Data Analyst

Data Analyst qualifications to look for

Data analysts collect and analyze data from different sources (e.g., financial data, sales figures, supply chain costs, etc.) using statistical techniques. Their insight contributes to crucial organization decisions.

Top candidates will hold degrees from various academic backgrounds, like Mathematics, Economics or Computer Science. Experience is key, so look for candidates with a sound background using database software and statistical analysis tools.

Keep an eye out for candidates who have:

• Excellent analytical skills
• A problem-solving attitude
• Strong attention to detail
• Critical-thinking skills
  
  

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Problem-solving interview questions

• Walk me through your day-to-day as a Data analyst.
• When you’re assigned a project, what’re your first steps?  What process do you follow to analyze the given data?
• You’re asked to design a data-driven model to handle a business problem. What are your key focal points? 
• When is it good to choose a simpler model over a more complex one?
  

Role-specific interview questions

• What database software have you previously used? Are there any you’d like to learn? 
• What is your experience using statistical analysis tools, like SPSS and SAS?
• What is your process for forecast quarterly sales trends? What specific models do you find the most appropriate in this case?
• Explain data cleaning. How do you know you have collected enough data to build a model?
• Have you ever developed data mining algorithms and databases from scratch? If so, tell me about your experience.
• How do you use sensitivity analysis in the decision-making process? How can you perform one in a given situation? Can you explain this using an example?
• What are the most effective methods to ensure accurate predictions using data correlation?
• Tell me how you best present reports and findings directly to senior management.
  

Behavioral interview questions

• What’s the most difficult database problem you’ve solved? What did you learn from it?
• What approach do you take to explain technical details to a non-technical audience?
• Have you ever delivered a cost-reducing solution to senior management that helped your company?