Data Analyst Interview Questions for Boosting Your Chances of Getting Hired

Career choices are sometimes difficult to make. Gone are those days when people just aspired to be Doctors or Engineers. With technology occupying center-stage, IT profiles are witnessing a quantum leap. There are several non-IT professionals who have considered gravitating to the IT space. IT itself opens individuals to a plethora of opportunities. With the advancement of technology and loads of data being produced, every sector is in need of professionals who can appropriately mobilize this data and drive it to a fitting audience. This niche space is called Data Analytics. For exploring this rewarding career one must be able to define what a Data Analyst does? what are the Data Analyst interview questions? A Data Analyst transforms raw data into useful information that is crucial for an organization to make a decision and achieve its goals.

Apart from knowing the role of a Data Analyst one must prepare himself or herself to crack the nerve-wracking interview. Browsing through the internet a day before the interview can give you jitters considering loads of information that is available in the profession. To make life slightly easier, we have penned down some of the frequently asked questions that you can skim through before braving the interview.

Most of us have faced interviews and a typical interview has a set format starting with generic questions then moving into detail.

Why do you want to be a Data Analyst?

This is a question that helps the interviewer to evaluate your thought process. The key here is to answer this question by laying emphasis on your expertise/skills that will make you an asset to the organization. Lay emphasis on why the industry vertical needs you.

What is the difference between data mining and data profiling?

Data mining helps in converting raw data into useful ones. It is a process in which unidentified information is discovered for the first time. Data profiling is to determine the data’s uniqueness and logic.

What are the steps involved in data analysis?

Understanding the problem

Collection of Data

Filtering of data

Analyzing

Concluding with results

Technical tools commonly used by Data Analysts?

MySQL

MS Excel Tableau

Python, R, SPSS

MS Power point

Which are the best methods of data filtering?

Identify common errors

Remove Duplicates

Retail data accuracy

Normalize or Standardize data at the entry point

What are the most common problems faced by Data Analysts?

Handling duplicate data

Collating the right data at the right time

Handling and storage of data

Making data secure

What is the significance of Exploratory Data Analysis?

Exploratory data analysis helps in understanding the data better. It allows you to refine your selection of feature variables that can be used for later model building. Also, you can discover hidden trends and insights

What are the key skills required by a Data Analyst?

Database Knowledge

Predictive Analysis

Big Data Knowledge

Presentation skills

Though Data Analyst interviews are extensive and in addition to the generic questions mentioned above, one must also be able to present their skills or knowledge on the Data Analytic tools with problem-solving ability. Though interviews give us the same fear that of a 10^th standard student appearing for the board exams, it is all about being confident and showing your importance to the organization.