How strongly would you say your education has positioned you in your career?
15. Tell me about the most feedback you received at your job, and how you felt about it.
16. Why is our industry a fundamental one?
17. What challenges do you think the metals and mining industry will face in the next year?
18. Tell me about a unique responsibility that routinely fell on your shoulders in your last position?
19. What universal skills and characteristics do you have which qualify you for this job?
20. How do you keep up with industry trends and policy changes?
21. What motivates you in your job?
22. Tell me about the last time you lead by example.
23. What type of manager brings out the best in you?
24. When have you made a mistake delegating tasks to your team members?
25. What is your approach to solving complicated problems you haven't faced before?
26. What steps do you take when you have to make an immediate decision and you do not feel you have all the relevant or necessary information?
27. What is your current salary?
28. How do you retain your patience in challenging and high-stress situations?
29. How often do you discuss your work with your colleagues, on or off the job, and what comes from these conversations?
30. How would you react if a co-worker called in sick and asked you to take over their project?

Teck Resources Limited Interview Questions

1. How do you define success?

2. What would you describe as the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?

3. Are you applying with any of our competitors?

4. Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?

5. Has your current position progressed to your liking or are you more happy with the status quo?

6. How would you describe your communication skills?

7. Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader.

8. What is you approach to honesty, on and off the job?

9. If you had a personal mission statement, what would it be?

10. What is your approach to safety?

11. Who are our competitors and what sets us apart from them?

12. How strongly do you feel about sustainability being a necessary priority in this industry?

13. How knowledgeable are you with our corporate governance practices?

14. How strongly would you say your education has positioned you in your career?

15. Tell me about the most feedback you received at your job, and how you felt about it.

16. Why is our industry a fundamental one?

17. What challenges do you think the metals and mining industry will face in the next year?

18. Tell me about a unique responsibility that routinely fell on your shoulders in your last position?

19. What universal skills and characteristics do you have which qualify you for this job?

20. How do you keep up with industry trends and policy changes?

21. What motivates you in your job?

22. Tell me about the last time you lead by example.

23. What type of manager brings out the best in you?

24. When have you made a mistake delegating tasks to your team members?

25. What is your approach to solving complicated problems you haven't faced before?

26. What steps do you take when you have to make an immediate decision and you do not feel you have all the relevant or necessary information?

27. What is your current salary?

28. How do you retain your patience in challenging and high-stress situations?

29. How often do you discuss your work with your colleagues, on or off the job, and what comes from these conversations?

30. How would you react if a co-worker called in sick and asked you to take over their project?