What do you do if your problem-solving abilities are tested in a GIS interview?

1 Know the basics

Before you go to any GIS interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the fundamental concepts and terminology of GIS. You should be able to explain what GIS is, what are its main components and functions, what are the differences between vector and raster data, what are the common spatial data formats and sources, and what are the basic spatial analysis techniques and operations. You should also be familiar with the software and platforms that you have used or learned in your GIS projects, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth, or Python. Review your resume and portfolio and be ready to demonstrate your GIS skills and experience with specific examples.

2 Understand the problem

When you are presented with a GIS problem-solving question in an interview, the first thing you should do is to understand the problem clearly. Ask clarifying questions to the interviewer, such as what is the goal of the analysis, what are the assumptions and constraints, what are the data sources and availability, and what are the expected outputs and formats. Try to restate the problem in your own words and confirm that you have understood it correctly. This will show that you are attentive, curious, and analytical, and that you can communicate effectively.

3 Break it down

Once you have understood the problem, the next step is to break it down into smaller and manageable steps. You can use a pen and paper, a whiteboard, or a computer to sketch out your plan and explain your logic. You should identify the main tasks and subtasks that you need to perform, such as data acquisition, data cleaning, data processing, data analysis, data visualization, and data presentation. You should also mention what tools and methods you would use for each step, such as software, algorithms, models, functions, or libraries. You should also consider the potential challenges and risks that you might encounter, such as data quality issues, technical errors, or ethical dilemmas, and how you would address them.

4 Execute the solution

After you have outlined your plan, the next step is to execute the solution. Depending on the type and complexity of the problem, you might be asked to perform some actual GIS operations on a computer, or to describe how you would do them verbally. If you are working on a computer, you should demonstrate your proficiency and confidence in using the software or platform of your choice, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth, or Python. You should follow the steps that you have defined earlier and explain what you are doing and why. You should also check your results for accuracy and validity, and make adjustments if necessary.

5 Present the results

The final step is to present the results of your analysis. You should be able to summarize your findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate visualizations, such as maps, charts, graphs, or tables. You should also be able to explain how your results answer the original question or support the decision-making process. You should also acknowledge the limitations and assumptions of your analysis, and suggest possible improvements or extensions. You should also be prepared to answer any follow-up questions from the interviewer, such as how you would validate your results, how you would handle different scenarios, or how you would measure the impact of your solution.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?