NukeWorker Forum

Facility & Company Information => Region IV (Western) => ANO (Arkansas Nuclear One) => Topic started by: sovbob on May 15, 2009, 01:31

Title: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: sovbob on May 15, 2009, 01:31
I just got an interview/POSS testing date at ANO and was looking for any and all information before heading out there in a few weeks.  I've been searching the forums, but some of the posts are pretty old so I was hoping to get a bit more recent information.

I'm an ex Navy EM, did my six years and got out.  Looking to start as an auxiliary operator.  I'm confident that I'll do fine on the POSS (based on the practice test I took), but I haven't had a job interview in quite some time.  Any advice?  Pitfalls?

What about travel?  Do you submit an expense report?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: Smooth Operator on May 15, 2009, 02:00
NLOs rarely travel unless your company does shared resources and you travel for sister plant outages. Usually it is flat per diem. Sometimes I submit to my pay cleark mileage for going to work related functions.

Search for STAR interview techniques.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: HydroDave63 on May 15, 2009, 02:12
A few utilities will pay SOME meal & incidentals for interviewees. That's a question (among many) you want to ask HR long before before the interview. Don't assume anything, ask!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: UncaBuffalo on May 15, 2009, 08:20
What about travel?  Do you submit an expense report?

I interviewed at a different Entergy plant last summer.   I gave them my receipts for plane ticket, rental car, & hotel and had a reimbursement check in about a week.  I don't remember if I asked about meals, but it couldn't hurt.

Good luck!  :)

Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: jams723 on May 15, 2009, 12:18
I just got an interview/POSS testing date at ANO 1 and was looking for any and all information before heading out there in a few weeks.  I've been searching the forums, but some of the posts are pretty old so I was hoping to get a bit more recent information.

I'm an ex Navy EM, did my six years and got out.  Looking to start as an auxiliary operator.  I'm confident that I'll do fine on the POSS (based on the practice test I took), but I haven't had a job interview in quite some time.  Any advice?  Pitfalls?

What about travel?  Do you submit an expense report?

Thanks in advance.

ANO is a great place, good people nice area to live (unless you are looking for a wild night life). It is a dry county (ie no liquor stores only  few private clubs)

With enough advance notice HR will coordinate your travel.  They should get your airline ticket, rental car and hotel.  Keep all your other receipts and they will give you a form to fill out for reimbursement.

Be open and honest, you will be interviewing whit a panel that will typically have non-licensed operators (AUOs) through senior reactor operators.  They will be able to tell if you are blowing smoke.

Be ready for behavioral interviewing type questions, try and use real examples based on your experience (it is ok to use non work related examples if they fit the question).


Do not go in there overconfident or cocky...

Good luck!  If you get an offer and need a good realtor let me know.  I still have some good contacts in the area.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: Fermi2 on May 15, 2009, 12:39
I was reimbursed for all my expenses on every interview on which I've ever been.

A few things to look for:

1: What do you do well and why?

2: How does what you do well translate into making a group or team better?

3: Give us an example of something you've done to make your group better? (Note if you don't have a nuclear version then give an example of a non nuke thing)

4: What do you feel are your weaknesses?

5: What are you doing to address these?

6: Tell us about a time your boss gave you feedback you didn't like? What did you do with it? What did you learn?

7: What are your career goals?

8: AND this is IMPORTANT, you screw this UP and you won't get the job. You're getting ready to do a job, your boss comes up and says training has come out with a new way to do it OR he wants you to do it this way. You look at your procedure and it's done in a different way. What will you do?

There are lots of ways to ask that question for instance you see a group of people doing a job in a clearly incorrect or unsafe fashion. What are you going to do? (An initial response of well I'll tell my boss is NOT correct!)

Be able to discuss commitment to safety, quality, and human performance. In fact if you want them eating out of your hand try to fit in something about whenever you are working or planning a job you look plan in the following order.
1: Industrial Personnel Radiological Safety.
2: Nuclear Safety
3: Quality work including quality procedures.

Don't fidget or squirm. If they ask an unexpected question and you don't have an immediate answer try not to look surprised, and ask if you can think about it a minute.
Be willing to discuss your career goals and yes they realize you can't possibly know about every position at the plant. Try to have about 3 to 5 questions about the company or job available in case they give you time to ask. Bring a few copies of your resume and when you enter the interview room ask the interview panel members if they'd like a copy.
If you use the term References available upon request you best have your list with you because whenever I see that term I'll ask for the list. If they can't give it, then they lied to me therefore it don't care how qualified they are. Whenever I interview I place my hands on my knees because I tend to drum my fingers or tap my middle finger on tables.

Mike

Mike
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on May 29, 2009, 06:57
So i just took the test on the 27th and I live in Arkansas so they didnt schedule an interview for that day.....how long do you think it will take to send me an email or letter saying I passed or failed and whether they want to interview or not?
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: Harley Rider on May 29, 2009, 09:59
I understand that many that showed up for that interview were not professionally dressed (I hope you were). I also understand that most locals were sent away for later interviews and all those flown in were interviewed because of cost/time constraints,,,kinda makes sense. I know the applicant pool was low so if you did well / passed on your POSS you should be getting an interview in the next coming weeks but of course this is just my opinion based on limited experience,,,good luck
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on May 29, 2009, 11:23
thanks for replying...yeah i dressed in a suit and I feel really confident that i passed the POSS. But I guess i will find out. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on May 30, 2009, 01:08
I took the same test on the 27th and Angela (the HR ladie) said that within a week they would be sending letters to those who took the test and it will say only pass/fail.  It will come to the address that you put on the sign up sheet we filled out before the test.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jun 02, 2009, 07:13
Has anyone received their letter yet?
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 02, 2009, 09:51
Nope havent gotten anything yet will post as soon as I do. Hope everyone else will also!!!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: sovbob on Jun 02, 2009, 11:01
I had a response waiting for me as soon as I got back.  It said that I could naturally enhance my manhood, refinance my mortgage, transfer millions of dollars into my bank account, and that I had been randomly selected to participate in a survey.

