Application Process & Interviews at Contact Energy

Easy hiring process where you feel supported each step of the way.

The initial interview was one-way where we had to record ourselves answering 3 questions along with completing a gamified cognitive test. The next stage, we were flown to Wellington to participate in an Assessment Centre day where we were assessed in a team building activity, listened to multiple guest speakers and then split off for interviews.

There are 4 stages - CV/resume, online interview, psychometric test, and lastly group assessment with 3-to-1 face-to-face interview. The last stage is quite exhausting as it is done in a day (including flying the candidates to the headquarters and back home).

Stages of video interviews, questionnaires, personal getting-to-know everyone type interviews.

Assessments were pretty standard literacy, numeric tests. The interview process for me consisted of 3 recorded online questions which were quite relaxed. They then called you in for an "assessment" centre which was a day with a group activity and a solo interview. Whole experience was great, it felt like they wanted you to do the best you can as opposed to trying to catch you out so I felt really comfortable and relaxed.

Group assessment, individual interview and speaker events

Theres an online self-recorded interview at the second stage of the application and an assessment centre that involves a group activity and an interview with three people. Throughout the assessments and interviews they made us feel comfortable to the point that it did not feel like an interview.

I handed in my CV with my past work experience and my course details. I was then invited to an online interview. Once this was completed I was invited to site to do a walkaround and an in-person interview.

It was so organized and clear.

Send CV/cover letter Phone call from recruiter Interview with two managers Final interview with HOD and managers from previous interview

Initial application psychometric testing video questionnaire written case study and virtual interview offer. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic so the whole process was online.

I did not attend assessment day like most of the graduates but the process was: Apply with CV/cover letter Phone call with recruiter to set up interview Interview with two managers in my division Final interview with head of department and previous two managers.

Virtual Interview - Video call interview - Hydro Site Manager Interview.

The interview and assessments process was long and drawn out. It occurred during exam time so it was very difficult and stressful to keep up with. It felt like there were more steps than there should have been. Advertising for the position were poor and I happened upon it by chance.

Why do you want this role? Tell me a time where something at work didn't go as planned and how you went about it? How would a previous employer describe you in 3 words?

How my values align with the company values. I was asked about my passions and goals, followed by a number of 'explain a situation where...' questions.

While working in a new group, there are 2 team members fighting for the leader role, what will you do in this situation? Why do you choose to join the graduate program? When there is Megawatts decrease in production (productivity loss), how do you find what is the root cause? Tell me about yourself.

Really cant remember. Less so about technical aspects, more getting to know me.

Tell us about a time you've had conflict and how you approached resolving it? What work and projects have you worked on in your past job? Other CV related questions.

Why Contact Energy, why do you want to join data, tell us a time that you work in the team, tell us a time you overcome a challenge, tell us a time you

Why we chose to apply for the company. What new solutions did I come up with for a particular problem. What is a challenge that pushed me to my limits and how did I face it. How do I build relationships with other people especially someone who I need to learn from.

Technical questions regarding my field, personal questions to understand how I will fit into the team, and my interests to understand whether I would be suitable to living in a somewhat remote area. I was also asked how I would handle certain work scenarios (such as professional conflicts and difference of opinions).

How did you build relationships/rapport in your previous job/internship. How do you go about making decisions under uncertainty. What do you know about the energy market.

I remember the video interview questions being more values and personality based e.g. describe two values that are important to you. The virtual interview started off with questions based around the case study that we had to write prior to the interview. This lead into STAR based questions which were mostly based around my work style and how I work with other people.

How well do you perform under pressure. How do you go about making decisions under uncertainty. How did you go about building relationships with colleagues at previous jobs/internships. Why do you want to work here/why this role.

My background work experiences and study.

The main questions I was asked were about my work experience so far providing examples where Ive demonstrated different qualities such as leadership and why I was interested in the position.

Cant recall specifically. But it was a mix of casual and slightly more formal questions. Some related to previous experiences/ challenges/ learnings and some more aimed at gauging values and personality fit.

Ask questions is the biggest one and show curiosity.

Be yourself and really let your personality shine throughout the application process. Contact are more about hiring the right person over the right skills (as skills can always be learnt). Research common interview questions and prepare answers, this technique will prepare you for any question that comes your way. As for the 'explain a situation where...' questions, format your answers using the STAR method.

Clear communicator with confident answers in the interview. LEarn about the company and as a question about its projects.

Just be yourself

Put your best step forward. If you're genuine, and easy to get along with, and are capable of putting in good mahi, you will go far.

Think of genuine reasons why you want to work for them. The more honest you are to yourself will come off more genuine sounding to them. Also if you can ask a really intriguing question back to the interviewers that will show to them that you're listening and are just as interested in the role as they are in you.

Reading the integrated report is a great way to get to know a companies policies, priorities and culture to see if they'd be a good fit for you.

Write down some of your life stories, challenges and experiences. How you approached, what you've learned etc

Assess whether your purpose and values align with Contact Energys and be your authentic self in the interview.

Learn as much as you can about Contact Energy, Learn to describe yourself and how you would handle different work scenarios, Be honest and be yourself, Study up on where you will work, the lifestyle in that area and how it would suit you.

Just be you Adopt a growth mindset and learn how to apply it in you daily life.

Prepare relevant or interesting questions beforehand to ask interviewers.

Do some research around what the company is doing and their values and goals. Being yourself and letting your personality and values show is also really important. Contact likes to look for people who are curious and excited about the industry and who will fit in well with the company culture.

Be confident and just be yourself. Prepare good/relevant questions to ask.

Search info about this company (culture industry type branches number of employees etc.) and your ideal site to work (time built power rating location general structures etc.)

Prepare examples for when you have demonstrated different qualities such as leadership teamwork perseverance time management etc.

Do some due diligence around the company and its direction and think about how it aligns with your own values and career aspirations. Most importantly come with a good attitude.