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Useful materials - Interviewing at bp - a guide for candidates

Interviewing at bp - a guide for candidates

Interviewing at bp


Our interviews help us understand your experience, your strengths and how you apply them in real situations.


We use a competency-based interview approach. This means we focus on how you’ve used your skills and experience in the workplace.


This helps us build a clear and consistent picture of how you approach challenges, make decisions and deliver results.


A structured approach also helps us assess candidates fairly and identify those most likely to succeed in the role.


What to expect during the interview


Your interview will be led by trained interviewers, who will guide you through the process.


The interview typically lasts around 90 minutes. It is usually conducted by people from the relevant project or programme.


You will be asked a set of questions designed to assess the competencies needed for the role you are applying for.


How to approach the interview


You’re likely to be more successful if you:


  • Relax and answer the questions honestly.  
  • Take time to think about a question before you answer it.  
  • Ask the interviewer for clarification if you don’t understand a question.  
  • Use examples from your own past experience in a workplace setting.


Preparing for your interview


A good way to prepare is to reflect on examples from your past experience that show your skills.


We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers.


STAR stands for:

  • Situation

  • Task

  • Action

  • Result




Situation or Task  

Describe the situation you were in or the task you needed to complete.
Focus on setting the context clearly and concisely, including only what is relevant.


Action

Explain what you did, how you approached the situation, and why. This is the most important part of your answer. It’s where you demonstrate your skills and judgement.

  • When describing your actions:

  • Be personal, i.e. talk about you, not the rest of the team.  

  • Go into some detail. Do not assume that they will guess what you mean.

  • Avoid technical detail unless it is essential to your example.

  • Explain what you did, how you did it, and why you did it.


Interviewers are not only interested in the outcome, but also in how you think and how you make decisions.


Result

Explain what happened.


Use this as an opportunity to show what you achieved and what you learned. This helps you make your answer more personal and highlight additional skills.


This is an important part of your answer. Interviewers want to see how you use different skills to achieve your objectives.


Be clear that your actions were taken to achieve a specific outcome. The result should not feel like it happened by chance.


Video Interviewing at bp


As part of the recruitment process, you may be invited to complete a video interview.

This allows you to take part remotely while still having a structured and consistent experience.


We use two types of video interviews:


On-demand video interviews

  • You’ll respond to a set of pre-recorded questions

  • You’ll have a defined timeframe to record each response

  • You can complete the interview at a time that suits you

  • Every candidate has the same experience.

  • Each candidate is asked the same questions in the same way, creating a fair and unbiased process.


Live video interviews

  • A real-time interview with bp interviewers
  • Conducted online, similar to a face-to-face interview
  • Allows for direct interaction and follow-up questions
  • You can join from anywhere with an internet connection, camera and microphone.


Preparing for a video interview


Before your interview:

  • Follow the instructions in your invitation email.
  • Use Google Chrome for the best experience.
  • Test your device, internet connection, camera and microphone.
  • Complete any system checks on the device you’ll be using.
  • If your interview is live, try to join early in case of any issues.
  • Dress as you would for an in-person interview


Set up your environment:

  • Choose a quiet space with no distractions.
  • Make sure the lighting is clear and not behind you.
  • Position your camera so your head and shoulders are visible.
  • Use a stable surface to avoid movement.
  • Consider using headphones to improve audio quality.


During the interview:

  • Try to relax and be yourself. Smiling can help you feel more confident and show that you are engaged.
  • Take your time to answer clearly.
  • Remember this is a two-way conversation — be prepared to ask questions.


What we look for


We assess both your experience and how you apply it.


We look for candidates who demonstrate strong skills, communicate clearly and effectively, take ownership, show adaptability, and work well with others


bp's beliefs – “Who we are" defines what we stand for at bp. They are the basis of our business culture and form the backbone of our Code of Conduct. We look for evidence of these behaviours in all our new hires and use this as an important part of the selection process.


Other useful materials

The application process at bp

We’ve looked at our application process and listened to feedback from candidates to make applying for a job at bp as simple and straightforward as possible. Of course, interviews will vary slightly based on your experience, field of expertise and region you are applying to – but here are the three main steps once you have searched for and found a suitable role:

 

Step 1 – Application and early stages in the recruitment process

 

  • Apply online. Make sure to read the job description thoroughly, take care that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.
  • Your application will be screened by our specialist talent acquisition team and will likely be reviewed by your potential manager as well.
  • We may arrange a telephone or video interview with you. If you review any of the job specs online, you will see the key requirements for the role – the telephone/video interview is to ascertain that you broadly meet these criteria.
  • Your application process may include technical questioning whereby your responses will be reviewed and assessed in line with job requirements – typically technical and operational roles will have this assessment.
  • Depending on the role you apply for, we may ask you to participate in some psychometric testing. If this is required, your talent acquisition contact will explain the process and give you clear guidance on how to complete this, as well as answer any questions you may have. The important thing with this type of exercise is to answer the questions as honestly as you can as the evaluation is really designed to assess your suitability for the role.

 

Step 2 – The final stage in the assessment process

 

  • The final stage will usually be a face-to-face interview. This will comprise a general discussion and a more in-depth competency based interview plus a technical assessment if applicable. You will meet your talent acquisition contact and your hiring manager at this stage and perhaps other stakeholders – the people you could be working with. We feel it’s important for you to meet some of your potential colleagues up front – it will give you much more of a feel for the working environment.
  • Depending on the type of role you’re going for, you may have to visit an assessment centre – but guidelines will be given ahead of time if this is the case. You should make sure you are clear on what and how you will be assessed and what is expected of you. It’s important to listen carefully and to ask questions if you are not 100% certain of what is being asked of you, be up front about this. Rest assured that asking a question won’t affect your assessment – you’re not going to be marked down for requesting clarity!

 

Step 3 – Offer and onboarding

 

  • If you have been successful – congratulations! Your recruiter will contact you to make a verbal offer. Assuming you accept this, we will quickly follow up in writing.
  • Depending on your country of location we may need to conduct pre-employment screening checks, for example: educational qualifications, employment history /references and right to work in the region of employment. Don’t worry, all this will be made clear in advance and you’ll have plenty of time to get the necessary information together.
  • Once you have passed our pre-employment screening the welcoming process begins and we’ll do all we can to help you prepare for your new role with us. As well as keeping in touch with you following your job offer, we’ll have everything ready for your arrival. You’ll meet your line manager on your first day and you will be introduced to your buddy, who will be someone who knows the ropes and will be a great point of contact should you need some help.

 

Helpful tips

 

  • Make sure your CV/resume is up to date.
  • When you set up your account, register for job alerts – each time a role becomes available that fits the criteria you specify, you’ll be automatically emailed.
  • Do make sure that you tailor your application for a role, that way you will receive jobs that fit your job search specification. Also, be certain to answer the questions in the applications as fully as possible as this will help our specialist recruitment team.
  • It is absolutely essential that you complete your application form accurately and truthfully, including, if asked, all exam or module marks, dates and grades achieved. We often have to check these, so please be honest and up front with us.
  • Preparation is always key. Visit bp's website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages and do some research on us. We are very active on our social media channels. A job interview should be a two-way conversation and a two-way assessment, so you need to know as much as possible about us, the company and the role you’re applying for.
  • We will do our best to respond to your application, but we can’t guarantee an exact turnaround time – but our commitment to you is that we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
  • Finally – don’t be discouraged if you aren’t successful on your first application. We encourage you to keep checking the job alerts you have set up, make sure your searches are as accurate as possible and carry on conducting your research on bp - you never know what you might learn which may come in handy later on. 

 

Best of luck – we hope to hear from you soon!

Video interviewing at bp

We’ve looked at our application process and listened to feedback from candidates to make applying for a job at bp as simple and straightforward as possible. Of course, interviews will vary slightly based on your experience, field of expertise and region you are applying to – but here are the three main steps once you have searched for and found a suitable role:

 

Step 1 – Application and early stages in the recruitment process

 

  • Apply online. Make sure to read the job description thoroughly, take care that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.
  • Your application will be screened by our specialist talent acquisition team and will likely be reviewed by your potential manager as well.
  • We may arrange a telephone or video interview with you. If you review any of the job specs online, you will see the key requirements for the role – the telephone/video interview is to ascertain that you broadly meet these criteria.
  • Your application process may include technical questioning whereby your responses will be reviewed and assessed in line with job requirements – typically technical and operational roles will have this assessment.
  • Depending on the role you apply for, we may ask you to participate in some psychometric testing. If this is required, your talent acquisition contact will explain the process and give you clear guidance on how to complete this, as well as answer any questions you may have. The important thing with this type of exercise is to answer the questions as honestly as you can as the evaluation is really designed to assess your suitability for the role.

 

Step 2 – The final stage in the assessment process

 

  • The final stage will usually be a face-to-face interview. This will comprise a general discussion and a more in-depth competency based interview plus a technical assessment if applicable. You will meet your talent acquisition contact and your hiring manager at this stage and perhaps other stakeholders – the people you could be working with. We feel it’s important for you to meet some of your potential colleagues up front – it will give you much more of a feel for the working environment.
  • Depending on the type of role you’re going for, you may have to visit an assessment centre – but guidelines will be given ahead of time if this is the case. You should make sure you are clear on what and how you will be assessed and what is expected of you. It’s important to listen carefully and to ask questions if you are not 100% certain of what is being asked of you, be up front about this. Rest assured that asking a question won’t affect your assessment – you’re not going to be marked down for requesting clarity!

 

Step 3 – Offer and onboarding

 

  • If you have been successful – congratulations! Your recruiter will contact you to make a verbal offer. Assuming you accept this, we will quickly follow up in writing.
  • Depending on your country of location we may need to conduct pre-employment screening checks, for example: educational qualifications, employment history /references and right to work in the region of employment. Don’t worry, all this will be made clear in advance and you’ll have plenty of time to get the necessary information together.
  • Once you have passed our pre-employment screening the welcoming process begins and we’ll do all we can to help you prepare for your new role with us. As well as keeping in touch with you following your job offer, we’ll have everything ready for your arrival. You’ll meet your line manager on your first day and you will be introduced to your buddy, who will be someone who knows the ropes and will be a great point of contact should you need some help.

 

Helpful tips

 

  • Make sure your CV/resume is up to date.
  • When you set up your account, register for job alerts – each time a role becomes available that fits the criteria you specify, you’ll be automatically emailed.
  • Do make sure that you tailor your application for a role, that way you will receive jobs that fit your job search specification. Also, be certain to answer the questions in the applications as fully as possible as this will help our specialist recruitment team.
  • It is absolutely essential that you complete your application form accurately and truthfully, including, if asked, all exam or module marks, dates and grades achieved. We often have to check these, so please be honest and up front with us.
  • Preparation is always key. Visit bp's website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages and do some research on us. We are very active on our social media channels. A job interview should be a two-way conversation and a two-way assessment, so you need to know as much as possible about us, the company and the role you’re applying for.
  • We will do our best to respond to your application, but we can’t guarantee an exact turnaround time – but our commitment to you is that we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
  • Finally – don’t be discouraged if you aren’t successful on your first application. We encourage you to keep checking the job alerts you have set up, make sure your searches are as accurate as possible and carry on conducting your research on bp - you never know what you might learn which may come in handy later on. 

 

Best of luck – we hope to hear from you soon!

Recruitment fraud

We’ve looked at our application process and listened to feedback from candidates to make applying for a job at bp as simple and straightforward as possible. Of course, interviews will vary slightly based on your experience, field of expertise and region you are applying to – but here are the three main steps once you have searched for and found a suitable role:

 

Step 1 – Application and early stages in the recruitment process

 

  • Apply online. Make sure to read the job description thoroughly, take care that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.
  • Your application will be screened by our specialist talent acquisition team and will likely be reviewed by your potential manager as well.
  • We may arrange a telephone or video interview with you. If you review any of the job specs online, you will see the key requirements for the role – the telephone/video interview is to ascertain that you broadly meet these criteria.
  • Your application process may include technical questioning whereby your responses will be reviewed and assessed in line with job requirements – typically technical and operational roles will have this assessment.
  • Depending on the role you apply for, we may ask you to participate in some psychometric testing. If this is required, your talent acquisition contact will explain the process and give you clear guidance on how to complete this, as well as answer any questions you may have. The important thing with this type of exercise is to answer the questions as honestly as you can as the evaluation is really designed to assess your suitability for the role.

 

Step 2 – The final stage in the assessment process

 

  • The final stage will usually be a face-to-face interview. This will comprise a general discussion and a more in-depth competency based interview plus a technical assessment if applicable. You will meet your talent acquisition contact and your hiring manager at this stage and perhaps other stakeholders – the people you could be working with. We feel it’s important for you to meet some of your potential colleagues up front – it will give you much more of a feel for the working environment.
  • Depending on the type of role you’re going for, you may have to visit an assessment centre – but guidelines will be given ahead of time if this is the case. You should make sure you are clear on what and how you will be assessed and what is expected of you. It’s important to listen carefully and to ask questions if you are not 100% certain of what is being asked of you, be up front about this. Rest assured that asking a question won’t affect your assessment – you’re not going to be marked down for requesting clarity!

 

Step 3 – Offer and onboarding

 

  • If you have been successful – congratulations! Your recruiter will contact you to make a verbal offer. Assuming you accept this, we will quickly follow up in writing.
  • Depending on your country of location we may need to conduct pre-employment screening checks, for example: educational qualifications, employment history /references and right to work in the region of employment. Don’t worry, all this will be made clear in advance and you’ll have plenty of time to get the necessary information together.
  • Once you have passed our pre-employment screening the welcoming process begins and we’ll do all we can to help you prepare for your new role with us. As well as keeping in touch with you following your job offer, we’ll have everything ready for your arrival. You’ll meet your line manager on your first day and you will be introduced to your buddy, who will be someone who knows the ropes and will be a great point of contact should you need some help.

 

Helpful tips

 

  • Make sure your CV/resume is up to date.
  • When you set up your account, register for job alerts – each time a role becomes available that fits the criteria you specify, you’ll be automatically emailed.
  • Do make sure that you tailor your application for a role, that way you will receive jobs that fit your job search specification. Also, be certain to answer the questions in the applications as fully as possible as this will help our specialist recruitment team.
  • It is absolutely essential that you complete your application form accurately and truthfully, including, if asked, all exam or module marks, dates and grades achieved. We often have to check these, so please be honest and up front with us.
  • Preparation is always key. Visit bp's website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages and do some research on us. We are very active on our social media channels. A job interview should be a two-way conversation and a two-way assessment, so you need to know as much as possible about us, the company and the role you’re applying for.
  • We will do our best to respond to your application, but we can’t guarantee an exact turnaround time – but our commitment to you is that we will get back to you as soon as we possibly can.
  • Finally – don’t be discouraged if you aren’t successful on your first application. We encourage you to keep checking the job alerts you have set up, make sure your searches are as accurate as possible and carry on conducting your research on bp - you never know what you might learn which may come in handy later on. 

 

Best of luck – we hope to hear from you soon!

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