Top Interview Questions for Data Analyst
A Data analyst is someone who collects processes and performs statistical analyses on a large dataset. They retrieve and gather data, organize it and use it to reach meaningful conclusions
According to Deloitte’s analytics advantage report,49 % of their respondents assert that the greatest benefit of using data analytics is that it is a key factor in better decision-making capabilities.
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Hard Skills
Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Soft Skills
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personality traits and cognitive skills
What to look for while interviewing for a Data Analyst?
Since the required skills for Data analysts require expertise in programming languages like R and SAAS, SQL database, and database query languages. Therefore, look for a candidate who has knowledge of all these.
Here are some of the in-demand skills for a Data Analyst
Role-specific skills to look for: Programming languages(R/SAS), Data visualization, data warehousing, SQL database, Data mining, cleaning and munging, and Database query languages.
Soft skills to look for analytical thinking, attention to detail, research, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Pro Tip: Always screen before you interview. Use Online Assessment to screen applicants for a Data analyst position before blocking your time for an in-person interview.
Questions to ask while interviewing a Data Analyst
We have compiled a set of questions with the help of 70+ hiring managers at different organizations.
Top Role-based interview questions for Data Analyst
What is your experience in creating dashboards?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to understand the candidate’s experience with dashboards, as data analysts are often involved in building and updating dashboards.
What to listen for:
- An ideal candidate would outline the types of data visualizations, and metrics they have used in their dashboard.
Which Excel function have you used mostly?
Purpose of this interview question:
By asking this question an interviewer can assess the candidate’s expertise in Excel.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would highlight their advanced skills, particularly statistical function.
How would you measure the business performance of our company and what information would be most important to consider, in your opinion?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to understand what sort of projects the candidate is eager and able to tackle for your company if hired.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would show if they have a good sense of your company’s goal and are familiar with industry practices and norms.
How to screen Data Analyst for soft skills?
What challenges are you looking for in this Data analyst position?
Purpose of this interview question:
The question is designed to understand and determine what the candidates are looking for in their next job and whether they would be a good fit for the position being hired for.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would discuss how they would like to be able to effectively utilize their skills and experience if they were hired for the job.
What skills do you think are necessary for this job role?
Purpose of this interview question:
Since software developers rely on a combination of technical knowledge and transferable skills to be successful. Therefore it is important for an applicant for this role to show the required skills.
What to listen for:
- Look for evidence of the required skills for this job role.
How do you determine a time estimation for the completion of a project?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to test the candidate’s management skills.
What to listen for:
- Look for evidence of leadership qualities related to project planning and execution.
Start Optimizing your Data Analyst Hiring today
Find and hire talent with confidence. If your candidate doesn’t know the answer to the above questions and you’re hiring for a Data Analyst position, then they’re probably not a great fit.
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