20 BC Hydro Interview Questions and Answers

BC Hydro is the largest electric utility in British Columbia, Canada. It is a Crown Corporation that provides electricity to more than 1.9 million customers and manages nearly $50 billion in assets.

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

BC Hydro Interview Process

The interview process at BC Hydro can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Field Engineer or Construction Engineer, you may only have one phone interview. For other positions, like Co-Op Student or Indigenous Relations Specialist, you may have multiple interviews with different members of the team. Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and efficient.

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your strengths while also discussing ways you plan to work on improving your weaknesses.

Example: “My biggest strength is my attention to detail. I am very organized and always make sure that all of my projects are completed thoroughly. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the details that I forget about the big picture. I’m working on making sure I take time to step back and look at the project as a whole.”

2. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead a team of employees at BC Hydro. Your leadership style is an important part of your overall personality, so it’s important to be honest about what type of leader you are.

Example: “I believe in being a strong and empathetic leader who supports my team members while also holding them accountable for their work. I think that having this balance between support and accountability is essential to helping my team succeed. I am always willing to listen to my team members’ ideas and suggestions, but I also expect them to meet deadlines and perform well on the job.”

3. Tell us about a time when you were able to build trust with someone who was difficult to connect with.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interpersonal skills. It can also show them how you might be able to work with people who are skeptical about renewable energy sources and other initiatives that BC Hydro is involved in.

Example: “When I first started working as an engineer, I had a client who was very difficult to connect with. He would often ignore my emails or phone calls, which made it hard for me to get his input on projects. After several months of this behavior, I decided to visit him at his office instead of calling or emailing. When he saw me walk into his office, he immediately stood up and shook my hand. We ended up having a great conversation about one of our current projects, and he gave me some valuable feedback.”

4. What is your knowledge of the energy industry?

The energy industry is a highly specialized field, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience in it. If you do not, they may also want to know what steps you would take to learn more about it. In your answer, try to show that you are passionate about learning new things and eager to get started on the job.

Example: “I am fascinated by the energy industry because of its impact on our daily lives. I took an elective course in college called Energy 101 where we learned about all aspects of the industry from production to distribution. I think my knowledge of the industry could be useful at BC Hydro since I understand how important it is to use renewable sources of energy.”

5. Do you have experience managing projects? If so, what type of projects did you manage?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with a project management software. They may also want to know what type of projects you managed and how they were successful. You can answer this question by describing your previous experience managing projects, including which types of projects you’ve worked on and how you successfully completed them.

Example: “I have extensive experience managing projects for my current employer. I started out as a junior project manager where I was responsible for overseeing smaller projects that involved updating our website or creating new marketing campaigns. As I gained more experience, I became a senior project manager and oversaw larger projects like developing new social media strategies or creating digital advertising campaigns.”

6. What do you think BC Hydro’s biggest challenges will be in the next five years?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its goals. It also allows you to show how you can use your critical thinking skills to solve problems. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you know while also showing that you’re willing to learn more.

Example: “I think BC Hydro’s biggest challenge in the next five years will be finding new sources of renewable energy. As we move toward becoming more environmentally friendly, I believe it will become increasingly difficult to find places where hydroelectric power is viable. I would like to see BC Hydro continue to develop alternative forms of energy so that we can remain sustainable.”

7. Have you ever had any issues working with people from different backgrounds?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. It can also show them that you have experience working in a multicultural environment, which is important for this position because BC Hydro has employees from all over Canada.

Example: “Yes, I’ve had to work with people from different backgrounds before. In my last role as an engineer, I worked on projects with other engineers who were older than me and had more experience. They came from different parts of the world, so we had to learn how to communicate effectively. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses and helped one another when needed.”

8. Can you tell me about a time where you improved customer service satisfaction?

Customer service is an important part of working in the utility industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with customer service and how it can impact a company’s success. Use your answer to explain one or two ways you’ve helped customers in the past.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for answering phone calls from our customers. One day, I received a call from a woman who was upset because her power had been out for over 24 hours. She told me that she needed to use her refrigerator to store breast milk for her baby. I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that we were experiencing a widespread outage.

I asked if there was anything else I could do to help her situation. She said no, but I offered to send someone to her home to get her some ice packs so she could keep the milk cold until the power came back on. She agreed, and I sent someone right away. When they arrived at her house, she was very grateful and expressed her appreciation for my help.”

9. Why do you want to work at BC Hydro?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your motivations for applying. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but it can also be helpful to include a specific example of how working at BC Hydro would benefit you or what you hope to achieve by working there.

Example: “I want to work at BC Hydro because I’m passionate about renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint. I’ve been following the company’s progress on clean energy initiatives for years now, and I think that this is an exciting time for the industry. I’d love to be part of the team that makes these projects happen.”

