20 Flint Hills Resources Interview Questions and Answers

Flint Hills Resources is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. The company produces a variety of products, including gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and chemicals.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Flint Hills Resources, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Flint Hills Resources interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Flint Hills Resources Interview Process

The interview process at Flint Hills Resources is generally very long, and can involve multiple rounds of interviews. The first round is usually a phone screen, followed by an in-person interview. For some positions, there may be a second round of interviews. The interviews are typically behavioral, and focus on understanding how the candidate has handled situations in the past.

1. What is your experience with data analysis?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific skill that is important to their company. Use examples from your past work experience to show how you used data analysis to solve problems and make decisions.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing large amounts of data to identify trends in customer behavior. This information helped me create marketing strategies that were more effective than our previous campaigns. For example, we discovered that customers who purchased one product also tended to purchase another product. We created an ad campaign that focused on this insight, which led to a 20% increase in sales.”

2. How do you think the oil and gas industry will be impacted by current events?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your awareness of current events and how they might affect your ability to perform your job. Use examples from recent news stories or changes in legislation that you think will impact the oil and gas industry, and explain why you feel this way.

Example: “I believe that renewable energy sources are going to continue to become more popular as people learn about their benefits. This is already happening with solar power, which has seen a lot of growth over the last few years. I also think we’ll see more regulations on fracking because of some of the environmental concerns surrounding it.”

3. Tell us about a time when you had to make an important decision on short notice.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation in detail and explain what steps you took to make a good choice.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, there were times when my supervisor would have to leave work early or take time off unexpectedly. In these situations, I had to step up and make important decisions on short notice. For example, one day my supervisor left work early because her child got sick. She asked me to cover for her until she returned later that evening. I accepted the responsibility and made sure to delegate tasks to other team members so we could all get our work done.”

4. Why should we hire you over someone else who has more experience than you?

Employers ask this question to see if you have confidence in your abilities. They want to know that you are qualified for the position and that you can handle it well. When answering, make sure to highlight your skills and how they match up with what the employer is looking for.

Example: “I am a hard worker who always strives to do my best. I am eager to learn new things and take on challenges. My previous experience working as an administrative assistant has given me valuable skills that will help me succeed in this role. I am organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently. These skills will allow me to be successful in this role while also helping you achieve your goals.”

5. Do you have any experience working in teams or managing others? If so, tell us about it.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new manager’s leadership style. If you’re interviewing for a management position, the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience managing others and how you did it. If you’re not applying for a management role, they may ask this question to see if you’ve worked in teams before and what your experience was like.

Example: “I have had several experiences working with teams throughout my career. In my last job, I led a team of five people who were responsible for creating marketing campaigns for our company. We met once a week to discuss our progress on projects and any challenges we faced. I also asked each member of the team to give an update at least once per month so that everyone knew what everyone else was doing.”

6. Describe a time where you worked closely with another team member.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that highlight your teamwork skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last job as a marketing associate, I worked closely with my team leader on several campaigns. We would meet weekly to discuss our progress and any challenges we faced. She was always willing to offer advice and feedback when needed. When working on larger projects, she would assign tasks to each member of the team based on their strengths. This helped us complete our assignments more efficiently.”

7. We are looking for employees that can work independently, how would you handle being given a task without much direction?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle ambiguity and uncertainty. It’s important to show that you’re comfortable with not having all of the information, but also that you can still complete a task successfully.

Example: “I would first ask for clarification on what I’m supposed to do. Then, I’d research any additional resources or information I could use to complete the task. If there was no direction at all, I would reach out to my manager to see if they had any suggestions.”

8. Have you ever been involved in a project that didn’t go as planned? How did you manage it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and use your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you faced a challenge, overcame it and achieved success.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I was tasked with creating a new system for our company’s oil rigs that would increase production by 20%. After several months of research and development, we were unable to meet this goal. However, I decided to continue working on the project until we could find a solution. Eventually, I found a way to improve the efficiency of the equipment, which led to a 10% increase in production.”

9. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much information. To overcome this, I make sure to take notes during meetings so I remember everything.”

