National Grid Assessments

Prepare for the National Grid recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

Careers at National Grid

National Grid is a UK and US energy company that produces electricity and gas, with a focus on sustainable practices.

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the world. Founded in 1990, they employ over 23,000 people in the London head office, as well as smaller offices across the UK and US.

Types of roles at National Grid

There are a huge variety of jobs, graduate schemes and apprenticeships to apply for if you want to start your career at National Grid.

Whether you’re looking to work in head office in a support function such as finance, feel your skills are suited to a specific role within the sector, or want to try one of the company’s 18-month rotational programs to find your passion — there really is a wealth of opportunities at National Grid for hard-working, creative and intuitive individuals.

You can also search for jobs directly on their careers page.

How To Get Hired At National Grid

National Grid wants to find problem solvers, creative thinkers and future visionaries who can help grow and strengthen National Grid, while also tackling the very real issues of climate change and cutting carbon emissions.

National Grid has three core values that employees work towards every day:

1. Do the right thing This includes prioritizing customers, being inclusive, and feeling confident speaking up for yourself and others.

2. Find a better way Whether it’s helping to maximize the customer experience, or working collaboratively to improve the opportunities available at National Grid, Finding a better way is all about embracing change and development.

3. Make it happen This value instills employees with the confidence to take charge of their own career path, find their personal passions, and take on new and exciting challenges.

National Grid Application Process

The first step is to decide whether you want to apply for an apprenticeship, graduate scheme or job role.

Once you know what you’re looking for, you can head to the website to begin your search and apply for the role(s) that best suit you.

If there’s nothing listed that looks appropriate, it’s worth signing up for job alerts so you’re notified when the right role comes along.

National Grid Online Application

The online application is the first proper step in the National Grid recruitment process, and you'll need to set up an account before proceeding.

The application form is divided into three distinctive sections. The first requires basic information about you and your academic history.

The second part is a series of questions designed to assess your motivation and skill level. Questions could include: Why do you want to work for National Grid? Or, Why are you interested in this particular role?

The third and final part is a situational judgment test which will present you with a hypothetical workplace scenario, and four possible responses for you to choose between. Remember to review National Grid’s values and objectives before considering your answers.

The application form may take around an hour to complete, but you can save and return to it.

Before submitting any application, it’s always prudent to check it thoroughly and ensure you’re happy all the information you've given is accurate and that you’ve made no spelling or grammatical errors.

National Grid Video Interview

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to take part in a video interview.

The interview is designed to assess your capability for the role. It’s usually comprised of three competency-based questions that will probe your personal work style and your personality. This allows the recruiters and hiring managers at National Grid to see how you might fare as part of the team.

You can record your responses to the question in a time and place that suits you. Try and find an area free from noise and distraction. Think about how you present yourself on camera, and ensure your backdrop is appropriate for the task at hand.

National Grid Game Based Assessments

Those that are successful in the video interview portion of the recruitment process will be invited to take part in the game-based assessments.

These short games will test your cognitive, social and emotional traits, and require you to think on your feet.

To complete this section, you’ll need to have access to a device that can connect to the internet.

National Grid Assessment Center

If you score highly on the game-based assessments you’ll be invited to the final portion of the process — the assessment center.

Depending on the role or scheme you’re applying for, this could be up to two days in length and could include anything and everything from a pre-prepared presentation to an interview with someone from the senior management team.

As well as testing your skills and knowledge, the day is a chance for you to meet other applicants and get to know a few of the people working at National Grid. You’ll be observed throughout the day(s) so it’s important to bring enthusiasm and curiosity, while also ensuring you're respectful when others talk.

Although this will vary depending on the role, most National Grid assessment centers start with candidates sharing their pre-prepared presentation and taking questions for up to 90 minutes. The presentation subject tends to be a case study that’s relevant to the role you’re hoping to acquire.

You’ll also take part in a group exercise where you’ll be assessed on your teamwork, cooperation, leadership and listening skills.

There will also be a face-to-face interview. The questions in this interview are competency-based, and you’ll need to demonstrate skills including communication, organization, customer service and market knowledge.

