Business analyst questions you’re likely to get asked at interview
Business analyst questions you’re likely to get asked at interview
Applying for a role as a business analyst means being prepared for all the questions you might be asked at an interview. Thinking about these in advance and ensuring you have answers and examples to hand will put you in a good position to secure your next career move.
How to prepare for a business analyst interview
When contemplating questions for your business analyst interview don’t just think about what the panel wants to hear. Consider the wider context of your answer, brush up on your knowledge of the industry and the use cases for the methodology you select.
Gather the requirements and always refer back to the business analyst job description, with specific examples of how you’ve approached such situations in the past. This will help to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the role and ready to move into a more senior position.
Top business analyst interview questions
While the wording will likely vary, there are some common interview questions for business analysts you should be prepared to answer. Link these back to the business goals and acceptance criteria to impress the panel.
1. How do you see the role of business analyst?
In answering this question, it’s important not to just describe the role you’ve done in the past, but to make reference to the tasks and responsibilities the company is expecting the new business analyst to undertake. The position can vary from organisation to organisation, so focus on what they’re looking for.
2. How do you approach projects?
Project methodology is a key element of business analysis and while the new company will want you to fit in with the existing team, they’ll also be looking for a fresh approach. This is your opportunity to describe your workflow, explain why it’s successful and demonstrate how you take an assignment from concept to completion.
3. Which tools do you have experience using?
This is one of the technical business analyst interview questions you can expect to be asked, as it helps a panel understand how job-ready you are. They’ll expect you to be well-versed in the likes of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, but having experience with Microsoft Access, SQL, Tableau, Qlik Sense or PowerBI will help to set you out from the crowd.
4. How familiar are you with SQL?
A typical business analyst follow-up question is likely to be about your familiarity with SQL. Most roles will require at least a basic knowledge of the programming language, while more senior positions may require an advanced level of SQL. Be realistic about this technical skill to avoid problems later on.
5. How do you manage difficult stakeholders?
Getting stakeholders to understand the importance of change to improve processes can be tricky, but it’s a crucial business analyst skill. The best way to tackle this question is to use a clear example from the past. Set it out in stages including the challenge, your approach and the solution.