20 MISO Interview Questions and Answers

MISO is a not-for-profit organization that delivers electric power. The company is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, and is the largest electric grid operator in the United States. MISO manages the electric power grid for 13 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

MISO is always looking for talented and dedicated employees. If you’re interested in working for MISO, you should be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions. In this article, we’ll give you some examples of MISO interview questions and answers.

MISO Interview Process

The interview process at MISO can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. The difficulty of the interviews will depend on the position you are applying for. For example, positions that require more technical skills may have a more difficult interview process. Overall, the experience is generally positive, although some applicants have found the process to be unorganized or too long.

1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflicting priorities. How did you handle it?

MISO is a not-for-profit organization that delivers electric power. As such, it’s important to be able to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to handle multiple projects at once while still meeting deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as an IT manager for a large corporation, I have to balance many different priorities every day. For example, I need to make sure all of our employees are using secure computers and software, but also ensure they’re getting their work done on time. To do this, I hold weekly meetings with each department head to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.”

2. Why do you want to work at MISO?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in their organization. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on MISO and are excited about working for them.

Example: “I am interested in working at MISO because of its reputation as a leader in the electric power industry. I’ve read many articles about how it has helped other organizations with similar goals, which is something I would love to be a part of. I also want to work here because of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. I believe that everyone should have equal opportunities, and I think that MISO shares my values.”

3. What are your career goals for in the next 5 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what their timeline looks like for advancement opportunities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include your short-term goals as well.

Example: “My goal in the next five years is to become a senior engineer at MISO. I have been working toward my master’s degree in electrical engineering since graduating from college, and I am hoping that by then I will be able to apply for a promotion.”

4. Do you have any experience working with electric power systems?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with MISO’s electric power systems. If you do, share your previous experience and how it helped you in this role. If you don’t have any experience working with electric power systems, explain that you’re willing to learn about them.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of electric power systems throughout my career. I started out as an engineer for a large corporation where I was responsible for designing new power systems. Later on, I moved into a management position where I had to oversee the maintenance of these systems. Throughout both positions, I learned how to work with all kinds of electric power systems.”

5. As an intern, how would you approach handling files and updating data based on certain criteria?

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and ability to work with large amounts of data. Your answer should show the interviewer that you can manage files, organize information and use technology to complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “I would create folders for each client based on their location or type of service they receive. I would then sort all documents by date and update them according to the criteria I set up in my database. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t lose track of any important information.”

6. Describe your experience with market analysis, what were some of your tasks?

Market analysis is a key skill for MISO professionals. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with market analysis and how you apply it in your work. Use your answer to explain what market analysis is, as well as the steps you take when conducting one.

Example: “Market analysis involves collecting data on supply and demand of electricity. I have performed market analysis at my previous job by first identifying the region’s energy needs. Then, I would collect information from power plants, utilities and other sources to determine if there are enough resources to meet those needs. If not, I would recommend solutions such as building new power plants or buying additional supplies.”

7. We are looking for someone who can adapt quickly to change. Give us an example of a time where you had to adapt quickly to something new.

This question is a great way to show your ability to adapt and learn quickly. It also shows that you are willing to take on new challenges. When answering this question, think of an example where you had to adapt to something new in a short amount of time.

Example: “When I started my previous job as a power plant operator, there was a change in the system we were using. We had to switch from one program to another within two weeks. At first, it seemed like a lot of information to remember, but I took notes during training and practiced with the new system often. By the time the deadline came, I felt confident enough to use the new system without any issues.”

8. If hired, how do you think you could contribute to our organization?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have done some research on the company and are eager to join their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few things about MISO’s mission or values and how you think you could help achieve them.

Example: “I am passionate about renewable energy and I believe that MISO has been doing great work in this area. If hired, I would love to continue contributing to these efforts by researching new ways to implement solar power into our grid. I also feel like there is room for improvement when it comes to customer service, so I would love to learn more about how we can better serve our customers.”

9. If we gave you a project that required research, what steps would you take to complete the task efficiently?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work independently and efficiently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time you completed a project that required research.

Example: “I would start by researching the topic thoroughly. I would look for any information on the subject online or in books. If I needed more specific information, I would contact people who have experience with the task at hand. After gathering all the necessary information, I would organize my notes and create a plan for how I would complete the project.”

10. What is your preferred leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead a team of MISO employees. Your answer should show that you are willing to adapt your leadership style based on the needs of your team members and the situation at hand.

Example: “I believe in leading by example, so I prefer to be an approachable leader who is always available for my team members. However, if someone is struggling with their work or has questions about their responsibilities, I am happy to provide additional training or coaching as needed. I also value transparency, so I make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them and when they will receive feedback.”

11. Can you tell us about a time when you took initiative regarding a problem without being asked to do so?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were able to solve a problem that was not directly related to your job duties but helped the company in some way.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our team’s communication could use improvement. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress on projects, however, sometimes we would forget to communicate important information during those meetings. To help improve communication between my coworkers, I started sending out daily emails with updates about what everyone was working on. This helped us stay organized and avoid any miscommunication.”

12. Tell me about a time when you provided feedback to a colleague or supervisor.

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your communication skills and how you give constructive feedback to others. Use examples from your past experience where you gave feedback to a colleague or supervisor, and explain what the outcome was.

Example: “In my last position as a power plant operator, I noticed that one of my colleagues had been making mistakes when reading meters. After talking with him, he told me it was because his glasses were broken. He asked if I could get them fixed for him, so I did some research on local optometrists and found one who would fix his glasses at a discounted price. My colleague was very grateful, and he said he felt much better after getting new glasses.”

13. Do you have experience designing and testing software applications?

MISO is a technology-based organization that uses software applications to manage its operations. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience with this type of work and can adapt to their processes if necessary.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects where I was responsible for designing and testing software applications. In my last position, I helped develop an application that tracked energy usage in homes and businesses. This allowed customers to monitor their energy use and make changes to reduce costs. The app also provided information about MISO’s renewable energy sources.”

14. Which type of business environment do you prefer, fast-paced or slow-paced?

MISO is a not-for-profit organization, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be working in a fast-paced environment. However, the interviewer may want to know if you’re comfortable with slower work environments and how you would adjust your style of working to fit into their company culture.

Example: “I prefer a slow-paced business environment because I’m more productive when I have time to think through my tasks and plan out my day. In my last job, I worked on a team where we had to complete many projects at once, so I learned to prioritize my tasks and delegate some of them to other members of the team.”

15. In which areas of engineering are you most interested in and why?

This question is a great way to show your passion for engineering and the areas you are most interested in. It also allows you to discuss what you have learned about MISO’s engineering department.

Example: “I am most interested in renewable energy, which I know MISO has been working on for quite some time now. I think it’s important that we find ways to use renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels because they’re better for the environment. I’ve always wanted to work at an organization that was dedicated to finding new ways to produce clean energy.”

16. What does good customer service mean to you?

MISO is a not-for-profit organization that delivers electric power. They want to make sure you understand the importance of customer service and how it relates to their company. Your answer should show them that you value your customers and will treat them with respect.

Example: “Good customer service means treating people like they are important, no matter who they are or what they do for a living. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. It also means being honest and transparent about everything we do. If there’s an issue, I’ll let my customers know right away so they can plan accordingly.”

17. Have you ever been responsible for hiring employees?

Hiring employees is a common responsibility for many managers. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with hiring new team members and how you did it. If you haven’t hired anyone before, explain what your process would be if you were given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve never been responsible for hiring anyone at my previous jobs, but I think that’s something I’d enjoy doing. When looking for new hires, I would first make sure we had an open position. Then, I would create a job description and post it on our company website. I would also send out emails to local colleges and universities to let them know about the opening. After receiving applications, I would review each one carefully and then schedule interviews with the top candidates.”

18. Our organization places importance on innovation. Can you describe a time when you came up with a creative solution to solve a problem?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to showcase your creativity, innovation and ability to solve problems.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our team was having a hard time communicating with each other because we were using different communication platforms. This made it difficult for us to share important information or collaborate on projects. So, I decided to create an internal communication app where everyone could communicate with one another in real time. The app helped us work together more efficiently and saved the company money.”

19. What motivates you to go above and beyond for customers?

This question can help the interviewer understand your customer service skills and how you might interact with customers in their organization. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you are motivated by helping others, solving problems or making customers happy.

Example: “I am passionate about my job because I love interacting with people and seeing them happy after a positive experience. In my last position, I had a customer who was having trouble paying her bill online. She called me on the phone, and we worked together to figure out what she was doing wrong. After some troubleshooting, I realized that she needed a new password. I helped her reset it and then walked her through the payment process again so she could pay her bill.”

20. Management wants to ensure we hire someone who has a passion for electric power. What excites you about this industry?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the industry and how you can contribute to MISO’s mission. Your answer should include a brief overview of what excites you about this industry, as well as why you are interested in working at MISO specifically.

Example: “I am passionate about electric power because I believe it is essential to our everyday lives. When I was younger, my family lived without electricity for several months after Hurricane Irene destroyed our home. We had to use candles and lanterns to light our house, which made it difficult to do homework or cook dinner. After that experience, I became fascinated with how we generate and deliver electricity.”