20 Thames Water Interview Questions and Answers

As a water and sewerage company, Thames Water is responsible for providing clean and take away waste water. This is a complex and important task, and the company relies on a team of skilled and dedicated employees to carry out this work.

If you’re interested in working for Thames Water, you may be asked to attend an interview. This is your chance to show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of Thames Water specific interview questions and answers.

Thames Water Interview Process

The interview process at Thames Water can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will be either competency-based or case study based. For some positions, you may also have to do a presentation as part of the interview process. Overall, the interview process is generally fast and efficient.

1. How would you increase the number of apprenticeships without increasing costs?

Thames Water is committed to increasing the number of apprenticeships in its company. An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you would help them achieve their goal. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to increase the number of apprentices without increasing costs.

Example: “I think one way we could increase the number of apprentices without increasing costs is by encouraging more women and minorities to apply for these positions. I have seen that many people from underrepresented groups are interested in pursuing a career in water treatment but don’t know where to start. If I were hired as an apprentice program manager, I would create a marketing campaign that targets these individuals and encourages them to apply.”

2. What motivates you to work in engineering?

Thames Water is looking for candidates who are passionate about engineering and the water industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or experience that you enjoyed working on.

Example: “I love being able to solve problems with my engineering skills. I find it rewarding when I am able to create something new or improve upon an existing product or process. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a more efficient way of cleaning sewer pipes. After some research, I developed a method of using UV light to kill bacteria in the pipes. This resulted in a significant cost savings for the company.”

3. Would you be interested in becoming a chartered engineer?

Thames Water is a large company that requires its employees to have the necessary qualifications and certifications. If you are interested in becoming a chartered engineer, it’s important to let your interviewer know so they can help you get there.

Example: “Yes, I am very much interested in becoming a chartered engineer. In fact, I’ve already started my journey toward certification by taking some courses online. I’m also planning on enrolling in an engineering program at a local university this fall.”

4. Describe what you know about water and wastewater treatment.

Thames Water is a water and wastewater treatment company, so it’s important that you have an understanding of the processes involved in treating both. When answering this question, make sure to include details about what happens during each process and how they relate to one another.

Example: “Water treatment involves removing contaminants from water before it can be used for drinking or other purposes. Wastewater treatment removes pollutants from waste water after it has been used by humans. The two processes are closely related because water treatment helps remove pollutants from wastewater.”

5. What is your experience with working on an agile team?

Thames Water is a company that uses agile project management, so it’s important to show your experience with this type of work. If you have no experience working on an agile team, explain what you know about the process and how you would adapt to it if hired.

Example: “I’ve worked in several different types of teams throughout my career, including ones that use agile project management. I find that agile works best for me because it allows me to be flexible when needed while still keeping projects organized. In my last role, I was part of an agile team where we used Scrum methodology. We had daily stand-up meetings, sprint planning sessions and weekly sprint reviews.”

6. Why are you looking for a new job?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss what you hope to gain from the role and how it will help you reach those goals.

Example: “I am looking for a new job because I feel like my current position doesn’t offer me enough opportunities for growth. I would love to work in a company that offers training programs and other ways to develop my skills as an engineer. I also want to work somewhere where I can make a difference by helping the environment.”

7. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working as part of a team?

Thames Water is a large company that employs many different types of employees. The interviewer wants to know how you will contribute to the team and what your expectations are for working with others.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so I try to be as supportive as possible when my coworkers need help or advice. In addition, I always make sure to communicate clearly and openly with my teammates so we can all work together effectively.”

8. Tell me about a time where you had to make a difficult decision at work.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. This can be an important skill to have as a manager, so it’s important to show that you’re capable of making good choices when needed.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a situation where there were too many employees on vacation at once. We didn’t have enough people to cover all of our shifts, so I had to decide who would work overtime and who wouldn’t. It was difficult because everyone wanted to work extra hours, but I had to choose based on seniority and performance.”

9. What makes you passionate about sustainability?

Thames Water is dedicated to sustainability and conservation. The company wants employees who are passionate about protecting the environment, so they ask this question to make sure you share their values. In your answer, explain what inspired you to pursue a career in sustainability. Share an example of how you’ve applied sustainable practices in your previous roles.

Example: “I’m passionate about sustainability because I believe it’s our responsibility as humans to protect the planet we live on. As someone who grew up near the ocean, I know firsthand how important it is to preserve marine life. When I was in college, I volunteered at a local aquarium where I helped educate visitors about the importance of recycling and conserving water.”

10. Do you have experience working in a large organization?

Thames Water is a large organization that employs thousands of people. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working in a similar environment and how well you can adapt to change.

