NRG Energy Assessment Tests, Hiring Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2025

What Is NRG Energy?

Based in Houston NRG Energy provides power infrastructure, generates power, and provides utility services. It is active in the use of several methods of energy generation including coal, oil, nuclear, natural gas, and wind. NRG services almost 3 million customers in the United States. NRG and its affiliates distribute energy to the states of Texas, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. NRG brands include Green Mountain Energy, Reliant, Direct Energy, Goal Zero, Xoom Energy, Cirro Energy, Discount Power, Airtron, and AWHR.

NRG has an eye on sustainability in both the energy it provides, and in company growth. They are on the lookout for like-minded employees to join their team of 6,500.  With this in mind, NRG has eliminated degree requirements for some positions, while offering continuing education and hands-on training. NRG does offer internships for degree seekers, along with rotational programs, and STEM Collaborative Programs. For Veterans and National Guard and Reserve members, NRG works with the Department of Defense to assist in a successful transition to a civilian career.

There is a wide range of career opportunities available at NRG. Corporate Functions, Customer Operations for business and retail, Engineering, Finance Risk and Accounting, IT HR and Facilities Management, Market Operations, Marketing and Communication, and Power Plant Energy and Skilled Labor are the job categories available. These categories all encompass a number of different job titles.

What Is NRG Energy’s Recruitment Process?

Once you have found a position you feel you are highly qualified for, you will need to create a profile. The profile will detail your qualifications, and highlight your experience. There will also be some screening questions to complete before you can submit your application. After it is submitted, your application will go into review. This may take some time, but you can track your application through your career profile.

Some positions require further verification of an applicant’s relevant skills. If you have applied for one of these positions you will be asked to sit for an assessment. You may be required to go to a testing center, or you may be able to take the pre-hire tests at home. Your home computer will need to meet specific requirements for use on the assessments. To be considered for an interview you need to receive a rating of “recommended” on your assessments.

If you are selected to interview, your first one may be over the phone. The phone interview is brief and is used to see if you are still interested in the job. If you are asked to attend an in-person interview be prepared for a mix of questions. You will be asked technical, behavioral, and situational questions so the interviewer can get a well-rounded view of how you work, and your level of job knowledge.

Once you receive a verbal offer you are almost there. You will receive an offer letter, and information about the steps you will need to take to complete onboarding. Once you have passed the required background checks you will receive your start date.

NRG Energy Pre-Hire Assessments

Psychometric tests are required for some positions to make sure you have the right skills to perform the job properly. These tests include basic knowledge and comprehension evaluations, along with a personality survey to ensure you will suit the role and work well with the existing team.

• Reading Comprehension – Reading and understanding instructions is important for workplace safety. The reading comprehension test is made up of a few brief passages regarding safe workplace operations. Each passage will be followed by multiple-choice follow-up questions.
• Working With Numbers Charts and Graphs – This assessment will show how well you can extrapolate data from graphs, and use that information to problem solve and answer questions.
• Mechanical Principles – If you have applied for a job that requires mechanical knowledge, this is one of the tests you will be given. You will need to understand basic concepts such as force and gravity, and how machines like levers, gears, and pulleys work. The questions will be presented as a diagram with a problem you will need to solve, and multiple answers to choose from.
• Numerical Ability – Here you will need to demonstrate how well you can perform arithmetic on integers, decimals, and fractions. The test will be divided into three timed parts, and the questions are multiple-choice.
• Visual Pursuit – This test shows how accurately you are able to scan things with your eyes. The test is a series of lines you will need to track from their starting point to their endpoint, and next to the number where the line ends, mark the letter of the place each line started.
• Work View – This is a questionnaire that helps show your workplace behaviors, and gives some insight into the type of worker you will be. There will be questions regarding reliability, commitment to safety procedures, conscientiousness, and ability to work on a team. The questions are multiple-choice, and you will need to pick the answers that best resemble your thoughts or behaviors.

How to Prepare for NRG Energy’s Assessments?

To successfully make it all the way through the hiring process you need to get a score of “recommended”. To guarantee you get that score, you need to take time to practice and prepare yourself to take the assessments. Start by reviewing the posting for the job you applied for. This will tell you which skills and qualifications are the most important for the role you want. Next review the example questions provided on the NRG website. Although there are only a few questions, they will show you the type of questions you can expect on the different assessments, and help you understand the format. Just knowing the types of questions to expect helps improve your chances of success. Review any important areas in which you know you are weak. Make a timed practice test of different arithmetic problems so you can work on speed and accuracy with numbers. Review any physics concepts you don’t quite remember, and study mechanical diagrams so reading them becomes easier for you. Work on reading comprehension by reading non-fiction, and finding reading tests online to help you improve. There is no way to prepare for personality tests, but when you sit for it, remember they are looking for balance. Don’t try to answer the way you think they want you to. This is often designed to lead to conflicting answers! Instead, answer as though you are already employed at NRG and be honest and mindful in your answers.