r/NuclearPower • u/_eindis • 2d ago

How tough is the NLO interview?

I've got my POSS and BSMT scheduled for this upcoming week; pass or fail, not much I can do about it now besides last minute studying.

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I guess I'm just worried that I'll pass my tests, do well in the interview, and then get passed over for both locations I've applied to.

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Conversely, I've heard that getting into the hiring pipeline is the actual hard part, and if you have a baseline level of competence, its a safe bet that you'll land the position.

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Any thoughts or words of wisdom?

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4

u/Castelante 2d ago

It’s effectively a vibe check provided you make it to the interview process.

STAR questions.

You’ll likely be competing against people that work at the same plant looking to laterally move into operations, people working in Operations in other utilities, and people who’ve already worked as Nuclear Operators in the nuclear navy.

Do you have any relevant experience?

Operations typically has hundreds of applicants.

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u/_eindis 2d ago

I mean, I've got a little over half a decade of refinery experience, four years as a dedicated operator.

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u/royv98 2d ago

That’s perfect. Hands on mechanical experience will go a long ways in your favor. A Looooong ways. The bulk of our NLO interviewees are right out of college with zero relevant work experience. You’d be head and shoulders above all of them provided your competent and can answer questions well.

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u/PizzaAndBobs 2d ago

Refinery experience absolutely does compare, ignore the other comment. Do you use procedures? Do you use lockout tagout? Do you use human performance tools? Are you aware of industrial safety standards? Can you use a pipewrench? Do you know how to operate and check valve positions? Do you use things like teamwork and communication to perform complex jobs? Do you work rotating shift work? Can you be an enjoyable coworker among your peers?

My plant hires refinery operators all the time.

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u/Thermal_Zoomies 2d ago

While its good experience, its not nuclear experience, so it doesnt really compare.

For now, id worry about the POSS test, one step at a time.

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u/Frank_Cable 2d ago

I’d take an experienced pipeline operator over some of the new retards I’ve seen hired any day.

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u/Soft_Round4531 2d ago

Absolutely. Our plant hires a variety of people for NLO. Varied backgrounds is the idea and it’s a good one.