20 Southern Company Interview Questions and Answers

When interviewing for a position at Southern Company, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, qualifications, and skills. However, you may also be asked company-specific interview questions.

To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of sample Southern Company interview questions and answers. These questions will give you an idea of what to expect and help you show off your knowledge of the company.

Southern Company Interview Process

The interview process at Southern Company is generally pretty easy, though it can vary depending on the position you’re applying for. For most positions, you can expect a phone call with the recruiter followed by a panel interview. There may or may not be a case study involved. The whole process usually takes two to three weeks.

1. What are some things you think we can do to improve our company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, try to think of ways that you could improve processes or make things more efficient for Southern Company.

Example: “I think one thing we can do to improve our company is implement a new software system. I’ve worked with several companies who have implemented software systems like Salesforce, which has helped them streamline their sales process and increase revenue. If I were hired as an IT specialist at Southern Company Services, Inc., I would be happy to work with management to find the best software solution for our company.”

2. Are you able to work in a fast-paced environment?

Southern Company is a large company that offers many different career opportunities. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and how you handle stress. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you had to meet deadlines under pressure.

Example: “I have worked for Southern Company Services, Inc., for five years now, so I am familiar with the pace of working here. In my current role as an IT specialist, I often have multiple projects going at once. This has helped me develop my time management skills and become comfortable with multitasking. I enjoy being able to complete several tasks at once because it helps me feel productive.”

3. Give an example of when you had to manage your time working on multiple projects at once.

Southern Company Services, Inc. is looking for employees who can multitask and manage their time effectively. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to work on multiple projects at once while maintaining quality results. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences where you had to complete several tasks in a short period of time.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our company’s technology needs. One day, I received a call from one of our sales managers requesting that I fix a printer issue immediately. I told her I would be there shortly but needed to finish up some other tasks first. She insisted that it was urgent and asked if I could send someone else instead. I explained that I would be there within 30 minutes and she agreed.

I quickly finished up what I was working on and then headed over to the sales department. When I arrived, the manager informed me that the printer wasn’t printing properly. I looked at the problem and realized that the toner cartridge was low. I replaced the cartridge and the printer started working again. The manager thanked me for fixing the issue so quickly.”

4. How would you describe a successful engineering team?

Southern Company is a large company that requires many employees to work together. The interviewer wants to know how you would interact with your team and what qualities you look for in other engineers. Use examples from previous teams to describe the characteristics of a successful engineering group.

Example: “A successful engineering team has members who are willing to help each other out when needed. I’ve been on projects where we had multiple deadlines, so it was important to have a team that could support one another. It’s also important to have an engineer who can communicate effectively. If someone doesn’t understand something or needs more information, they should feel comfortable asking questions.”

5. Why should Southern Company hire you over another candidate?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this position and why you would be a great addition to their team. When answering, make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience while also showing enthusiasm about working at Southern Company.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator with strong organizational skills who has proven I can work well in a fast-paced environment. Throughout my career, I have developed many valuable skills that will help me succeed in this role, including customer service, problem solving and teamwork. I am excited to join Southern Company Services, Inc., as I feel like I could really thrive here.”

6. Tell me about a time you weren’t sure how to accomplish something, but did it anyway.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous jobs to showcase how you used critical thinking and creativity to solve problems.

Example: “When I first started working as a customer service representative, I wasn’t sure how to handle customers who were upset or angry. However, I learned that it’s important to remain calm and listen carefully to what they’re saying. If they’re yelling, I try to calmly repeat back what they said so they know I’m listening. Then, I ask questions to better understand their issue.”

7. Describe a project that you worked on with a challenging deadline.

Southern Company is a large company that requires employees to work with tight deadlines. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to meet challenging goals and complete projects on time. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to meet a deadline under pressure.

Example: “In my last job, I was tasked with creating an online marketing strategy for our client’s website. The project required me to research different types of digital marketing strategies and create a plan for our client’s website based on their target audience. I worked closely with the client to understand their business model and develop a plan that would help them reach their customers effectively.”

8. Would you say you’re more of a team player or someone who works better alone?

Southern Company is a large company that requires employees to work well in teams. Your answer should show the interviewer you’re comfortable working with others and can be part of a team.

Example: “I’m definitely more of a team player than someone who works better alone. I’ve always been part of a team, whether it was on my high school soccer team or as an intern at my previous job. I enjoy collaborating with others and learning from them. In fact, I find it easier to solve problems when I have other people’s perspectives.”

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your future plans but also emphasize that you’re committed to the job for the long term.

Example: “I plan on staying with Southern Company for many years because I love working here. However, my goal is to become an executive by the time I’m 30. I know that may seem ambitious, but I feel like I can achieve it with hard work and dedication.”

10. Have you ever worked with a senior engineer before?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your experience level and how you work with others. If you have worked with senior engineers, describe the relationship you had with them and what they taught you. If you haven’t worked with a senior engineer before, you can talk about your goals for working with one in the future.