Example: “I’ve worked for the same company for five years, but I also interned at another water treatment plant during college. Both companies were large organizations with many employees, so I’m used to adapting to new processes and procedures. I enjoy learning new things and meeting new people, so I don’t mind adapting to different work environments.”

11. Have you ever worked in a big data environment?

Thames Water is a large company that uses big data to manage its operations. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working in this type of environment and how it can help them achieve their goals.

Example: “I worked for a small startup where we used big data to track customer behavior, which helped us create more effective marketing campaigns. I also worked with a software development team that created an app that tracked water usage by household. This information was then uploaded to the cloud so Thames Water could use it to better understand how much water people were using.”

12. We want our analysts to be able to work independently, do you think that you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

Independent work is a major part of the analyst position, so it’s important that you can show your interviewer that you’re comfortable with this type of environment. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your ability to work independently and provide examples of how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for an independent working environment because I’m used to working on my own at school. In fact, I find that I learn more when I have to research information myself rather than having someone else explain it to me.”

13. Can you tell us about a time where you took ownership of your role?

Thames Water is looking for employees who are willing to take on responsibility and accountability. This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of work. Use your answer to share a specific example from your past where you took ownership of a project or task.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing our social media accounts. One day, I noticed that we had not posted any new content in over a week. I immediately reached out to my manager about the issue. They were grateful that I brought it to their attention so they could address it before anyone else noticed. We ended up creating some great content that boosted engagement.”

14. Are you comfortable handling customer complaints?

Thames Water is a utility company that provides water and sewerage services to customers. As such, it’s likely you’ll have to handle customer complaints at some point in your career with the company. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for this aspect of the job. In your answer, explain how you can use your communication skills to resolve customer issues effectively.

Example: “I understand that handling customer complaints is an important part of my role as a service representative. I am confident that I can use my problem-solving and communication skills to help customers solve their problems. For example, when I worked as a sales associate at a retail store, I helped a customer who was unhappy with her purchase by offering her a refund or exchange.”

15. Are you willing to take on any assignment or task given to you?

Thames Water is a growing company that offers many opportunities for advancement. The interviewer wants to know if you are willing to take on any task or assignment they give you and complete it successfully.

Example: “Yes, I am always ready to take on new challenges. In my last position, I was given the opportunity to work with a team of engineers to develop a new system for water filtration. It was challenging but rewarding to be able to contribute to such an important project.”

16. What was one time that you solved a problem creatively?

Thames Water is looking for candidates who can use their problem-solving skills to help the company achieve its goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you used your creativity and critical thinking skills to solve a problem or challenge that helped you succeed in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager at a local restaurant, I noticed that our wait staff was having trouble remembering which table they were supposed to deliver food to. To fix this issue, I created a system where each server had a different color of napkin on their tray depending on what table they were serving. This simple solution helped our servers remember which tables they needed to serve while also making sure customers got the right meal.”

17. If hired, how would you approach troubleshooting issues with our systems?

Thames Water is looking for candidates who can troubleshoot problems with their systems and equipment. When answering this question, it’s important to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “I would first try to find the root cause of the issue by asking questions and performing tests on the system. If I’m unable to solve the problem myself, I will ask my supervisor or other colleagues for help. In my previous role as a water treatment plant operator, I was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the facility, including its equipment and operations. This experience has given me the confidence to approach any issues that arise.”

18. How do you feel about working during weekends?

Thames Water Utilities Limited requires its employees to work during weekends and holidays. The company needs people who can be flexible with their schedules, so it asks this question to see if you’re willing to do that. If you have a family or other commitments that make working on the weekend difficult, you should explain that in your answer.

Example: “I’m happy to work during weekends as long as I get time off during the week. I know that some companies offer compensatory days off for working on the weekend, but I haven’t worked at one of those places before. However, I am open to doing whatever is necessary to ensure my team completes projects on time.”

19. When was the last time you implemented process improvements in your workplace?

Thames Water is looking for candidates who are innovative and can help the company improve its processes. When answering this question, you should describe a time when you implemented process improvements in your workplace or another organization.

Example: “At my current job, I have helped implement several process improvements that saved our team time and money. For example, we used to use paper forms to track customer service calls. However, it was difficult to find information on these forms, so I suggested using an online database instead. This system allowed us to store all of our customer data digitally, which made it easier to access important information.”

20. How well do you work under pressure?

Thames Water is a company that requires its employees to work under pressure. The interviewer may ask this question to determine how well you can handle stress and perform your job duties in high-pressure situations. In your answer, try to explain how you manage stress and remain calm when working under pressure.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure because I know it comes with the territory of being a water utility employee. When I’m on the job, I always make sure to stay calm and focused so I can complete my tasks as quickly as possible. This helps me avoid making mistakes or overlooking important details.”