20 FortisBC Interview Questions and Answers

FortisBC is a Canadian energy company that serves more than 1.1 million customers in British Columbia. FortisBC owns and operates electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, as well as natural gas pipelines and storage facilities.

If you’re applying for a job at FortisBC, 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 FortisBC interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

FortisBC Interview Process

The interview process at FortisBC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one face-to-face interview. For some positions, like co-ops and internships, you may only have to meet with HR. For others, like managers or analysts, you may have to go through a panel interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but you can generally expect to hear back within a few weeks.

1. What do you know about FortisBC?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their company. It’s important that you show your knowledge of FortisBC, but it’s also important that you show your interest in the company and its values.

Example: “I’ve been following FortisBC since I was a teenager because my father worked there as an engineer. He would tell me stories about his work, which made me interested in engineering. When I started college, I knew I wanted to be an engineer just like him. I have always admired FortisBC for its commitment to providing excellent customer service and being environmentally friendly.”

2. How would you rate your customer service skills on a scale of 1-10 and why?

Customer service skills are an important part of working in a call center. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the right attitude and experience for the role. When answering, try to show that you’re willing to put in extra effort to help customers. Explain how your customer service skills can benefit the company.

Example: “I would rate my customer service skills at eight out of ten. I’ve worked in customer service roles before, so I’m familiar with what it takes to be successful. However, I still feel like there is always room for improvement. I am always looking for ways to improve my communication and problem-solving skills. I also take pride in being able to solve problems quickly and efficiently.”

3. Tell us about an instance where you had to make a difficult decision in the workplace.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and what your thought process is. It can also show them that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you made a decision that was unpopular but ultimately helped the company or organization succeed.

Example: “In my last position as a manager at a restaurant, I had to let one of my employees go because they were not performing well enough to keep their job. This was a difficult decision for me because I knew the employee personally, however, I knew that letting them go would allow us to hire someone who could do the job better. Ultimately, we hired a new employee who has been with us for over two years now.”

4. Why do you want to work at FortisBC?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about FortisBC that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I want to work at FortisBC because I am passionate about renewable energy and would love to be part of a team that is helping more people use clean energy. I have been following FortisBC’s progress in developing new solar technology and think it is an exciting time to join the company as they launch these products.”

5. Do you have any experience working with natural gas or electric utilities?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your experience is relevant to the position. If you have no direct experience, consider describing a time when you worked with a utility company in another capacity.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly for a natural gas or electric utility, but I did work as an intern at a power plant that generated electricity from coal. The plant was also responsible for recycling its waste products and disposing of them safely. This experience helped me understand how important it is to be environmentally conscious while still providing energy to consumers.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset customer, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you can handle conflict and stress in the workplace. It’s important that employees are able to work with customers, so it’s vital that your answer shows you have experience doing this.

Example: “I had an upset customer once who called me because they were having issues with their bill. I listened to what they had to say and asked them questions about their account to make sure I understood everything correctly. After looking at their account, I realized there was a mistake on our end and we owed them money back. I apologized for the inconvenience and assured them we would fix the issue as soon as possible.”

7. If hired, what kind of changes would you like to see made within the company?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your level of commitment and enthusiasm. It’s important to show that you’re willing to make changes, but also that you understand how to implement them in a positive manner.

Example: “I would like to see more transparency within the company. I think it’s important for employees to feel as though they can approach their managers with any questions or concerns without fear of reprisal. I’d also like to see an increase in employee morale. I believe this could be achieved by implementing regular training sessions on topics relevant to our work.”

8. Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.

Employers ask this question to see how you react under pressure. They want to know that you can stay calm and focused when faced with a challenge at work. When answering, try to describe a situation where you were able to overcome the stress and perform well despite it.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, we had a deadline coming up on our tax return. The owner of the company asked me to do some research into what would be the best way to file their taxes. I spent several hours researching different methods and found out that they could save thousands of dollars by filing in a certain way. I presented my findings to the owner, who agreed to file using the method I recommended.”

9. Have you worked in a team environment before?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others. Employers want to know that you can collaborate and communicate effectively with your team members. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills you have that make you a good teammate.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career. I find that working together as a group makes projects more efficient and productive. In my last role, I was part of a small marketing team where we were tasked with creating an ad campaign for one of our clients. We all had different ideas on what would be best, but we eventually came to a consensus and created a successful campaign.”

10. If hired, what are some things you would bring to the role?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the skills and experience they’re looking for, but also to see what unique qualities you might bring to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about your own personal strengths and how they could benefit the company.

