20 bp Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at BP, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your skills, experience, and qualifications. But you may also be asked some company-specific interview questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample BP interview questions and answers. These questions will give you a better idea of what to expect during your interview and how to answer questions about BP’s values, culture, and business operations.

bp Interview Process

The interview process at bp can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one interview, and some may require multiple interviews. The difficulty of the interviews will also vary depending on the position, but most interviews will be at least somewhat challenging. Overall, the experience of the interview process at bp is generally positive, though there have been some negative reviews.

1. How would you contribute to their goal of being a low cost energy provider?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company’s goals and how you can help them achieve those goals. You should research what BP has done in the past to reduce costs, such as outsourcing or automating processes, and explain how you would contribute to that goal.

Example: “I have experience with cost reduction strategies, including outsourcing and automation. I believe these are two of the most effective ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality. In my last role, we outsourced our customer service department to a third-party provider, which allowed us to focus on other areas of the business. Automation was also important for reducing costs because it reduced the need for additional employees.”

2. What is the difference between upstream and downstream processes?

This question is a basic one that tests your knowledge of the BP process. Your answer should include two definitions and an example of each process.

Example: “Upstream processes are those that occur before production, such as exploration and drilling for oil. Downstream processes are those that occur after production, such as refining and selling the oil. In my last position, I was responsible for overseeing upstream processes while my colleague oversaw downstream processes.”

3. Provide an example of when you had to act quickly in order to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you react in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as an assistant manager at my previous job, there were times when our cash register would malfunction during peak hours. This caused long lines and frustrated customers. In order to fix the situation quickly, I had one of my employees help me count out change for each customer while I fixed the register. It only took us about 10 minutes to get everything back up and running.”

4. Can you tell me about a time when you worked with minimal supervision?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you function in a team environment. It also helps them determine if you have the ability to work independently when necessary. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were able to complete your tasks without much guidance from your supervisor and still managed to meet deadlines or goals.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with managing social media accounts for our company. My supervisor would check in on me every few days to see how things were going. However, most of the time I didn’t need her assistance because I had already figured out what worked best for our brand’s social media presence. She appreciated that I could handle most of the work on my own.”

5. Why do you want to work at BP?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s interest in BP and their goals for working there. It can also be an opportunity to share your knowledge of the company, so you might want to do some research before going into the interview.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in environmental science, and I think BP has done a lot of good work in that area. I’m excited to join such a forward-thinking team, and I hope to use my skills as a chemist to help develop new ways to protect our environment.”

6. Describe your experience working in an office environment.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with office etiquette and procedures. This is an opportunity for you to show that you understand the importance of following company policies, such as arriving on time or taking breaks at scheduled times. You can also use this question to highlight any skills you have that will be useful in a typical office setting.

Example: “I’ve worked in an office environment for most of my career. I find it helpful to work alongside other people because I enjoy collaborating with others to solve problems. In my last position, I was responsible for managing our social media accounts, which required me to post content regularly. I found that I enjoyed creating engaging content for our audience and learned how to manage multiple projects at once.”

7. If hired, would you be comfortable traveling up to 50% of the time?

Travel is a common part of the oil and gas industry, so employers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for it. If you have experience with frequent travel, share that information in your answer. If you don’t have any experience traveling, explain how you would prepare yourself for it.

Example: “I’ve traveled up to 50% of the time before, but I’m always ready for more. In my last position, I was used to traveling frequently, so I made sure to pack light and get plenty of sleep before trips. I also learned some tips for staying healthy while on the road, like eating well and exercising regularly.”

8. Please describe some of the projects that you have worked on in the past 3 years.

This question is a great way to see how the candidate has progressed in their career. It also allows you to understand what kind of work they have done and if it aligns with your company’s goals.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on several projects that helped our team meet deadlines and stay organized. One project was creating an online database for all of our client information. This allowed us to access important documents quickly and easily. Another project was developing a new system for tracking employee hours. We used this system to ensure we were paying employees correctly.”

9. Do you have any mechanical engineering experience?

Mechanical engineering is a subset of civil engineering, so employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience in the field. If you do, share your previous work with them and explain how it relates to their company. If you don’t, you can still answer honestly by discussing what mechanical engineers do and why that interests you.

Example: “I studied mechanical engineering in college but haven’t had the opportunity to use my degree professionally yet. I’m excited about this position because I think working for BP would be an excellent way to apply my knowledge and skills as a mechanical engineer.”

10. Tell me about a time when you were able to successfully build a relationship with someone you did not like.

This question can help an interviewer understand your interpersonal skills and how you handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you had to work with someone you did not like but still managed to maintain a positive relationship with them.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager, I worked with a team member who was very critical of other people’s ideas. This made it difficult for others on the team to share their thoughts during meetings. One day, I asked him if we could meet one-on-one so that I could get to know him better. He agreed, and we met over coffee. We talked about our interests outside of work, and he shared some of his concerns about feeling unappreciated at work. After that meeting, he became more open to hearing new ideas from the rest of the team.”

