20 SSE Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading provider of energy and related services in a low-carbon world, SSE is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join its team.

If you’re hoping to land a job with SSE, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions in your interview. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common SSE interview questions, and how to answer them.

So whether you’re interviewing for a position in SSE’s customer service department or you’re hoping to become a project manager, read on for some helpful tips.

SSE Interview Process

The interview process at SSE can vary depending on the role you are applying for. However, most roles will require you to complete an initial application, followed by a General psychometrics test, a digital interview, and finally an assessment centre. The assessment centre may include an interview at the end. For some roles, you may also be required to submit a written essay or presentation as part of the interview process.

1. What makes you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would fit in with their company. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read the job description so that you can reference specific requirements or skills they’re looking for. In your answer, try to highlight any of these qualities that you possess.

Example: “I think I’m a great fit for this position because of my extensive knowledge of renewable energy sources and my ability to work well as part of a team. Throughout my career, I’ve worked on several projects where we had to collaborate with other departments to achieve our goals. I have excellent communication skills and am always willing to help others.”

2. If you were interviewing someone else for this job, what qualities would you look for in an applicant?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the qualities they’re looking for in an applicant. It’s also a good opportunity to demonstrate how you would evaluate someone else’s qualifications and experience.

Example: “I’d look for someone who has proven their ability to work well with others, as this job requires collaboration across many departments. I’d also want to see someone who can think critically about problems and find solutions on their own. Someone who can communicate clearly and effectively is important too, as are problem-solving skills and attention to detail.”

3. Tell me about your experience working with customers.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your customer service skills. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight how you helped customers and resolved their issues.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with many different types of customers. Some were new to solar energy while others had been using it for years. My job was to educate them on our products and services so they could make informed decisions about what would be best for their home or business. I also provided technical support when needed. For example, one time a customer called me because their system wasn’t working properly. After talking through the issue with them, we determined that there was an issue with the wiring. We fixed the problem and got the system up and running again.”

4. Describe a time when you had to solve a difficult problem at work. How did you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your critical thinking, communication and leadership skills.

Example: “In my last position as an SSE engineer, I was tasked with finding a solution for a client who had lost power in their home due to a storm. The client’s family was at home when the power went out, so it was important that we find a solution quickly. After assessing the situation, I realized that the issue was related to the client’s transformer. I immediately contacted our team of technicians to fix the problem.”

5. Do you have any previous sales experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your previous experience is relevant to this role. If you have sales experience, share what you learned from that job and how it could apply to this position.

Example: “I worked as a sales associate at a local boutique for two years before I graduated college. While working there, I learned how to interact with customers and develop relationships with them. This helped me learn how to listen to my clients’ needs and find solutions to their problems. It also taught me how to use customer feedback to improve my sales techniques.”

6. Are you comfortable working on long-term projects that may take months or years to finish?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you’re a good fit for an SSE employee. They want to know that you can work on projects that require patience and dedication, as well as how you feel about working on long-term projects. Your answer should show your willingness to work on such projects and your ability to stay focused over time.

Example: “I am comfortable with long-term projects because I enjoy seeing my work come to fruition. In fact, I find it motivating to see my progress throughout the project. I also understand that some projects may take longer than others, so I’m willing to put in the extra effort to ensure the job is done right.”

7. Give us an example of 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 think of a specific situation where you helped a customer in need or went above and beyond for a client.

Example: “When I was working as an SSE representative, I had a customer who called me because they were having issues with their energy bill. The customer explained that they hadn’t been able to pay their bill in over two months due to some unexpected medical expenses. After talking with the customer, I decided to lower their monthly bill by 50% until they could afford to pay off the rest of their balance.”

8. What do you think are the most important aspects of being a team player?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of when you were a good team player and helped your team succeed.

Example: “I think that being a good communicator is one of the most important aspects of being a team player. I always make sure to ask questions if I don’t understand something or if I have an idea for improvement. Another aspect of being a good team member is being willing to pitch in wherever needed. In my last role, I was often asked to cover other employees’ shifts because they had family obligations or personal matters to attend to. I am happy to do whatever is best for the team.”

9. What is your approach to managing people?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would manage your team members if you’re hired for this role. Use examples from past experiences to show that you have strong leadership skills and are able to motivate others to work hard.

Example: “I believe in being a supportive manager who is also approachable. I try to make sure my employees know they can come to me with any questions or concerns, and I always strive to be honest and transparent about company goals and expectations. In my last position as an SSE engineer, one of my colleagues was struggling to complete a project on time. I met with her privately and offered to help her find resources she needed to complete the assignment.”

10. How would you motivate employees who aren’t performing well?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would motivate your team to achieve company goals. Use examples from previous experiences where you motivated a group of employees or individuals to perform better and meet deadlines.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of personalities in my career, so I know that not everyone responds to the same type of motivation. In my last role as an SSE, I had one employee who was consistently late to work and missed important deadlines. Instead of immediately disciplining them, I spoke with them privately about their performance and asked what they needed to be more successful at work. They told me they were having trouble getting their children ready for school every morning, which was causing them to arrive late to work.