I must be the luckiest guy on the planet!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on Jun 04, 2009, 12:34
well I got an email today. my interview in next week. just to let yall know.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: Lorrie Henson on Jun 04, 2009, 03:44
Good Luck!!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 04, 2009, 06:45
well I got an email today. my interview in next week. just to let yall know.

Is that for your first interview or your second???
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jun 04, 2009, 10:22
I received an email requesting acceptance of interview #1 next week. 

Eric,  have you already done your first (out of state)?
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on Jun 05, 2009, 08:28
yeah this is my first interview.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 06, 2009, 12:21
yeah this is my first interview.
So that means they still have a little while before they make hiring decisions.  They are sopposed to class up on July 6th or so I hear!!!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on Jun 06, 2009, 01:27
so if i were hired how long of a notice do you think i'd get to move down there and stuff?
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 06, 2009, 06:20
Not completely sure, im guessing at least a few weeks but... you never really know!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: wantabe on Jun 11, 2009, 11:22
Hi everyone I'm new to this site and would greatly appreciate some help on a few questions. On my status at ANO's careere site it states that I'm "To be interviewed" for a Nuclear Plant Operators postion. However, my status has been this way for almost five months. I have not received any phone calls or emails from ANO. Just wondering if this is normal. Also, Eric or Travis can you please tell me how many people tested when you did.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on Jun 11, 2009, 05:59
about 20 people were there when i tested....also i just interviewed today and they told me that i should know if i got the job in like two weeks or so.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: wantabe on Jun 12, 2009, 09:29
Thanks for the reply Travis. Also, the postion you interviewed for was a Nuclear Auxiliary 1 Operator correct? Can you or anyone else tell me the difference between a Nuclear Auxiliary 1 Operator and a Nuclear Plant Operator. I have read the job description for both postions and they seem identical. Are they the same job with different titles? 
Thanks again,

wantabe
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 12, 2009, 07:13
They dont seem to have that many job classifications as far as ops is concerned they have AO (Aux Operator) RO (Reactor Op) and SRO (Senior you get the point) im sure the AO spot and the Operator is the same.  I just got my test results back, DID ANY ONE ELSE???  ALSO DID ANYONE GET TWO???  I did, seems kinda wierd I only took one test!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 12, 2009, 07:14
I received an email requesting acceptance of interview #1 next week. 

Eric,  have you already done your first (out of state)?

I did mine the day of the interview, because I do live out of state.  sorry for the late response!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: travisroberts65@yahoo.com on Jun 12, 2009, 10:34
regarding the difference between the AO and the Plant Operator....I have no idea what the difference is. And yes I took the test for the AO position. I also got two letters as well....one saying that i wasn't recommended and one saying that i was recommended. I am kinda confused about that myself.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 13, 2009, 12:08
regarding the difference between the AO and the Plant Operator....I have no idea what the difference is. And yes I took the test for the AO position. I also got two letters as well....one saying that i wasn't recommended and one saying that i was recommended. I am kinda confused about that myself.

Im reminded of the movie Armageddon where NASA was testing the drillers and said they failed BADLY but they where then oked for the mission.

Yeaaahhh Im a reject!!!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jun 13, 2009, 01:52
wantabe,

Did you ever take the test?
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: wantabe on Jun 13, 2009, 11:17
No, I have not tested. Thanks again everyone for your responses and good luck.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 13, 2009, 11:56
regarding the difference between the AO and the Plant Operator....I have no idea what the difference is. And yes I took the test for the AO position. I also got two letters as well....one saying that i wasn't recommended and one saying that i was recommended. I am kinda confused about that myself.

Hey, did you call and ask yet or no?  I just think it best that the fewer people who call and ask the better!  I planned on calling Mon morning the 15th to ask!
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jun 15, 2009, 06:33
If you applied and have any questions, please PM me.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 17, 2009, 07:06
So I got the real results today and I passed.  Yeah im not a moron!  Good luck to all applying
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jun 17, 2009, 11:31
I also passed.  I hope everyone else here on the forum did good.
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: eric_mullins1981 on Jun 27, 2009, 02:25
Hey all, has anyone heard anything about if the start date has been pushed back or if its still on the 6th or just anything at all.  Anything would be apprieciated.

Thanks
Eric
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: connedale on Jul 08, 2009, 05:47
I received word today that I was not chosen for a position.  I was not even close. 

This is a really great forum.  Thank you for providing a wealth of information.  Your industry is truly a noble endeavor.  I hope that you appreciate it.

Thanks,
Dale
Title: Re: Advice for ANO interview
Post by: hayden on Jul 21, 2009, 03:40
I heard the start date for the operator class would be Nov or Dec but I when I took the poss test I was told that some job offers to start in July had already been extended. I interviewed but have not heard anything... Does anyone know if there is really a class starting later this year???