BHP Billiton is one of the world’s largest mining and resource companies, with operations in more than 80 countries and employing around 80,000 employees.
Is BHP Billiton a good company to work for?
Many employees feel that BHP Billiton is a great company to work for. The company offers good pay and benefits, and provides opportunities for career advancement. Employees also appreciate the company’s commitment to safety and environmental protection.
Overall, BHP Billiton is generally considered to be a good employer, however, some workers have raised concerns about working conditions at the company’s mines.
What interview questions do BHP ask?
BHP Billiton is a world leader in the mining and resources sector, so it’s no surprise that they are often ranked as one of the top employers in Australia. If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with them keep reading for some handy interview advice.
Do some research on BHP, learn what they are involved in, what minerals and where the mines are located. When they started and where, how many people they employ, and know what BHP the name means, Write it down so you can quickly refer to it.
Here are some of the questions that BHP Billiton has been known to ask in interviews:
- What can you tell us about the mining industry?
- What do you know about BHP Billiton?
- Why are you interested in working for us?
- What do you think sets us apart from other mining companies?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the mining industry today?
- Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client?
- Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond to get a job done?
- Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker or team member?
- Tell us about a time when you had to solve a complex problem?
- Tell us about a time when you had to make a tough decision?
What is BHP virtual assessment?
BHP’s virtual assessment is an online assessment tool that helps identify the best candidates for the position. The assessment comprises of a series of questions and tasks designed to assess your suitability for the role you have applied for.
A recent applicant told us she was able to do a practice assessment twice before doing the actual assessment. There’s about 6 questions to answer and sometimes a few games. The candidate was given numerous attempts to record her responses to the following questions.
- Tell us about yourself, background and why you applied for this position?
- Describe a time you set challenging goals for a project or assignment, and what you did to achieve these goals? Describe the situation, your actions and the out come.
- Tell us about a time when you had to work within a team towards a common goal?
- Tell us about a time you had to make an important decision, but did not have all the information you needed, to do so effectively? Describe the situation, and what was your biggest challenge?
There was a news articles and then the applicant was asked questions regarding the article. There was a memory game, follow the sequence game and a maths game.
Does being in the talent pool mean you’ll definitely be offered a job?
You have done the interview, online assessments, passed the police check, medical etc and you’re waiting, waiting, waiting for the email announcing you’ve got the job! If only it were that simple, as with most big mining companies there’s a never ending amount of hurdles and hoops to jump through before you get the job.
At this point of the process many people get placed into a talent pool, which means once the company have a position that’s suitable to you and your experience, then they will contact you. Be prepared it could be a long wait!
Being placed in the talent pool is a bit of a dangling carrot, the candidate is kept on their toes with the hope of a position, but in reality you could be waiting for a job that never develops.
While this process is very frustrating for the candidate and you may ask “why advertise the position in the first place if people have to get placed in a talent pool?” Quite simply they have may have chosen someone else for the role advertised but saw potential in you, and will place you in a talent pool for other positions within the business.
Although you’re one step closer keep applying for other roles as there’s no guarantee how long you will be waiting for a job, it could be anything from one week to one year.