17 Data Scientist Interview Questions and Answers

Data science is a relatively new field that combines mathematics, statistics, and computer science to extract insights and knowledge from data. Data scientists are in high demand, as businesses and organizations of all sizes seek to make better use of the data they collect.

If you’re looking to enter the field of data science, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience and expertise. But you’ll also need to be prepared to answer some general questions about data science, such as what it is and what a data scientist does.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your next data science interview.

Are you familiar with the term “big data”?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. You should be prepared to explain what big data is, why it’s important and how you use it in your work.

Example: “Big data refers to large amounts of information that are difficult for traditional computers to process. It’s an essential part of my job because I need to find ways to analyze this massive amount of data quickly so we can make better business decisions. For example, at my last company, I was tasked with finding patterns in customer behavior based on their shopping history. Using big data allowed me to create algorithms that could predict customers’ future purchases based on their past buying habits. This helped us increase sales by 10% over the previous year.”

What are some of the most important skills you have as a data scientist?

This question allows you to highlight your skills and abilities as a data scientist. You can answer this question by listing the most important skills for a data scientist, such as critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills.

Example: “The two most important skills I have are my ability to communicate complex information in an easy-to-understand way and my ability to solve problems using data analysis. These skills allow me to work with other team members to find solutions to business challenges and help managers make informed decisions based on data.”

How would you describe the relationship between data and information, and information and knowledge?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the data science field. It also helps employers understand how you view and use information in your work. Your answer should show that you know the difference between these three terms, but it can also include an example of how they apply to your own work.

Example: “Information is raw facts or numbers that are collected by data. Data is usually organized into tables, graphs or charts. Information is what we get from data when we analyze it. For instance, I might collect data about customer purchases over time. When I analyze this data, I may find that customers who buy one product tend to buy another product. This is information that I can use to make decisions about marketing.”

What is the most important thing you have learned as a data scientist?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are constantly learning and growing as a data scientist. You can answer this question by sharing something you learned in the past year or something you have always known but never implemented until recently.

Example: “The most important thing I’ve learned as a data scientist is how to communicate my findings to non-technical people. In my last role, I was tasked with creating reports for upper management about our company’s sales numbers. I had previously only created reports for other data scientists, so I didn’t know how to make them easy to understand. After some trial and error, I found that using graphs and charts were the best way to present information to non-technical people.”

Provide an example of a time when you used data mining to discover useful information.

This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to use data mining tools. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you used data mining to discover information that helped solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with finding out what types of content our customers were reading the most on our website. Using data mining software, I analyzed our customer’s browsing history and found that they spent the most time reading articles about how to use our products effectively. This information allowed me to create more content around these topics, which increased sales by 10%.”

If you could only use three tools as a data scientist, what would they be?

This question is a great way to see how well you know the tools of your trade. It also shows that the interviewer wants to know what you value as a data scientist and why. Your answer should include the purpose of each tool, when it’s best used and any other relevant information about its use.

Example: “I would choose Python, R and Tableau for my go-to tools. Python is an excellent general programming language that I can use to automate repetitive tasks or create new algorithms. R is another good general programming language with some unique features like tidyverse that make it useful for data analysis. Tableau is a powerful visualization program that makes complex data easy to understand.”

What would you say is your greatest weakness as a data scientist?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know that you are self-aware and willing to improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, try to identify a weakness that you have actively worked on improving or plan to work on in the future.

Example: “I would say my greatest weakness as a data scientist is not being able to communicate my findings clearly enough for non-technical people to understand them. I am always working on ways to simplify my language when presenting my results so that everyone can understand what I’m saying. In fact, I recently took a communication course at the local university to help me with this.”

How well do you communicate your findings to other members of your team?

As a data scientist, you will likely need to communicate your findings and recommendations to other members of the team. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can effectively communicate with others in the workplace. In your answer, try to show that you are confident in your communication skills. Explain how you plan to share information with your colleagues.