11. In what ways do you think technology will affect oil and gas operations in the future?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to future operations. You may want to discuss any changes you’ve seen in oil and gas operations due to technology, as well as what you think will happen in the future.

Example: “I believe that technology has already had a huge impact on oil and gas operations. For example, I worked for a company where we used to have to manually check our equipment every day. Now, there are sensors that monitor this equipment 24/7 and send alerts if something goes wrong. This allows us to spend more time focusing on other aspects of our job.”

12. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

This question is a great way to learn about your career goals. Employers ask this question because they want to know if you are planning on staying with their company for the long term. When answering, be honest and specific about what you hope to achieve in your career. Try not to make any predictions that may seem unlikely or unrealistic.

Example: “I see myself as an executive director of my own nonprofit organization. I would love to work with children who have special needs. I think it’s important to help those who need it most, and I feel like working with kids would be the most rewarding job I could do.”

13. As part of our hiring process we require every employee to pass a drug test, are you okay with this requirement?

Drug testing is a common part of many hiring processes, and it’s important to be honest about your feelings on the matter. If you’re uncomfortable with drug testing, explain why in your answer.

Example: “I am okay with this requirement because I have never used drugs or alcohol while at work. However, if I were ever offered a job where drug testing wasn’t required, I would gladly accept that position.”

14. Are you open to relocating?

If you’re applying for a position with BP, it’s likely that the company will need to transfer you at some point. This is especially true if you’re working in an area where there aren’t many employees or if your role requires specialized skills. When answering this question, be honest about whether you would be willing to relocate and discuss why.

Example: “I’m open to relocating as long as I have enough time to prepare my family. In fact, I’ve done so before when I moved from California to Texas for my current job. However, I do prefer living in warm climates, which is one reason I applied for this position.”

15. How do you keep up with new developments in the industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine how passionate you are about your career and how much effort you put into staying up-to-date on industry news. Your answer should show that you have a passion for learning new things, whether it’s through reading articles or attending conferences.

Example: “I subscribe to several oil and gas publications and newsletters so I can read the latest developments in the industry. I also attend at least one conference per year where I learn from some of the top professionals in the field. I find these resources very helpful because they allow me to stay informed while also building my professional network.”

16. Have you ever been involved in an emergency situation, how was it handled?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience handling emergency situations. This can be an important part of the job, so they want to make sure you have the skills and knowledge necessary to handle these types of situations. In your answer, try to explain what happened, how you handled it and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked at a hospital, we had a situation where a patient’s blood pressure dropped suddenly. We immediately called for help from other medical professionals in the building, and together we were able to stabilize the patient until they could receive further treatment. The patient recovered well after receiving additional care.”

17. Is there anything else I should know about you?

This question is a great way to end an interview. It gives you the opportunity to share something about yourself that may not have come up in the conversation, but it also shows your interviewer that you are confident and comfortable with who you are. When answering this question, be sure to keep it positive and highlight any skills or experiences that relate to the job.

Example: “I am very passionate about my work, which I think makes me a great candidate for this position. I would love to learn more about your company and how I can contribute to its success.”

18. Give us an example of a specific occasion where you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with others and conform to company policies. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you worked with the policy maker to create a better solution or process for future situations.

Example: “At my previous job, we had a strict dress code that required us to wear black slacks and a white button-up shirt every day. I personally prefer wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work because they are more comfortable. However, I understood the importance of having a uniform look in the office so I wore the appropriate clothing every day. One day, I noticed one of my coworkers was also wearing jeans. We both agreed to ask our manager if we could change the dress code to allow jeans on Fridays.”

19. How well do you handle stressful situations?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the pressure of working in a high-risk environment. They want to know that you have experience with handling stress and are able to stay calm under pressure. In your answer, share an example of how you handled a stressful situation in the past. Explain what steps you took to manage your emotions and perform well despite the circumstances.

Example: “In my previous role as a security guard, I had to respond to several emergency situations. One night, I noticed two people breaking into cars at a parking lot. When I approached them, they became aggressive and started throwing punches. I stayed calm and called for backup. Once other officers arrived, we were able to detain both individuals without any further incident.”

20. Describe a time when you used logic to solve a complex problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the problem and how you used logic to come up with an answer.

Example: “When I was working as a security guard at a local mall, there were several instances of shoplifting that occurred in the stores where I worked. After talking with my coworkers about their experiences, we realized that many of us had noticed the same people acting suspiciously. We decided to work together to find out who these people were so we could report them to our managers.

We started by taking note of anyone who seemed suspicious. Then, when we got off work, we compared notes and found some similarities between all of our observations. We reported what we found to our managers, and they were able to use the information we provided to catch the shoplifters.”