20 Tempus Labs Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a position at Tempus, a technology company that’s advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, you’ll want to be prepared to answer questions about your experience with healthcare and technology, as well as your ability to think critically and solve problems.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Tempus interview questions, with sample answers to help you stand out from the competition.

Tempus Labs Interview Process

The interview process at Tempus Labs can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Junior positions may only require a phone screening and an in-person interview, while more senior positions may have multiple rounds of interviews, including a take-home assignment. The length of the hiring process also varies, but is typically around 2 weeks.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be professional and efficient. However, some reviewers noted that the recruiter may give false assurances that you are a top candidate, only to receive a generic rejection email later. Additionally, the take-home assignment may not be looked at closely, so make sure you are comfortable with the role before completing it.

1. What is your favorite programming language?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the company’s technology. If you have experience in the same programming language, it can show that you’re passionate about your work and eager to learn more.

Example: “My favorite programming language is Python because I find it easy to use and understand. In my last role as a software developer, I used Python for most of my projects. It was helpful to be able to complete tasks quickly without having to spend too much time learning new languages.”

2. How would you approach finding correlations between two variables?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of data mining and how it can be applied in the healthcare industry. Use examples from previous experience or explain what you would do if you had no prior experience with this process.

Example: “I would first identify the two variables I want to compare, then use an algorithm that searches for patterns between them. For example, at my last job, we were tasked with finding correlations between patient age and their likelihood of developing certain diseases. We used a neural network to find these correlations by comparing thousands of patients’ ages to their disease status.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to present information in a way that was easy for others to understand, how did you do it?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can help others understand complex information.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with creating a presentation for the board of directors about our company’s new AI technology. The project required me to explain complicated concepts in simple terms that everyone could understand. To do this, I created visuals and diagrams to accompany my explanations so people could see what I meant. This helped make the information more accessible and allowed everyone to learn more about the product.”

4. What tools would you use to analyze the data of patients with flu-like symptoms and determine if they have the flu or not?

This question is a good way to test your knowledge of the company’s products and services. It also allows you to show how you can use technology to solve problems in healthcare.

Example: “I would first gather data from patients with flu-like symptoms, such as their age, gender, weight, height, blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature and other relevant information. Then I would upload this data into Tempus Labs’ Flu Detector app, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze the patient’s data and determine if they have the flu or not.”

5. Why are you interested in working at Tempus Labs?

Tempus Labs is a technology company that uses artificial intelligence to advance precision medicine. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the job description. Use your answer to explain why you are interested in working at Tempus Labs, what attracted you to the role and any relevant skills or experience you have that make you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I am passionate about healthcare and believe that precision medicine can improve patient outcomes. I think that Tempus Labs is an innovative company with a unique approach to using artificial intelligence to advance precision medicine. I would love to be part of a team that is making such a positive impact on people’s lives.”

6. How familiar are you with artificial intelligence?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the field and how you might apply it in your role at Tempus. To answer, consider describing a time when you used artificial intelligence or an example of a specific technology that uses AI.

Example: “I have been working with artificial intelligence for over five years now. I started my career as a software engineer where I developed algorithms using machine learning techniques. In my last position, I worked on a team developing a system that could predict patient outcomes based on their medical history. This was one of my favorite projects because we were able to use our work to help patients.”

7. Do you have any experience managing databases?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with technology and how you apply it in a professional setting. If you have previous experience managing databases, share the type of database you worked with and what you did with it. If you don’t have any experience working with databases, consider sharing an example of another time when you organized large amounts of data.

Example: “In my last role as a medical records technician, I was responsible for organizing patient information into our hospital’s electronic health record system. This involved entering new patient information into the database and updating existing information as needed. I also regularly reviewed patient charts to ensure that all relevant information was included.”

8. How do you think machine learning will impact the healthcare industry over the next ten years?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you might fit in. Use examples from your own experience or research to show that you’re passionate about this field and understand its future.

Example: “I think machine learning will have a huge impact on healthcare over the next ten years, especially as it relates to precision medicine. I’ve seen firsthand how artificial intelligence is helping doctors make more informed decisions when diagnosing patients and treating their conditions. This technology has already saved lives and improved patient outcomes.”

9. We want our analysts to be able to work independently. Do you think this is something you can do?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate can work independently and how they feel about it. This is an important skill for analysts because they will be working on their own most of the time, so you want someone who feels comfortable with this type of environment.

Example: “I think I am very capable of working independently. In my last role as an analyst, I was often left alone in the office while everyone else went home. I got used to being by myself and found that I actually enjoyed it. It gave me more time to focus on my work without any distractions.”

10. What is something you feel passionate about aside from data analysis?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and interests. It also allows you to see how they apply their passions to their work.

