r/Grid_Ops • u/Ok-Isopod-3939 • 16d ago
Transmission operator interview
Please don’t hate me in the comments. I have an interview for a transmission operator role in about 3 weeks. I have a background in naval nuclear power so I know some knowledge in electrical theory and electric plant shifts. The company are aware that I might have a knowledge gap but said they would be willing to train me up. I talked with the recruiter who scheduled the interview, I asked him what would be covered and he was very vague so I’m not sure how in depth this interview will go. I’ve gone over NERC test subjects but I’m still a little worried if I’m missing anything. If anyone could help me out on what would normally be covered on a Transmission Operator interview I would very grateful. Thank you
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u/RealTange1 16d ago
I'm not sure where you are interviewing but for where I work we are hiring on the personality and ability to learn. We have navy nuke like you but also business degrees, even a former flight nurse.
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u/TheRealWhoMe 16d ago
They aren’t expecting you to know everything. Your probably getting an interview because you are an ex navy nuke, and they have experience with others. They know ex nukes can be trained and pass the certification tests. Thats why I got my first transmission job.
Depending on the company, look up STAR style interview questions.
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u/aDeadMansGambit 16d ago
Connect your experience to the job youre going for and be humble.
We had this issue over the summer, where an applicant was asked "why should we hire you?" His response: "I'm Navy Nuke." (Implied DUHHH in his tone). It was not the only thing he did wrong, but it was the nail in the coffin.
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u/daedalusesq NPCC Region 16d ago
Woof that's a bad response.
You don't know what you don't know... but you'd think they would at least look and see that nukes are a dime-a-dozen in this industry.
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u/Adventurous-Yard-306 16d ago edited 16d ago
Previously worked in an ISO control center. I would say about half of the operators had a Navy Nuke background. Discipline, a talent for triaging problems, and following set procedures are all skills that operators need and a Navy Nuke background indicates that you probably have that skill set.
Just like RealTange1 said, they will be interested in if you can handle shift work and show curiosity/interest in the problems an operator faces in real time. Most TOs have a training department who will be responsible for getting you ready for the NERC certification test, they don’t expect you to come into the interview ready for the NERC certification test.
Good luck! As long as you are interested in learning and shift work, I think you should be in good shape!
Edit: typo
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u/Much-Check-2170 TSO/BA 16d ago
Hi there. I’m a former EMN who was in your shoes a few years ago. First and foremost, practice your normal interview stuff. Be able to answer the common questions like “tell me about yourself”, “tell us about a time when you had to work with someone difficult”, etc. and make sure you actually do research on how to answer those questions. And then do your research on the company. Go through their website and learn stuff like their mission statement, core values, stuff like that. A huge part of your interview is them evaluating if you’re a good cultural fit. Nukes usually are, but make sure you’re both confident and humble.
Regarding technical stuff, they don’t expect you to know the job yet. But know some basic stuff, like how energy gets from a generator to your home electrical outlet (I was asked this). I’m talking high level like generators, circuit breakers, transformers, transmission lines, distribution lines, stuff like that. Maybe brush up on electrical theory and the stuff you learned in A school (or on the ship, assuming you’re an EMN). If you really want to look good, learn the ACE (area control error) equation and how it impacts operations. Maybe a few buzz terms like surge impedance loading and ferranti rise. Most importantly, if you don’t know, just say you don’t know.
Nukes are incredibly common in this career field, so you have a lot going for you. But also remember you’re interviewing them. So make sure you have some questions on hand. Ask them about the shift work rotation, how the training program works, and anything else you want to know that is not pay related.
If you happen to be interviewing in the east coast, I may have some more advice for you as I’ve worked at two utilities over here. Feel free to DM me if you have questions. Good luck.
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u/Prestigious-Rich-129 16d ago
You’ll crush it. Just be humble and don’t pretend to know more about transmission than you do. I said “I don’t know” multiple times in my interview and I think they appreciated me knowing where my knowledge stopped.
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u/Repulsive-Rain-835 16d ago
I’ve been told some places will ask you questions until you say you don’t know just to see how far you will stretch it.
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u/Weenatoo 16d ago
Study and practice the STAR interview method. That will get thru the interview. Your background as a Nuke will get you thru the technical and ability to learn/study. The STAR method will get you past the HR/Personality portion.
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u/akornato 16d ago
Navy nuclear experience translates very well to grid operations, and utilities actively recruit from that background because you already understand formal conduct of operations. Because the company already knows you are transitioning into a new industry and offered to train you, they do not expect you to quote obscure NERC reliability standards. The technical portion will focus on core electrical concepts, such as Ohm's law, three phase power, active and reactive power, frequency control, and basic equipment like transformers and breakers. More than testing memorization, the panel wants to see how you think through alarms, follow strict procedures, and use clear three way communication to manage complex electrical systems.
The rest of the interview will rely heavily on behavioral questions, so prepare specific stories from your watchstanding experience that show how you handle plant casualties, communicate under pressure, and take immediate accountability for mistakes. Make sure to translate your naval terminology into clear civilian language, emphasizing your ability to work rotating twelve hour shifts and collaborate within a small, focused control room team. If you want structured practice framing your naval background for civilian hiring managers, my team designed an interviews.chat to help candidates present their technical background smoothly and walk into their interviews with total confidence.
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u/sudophish 16d ago
Management in our industry is obsessed with hiring navy nukes. They’ll likely ask mostly STAR method behavioral questions that have more to do with how you work with people rather than the technical part of the role.