Application Process & Interviews at Essential Energy

Very thorough and well communicated process throughout.

We submit the application and then if selected proceed to an online interview. If successful, we're invited up to Port Macquarie for an in person assessment centre, where we do some more interviews with different assessors but also a group interview . On this day we also have the opportunity to learn more about Essential Energy, and mingle with employees to see if the company is the right fight for us. Afterwards the offer is made, the process was a bit long, 4-6 months in total.

It was quite slow, lots of stages to recruitment and waiting to be contacted.

The interview process involves an online assessment (emotional and intelligence), video interview and then a final in-person interview at the head office (activity centre with people across different streams).

It was the most rigorous and long process I have been involved in. While it took a lot of energy and time, I was very appreciative to get the role as the process was worth it.

I filled out an electronic form on EE's website with all my certifications etc. I then did a math questionnaire. I did a basic interview, then a graduation introduction week, then a second interview then I was offered a position as a graduate.

Completed application, completed an online assessment, completed a zoom interview, completed an assessment day online

There were a couple of initial interviews that were conducted virtually, then there was a full day (8 hours) of interviews, activities, and assessments in person. A few weeks after this job offers were sent out.

Very well organised and communicated recruitment activities. Initial application/numeric test followed up with remote interview with relevant managers. This is followed up with an assessment centre day that includes a number of group activities and interviews with relevant managers.

Had a one-on-one virtual interview to begin with, then another virtual interview but this time with a group

I went through an online application, numeracy test, online interview and an in person day. The in-person day was awesome, they made me want to work here by showing the good things EE had to offer, they gave us a tour of the depot and showed why EE was a great place to work.

1. Online application and assessment 2. Online 1 on 1 interview 3. Assessment Day

individual virtual interview, followed by group interview with an activity to test communication and teamwork skills

1. online application and numerical assessment 2. Zoom interview 3. Assessment Day - involved several interviews, a teamwork activity, virtual tour of the depot, talks by senior leadership

Initial one-on-one interview, then invited to assessment day where you take part in a group assessment and then another one-on-one interview

Role specific questions and questions relating to my passions, personal life, studies and work experience.

What our passions/interests are, what motivates us to do what we do, why we chose Essential Energy specifically. We were also asked questions like "Can you go through a time when..." or "what would you do in x scenario"

Examples of how I meet company values, work experience, education.

They were primarily around the company values and things that I have done that reflect those values.

I remember being asked about what I think diversity in the workplace is and an example of how I have worked in a team.

I was asked to do a math examination as part of the recruiting process. I was then asked technical questions about what IT equipment I play with after hours, how I find video gaming interesting, What field I look to go into in the next 5 years, where I see myself in the next 5 years, How do you interact with a hard colleague etc.

Why do you want to work for Essential Energy? Scenario based problem solving

Questions about my work experience, education, how I would deal with various workplace situations, and then questions more focused around the job role that I was going for (in my case these were cyber security related questions).

Questions about software projects that I have worked on for university and in spare time. Technology questions and past working experience. Situational judgement and soft skills questions were also asked.

Consider a time when you a had difficult problem to solve and how did you come up with the solution?

The in-person day had 3 sections, 2 group challenges followed by an individual interview. The group challenges were firstly a teamwork challenge, then a finance based challenge. The questions in the interview were very standard, about myself, what the big factors in finance are etc.

was almost a year ago, but such questions as "describe a time you were faced with a difficult task and how did you solve it?"

I don't recall them all as it was a while ago but included: - What motivated you to apply? - What do you want to get out of the program?

General soft skills questions e.g.. time management, logical thinking etc.

The assessment day in Port Macquarie was the best way to see how good the town is to live in!

Answer questions using the STAR method, learn about the company and see how your speciality fits into the organisation. Be aware of the people skills needed to work well in a team, as well as what accomplishments or attributes you posses and how it can make you valuable to the team. Have relevant examples for those STAR questions, what have you done to showcase your passion for the field, what you're willing to learn and why you're fit for the role.

Know the company you are applying for (Values, day to day business operations) try and do some research on the electrical distribution industry, for many office roles they have no prior experience with this side of things nor the technology, but it shows you are interested and If you get the role it helps a lot. Try and be personable/ open to talking with your interviewer/s as they are looking for people who will suit the team and can get a better idea of your personality etc.

I would recommend to just be yourself because you should try to work at a place that hires you for who you truly are.

Know that it is a long and time-consuming process. Make sure to set aside time for it so that you give it your all. The company cares about organisational fit and culture. Show your skills and interests (and know what they are) but also be flexible. Make sure to put yourself out there and network at the assessment day.

Have some experience in IT as it will help you answer the Graduate IT questions. Make sure your math is up to scratch as the pre questions do involve this. Ensure you know your IT experiences well like that latest threats, graphics, research Essential Energy and know what is going on so you know what the interview questions may be based on as well as what the company is currently working on. Ensure you have some workplace experience with working with tough or smart IT colleagues. Have some certifications like Cisco CCNA 1 and 2, ACS etc.

Be yourself, ask questions, get involved in the scenarios

Don't just focus on your technical knowledge, make sure to practice employing your soft skills (i.e. teamwork, presenting, communicating, etc).

For technical roles, ensure you can demonstrate true interest in the role by being able to talk about your own personal passion projects ie. websites or software you have worked on or repositories you have contributed to. Also, make sure your soft skills are up to scratch.

Learn what your company does and ask questions that relate to the business and how it operates

Prepare some answers to basic interview questions, think creatively and try to use the STAR method when answering questions about situations.

show interest in the company, ask questions about their practices

Have a read of the company values and consider if you would fit into the company culture. Displaying the soft skills you have in a professional environment is as important as your technical experiences.

Be yourself. They hire the whole person.