Example: “I am passionate about animal rights, so I volunteer at my local shelter once a week. I enjoy being able to help animals find loving homes and provide them with care while they wait for adoption. I think this passion helps me be empathetic toward patients who are struggling with health issues.”

11. Describe what you think the role of a data analyst is at Tempus Labs.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the role and how you would apply it in this position. When answering, make sure to include what data analysts do and why they are important to the company.

Example: “I think that the role of a data analyst at Tempus Labs is to collect and analyze information from various sources to help advance precision medicine. Data analysts can use their skills to find trends and patterns within large amounts of data to create more effective treatments for patients.”

12. Give an example of a problem you solved using statistical methods.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you apply statistical methods in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you used statistics to solve a problem or make a decision that positively impacted your organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for analyzing data from our patient surveys. One of the questions we asked patients was if they would recommend us to their friends and family. The results showed that while most patients were happy with our services, many weren’t likely to refer us to others. This information helped me determine what areas of our business needed improvement so we could better serve our customers.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to resolve conflict. Use examples from previous experiences where you were able to successfully collaborate with a team, solve problems and achieve goals together.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I was working on a project with a group of developers when we encountered some issues with our software. We all had different ideas about what could be causing the problem, so we decided to hold a meeting to discuss each idea and come up with solutions. After discussing each issue, we realized that one of the developers had made a mistake in coding, which led to the other issues we were experiencing. By holding a meeting to discuss our ideas, we were able to find the solution more quickly.”

14. What are some challenges of being a Data Analyst?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you handle challenges. Use your answer to show that you are motivated by challenges, but also enjoy overcoming them.

Example: “The biggest challenge of being a Data Analyst is having to work with incomplete data. It’s important to be able to recognize when there are missing pieces of information in order to make sure I’m not making any assumptions about what the data means. Another challenge is ensuring that my analysis is accurate. I always triple-check my math and ensure that all of my calculations are correct before presenting my findings.”

15. What are your thoughts on analyzing large amounts of unstructured data?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working with large data sets and how you approach analyzing them. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to work with unstructured data, including any challenges you may have faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects where I had to analyze large amounts of unstructured data. In one instance, my team was tasked with identifying patterns in patient records that could indicate a higher risk for certain diseases or conditions. We used natural language processing to identify key terms within the documents and then applied machine learning algorithms to sort through the data and find relevant information.”

16. If you wanted to see if patients who get their flu vaccine are less likely to contract the flu, what type of algorithm would you use?

This question tests your knowledge of the different types of algorithms used in precision medicine. It also tests your ability to apply that algorithm to a real-world scenario.

Example: “I would use an ensemble method, which is a type of machine learning algorithm that combines several other algorithms into one model. In this case, I would combine multiple regression models and neural networks to create a single model that predicts whether or not patients will contract the flu based on their vaccination history.”

17. Are you comfortable speaking with members of other departments about technical topics?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with other departments and collaborating on projects. Use examples from your past to show that you’re comfortable speaking about technical topics and are willing to collaborate with others.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked closely with members of other departments like marketing and sales. We often collaborated on projects where we needed to communicate complex ideas in a way that was easy for non-technical employees to understand. In these situations, I would explain technical concepts using analogies or visuals so everyone could understand.”

18. Some of the reports we create require advanced knowledge of statistics, how confident are you in your ability to create those types of reports?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your confidence level in performing a task that requires advanced knowledge of statistics. This can be an important skill for the role, so it’s important to show you have the ability and willingness to learn new skills if necessary.

Example: “I’ve taken several classes on statistics throughout my college career, so I feel confident in my ability to create reports with complex statistical analysis. However, I am always open to learning new things, so I would welcome any additional training or resources you could provide me with.”

19. Have you ever been involved in a project where the timeline changed without warning? How did you manage the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to change and manage your time. Use examples from previous roles or experiences to highlight your ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and communicate with others when a project’s timeline changes.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist for a large corporation, I was working on a project that required me to update all of the company’s computers to Windows 10 by the end of the year. The deadline changed twice before we were able to complete the project, which meant I had to work overtime to ensure everything was completed in time. I communicated with my team members about the new deadlines so they could plan their own schedules accordingly.”

20. In order to provide accurate analysis, it’s important that all data is up to date. How would you ensure the data is current?

This question is an opportunity to show your attention to detail and ability to work with data. Your answer should include a specific example of how you would ensure the data was up-to-date in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position, I worked as a research assistant for a professor at a local university. My primary responsibility was to update all data on our database so that it was current and accurate. This included updating patient information, medical records and test results. It’s important to keep this information updated because it can help researchers make more informed decisions about their studies.”