Example: “I am very comfortable communicating my findings to my colleagues. I have always been someone who enjoys speaking in front of groups. Throughout my academic career, I gave presentations on my research at conferences and seminars. I also led group projects as part of my coursework, so I am used to collaborating with others on my work.”

Do you have any experience using R programming?

R is a programming language that data scientists use to analyze and interpret large amounts of data. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience using R, but it can also be beneficial if you explain why you prefer this language over others.

Example: “I have used R for several projects in my previous role as a data scientist. I find R to be an excellent tool for analyzing data because it has many useful functions and packages that make it easy to perform complex calculations. It’s also very flexible, which allows me to customize it to fit different types of data sets. In addition, R is open source, so there are plenty of resources available online to help me learn new things or troubleshoot any issues I may encounter.

When would you use logistic regression over classical regression?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of different types of regression and how you apply them to data analysis. Use examples from past projects or experiences to show that you know when to use each type of regression and what they’re used for.

Example: “In my experience, logistic regression is more useful than classical regression because it’s a better predictor of future outcomes. It also has fewer assumptions about linearity, which makes it easier to use in real-world scenarios where there isn’t a clear relationship between variables. In my last role, I used logistic regression to predict customer behavior based on their previous purchases. This allowed me to create marketing strategies that were more effective at reaching our target audience.”

We want to improve our customer retention rates. What methods would you use to analyze our customer data?

This question is a great way to test your analytical skills and ability to apply them to real-world situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to analyze customer data and how that information could help improve retention rates.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current customer base to understand who they are and what their needs are. I would then use predictive modeling to determine which customers are most likely to leave based on their past behavior. From there, I would create targeted marketing campaigns for those at-risk customers to try to retain them.”

Describe your process for cleaning messy data.

Data scientists often need to clean messy data before they can use it. Employers ask this question to see if you have the skills needed to complete this task. Use your answer to explain how you would go about cleaning messy data and what tools you would use.

Example: “I start by looking at the entire dataset, which helps me understand the problem areas. Then I will remove any rows that are missing information or contain errors. Next, I will check for duplicate entries and merge them into one record. Finally, I will make sure all of the values are consistent.”

What makes you stand out from other data scientists?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their company. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other data scientists. These can be specific skills, certifications or educational background.

Example: “I have extensive experience with Python coding, which is one of the most popular languages for data science. I also hold my master’s degree in computer science, so I am well-versed in many aspects of data science. Finally, I have worked as a data scientist for five years, so I have plenty of real-world experience.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s experience and background. It can also help you determine if they have any industry-specific knowledge that could be beneficial for your company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention which industries you’re most passionate about working in and why.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily in retail and ecommerce, but I’m open to expanding my experience into other sectors as well. In fact, I find the idea of learning new things exciting and would love to work with a company like yours that has such an innovative approach to data science.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when analyzing data?

This question is an opportunity to show your analytical skills and how you approach a problem. Your answer should include the steps you take when analyzing data, including defining objectives, identifying sources of information and choosing the right tools for the job.

Example: “The most important thing to remember when analyzing data is that it’s not just about finding answers but also asking questions. I always start by defining my objectives so I know what I’m looking for in the data. Then, I gather all relevant information from different sources and choose the best tools for the job. Finally, I analyze the data and draw conclusions based on my initial questions.”

How often should you update your models?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with data modeling. When answering, you can share a specific situation in which you updated models and how it impacted your organization.

Example: “I update my models every six months to a year depending on the project. In my last role, I was working on a model that analyzed customer purchasing habits. After three months, we noticed some customers were not buying products they usually purchased. We decided to update our model after six months to see if there were any changes in their purchasing behavior. Sure enough, we found out those customers had moved away from the area. This information helped us better understand our customers’ needs and make more informed decisions.”

There is a bug in your code that is causing your model to produce the wrong results. What do you do?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. A good answer will show that you can communicate effectively, collaborate with other team members and use critical thinking to solve problems.

Example: “I would first try to fix the bug myself by looking at my code and trying different methods of debugging it. If I am unable to find the issue, I would ask for help from my manager or another data scientist on my team who has more experience than me. They may be able to identify the problem faster than I could.”