What do you do if you want to showcase your data analysis skills in an operational planning interview?

2 Practice with real data

One of the best ways to prepare for a data analysis interview is to practice with real data sets that are relevant to the operational planning field. You can find some examples of operational data sets online, such as sales, inventory, production, logistics, customer service, etc. Alternatively, you can use your own data from previous projects or work experience. Try to analyze the data using different methods and techniques, such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression, clustering, forecasting, optimization, etc. Create clear and compelling data visualizations that highlight the key insights and findings from your analysis.

3 Explain your process

During the interview, you will likely be asked to perform some data analysis tasks or present some data analysis projects that you have done before. In either case, you need to explain your process clearly and logically, from how you collect and clean the data, to how you choose and apply the appropriate methods and techniques, to how you interpret and communicate the results. You should also be able to justify your choices and assumptions, and acknowledge any limitations or challenges that you faced in your analysis. Show your interviewer that you have a systematic and rigorous approach to data analysis, and that you can use data to support operational planning and decision making.

4 Ask relevant questions

Another way to showcase your data analysis skills in an operational planning interview is to ask relevant and insightful questions about the data and the business context. For example, you can ask about the data source, the data quality, the data scope, the business objectives, the key performance indicators, the operational challenges, the best practices, the competitors, etc. Asking questions shows your interviewer that you are curious and interested in the data and the operational planning field, and that you can think critically and creatively about how to use data to solve operational problems and create value.

5 Learn from feedback

Finally, you should be open to feedback and willing to learn from your mistakes and improve your data analysis skills. During the interview, listen carefully to what your interviewer says and asks, and respond accordingly. If you make a mistake or encounter a difficulty, admit it and try to correct it or ask for help. If you receive a suggestion or a critique, thank your interviewer and show how you can incorporate it into your analysis. Show your interviewer that you have a growth mindset and that you are eager to learn and grow as a data analyst and an operational planner.

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?