10. What kind of education and training do you have?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the position. They might also use it as an opportunity to share their company’s educational requirements and training opportunities. If you don’t have any formal education or training, consider what other experiences you can highlight that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I graduated from a two-year technical school with an associate degree in petroleum engineering. I’ve been working in the industry since then, so I’m familiar with many of the processes and procedures used at Flint Hills Resources.”

11. Are there any certifications required for this position? If so, do you have them?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you have the necessary certifications for the job. If there are certifications required, they will want to know that you have them and can perform the job duties with those certifications. When answering this question, let the employer know if you have any certifications or not.

Example: “I do not have any certifications required for this position. However, I am willing to take certification courses if needed.”

12. Give me an example of a problem that you solved using data analysis.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use data analysis in your daily work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you used data analysis to solve a problem that had a positive impact on the company or organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for monitoring the quality control of our products. One day, I noticed that one of our products had a lower than normal rating for its taste. After looking at the data, I found that there were several locations where we were using different ingredients to make the product. This led me to create a new system that would allow us to track each ingredient so we could ensure consistent quality.”

13. How comfortable are you using Microsoft Excel?

This question is a great way to test your technical skills. If you are applying for an accounting position, it’s likely that you will need to use Excel on a daily basis. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience using this program and can do so with ease.

Example: “I’ve been using Microsoft Excel since I was in college. In my last job, I used Excel every day to create budgets, track expenses and analyze data. I am very comfortable using Excel and know how to use many of its functions.”

14. Flint Hills Resources emphasizes innovation, what do you think is most important to remember when trying to innovate?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of innovation and how it can be used in the workplace. When answering, consider what you know about Flint Hills Resources’ business model and how innovation might fit into that.

Example: “Innovation is a key part of any successful company because it allows businesses to stay ahead of their competition. I think the most important thing to remember when innovating is to make sure you’re doing so for the right reasons. For example, if you’re trying to innovate just to get more money or power, then you may not have the best intentions. However, if you’re innovating to improve the lives of customers or employees, then you’ll likely see positive results.”

15. What types of projects have you completed in the past?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few projects that are similar to what you would do in this role.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I worked on several different types of projects. One project was designing a new system for our company’s oil rigs. Another project was creating a more efficient way to transport materials from one location to another. These two projects helped me learn about the importance of safety and efficiency when working with machinery.”

16. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this role. Before your interview, read through the company’s website and social media accounts to learn more about their mission statement, values and recent news. You can also look up information on the industry as a whole to demonstrate your knowledge of what it takes to succeed in this position.

Example: “I know that Flint Hills Resources is one of the largest independent oil refiners in the country. I am impressed by the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its support for local communities. I have always been passionate about renewable energy, so I would love to work here.”

17. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the oil and gas industry right now?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the oil and gas industry. It also helps them determine whether you have any unique insights or ideas for how to solve this challenge. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something that is specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing the oil and gas industry right now is finding qualified employees. There are many jobs available in the industry, but there aren’t enough people to fill them. I would like to see more programs implemented to train new workers so we can meet the demand.”

18. What type of work environment do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention what type of work environment you have worked in before and how that experience was.

Example: “I prefer a fast-paced work environment where I am constantly learning new things. In my last position as an accountant, we had quarterly goals that we were always trying to meet. This motivated me to learn more about accounting so I could complete tasks more efficiently. It also helped me develop relationships with other employees who were experts in different areas.”

19. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you are able to work well with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked on a team project and had to resolve conflict.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a team that was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. During the planning stages, we all had different ideas about what would make the best campaign. We decided to take turns presenting our ideas to the group and then discuss them as a whole. After discussing each idea, we were able to come up with a plan that incorporated elements from each person’s idea.”

20. What makes you qualified for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the position. Before you go to your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that relate to the job description. Highlight any transferable skills or soft skills that are important for this role.

Example: “I have five years of experience in accounting, which makes me qualified for this accountant position. I also have two years of experience working with financial software like SAP, so I am familiar with how to use it. My previous employer used SAP as well, so I feel confident using it at my new workplace.”