To make a difference in people’s lives by coming up with new systems and solutions, taking care of the environment, and improving the health of our communities as we deliver Power… Responsibly® through our core values of going green, living well, giving back, doing the right thing, and building worth.
The human resources department is terrible and management doesnt always pick the best workers to promote
Getting hired at Southwire starts with being prepared to ace the interview. Founded in 1950, Southwire is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of wire and cable used in the transmission and distribution of electricity. Southwire is a $5 billion company with over 7,500 employees across 40 locations.
If you have an interview coming up at Southwire, doing well on it requires preparation and insight into the types of questions you will face. In this comprehensive guide, we explore
- Company overview
- Southwire interview insights
- Common interview questions and answers
- Tips for preparing for a Southwire interview
Let’s get started!
About the Company – Southwire
Southwire is a leading producer of wire and cable as well as utility products The company manufactures everything from building wire for homes to high-voltage transmission cables used in the electrical grid
Southwire operates 40 manufacturing facilities in North America including locations in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, Utah, Arkansas and more. The company also has operations in Mexico.
Southwire’s products power homes, hospitals, schools, utilities and more. They aim to provide reliable, high-quality electrical solutions. The company is also focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Some key facts about Southwire:
- Founded in 1950 in Carrollton, GA
- 7,500+ employees
- Over $5 billion in annual sales
- Manufactures over 150,000 miles of cable annually
- Privately held by the Richards family
Insights into Southwire Interviews
Here are some useful things to know about the interview process at Southwire:
Multiple Interviews – Be prepared for multiple rounds of interviews including phone screens, behavioral interviews, and functional/technical interviews.
Panel Interviews – For leadership roles and above, interview panels with 4-5 Southwire employees are common.
Technical Knowledge – Have a strong command over the technical aspects of the role you are applying to. Study the job description.
Company Research – Interviewers want to see that you have researched Southwire’s products, values, industry position, and recent news.
Behavioral Questions – Many questions will focus on learning about your competencies and evaluating your soft skills.
Success Stories – Come prepared with stories highlighting your major career accomplishments and quantify your impact.
Next, let’s look at some of the most common Southwire interview questions and how to ace them!
Common Southwire Interview Questions and Answers
Here we will outline some frequently asked Southwire interview questions along with tips on how to best approach answering them:
Q1: Why do you want to work for Southwire?
This question tests your understanding of Southwire’s business, values and workplace culture. Research the company thoroughly before your interview.
Sample Answer: I’m really excited about the opportunity to work for Southwire because I’m passionate about your mission of providing reliable, quality electrical solutions to customers. After researching Southwire, I was impressed by your commitment to continuous innovation, safety, integrity and environmental responsibility. I also value your culture which seems collaborative, hardworking and growth oriented. I’d welcome the opportunity to grow my career and be part of an industry leader like Southwire.
Q2: What interests you or excites you about this role?
The interviewer wants to gauge your enthusiasm and fit for the position. Show them you understand the key responsibilities and why the role aligns with your skills.
Sample Answer: As a Project Manager, I’m excited by the opportunity to manage key initiatives for the company and see projects through from planning to completion. I’m particularly interested in this role at Southwire given your investment in expanding operations and bringing new products to market. With my background successfully managing cross-functional teams to execute projects on budget and schedule, I’m confident I can contribute to Southwire’s continued growth in my role.
Q3: How does your experience align with the requirements of this job?
This is your chance to match your background and qualifications directly to the role being discussed. Refer to the job description and highlight your relevant strengths.
Sample Answer: Looking at the job description, I see several areas where my experience and background are a strong match. First, you require 7+ years in manufacturing operations management which I possess from my roles at XYZ Company. Also, you are looking for Six Sigma expertise and I have used Lean and Six Sigma methods extensively for process improvement initiatives saving over $200,000 annually for my previous employer. Finally, you need someone highly analytical and I have designed KPI dashboards and handled large data analysis projects in my career which I could apply here.
Q4: What do you know about our products and services?
Since Southwire manufactures wire and cable products, the interviewer wants to make sure you have researched their offerings. Familiarize yourself with their major product lines before the interview.
Sample Answer: From my research on Southwire’s website and news articles, I’ve learned about your diverse range of electrical products and solutions. This includes everything from residential building wire and utility cables up to very high-voltage transmission lines over 500kV. I also read about innovative products you’ve launched like your SIMpull line which increases installation efficiency. Beyond wire and cable, you also manufacture utility equipment like transformers, switchgears, pole line hardware and more. I understand how your products power electrical networks across North America.
Q5: How would you handle an upset or difficult customer?
Since Southwire sells to utility companies, contractors, distributors and other businesses, customer service skills are valued. Share an example of your best customer service save.
Sample Answer: I would first listen carefully and let the customer explain their concerns without interruption. After hearing them out, I would apologize for any issues and assure them I will do everything I can to help make things right. I would ask clarifying questions if needed, then summarize the core issues to confirm my understanding. If I need to escalate or loop in other departments, I would keep the customer updated. I have found it helpful to partner with the customer on finding the best solution. For example, a large contractor was upset about a delayed order, so I expedited the shipping and waived the fee which got them up and running sooner. They appreciated that level of customer service.
Q6: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your career goals?
Have a 5 year vision for your career growth aligned with the company’s opportunities. Show ambition to take on more responsibility over time.
Sample Answer: In 5 years, after proving myself in this role, I hope to take on more responsibility and manage an expanded team, division or function. Southwire seems to promote from within, so I envision growing into a leadership position. I’m excited to gain expertise within Southwire’s operations early in my career that will position me for more senior roles. I’m passionate about contributing to company growth and am committed to my own professional development. I know Southwire invests in employee training and encourages continuous learning, so I see this as a long-term home to grow my career over the years.
Tips for Acing Your Southwire Interview
Here are some final tips to ace your Southwire interview:
Practice answering interview questions aloud until your responses sound natural. Enlist a friend to conduct a mock interview.
Review the job description thoroughly and come prepared with specific examples of how you meet each requirement.
Research Southwire including their products, values, culture, leadership team, major projects, and recent news.
Prepare success stories highlighting your skills and major career accomplishments applicable to the role. Quantify your impact.
Dress professionally – Southwire expects employees to have a professional appearance.
Ask thoughtful questions about the team, challenges of the role, company goals, etc. to show your engagement.
Send a follow-up thank you note after the interview restating your interest in the position.
With preparation and confidence, you will be ready to have a winning interview experience at Southwire! Best of luck!
Videos About Working At Southwire
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The team at Southwire
- The founders of Southwire is Roy Richards .
- Rich Stinson and Roy Richards are the most important people at Southwire.
Key PeopleRich StinsonRoy Richards
Southwire is ranked #19 on the Best Manufacturing Companies to Work For in Georgia list. Zippias Best Places to Work lists provide unbiased, data-based evaluations of companies. Rankings are based on government and proprietary data on salaries, company financial health, and employee diversity.
Rate the fairness of Southwires compensation policies.
- Southwire has 3,389 employees.
- 27% of Southwire employees are women, while 73% are men.
- The most common ethnicity at Southwire is White (58%).
- 20% of Southwire employees are Black or African American.
- 12% of Southwire employees are Hispanic or Latino.
- The average employee at Southwire makes $39,404 per year.
- People who work at Southwire are most likely to be Republicans.
- Employees at Southwire stay with the company for 5. 1 years on average.
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