BC Hydro Assessment Tests, Recruitment Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2024
What Is BC Hydro?
BC Hydro is the main electricity generator and supplier in British Columbia. It is a Crown-owned utility company that services 4 million customers in all areas, with the exceptions of the city of New Westminster, West Kootenay, Okanagan, The Boundary Country, and Similkameen.
Career opportunities at BC Hydro are available for people in many fields. Engineers, technicians, skilled trades, customer service specialists, and business professionals are all needed to keep things running. There are apprenticeships and graduate opportunities open to those who are just starting on their career path.
BC Hydro provides in-house training opportunities in addition to other benefits. BC Hydro employees are eligible for benefits that include:
- Tuition support
- Defined pension plans
- Wellness programs and resources
- Mentoring and coaching
What Is BC Hydro’s Hiring Process?
Before you begin your career search, create a profile so you can save your information. You can return to your profile and keep your information updated if you do not immediately find the job you want. You can be alerted to positions you are qualified for opening, and recruiters will be able to contact you if you seem like a standout. You can then begin to search and apply using the current openings page.
Applications will be screened and short-listed. You will not be contacted unless your application has been chosen to move forward. If you are one of those shortlisted, you will be contacted about your next steps.
Some candidates may be required to participate in assessment testing. If any assessments are needed for the position you want, you will be sent a link as well as instructions about how to proceed.
If you score well on the assessments, you will be called to schedule an interview. Where your interview is conducted depends on where the job is based. Some candidates may be asked to do their interviews virtually. The interview questions are behaviour-based; this is seen as the best way to predict job performance.
If you are selected for the job, you will be sent a conditional offer. Once you meet the conditions, which generally include completion of a drug test and supplying references, you will be given a start date and officially begin onboarding.
BC Hydro’s Psychometric Tests
Since there are a wide variety of positions available at BC Hydro, there are also a few different tests that are given. These are a few that you may encounter when completing assessments for BC Hydro.
- Mechanical Reasoning Test– If you need to have basic knowledge of machinery and physics concepts to perform your job, this may be one of the tests you are given. You will need to problem-solve issues in simple systems, like gears, using diagrams, and there may be some questions involving some physics.
- SHL Test – This is a test that measures general abilities that are needed for every job. The questions may vary slightly based on job level, but no special knowledge is needed for this test. It focuses on the areas of verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and abstract reasoning. It is a multiple-choice format, and this test is timed.
- Operations Test- If you have applied for an engineering or technical position in a plant, you may be given this test. You will be questioned on systems processing, technical language, and programming.
How to Prepare for BC Hydro’s Assessment?
If you are required to take any assessments, your performance on them will determine if you are able to make it to the interview stage. This is why preparation is key. Some companies score on a curve and compare the scores of all candidates. Make sure you are the candidate that everyone else has to beat.
Make sure you are familiar with the role you have applied for and the necessary duties. If you know it requires mechanical knowledge, you can focus on studying for a mechanical reasoning test. You can use study guides from any courses you took and practice working with diagrams so you are comfortable that you can recognize and work with the images.
Verbal reasoning can be improved through reading and answering questions about what you’ve read. Numerical reasoning is easily practised with tools like math flashcards. You can also find online resources to help you practice and strengthen your cognitive skills. These resources can be as simple as a gamified app.
Most importantly, when you take the tests, do so in an area where you can concentrate. Make sure there are few distractions and give yourself plenty of time to complete them without rushing. Preparing your environment is just as important as practising for the test.