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.

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  • 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 build a pivot table with the data on the sheet?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see if candidates can follow instructions and to see if they can think on their feet.

    Sample Answer: I would first create a pivot table with the data on the sheet. Then, I'd add the column headers from the sheet and the year from the sheet. I'd then drag the columns to the rows and the year to the values.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to follow instructions
    • - Ability to think on feet
    • - Ability to explain thought process

  • Question: Why do you want to join MSCI?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how well candidates understand the company. It also gives you a sense of how well they can sell themselves.

    Sample Answer: I've been following MSCI for a while. I like the company's commitment to sustainability and its focus on emerging markets. I'm also impressed by the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Demonstration of knowledge about company
    • - Ability to sell self
    • - Ability to speak with confidence

  • Question: Tell me about one of your past projects?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question, but it is also a great way to assess a candidate's experience.

    Sample Answer: I worked on a project to create a database of all the products in our company's inventory. We had been using Excel spreadsheets, which was inefficient and prone to human error. The new database was an Access database that we could use to track inventory and sales. It also allowed us to analyze sales trends and make better decisions about ordering.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Details of project
    • - How project was beneficial to company
    • - How project was beneficial to customer

  • Question: What do you want to achieve in your career?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how well candidates think about their careers. It also gives you insight into their goals and motivations.

    Sample Answer: I want to be a data analyst who can help companies make good decisions. I want to be able to do that by using the best data analysis tools available. I also want to be able to communicate my results well and work with people from different departments.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ambition
    • - Desire to learn
    • - Desire to grow

  • Question: How do you find the root cause?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess if candidates have a solid grasp of the root cause analysis process. It also gives you insight into how they approach problems.

    Sample Answer: I start by looking at the symptoms and work backward. I look at the data and see if there are any patterns. I also look at the data for the previous year to see if there are any trends. I also look at the data for the previous year to see if there are any trends. If I can't find a pattern, I look at the data from other years to see if there are any similarities.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify root cause
    • - Ability to communicate thought process
    • - Creativity

  • Question: What is the default configuration needed on a CPE router that allows internal LAN traffic to be routed on to the internet?
  • Question Overview: This question is a basic networking question that tests the candidate's knowledge of networking.

    Sample Answer: The default configuration needed on a CPE router that allows internal LAN traffic to be routed on to the internet is a NAT configuration. This allows the router to translate private IP addresses into public IP addresses.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of networking
    • - Ability to think through a problem
    • - Ability to communicate

  • Question: What do you know about vlookups?
  • Question Overview: This question is a basic one that lets you assess if candidates have the hard skills you need. It also gives you insight into their level of comfort with data analysis.

    Sample Answer: A vlookup is a function in Excel that allows you to look up data in a table. You can use it to find data in a table that is sorted by a particular column. It can also be used to find data in a table that is sorted by a particular column and then by another column.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Basic knowledge of vlookups
    • - Ability to explain how to use vlookups
    • - Ability to explain when to use vlookups

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to lead a group of peers.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess how well candidates work with others. It also shows how well they can communicate and how they handle pressure.

    Sample Answer: At HTWW Company, I was a project manager for a team of data analysts. I had to coordinate with the client and my team to make sure we were all on the same page. I had to make sure everyone was doing their part and that we were all on schedule. I also had to be sure everyone was communicating well and that we were all on the same page.

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

  • Question: What is your experience with data management.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how well candidates understand the data analysis process. It also gives you insight into their experience.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with a variety of data management systems. I've used ELKI, SQL and Excel. I've also worked with Access and Oracle. I've also used data management tools like Tableau and QlikView.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with data management
    • - Ability to communicate experience
    • - Ability to anticipate issues

  • Question: What do you know about the job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a way for you to assess how well candidates did their homework. It also gives you an opportunity to see how well they can think on their feet.

    Sample Answer: I know that the job involves managing data and using it to make decisions. I know that the company is growing and needs someone who can help it make good decisions. I know that the company has a great reputation in the industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the job
    • - Ability to think on feet
    • - Ability to speak with confidence