After hearing this, I offered to drive them to work on days when they had early drop-offs. This helped them feel supported by their manager and gave them the confidence to improve their work performance.”

11. Have you ever been fired from a job?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know that you’re capable of being fired if you don’t perform your job well. If you have been fired before, explain why you were let go and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “I was once fired from my previous position as an SSE engineer because I didn’t meet my quota for producing new energy sources. This taught me how important quotas are when working in this field. It also made me realize that I need to work harder to ensure I’m meeting all of my goals.”

12. Would you say you’re more of a leader or a follower?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your leadership style. It’s important to show that you’re comfortable with both roles, but it’s also helpful if you lean more toward one than the other.

Example: “I would say I’m more of a leader, although I’ve learned over time that there are times when being a follower is beneficial. For example, in my previous role as an SSE engineer, I was responsible for leading a team of engineers on several projects at once. This required me to delegate tasks and give feedback to my team members so they could improve their work. However, I also had to be willing to take direction from my superiors when necessary.”

13. Can you tell me about a project you worked on that required a lot of planning?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your ability to plan and organize projects. Use examples from previous work experience that highlight your planning skills, attention to detail and organizational abilities.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with creating a new energy efficiency program for our customers. This required me to research different types of energy-efficient products and services we could offer our clients. I also had to create an outline of how this program would be implemented across all customer service representatives. After presenting my ideas to management, they approved my plans and allowed me to implement the new energy efficiency program.”

14. Would you rather work individually or as part of a team?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you might fit into their organization. If your answer is that you prefer to work in a team, the interviewer may want to know more about your leadership skills and ability to motivate others. If you prefer working alone, they may want to know if you have any experience collaborating with others on projects or assignments.

Example: “I enjoy both working individually and as part of a team. I find that when I’m working by myself, I can focus better on my own tasks and complete them efficiently. However, I also really enjoy collaborating with other professionals who bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. In my last position, I was often tasked with leading teams of employees on various projects.”

15. Why do you want to work at SSE?

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 SSE that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this role because I was impressed by your commitment to renewable energy sources. As someone who has always been passionate about environmental issues, I think working at a company like yours would allow me to make an impact in this area. I also appreciate how transparent you are with your customers, which is something I strive to do as well.”

16. Which area of management are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your skills and interests align with those of the company. It also helps them understand what you hope to gain from this position. When answering, consider which areas of management are most important to you personally and how they relate to the job description.

Example: “I am interested in all aspects of management, but I find that my strongest skill is leading a team. In my last role, I was responsible for managing a large group of employees who were working on a project together. I found it rewarding to see everyone work together toward a common goal. I think I could apply these same principles here at SSE.”

17. What steps would you take to improve customer service within our company?

Customer service is an important aspect of any business, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs where you helped improve customer satisfaction or developed a new system for improving customer service.

Example: “I would start by listening to what customers have to say and finding out how we can better serve them. I would also make sure that all employees know how to handle customer complaints and concerns so they can resolve issues quickly. In my last position, I created a survey to find out what our customers liked most about our company and what areas we could improve in.”

18. Do you have any experience using CRM software?

CRM software is a database that stores information about customers and prospects. It’s an important tool for salespeople to use, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using CRM software in your previous roles. If you do, share what kind of CRM software you used and how it helped you with your job. If you don’t have any experience using CRM software, explain why not and discuss other ways you’ve organized customer data in the past.

Example: “I haven’t had much experience using CRM software, but I am familiar with Salesforce.com. In my last role, we used Salesforce.com to organize our leads and track our outreach efforts. The system was helpful because it allowed me to keep track of all of my outreach activities and follow up on leads as needed.”

19. What is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often the interviewer’s way of getting to know you better. It can also be an opportunity for you to show your ability to self-reflect and learn from past mistakes. When answering this question, try to pick something that isn’t too negative or embarrassing but that shows you’re aware of your shortcomings and are working on improving them.

Example: “I think I sometimes get so focused on my work that I forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling overwhelmed at times, which I’m actively trying to improve by setting alarms throughout the day to remind myself to take short breaks.”

20. We are looking for candidates who are innovative thinkers. Give us an example of how you used innovation to solve a problem at work.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a creative mind and can apply it to your work. When answering this question, think of a time when you used your problem-solving skills to come up with a unique solution to a challenge.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with finding ways to reduce our company’s carbon footprint. One day, while walking through the parking lot, I noticed several cars had their engines running in the hot summer heat. This got me thinking about how we could use technology to help drivers keep their engines off until they needed them. After some research, I found out that there were apps available that would allow users to start their car remotely. We developed a program where employees could sign up for the app and get discounts on their insurance if they left their engine off.”