Example: “I’ve never worked with a senior engineer before, but I would love to someday. I think it’s important to learn from those who are more experienced than us so we can continue to grow as professionals. In my last position, I was fortunate enough to work with an engineer who mentored me on some of the basics of my job. She helped me understand the importance of following safety procedures and gave me tips on how to be more efficient at my job.”

11. Can you explain the steps you take to troubleshoot and solve problems?

Southern Company is looking for employees who can solve problems and troubleshoot issues. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience solving complex problems and how you approach them. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, including your ability to analyze a situation, gather information and implement solutions.

Example: “I start by listening to what everyone has to say about the issue. I then try to identify the root cause of the problem so that I can develop a solution that addresses the underlying issue. In my last role as an IT specialist, I had to troubleshoot several issues with company servers. One time, I noticed that some users were having trouble accessing their email accounts. After talking to each user, I determined that they were all using different browsers. I fixed this issue by updating the browser settings on the server.”

12. Do you consider yourself creative?

Southern Company Services, Inc. is looking for employees who are creative and innovative thinkers. This question helps them determine whether you have the skills to succeed in their organization. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I consider myself a very creative person. I am always thinking of new ways to solve problems or improve processes. For example, when I was working as an IT specialist at my previous job, we were having issues with our servers. Instead of just calling in a technician, I decided to try and fix it myself. After some trial and error, I figured out that one of the hard drives had failed. By fixing the server, I saved the company thousands of dollars.”

13. Which software programs are you comfortable using?

Southern Company Services, Inc. may ask this question to determine which computer programs you’re familiar with and how quickly you can learn new software. When answering this question, list the specific programs you’ve used in your previous roles and explain what you did with them.

Example: “I’m comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have experience using Google Drive, Dropbox and Trello. In my last role, I was responsible for managing our company’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I created content for each platform and scheduled posts throughout the week.”

14. What is your experience with developing new processes?

Southern Company Services, Inc. is looking for candidates who can help the company improve its processes and procedures to make them more efficient. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your experience with process improvement and how you’ve helped companies or organizations in the past.

Example: “In my last role as a project manager, I was responsible for overseeing several projects that involved improving existing processes. For example, one of our clients wanted us to create an online portal where they could track their energy usage. We created a new system where they could monitor their energy consumption and see how much money they were saving by using Southern Company services.”

15. What qualities do you look for in a leader?

Southern Company is a large company with many departments. As a leader, you may be responsible for managing employees and helping them achieve their goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention qualities that you think are important in a leader.

Example: “I believe that leaders should be approachable and empathetic. I also think they should have the ability to make quick decisions while still considering all of the facts. In my last role as an HR manager, I had to make some difficult decisions about employee performance. I always tried to consider each person’s unique situation before making any final decisions.”

16. What kind of team structure works best for you?

Southern Company Services, Inc. is a large company that offers many opportunities for advancement and professional development. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you might fit into the Southern Company Services, Inc. team. To answer this question, think about what kind of teams you’ve worked on in the past. Consider what made those teams successful and try to relate it to the job opportunity at Southern Company Services, Inc.:

Example: “I have found that I work best in highly collaborative teams where everyone has an equal voice. In my last position, I was part of a small team that developed new marketing strategies for our client base. We had weekly meetings to discuss our progress and brainstorm ideas. Everyone contributed their thoughts and we were able to come up with some great strategies.”

17. Do you have any experience with managing people?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. If you have management experience, share a time when you helped someone develop their skills or improve their performance. If you don’t have management experience, explain what steps you would take to learn the skills needed to manage people effectively.

Example: “I’ve had several opportunities to lead teams of employees in my previous roles. In one role, I was responsible for managing a team of customer service representatives who were tasked with answering questions from customers about our products. One day, I noticed that some of my employees seemed distracted while on the phone with customers. After talking with them, I learned they were having issues with their computer systems. I worked with IT to resolve the issue so my employees could focus on providing excellent customer service.”

18. Give us an example of when you’ve taken responsibility for a mistake.

Southern Company is looking for employees who are willing to take responsibility when they make a mistake. This shows that you’re mature and can admit your mistakes. When answering this question, try to be honest about any past mistakes you’ve made at work or in school.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant, I accidentally sent my boss’s email to the entire company instead of just his inbox. He was very upset with me, but he understood it was an accident. I apologized to him and explained how I would prevent something like that from happening again. He appreciated my honesty and understanding.”

19. Do you have any questions for us?

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position and want to learn more about it. It’s also a chance for you to ask any questions you have about Southern Company, the role or the company culture.

Example: “I am very excited about this opportunity with Southern Company Services. I know there are many benefits to working here, including an excellent health care plan and tuition reimbursement program. I do have one question, however. I noticed on your website that you offer a flexible work schedule policy. I was wondering if you could tell me more about how employees can take advantage of this benefit.”

20. What are your salary expectations?

Southern Company is a large company that offers competitive salaries. When you answer this question, it’s important to be honest about your salary expectations and how they align with the job description. If you’re overqualified for the position, you may want to consider lowering your salary expectations.

Example: “I’m looking for a role where I can use my skills and experience to make an impact on the organization. My current salary is $50,000 per year, but I am open to negotiating if the position requires more experience or education.”