California Public Utilities Commission Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 41 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
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9 roles · 41 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at California Public Utilities Commission.
California Public Utilities Commission
Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst
Entry Average Negative experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Panel
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
It was a standard government interview with 3 panelists asking me specific questions. I had 20 minutes to prep my answers beforehand and then we discussed them in a very specific style.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- What are your thoughts on quantitative questions?
- What are your thoughts on qualitative questions?
- Tell me about a time you exhibited a certain behavior.
California Public Utilities Commission
Regulatory Analyst
Entry Average Neutral experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Panel Background check Offer
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral Presentation
The hiring process at CPUC usually involves a panel interview with two or more people from the company. They ask the same questions to everyone for the same job. The interview usually lasts about 2 1/2 hours total. The interviewers won't look at your notes, but they do ask you to provide them for the exam process. You typically get a little time to look over the questions and jot down some ideas before meeting with the panelists. The actual interview part is quite structured, lasting around an hour. After that, you might get a chance to ask about the job or what it's like to work in the office.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Tell me about your understanding of the regulatory subject area and policy making.
- Are you interested in being based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Sacramento?
California Public Utilities Commission
Utilities Engineer
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Take home Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
You apply and if selected, you take an exam with basic engineering questions, mostly energy calculations. If you pass, you get a Rank. When jobs open up, you apply and if you have a good rank, you'll get an interview. The interview is mostly behavioral questions, not super technical. Make sure to research the role and job description really well beforehand. Be honest, they're taking notes the whole time. Answer clearly and don't be afraid to ask for clarification. Just be yourself, confident, and comfortable. The whole process from applying for the exam to getting the interview took about 2 months.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Can you share an instance where you faced a challenge and how you managed to overcome it?
- Tell me about a time you had to make an important decision, outlining the issue and the eventual outcome.
California Public Utilities Commission
Utilities Engineer
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Technical screen Panel Offer
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
I took the exam in December and didn't get an interview until April. It took two weeks for me to be told I got the job. The interview was with a panel of two people. There are four questions and the interview is supposed to last about 30 minutes, though mine was a bit shorter. I can't share the exact questions, but you should know the job description and look up common interview questions online; that should be enough. The interviewers are patient, so don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Also, take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering if you're surprised by a question. It's better to pause and think than to keep stuttering or saying 'um.'
Confirmed questions0 questions
No confirmed questions were included in this interview report.
California Public Utilities Commission Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from California Public Utilities Commission interview reports.
“What are the critical compliance aspects to consider when dealing with natural gas operations?”
Read reports →“Can you answer the basic top 100 questions?”
Read reports →“What makes you interested in environmental law?”
Read reports →“For the written exercise, how important is timing and providing enough detail?”
Read reports →“What is your understanding of learning and development?”
Read report →“What do you like to do for fun?”
Read report →“Are you interested in being based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Sacramento?”
Read report →“Can you explain your understanding of the Commission?”
Read report →“What are your interests in the field of Environmental Law?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 41 California Public Utilities Commission interview reports.