Preparing for the assessment center is really important as by this stage, you have a very real chance of getting the job.

Tips To Get Hired At National Grid

Do your homework

The best thing you can do to prepare for every part of the test is practice and prepare. Whether that’s reading up on National Grid’s values, researching their current goals and objectives, refreshing your interview techniques, taking aptitude tests, or ensuring you understand what’s being asked of you — preparation is invaluable.

Respond in a clear and concise manner

Whether it’s your application form or the interview, read or listen to what’s being asked of you really carefully, and respond as clearly and concisely as you can.

Practice good interview etiquette

Getting a good night’s sleep before each stage, ensuring you look presentable, researching background information and coming prepared with questions of your own are just some of the ways you can make a good impression.

Sample National Grid Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Examine the following text from a technical manual: 'Ensure the use rod of the correct diameter. Incorrect sizes can cause system to fail.' Which statement is true regarding attention to detail?

  • There are no errors in the text.
  • The text correctly describes system operations.
  • There is a grammatical error in the text.
  • The text provides sufficient information for system repair.

A power generation company has recently switched from coal to a gas-fired plant in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. If the gas-fired plant produces 500 MW and has a capacity factor of 70%, how much energy in MWh will the plant produce in a day?

  • 8,400 MWh
  • 12,000 MWh
  • 17,500 MWh
  • 21,000 MWh

In the context of energy production, which of the following is the most sustainable practice for reducing the long-term ecological footprint?

  • Investing in carbon capture and storage technology
  • Expanding the use of natural gas as a bridge fuel
  • Implementing large-scale reforestation projects
  • Developing and deploying renewable energy resources

While working on a critical report for a regulatory body, you discover that a colleague has inadvertently used outdated data that could lead to a significant misinterpretation of the company's environmental impact. What is the most appropriate immediate action to take?

  • Revise the report with the correct data and inform your colleague discreetly.
  • Ignore the error to avoid potential conflict with your colleague.
  • Report the issue to the manager without consulting your colleague.
  • Confront your colleague in a team meeting to discuss their mistake.

After reading a company-wide memo on a new initiative, which conclusion drawn from the memo would be considered an inference rather than a fact?

  • The initiative will start in the next financial quarter.
  • All departments are required to participate in the initiative.
  • The initiative may lead to improved collaboration between teams.
  • Senior management endorsed the initiative.

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National Grid Assessments Tips

Get Familiar with the Format

Before you dive into practicing for your National Grid assessment, take some time to get familiar with the typical format of public sector job exams. Our practice tests on Psychometric Tests mimic the layout and time constraints you're likely to experience, so there won't be any surprises on test day.

Understand the Role Requirements

Each role at National Grid may require a different skill set. Make sure you understand what's expected of the role you're applying for. Use this knowledge to focus your practice on the areas that will be most relevant and beneficial for the position.

Simulate the Test Environment

Create an environment similar to the one you'll be in during the actual test. Find a quiet place, set a timer, and work through the practice exams without distractions. This gives you a realistic experience and helps manage any test-related anxiety.

Review and Reflect

After each practice test on Psychometric Tests, take the time to review your answers thoroughly. Reflect on the questions you missed and understand why. This helps reinforce learning and improves your performance in subsequent practices.

Stay Consistent

Consistency is key to making tangible progress. Set a study schedule and stick to it. Regular practice on Psychometric Tests will help you build up your skills steadily and ensure you're ready for the National Grid's exam when the time comes.

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National Grid Assessments FAQs

How long does the National Grid recruitment process take?

This depends on the role you’ve applied for. But usually, the whole process takes around 60 days from start to finish.

What does the ideal candidate look like?

The main quality National Grid wants to see in candidates is enthusiasm.

There’s no perfect candidate, but they’re always looking for people who relish a challenge, love to problem solve, are excited about making energy greener and willing to get stuck in to make it happen.

How can I prepare for the game-based assessments?

Practicing similar game-based tests can really help you get an idea of the types of challenges you’ll be up against in this section of the assessment.

Can I participate in the assessment center virtually?

Unless stated or agreed otherwise, the assessment center is held in person. Speak to your contact at National Grid if you have any accessibility issues or other concerns.