Data Analyst
Interview Scenarios
That to Free
on LinkedIn
Interviewer:
You have a dataset with 10% missing values
across critical columns. How would you
determine whether to impute the missing
data or remove the rows, especially in a
production environment?
Candidate:
I would analyze the extent of missing data
and its impact on the dataset. If the
missingness is not random, I’d investigate
patterns or dependencies. For imputation, I’d
choose methods like mean/median (for
numerical data) or predictive modeling (e.g.,
KNN or regression). If the missing values are
substantial or affect critical insights, I might
consult stakeholders to explore alternative
data sources. For production, I’d implement
automated data quality checks to flag issues
early.
Interviewer:
Sales in one region suddenly spike by
200% for one month before normalizing.
How would you analyze this anomaly,
ensuring you don’t mistake it for a true
trend?
Candidate:
I’d first confirm the anomaly’s authenticity by
cross-validating data sources. Then, I’d
segment data by factors like customer type,
time period, and product category to identify
root causes. Using tools like Python or R, I’d
apply anomaly detection algorithms to
validate the spike. If it’s legitimate, I’d
investigate external factors, such as
marketing campaigns or external events, and
ensure stakeholders understand its context
before drawing conclusions.
Interviewer:
You are tasked with merging two
datasets, one with quarterly financial
data and another with daily operational
metrics. What challenges might arise, and
how would you address them?
Candidate:
The primary challenge would be aligning
temporal granularity. I’d first aggregate the
daily operational metrics to match the
quarterly data. There could also be schema
mismatches or missing keys, which I’d resolve
by creating surrogate keys or using fuzzy
matching. Finally, I’d validate the integrated
dataset by running correlation analysis to
ensure consistency and accuracy between
the financial and operational KPIs.
Interviewer:
Your manager asks you to define KPIs for a
subscription-based business that also has
significant one-time sales. How would you
approach KPI development to ensure both
models are captured effectively?
Candidate:
I’d differentiate metrics for subscription vs.
one-time sales. For subscriptions, I’d focus on
customer retention, churn rate, monthly
recurring revenue (MRR), and lifetime value
(LTV). For one-time sales, I’d emphasize gross
revenue, average order value, and customer
acquisition cost. Then, I’d link both models
through blended metrics, such as total
revenue growth and cross-sell rates, ensuring
alignment with business objectives.
Interviewer:
You find that two databases show conflicting
customer retention rates. How would you
identify the source of the discrepancy and
resolve it?
Candidate:
I’d first check metadata and schema
differences between the databases, ensuring
consistent definitions of “retention.” Next, I’d
analyze extraction logic, transformation
steps, and timeframes for discrepancies.
Using SQL queries or auditing tools, I’d trace
discrepancies back to specific records. Once
identified, I’d document the resolution and
implement data governance protocols to
prevent future inconsistencies.
Interviewer:
You are tasked with presenting a dashboard
that compares product performance across
regions, time, and customer segments. What
challenges would you anticipate, and how
would you address them?
Candidate:
The challenge lies in balancing detail with
clarity. I’d use interactive visualizations (e.g.,
slicers in Power BI or Tableau) to allow
dynamic filtering by region, time, and
segment. To avoid clutter, I’d use aggregated
views with drill-down capabilities. For metrics
like sales, I’d apply heatmaps or line charts
with time-series overlays, ensuring
stakeholders can easily identify trends or
anomalies.
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