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Google Data Analyst Interview Guide

Interview Guide Nov 25

Detailed, specific guidance on the Google Data Analyst interview process - with a breakdown of different stages and interview questions asked at each stage

The role of a Google Data Analyst

Google is a major technology company with a wide and firm foothold in the information technology space. All decision making at Google is data-driven. So, collecting and making sense of vast data sets is of core value to the company. This is where data analysts come in handy for Google.

The role of data analysts is to gather and carefully analyze information. They use various data analysis tools to derive meaningful and actionable results from raw data. Such insights can help their employers or clients make important decisions by identifying various facts and trends.

Data Analyst Average Salary at Google:

  • Entry-level salary: USD 102,000 
  • Senior positions: USD 280,000 
  • Median salary: USD 155,000 with base component being USD 100,000, stock component being USD 40,000 and bonus being USD 15,000

Roles and Responsibilities of a Google Data Analyst

Data analysts at Google are expected to go beyond understanding the quantitative aspect of data analysis. They have to measure how these insights can impact Google's business prospects. Data analysts at Google will collaborate with business and marketing teams to understand and report the performance of Google’s products and services. They will also work closely with engineering teams to come up with useful quantitative business models and share relevant business insights with Google's higher management.

Google data analysts are given specific roles based on the teams they are assigned to.

What are the Data Analyst Teams at Google?

  • Google Cloud: Data analysts on this team have to use Google's big data to measure business growth against pre-set benchmarks. They are also tasked with providing the sales teams with scalable insights from this data.
  • People Analytics: The primary task for data analysts here is ensuring data governance with an aim to maintain data integrity between different databases. 
  • Trust and Safety: The role entails performing data analyses to derive insights that help to identify and fight abuse across Google's search products. Additionally, data analysts on this team may be asked to conduct investigations, enforce Google's product policies, and identify product vulnerabilities.
  • Sales Analytics team: Data analysts who are part of this team have to derive analytical output that translates into actionable insights which can be used to drive business sales and growth for Google.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications of a Google Data Analyst?

  • Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Behavioral Economics, similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Experience with SQL and Python.
  • Experience applying statistics and machine learning to business problems, building datasets, designing/measuring metrics, and data visualization.
  • Expertise in decision science and creating engaging data visualizations that drive decision-making.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and navigate through ambiguity.
  • Ability to manage and coordinate multiple project assignments simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment, accepting ownership and accountability of the process and delivering on commitments.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work with a wide variety of departments.

Google Data Analyst Interview Guide

The Google Data Analyst interview process is in the typical 2-interview format. The interview process starts with an initial telephonic interview, called the initial screen, with a company HR or a hiring manager. Candidates who clear the initial screen are then called for the onsite round. The onsite round comprises three 1:1 interviews, with a short lunch break in between

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Google DA - Initial Screen

Overview

This is the preliminary interview, largely similar to the initial screen conducted at other tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft etc. The initial screen round lasts for about 30 minutes. Here, the recruiter asks some basic questions regarding your CV, your motivation for the role and company, and assesses your experiential and cultural fit for the company. In the course of the interview, the interviewer will also tell you about Google, its culture, the team you are applying for, and share information as to what the scope of the current job would be.

Interview Questions

Most commonly asked questions in the Google DA initial screen

  • Why do you want to pursue a career as a Data Analyst?
  • Why do you want to join Google?
  • Where do you see yourself ten years down the line?
  • What aspects of Google's work culture appeal to you the most?

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Google DA - Onsite Round

Overview

The onsite interview is the final stage of the Google data analyst interview process. It consists of 3-4 one on one interviews, each around 45 minutes long. These interviews would be conducted by a hiring manager, team manager, and developer (to determine your SQL and data analytics skills). There is a one-hour lunch break in between the interviews. Candidates can use this time to interact with a current Google data analyst to better understand the role and company culture.

Broadly speaking, three major areas are covered in the onsite round. These are:

  • SQL, Excel, and Statistics
  • Product Sense 
  • Behavioural aspects.

Tips

  • Revise your SQL concepts well as it's a core focus area.
  • Be familiar with Google's products as questions in the product sense section will revolve around these.
  • Let the interviewer know your approach to the problem and not just the solution.
  • Do not hesitate to ask clarifying questions to the interviewer.
  • Keep an answer ready for the cliched "Why Google?" question by the company HR.

Interview Questions

Most asked interview questions in the Onsite round

SQL, Excel, and Statistics

This forms the technical part of the interview. Questions will cover theoretical as well as practical aspects of SQL, Excel, and Statistics.

  • How would you represent a Bayesian Network in the form of Markov Random Fields (MRF)?
  • What are the different methods of hypothesis testing?
  • How would you explain confidence intervals to a layman?
  • Can you tell me how Index and Match Function works in Excel?
  • How can we filter or subset data in SQL?
  • Explain time series analysis.

Product Sense

Most questions are going to be based on defining key success metrics in the evaluation of various products of Google. There may also be one or two situational questions.

  • Suppose you are the owner of a flower shop that sells flowers online. How would you measure customer check out rates? 
  • Tell us the name of a Google product you use. Mention 3 ways to improve it further.
  • Considering the Google Plus platform, what metrics would you use to decide which notifications were a good idea to send or not?

Behavioural Aspects

The behavioural interview will be a test of the behavioural aspects of your personality. There may be some questions related to motivation for the job, and some situational questions to test your leadership skills

  • What is the toughest decision you faced and how did you overcome it?
  • Tell us about a time when you disagreed with the entire team and why?
  • How did you manage when a project deadline was missed?

To sum it up, focus on preparing your CV well for the initial screen. The onsite interview is the real challenge. Brush up on your statistics, SQL and Excel concepts. Be honest in your replies in the behavioural section of the interview. With these things in mind, we are sure you will crack the Google Data Analyst interview.

Thanks for reading!

All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions