20 National Grid Interview Questions and Answers

National Grid is one of the largest electric utility companies in the United States. They own and operate the electricity and gas transmission and distribution systems in Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. National Grid is also a major investor-owned electric and gas delivery company in the United Kingdom.

As you can imagine, working for such a large and complex company requires a high level of skill and experience. If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with National Grid, you can expect to be asked some tough questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a taste of the types of questions you may be asked in a National Grid interview. We’ll also provide some tips on how to answer them.

National Grid Interview Process

The interview process at National Grid is lengthy, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take up to two months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Many of the questions are behavioral and require you to give specific examples from your past work experiences. The interviewer was also very difficult to read and it was hard to tell if they were interested in my answers or not. Overall, I would not recommend applying to National Grid unless you are absolutely sure that you want to work there.

1. How well do you work with others?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with your team and other members of the company. Use examples from past experiences to show that you are a team player who is willing to collaborate with others.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in teams, as I have done so for many years. In my last position, I worked alongside two other technicians on our shift. We often collaborated on projects together, such as repairing equipment or troubleshooting problems. We also helped each other out when we needed it. For example, if one of us was busy with another task, we would cover for them until they were free.”

2. What experience do you have that would help you in this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. Before your interview, read through the job description to identify which skills are most important for this position. Choose one or two of these skills and explain how you’ve used them in a previous role.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well with others would be beneficial in this role. In my last position as a customer service representative, I was responsible for resolving any issues customers had with their accounts. Whenever I received a call from someone who was upset, I always made sure to listen to what they were saying and respond calmly. This helped me resolve many situations before escalating into something more serious.”

3. Which area of engineering are you most interested in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and interests. You can answer this question by describing an engineering project you worked on in the past that was most interesting to you.

Example: “I am interested in civil engineering, specifically transportation projects. I find it fascinating how engineers are able to design roads and highways that allow people to get from one place to another safely. In my last role as a structural engineer, I designed several bridges and roadways. One of my favorite projects was designing a new highway interchange that helped reduce traffic congestion.”

4. National Grid is committed to providing clean and safe energy. How does that align with your career goals?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the environment and how you can contribute to National Grid’s commitment to sustainability. Use examples from your past experience that demonstrate your interest in environmentalism, renewable energy or other initiatives related to clean energy.

Example: “I am passionate about protecting our planet and ensuring we have a sustainable future. I’ve been involved with my local community garden where we grow produce using solar power. It’s rewarding to see how much food we’re able to grow without pesticides or chemicals. In my last role, I helped develop a new recycling program at my company that reduced our carbon footprint by 10%. I’m excited to use my skills to help National Grid achieve its goals.”

5. Describe a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with customers. Use examples from your previous work experience to show that you are capable of handling customer complaints and resolving issues.

Example: “In my last position, I had a customer who was upset because they were having trouble paying their bill online. They called me on the phone and expressed their frustration about this issue. I listened to them carefully and asked questions to make sure I understood what they were saying. Then, I explained to them how to pay their bill online and assured them that we would be happy to assist them if they needed any further assistance.”

6. What is your experience with managing teams or projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager for a software development firm, I led a team of five developers who worked on various projects for clients. My role was to ensure that all members of the team were completing their tasks in a timely manner while also ensuring they met client expectations. I used my communication skills to make sure everyone knew what was expected of them and when it needed to be completed by. I also used my conflict resolution skills to resolve any issues between employees or with clients.”

7. A typical day for our customer service representatives involves dealing with upset customers. Are you comfortable working under stress?

Customer service representatives often have to deal with upset customers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stressful situations and remain calm when working for them. In your answer, explain that you are a strong communicator who is able to diffuse tense situations. Show the employer that you have these skills by giving an example of how you handled a difficult customer in the past.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working under stress. I think it’s important to remain calm and collected when dealing with upset customers. When I was working as a sales associate at a clothing store, I had a customer who was very upset because she thought we were out of her size. I calmly explained to her that we did have her size but they were on display in another part of the store. She calmed down after hearing my explanation and ended up buying two pairs of pants.”

8. Tell us about a time when you worked with someone who was difficult. How did you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to work with others and resolve conflict. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that show you can collaborate with a variety of people, even those who are challenging.

Example: “In my last job, I worked with someone who was very critical of other team members’ ideas. This person would often make comments about how our ideas were not good enough or why they wouldn’t work. At first, it was difficult for me to understand this person’s behavior because I am used to working with positive people. However, I learned that this person had been in their position for many years and felt like they needed to be more critical than usual.

I decided to approach this person privately and ask them if everything was okay. They told me that they were just trying to give constructive criticism so we could improve our processes. After talking with them, I realized that they were actually a great resource for improving our work. We started meeting regularly to discuss ways to improve our processes and create new strategies.”

9. Talk about a project you managed that didn’t go as planned, what were some lessons learned?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what happened but also highlight how you used your critical thinking skills to solve the issue.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager for a small business, we were having issues with our website not loading properly on mobile devices. I was able to determine that there was a coding error causing the issue. We had a developer come in to fix the issue, however, when they did so, some of the pages weren’t displaying correctly. I worked with the developer to find out why the pages weren’t displaying correctly and found that the coding needed to be updated again. The second time around, everything went smoothly.”

10. Can you tell me about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific steps you took to ensure the customer was happy with their service.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who called in because they were having issues with their electricity. They said that when they turned on their lights, the microwave would turn on as well. After talking with them for a while, I realized that there was an issue with their wiring. Rather than just fixing the problem with the wiring, I also fixed the outlet so that it wouldn’t happen again.”

11. We want people on our team who can think outside of the box. Give me an example of a time when you came up with a creative solution to solve a problem.

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a unique perspective and can think critically. Use examples from previous jobs or describe how you would approach this situation if it came up in this role.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that our team was having trouble communicating with each other because we were using different messaging apps. We had no way of knowing who was online at any given time, so we couldn’t collaborate effectively. I suggested creating a shared calendar where everyone could see when others were available for meetings. This allowed us to schedule more efficient meetings and communicate better as a team.”

12. Do you have any experience working with data analysis?

National Grid is a large company that relies on data to make important decisions. The hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience with analyzing data and making recommendations based on your findings. Use your answer to explain any previous experiences working with data analysis software or tools. Explain how these skills helped you complete your projects more efficiently.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of data analysis software in the past, including Microsoft Excel and Tableau. These programs are great for collecting and organizing information. I used them to help my team understand customer behavior and preferences. This allowed us to create marketing strategies that were tailored to our customers’ needs.”

13. Explain what a Quality Assurance Analyst does.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in your field. It also allows you to explain what you do and how it benefits National Grid.

Example: “A Quality Assurance Analyst’s job is to ensure that all of the company’s products are safe for use. I would test the quality of materials, inspect equipment and make sure that any processes were being followed correctly. This ensures that our customers receive high-quality services from us.”

14. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done some research on National Grid and are eager to learn more about the company. Use this time to ask questions about the position, the department or the company as a whole.

Example: “I noticed in your job description that there’s an emphasis on teamwork. I’m curious how you measure success within teams. What makes for a successful team? How do you ensure that all members of the team feel valued?” This shows the interviewer that you’re interested in working with others and want to make sure everyone feels like they’re contributing to the organization.

“I also noticed that you offer tuition reimbursement. I’m currently enrolled in college but am considering switching my major to business management. Would I be eligible for tuition reimbursement if I were hired? If so, what would be required of me to receive it?” This shows the interviewer that you’re motivated by education and career advancement. It also gives them insight into whether or not you’d be willing to take advantage of their tuition reimbursement program.

15. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the role. It also allows you to highlight some of your most important skills, which can help you stand out from other candidates. When answering this question, try to focus on your unique strengths that will be beneficial to National Grid.

Example: “I am an extremely hard worker who always strives to do my best. I have excellent communication skills and am able to work well with others. My ability to solve problems creatively makes me a valuable asset to any team. I would love to join your company because I feel like I could make a real difference here.”

16. What is your favorite part about being an engineer?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for engineering and the impact you want to make. Your answer should include a specific example of how you enjoy being an engineer, but it can also be a chance to talk about what motivates you in your career.

Example: “My favorite part about being an engineer is seeing my designs come to life. I love working with clients to create something that will improve their lives or work environment. For instance, when I was designing a new power grid for a small town, I loved hearing from residents after they had been using the system for a while. They told me how much more comfortable they were during storms because we installed backup generators at key locations.”

17. As a Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for setting up and maintaining computer systems. What experience do you have doing this?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your technical skills. Use examples from previous work experience or school projects that highlight your ability to troubleshoot and solve problems with computers, software and hardware.

Example: “In my last position as a systems engineer for a small business, I was responsible for setting up new employees’ computer systems and maintaining existing ones. This included installing operating systems, updating security software and resolving any issues with hardware or software. In addition, I also had to ensure all of our computer systems were compatible with each other so we could share information efficiently.”

18. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your career goals and ambitions. It also helps them understand what you value in a professional setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about an accomplishment that relates to the job description or one that showcases your skills and abilities.

Example: “My biggest professional accomplishment so far is receiving my master’s degree in business administration. I worked hard for several years to complete my undergraduate studies, but I knew getting my master’s would help me advance my career. I took night classes while working full-time, which was challenging at times, but I’m proud of myself for completing it.”

19. In your opinion, what makes a great manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine your management style and how you would fit into their company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality that makes a great manager and then explain how you have this quality yourself.

Example: “A great manager is someone who is able to communicate clearly with their team members. They are also someone who is willing to listen to their employees’ ideas and opinions. I think these qualities make for an effective leader because they allow everyone on the team to feel like they’re being heard and valued. In my last role, I was promoted to lead a team of five people. I made sure to meet with each person individually every week to discuss their work performance and ask them about any challenges or concerns they were having.”

20. While software development is a collaborative effort, there may be times when you need to work independently. Is that something you’re comfortable doing?

National Grid is a large company that requires employees to work in teams. However, there are times when you may need to complete tasks on your own. This question helps the interviewer determine if you’re comfortable working independently and how you handle it. Use examples from previous experiences where you worked alone but still achieved results.

Example: “I’m very comfortable working independently. In my last role as a software developer, I often had to work on projects by myself because of time constraints. I found ways to manage my time effectively so I could meet deadlines while also completing other tasks. When I needed help, I would ask for assistance or delegate tasks to others.”