Example: “I’m a very organized person, which I know is important in this role. I would make sure that all of my work was done on time and that I had backups in case something happened to any files or documents. Another thing I would bring to the role is my ability to communicate with others. I feel like communication is key to making sure everyone is on the same page and knows what’s expected of them.”

11. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you would approach a new role. Use examples from past experiences to describe what makes you a good leader, including your ability to motivate others, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “I believe that leaders should be empathetic and compassionate toward their team members. I am always willing to listen to my colleagues’ concerns and offer advice or resources when they need it. In my last position as an IT manager, one of my employees was struggling with a project deadline. I met with him privately to discuss his progress and offered to provide additional training if he needed it. He told me he just needed some extra time to complete the assignment, so I adjusted his deadlines accordingly.”

12. What is your availability for this position?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the job. They want someone who can work full-time and be committed to the position. Before your interview, check out their website or other sources to see what hours they expect employees to work. In your answer, let them know that you are able to work those hours. If you have any flexibility in your availability, mention it as well.

Example: “I am available to work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. I understand that these are the standard business hours here at FortisBC. I am also flexible with my schedule, so if there is ever an emergency situation where I need to leave early or come in late, I would be happy to accommodate.”

13. Are you comfortable making cold calls?

Cold calling is a common practice in sales, and employers ask this question to see if you’re willing to do it. If you are, explain why. If not, tell the employer that you can but would prefer to focus on other methods of reaching out to potential customers.

Example: “I’m very comfortable making cold calls because I find it’s one of the most effective ways to reach new clients. When I was working at my previous job, we had a quota for how many cold calls we needed to make each day. I found that by doing so, I could meet my quota while also finding new leads through referrals from existing customers.”

14. What do you think makes a good leader?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you would apply them to a new role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention qualities that you have or things you’ve done in the past that helped you lead others.

Example: “I think a good leader is someone who is able to motivate their team members while also being empathetic to their needs. I try to do this by making sure my employees know they can come to me with any questions or concerns they may have. I also make an effort to praise my team members when they do something well so they feel appreciated.”

15. What are your short term & long term career goals?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for your career. They want to know that you are motivated and driven, and they also want to make sure you’re realistic about what it will take to achieve those goals. When answering this question, be honest about your goals but also be realistic about how long it might take to get there.

Example: “I am currently working toward my CPA certification. I hope to complete the program by next year, at which point I would like to begin applying for accounting positions in larger companies. My ultimate goal is to become an accountant for a Fortune 500 company within five years.”

16. How would you manage a large group of employees?

This question can help the interviewer assess your leadership skills and ability to manage a large group of people. Use examples from previous experience or explain how you would approach this situation if it’s something you haven’t done before.

Example: “In my last role, I managed a team of five employees who worked in different departments but were all part of the same company. We met once a week for an hour to discuss our progress on projects and any issues we encountered. This helped us stay organized and communicate with each other more effectively. It also gave me the opportunity to get to know my team members better and understand their strengths and weaknesses.”

17. What is your greatest strength/weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your strengths and weaknesses, which can help the interviewer get to know you better. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about both your strength and weakness. You should also try to choose two or three strengths and weaknesses that are relevant to the job.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to lend a hand to coworkers who need assistance. My weakness is that sometimes I have trouble saying no when asked to do something. This has led to me taking on more tasks than I could handle at times.”

18. What are your salary expectations?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re not overvaluing your skills and experience. They want to know that you understand the market value of your position, so they can decide if you’re a good fit for their company. When answering this question, be honest about what you expect to earn in this role. If you don’t have an exact number in mind, give them a range instead.

Example: “I’m looking for a salary between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. I’ve done my research on the average salaries for this type of work, and I feel confident that I am worth at least that much. I also think I could add more value than that amount, but I would need some time to learn the system before doing so.”

19. What do you think will be your biggest challenge if hired?

Employers ask this question to see if you are realistic about the job and what it entails. They want someone who is excited but also prepared for the challenges of the role. In your answer, be honest about what you think will be challenging. Explain why you feel that way and how you plan to overcome those challenges.

Example: “I think my biggest challenge would be working with a team I’ve never met before. I’m used to being in an office where everyone knows each other well, so I’m not sure how I’ll adjust to a new environment. However, I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning more about them. I know that by getting to know my coworkers, we can all work together better.”

20. What strengths do you possess that will help you succeed in this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your strengths and how they can help you succeed in the role. When answering, think of a few specific skills that will be useful for this position. You can also mention any transferable skills that may not directly relate to the job but could still be helpful.

Example: “I have excellent communication skills, which I believe are essential for customer service positions. I am also highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. Finally, I am very empathetic and compassionate, which makes it easy for me to understand customers’ needs.”