10. Are you comfortable working in an environment that has strict deadlines?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure. This is a common requirement for many positions in the energy industry, so it’s important to show that you can meet deadlines and balance multiple projects at once. In your answer, explain how you manage stress when working under tight deadlines.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable with working in an environment where there are strict deadlines. Throughout my career, I’ve worked on several projects that required me to meet specific goals by certain dates. I enjoy having a set timeline because it helps me stay organized and prioritize my tasks. When working under these conditions, I make sure to plan out my day ahead of time so I know what needs to get done each day.”

11. Describe a time when you had to deal with a conflict between two employees.

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were able to resolve the conflict between two employees in a way that was beneficial for everyone involved.

Example: “At my previous job, I had an employee who would often make jokes about another employee’s race. The other employee found these jokes offensive, but he didn’t want to report the issue because he didn’t want to get his coworker in trouble. Instead, he came to me and asked if there was anything I could do. I spoke with the first employee privately and explained how his comments made the second employee feel. He apologized and promised not to make those types of jokes again.”

12. What qualities should a good leader possess?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills. A good leader should possess many qualities, including but not limited to:

Confidence
Self-motivation
Ability to delegate tasks
Ability to inspire others
Example: “A good leader must be confident in their abilities and the decisions they make. They need to have the ability to motivate themselves and those around them. It’s also important that they can effectively delegate tasks to other team members so everyone has something productive to do. Finally, leaders should be able to inspire others with their vision for the future.”

13. What kind of engineering work have you done before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience level. If you have previous work experience, share what kind of engineering you did and how it helped you develop your skills. If you don’t have any professional engineering experience, you can talk about other kinds of engineering projects you’ve done or classes you took that helped you prepare for this role.

Example: “I worked as an engineer at my college’s research lab where I developed new ways to generate renewable energy. This project was very challenging because we had to find alternative methods to produce energy without using fossil fuels. My team and I spent many hours researching different types of energy sources and developing prototypes.”

14. Do you have any experience using AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a computer-aided design program that many engineers use to create and edit blueprints. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience using this software, but also that you can adapt to new programs if necessary.

Example: “I have used AutoCAD for several years now, so I am very familiar with how it works. However, I also know that BC Hydro uses Autodesk Inventor, which is similar but has some unique features. I would be willing to learn any new software needed to perform my job duties.”

15. What makes a good engineer?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the engineering field and how you can apply it to your work. When answering this question, consider what qualities make an engineer successful in their job. You may also want to mention any personal traits that help you succeed as an engineer.

Example: “A good engineer has excellent problem-solving skills. They are able to look at a situation from many angles and find solutions that meet all requirements. Engineers should also be detail-oriented because they need to ensure everything they do is accurate. Finally, engineers should have strong communication skills so they can clearly explain their ideas to others.”

16. What is your experience with project management software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with specific software programs. They want to know if you have the skills and knowledge to use the program they use at BC Hydro. If you don’t have any experience using project management software, explain that you are willing to learn how to use it.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of project management software in my previous roles. I find Trello to be a great tool for organizing projects and keeping track of tasks. It’s easy to use and has many features that make it useful for managing large projects. I also like Asana because it allows me to collaborate with other team members on projects. This helps me stay organized and communicate effectively with others.”

17. What is your approach to troubleshooting mechanical problems?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach a problem and whether your skills are compatible with those of BC Hydro. Your answer should include an example of a time when you used your troubleshooting skills to solve a mechanical issue.

Example: “When I was working as a technician for a large company, my supervisor asked me to fix a malfunctioning piece of equipment that controlled the temperature in one of our warehouses. After inspecting the machine, I realized it needed a new circuit board. I ordered the part and installed it once it arrived. The machine worked again after I replaced the circuit board.”

18. What is your understanding of the power grid system?

The power grid system is a complex network of energy sources and distribution centers that provide electricity to customers. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the industry and how you would apply it in your role at BC Hydro. In your answer, try to explain what the power grid system is and why it’s important for maintaining an efficient energy supply.

Example: “The power grid system is a network of interconnected power stations that generate electricity from different sources like coal, gas or water. These power stations are connected by high-voltage transmission lines that carry electricity over long distances. Local substations then receive the electricity from these transmission lines and distribute it to homes and businesses through lower-voltage distribution lines.”

19. We need our CSRs to stay calm under pressure. Would you say this is one of your strengths?

CSRs often have to deal with customers who are upset or frustrated. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these situations well. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure and what steps you take to do so.

Example: “I think it’s important for CSRs to remain calm when dealing with upset customers. I try my best to listen carefully to the customer and empathize with them. If they’re angry, I let them vent while I wait for a pause in their speech to respond. This helps me avoid getting defensive or raising my voice. It also shows the customer that I’m listening to them.”

20. What is your experience with communication systems?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with the communication systems used by BC Hydro. Your answer should include a brief description of what you did and how it benefited your previous employer.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s email system. This included monitoring incoming emails, ensuring that employees had access to their accounts and resolving any issues they experienced. I also monitored our phone system, which required me to make sure all extensions were working properly and troubleshoot any problems that occurred. These two systems are important in keeping employees connected and informed, so I made sure to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.”