BHP HireVue Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

BHP’s virtual assessment asks you to record answers on HireVue, with three attempts at each question, and it leans heavily on safety, rules and working with others.

Practise a HireVue-style interview

Your first session is free with a free account. After that, Interview Access is £5 once for up to 20 sessions, with no subscription.

How the BHP HireVue works

Where it sits

Step 2 of BHP’s five-step process, after the online application and before the interview or Engagement Centre. For Australian graduates and interns it is a video interview plus cognitive testing, followed by a one-to-one conversation with a line leader.

Programmes

Most roles, including the Australian Graduate and Internship programmes. For most roles in Canada a phone call replaces the video assessment. Candidates report it for Underground Entry Level Miners, Reliability Engineer and engineering internship roles.

Length

BHP suggests allowing up to an hour.

Questions

Not published. Reported as five for one entry level site role.

Thinking time

Not published.

Answer time

Not published.

Retakes

Three attempts for each question.

Games

The virtual assessment can include a games-based assessment alongside the video.

Deadline

Graduate and internship applicants cannot get an extension for the online assessment.

BHP HireVue questions candidates report

8 questions from BHP HireVue interviews. Prepare a story for each type rather than a script for each question.

Motivation and fit

Please tell us about yourself and why you have applied for this role.
Underground Entry Level Miners, Olympic Dam
Tell me something that is not on your resume.

Safety, rules and judgement

Give an example of a time you witnessed someone going against established rules, policies or procedures. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Underground Entry Level Miners, Olympic Dam
Tell us about a time you had to make a quick decision using limited information. Describe the situation, your actions and the outcome.
Underground Entry Level Miners, Olympic Dam

Teamwork and learning

Tell us about a time you worked effectively with others to overcome a challenge or solve a problem.
Underground Entry Level Miners, Olympic Dam
Tell us about a time you had to learn a new skill or process. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
Underground Entry Level Miners, Olympic Dam
Tell me about a time you faced a problem with a team member.
What was the toughest challenge you’ve faced?

How to answer BHP HireVue questions

Prepare the four scenarios BHP names

BHP’s own assessment checklist asks you to have “a couple of scenarios” that show your commitment to safety, problem solving, working with people and delivering exceptional results. Build one story for each before you start. Every reported question, from the quick decision to the new skill, can be answered from that set.

Treat the rules question as a safety question

BHP’s first value, “Do what’s right”, says “a sustainable future starts with safety and integrity”. When asked about someone breaking a rule or procedure, say what you saw, that you spoke up or reported it, how you did that respectfully and what changed afterwards. Staying quiet to keep the peace is the answer to avoid.

Show you listen before you change things

“Seek better ways” is described as “listening to learn and inspiring challenge”. For the new skill and team problem questions, say who you learned from or listened to, then the better way you found and what it improved.

Own the result

BHP’s third value, “Make a difference”, puts “the accountability to act, create value and have impact” on each person. End each story with what you personally did and a result you can point to, such as time saved, a fault fixed or a target met.

Make “why BHP” specific to the role and site

BHP asks you to think about why you applied and what interests you about working there, and to speak “from the heart” rather than from a script. Link the role to something real in its business, such as its copper, iron ore or potash operations, or its purpose “to bring people and resources together to build a better world”, and to what you want to learn in that role.

Tips for recording your answers

You get three attempts at each question. Use the first to settle in if you need to, and BHP says there is no expectation to be perfect.
Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted, and allow up to an hour.
Use a computer, laptop or tablet with a microphone, camera and headphones, all charged. BHP advises avoiding mobile phones.
Use bullet points rather than a script. BHP asks you not to read from one.
Do it as soon as you can after the invitation. Graduate and intern applicants cannot get an extension.
For technical problems, contact HireVue support or the BHP recruitment team named in the checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Does BHP use HireVue?

Yes. BHP’s assessment checklist says you may be asked to complete an online video or gamified assessment, points you to HireVue for tips and sends technical questions to HireVue support.

How many attempts do you get in the BHP HireVue?

Three attempts for each question, according to BHP’s own checklist.

How long is the BHP video interview?

BHP suggests allowing up to an hour. It does not publish the number of questions or the time per answer. One entry level candidate reported five questions.

What questions does BHP ask in the HireVue?

Mostly behavioural: why you applied, a quick decision with limited information, working with others to solve a problem, learning a new skill and seeing someone break a rule or procedure.

What happens after the BHP HireVue?

The next step is an interview or Engagement Centre. For Australian graduates and interns it is a one-to-one conversation with a line leader, then an offer and, for site roles, a medical.

Practise for the BHP HireVue

Our AI interview practice uses the same one-way format: five questions on screen, 60 seconds to prepare, then up to a minute to answer on camera. Choose the finance focus and the questions lean towards finance, with feedback on relevance, clarity and structure and on what finance assessors look for, such as commercial awareness and integrity. You also get a model answer to your weakest question.

The questions are ours, not BHP’s. Start answering before the 60 seconds are up to match a shorter thinking time, and since practice lets you re-record, do one session in a single take.