Top Data Analyst Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Data Analyst interview by going through these most asked Data Analyst interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

Search Data Analyst Questions:


  • Question: What are your strengths?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic question that lets you assess how well candidates communicate. It also gives you insight into their self-awareness.

    Sample Answer: I'm a good communicator. I can explain complex topics in a way that people can understand. I'm also very organized and detail-oriented. I'm good at spotting patterns and trends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to speak about strengths
    • - Ability to speak about weaknesses
    • - Mention of soft skills

  • Question: What do you think you need to improve?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is often asked at the end of an interview. It gives you a chance to see how well candidates think on their feet and how they handle criticism.

    Sample Answer: I'm not as good at communicating with people as I'd like to be. I'm more comfortable with numbers and analysis. I know that's an important part of this job, so I'm working on it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to take criticism
    • - Ability to self-evaluate
    • - Ability to think on feet

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic and is asked of every candidate. It is a way to see if candidates are realistic about their career goals and if they have a plan to get there.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a data analyst in a growing company. I'd like to be able to work on more complex projects and have more opportunities for advancement.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Career goals
    • - Plans to achieve those goals
    • - How the job fits into those plans

  • Question: Why do you think you are suitable for this job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic. It lets you see how well candidates sell themselves and how well they know the job.

    Sample Answer: I have a lot of experience in data analysis and I'm very familiar with the software you use. I've worked on projects similar to this one, and I know how to work with people. I'm also very good at finding patterns in data and communicating my results.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell self
    • - Knowledge of job
    • - Ability to speak with confidence

  • Question: Can you tell me about yourself?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that gives you insight into how candidates present themselves. You want to hire someone who can sell themselves and who can be a good representative of your company.

    Sample Answer: I'm a data analyst with a background in mathematics and computer science. I'm a quick learner and have a knack for spotting patterns. I'm also very organized and detail-oriented.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to speak about strengths
    • - Ability to speak about weaknesses
    • - Ability to speak about accomplishments

  • Question: How will you define an array?
  • Question Overview: This question tests how well candidates understand basic data structures. It also gives you insight into how they think.

    Sample Answer: An array is a collection of data elements that have the same data type and are stored contiguously in memory.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Correct definition
    • - Ability to explain why it is correct
    • - Ability to explain why other definitions are incorrect

  • Question: If a online shop is deciding to purchase or not purchase the BloomReach site search service, how would you help them to decide?
  • Question Overview: This question is similar to the previous one, but it is more specific. It also tests your ability to think on your feet.

    Sample Answer: I would look at the data on how many people use the site search and what they are searching for. I'd also look at the data on how many people use BloomReach and how much they are paying for it. I'd also look at the data on how many people use other site search services and how much they are paying for them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify variables/data segments
    • - Ability to communicate thought process
    • - Creativit

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic. It's a good way to see if candidates are familiar with the company and if they have done any research on the company.

    Sample Answer: I've been impressed with your company's commitment to the environment and sustainability. I think it's important for companies to be socially responsible. I'm also impressed with your commitment to employee training and development. I want to work for a company that values its employees.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of company
    • - Ability to communicate why they want to work for you
    • - Knowledge of company's products/services

  • Question: What do you know about SQL?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to gauge a candidate's technical skills.

    Sample Answer: I know how to create tables and how to use them in queries. I also know how to create indexes and how to use them in queries.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Basic knowledge of SQL
    • - Knowledge of how to use SQL
    • - Knowledge of how to use SQL to solve problems

  • Question: How would you join two tables in pandas?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how candidates think on their feet. It also shows how well they know pandas, which is a popular data analysis tool.

    Sample Answer: I would use the join function in pandas. I'd create a new column in the first table that matches the second table on the key field. Then, I'd use the join function to merge the two tables.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain process
    • - Ability to explain why process works
    • - Ability to explain why process does not work

  • Question: How will you describe bayesian classifiers?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if candidates have a basic understanding of data analysis. It also shows how well they can communicate their knowledge.

    Sample Answer: Bayesian classifiers are a type of statistical algorithm that uses prior knowledge to predict future events. For example, if we know that a person is a 90-year-old man, we can predict that he is more likely to die in the next year than a 25-year-old woman.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain the concept
    • - Ability to explain the concept in layman's terms
    • - Ability to explain how it works

  • Question: What is the difference between a join and a left join in SQL?
  • Question Overview: This question tests a candidate's knowledge of SQL. It also tests their ability to explain the difference between the two.

    Sample Answer: A left join is when you want to include all rows from the left table and only the matching rows from the right table. A join is when you want to include all rows from both tables.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain difference
    • - Ability to explain why one is better than the other

  • Question: What was the biggest disappointment you've experienced?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how candidates handle failure. It also gives you a glimpse of their personality.

    Sample Answer: I was very disappointed when I didn't get a promotion. I had been working hard and was sure I'd get it. But, I didn't. So, I took some time to think about what went wrong. I realized that I hadn't been communicating well with my boss. So, I made a point of being more open and honest with him. And, it worked! He promoted me the next year.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn from the experience
    • - Ability to see the positive
    • - Ability to remain positive

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone difficult.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to find out how well candidates work with others and how they handle conflict.

    Sample Answer: I had a difficult time working with my supervisor at my last job. She was very demanding and critical. I had to work with her on a project, and it was difficult to get her to listen to my ideas. I had to be very assertive and make sure she knew that I was the one in charge of the project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to communicate
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Ability to compromise

  • Question: How would you determine the price for each customer contact?
  • Question Overview: This question is a way to see how candidates think about business. It also shows how well they understand the business side of data analysis.

    Sample Answer: I'd start by figuring out how much it costs to make a customer contact. I'd also look at the lifetime value of a customer and the cost of acquiring a new one. I'd look at the profit margin and the price of similar products. Then, I'd look at the number of customers in each segment and what they're willing to pay.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify variables/data segments
    • - Ability to communicate thought process
    • - Creativit

  • Question: What statistical tests have you used most?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if candidates have the hard skills you need. It also gives you insight into their experience and how they approach problems.

    Sample Answer: I've used the chi-squared test, the t-test and the ANOVA test. I've also used the Pearson correlation coefficient and the linear regression.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Software used
    • - Type of tests
    • - Experience with tests

  • Question: How would you measure revenue?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if candidates can think on their feet and come up with a reasonable solution. It also shows how well they understand the business side of data analysis.

    Sample Answer: I would use a formula that takes into account the number of units sold, the price of each unit and the cost of materials. I would also consider the cost of labor and overhead.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think critically
    • - Ability to communicate
    • - Creativity

  • Question: If you can't find the answer to somebody's question and your supervisor is out of the office unavailable what do you do?
  • Question Overview: This question is a test of the candidate's ability to think on their feet. It also shows how they handle stress and pressure.

    Sample Answer: I would look at the data we have and see if there is anything that could be used as a proxy. If not, I would contact other departments or outside sources to see if they have any data that could help. If all else fails, I would ask my coworkers for help.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think on feet
    • - Ability to solve problems
    • - Ability to work independently

  • Question: How will you dedupe data in SQL?
  • Question Overview: This question tests a candidate's ability to use SQL. It also tests their ability to think on their feet and come up with a solution.

    Sample Answer: I'd use the DISTINCT keyword to eliminate duplicate data. I'd also use the GROUP BY keyword to group the data by city, state and zip code. Then, I'd use the DENSE_RANK() function to find the rank of each record. Finally, I'd use the ROW_NUMBER() function to find the row number of each record in its group.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify duplicate data
    • - Ability to explain how the solution works
    • - Creativity