NERA Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 237 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Which role are you interviewing for?
14 roles · 237 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at NERA.
NERA
Research Associate
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
There were two interviews. The first was a screening interview, a one-on-one with an analyst, where they asked a lot about my previous work and schooling, and why I'm passionate about the work. The second part was a 'super day' which lasted 1.5 hours and had three interviews with two team members in each. All the questions focused on past data and econometric projects. They really want to see that you know your projects, the methods you used, and the underlying theory. They're looking for intellectual curiosity and want you to be yourself.
Confirmed questions8 questions
- Can you describe a project you worked on with data, including the challenges you encountered?
- Tell me about your previous work experience and your academic background.
- What makes you passionate about this area of work?
NERA
Intern
Intern Difficult Positive experience Accept offer 6 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Take home Technical screen Onsite Panel Presentation
Interview formats
Technical Case Behavioral Presentation
The interview process started with an economics MCQ test. This was followed by an online interview that included HR and consultants, and an essay. The final stage was an in-person interview at the office. Besides behavioral questions, there were case studies that tested basic microeconomics, econometrics, and regulatory knowledge. To get ready for this, it's good to review supply curve derivation and industrial organization related to regulation (like pricing strategies, different types of regulation, and their drawbacks), and some metrics (e.g., how to determine if a regression is well-specified). Overall, the interview was a good experience, and the consultants seemed keen for me to find the correct answers.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you explain the reasons for needing cross-border electricity transmission?
NERA
Research Officer
Mid Average Neutral experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Technical screen Background check
Interview formats
Case Behavioral
So Near's interview was two rounds total. The first one was a business case interview, which was meant to see if I could think analytically, solve problems, and communicate well. I had to look at some data, figure out how to tackle a strategic problem, and then explain my ideas clearly. The second round was more about behavioral and fit questions. They wanted to know about my past experiences, why I wanted this job, and if I'd fit in with Near's culture. This round also checked my soft skills, like working with others, being flexible, and talking to different people.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- What motivates you to apply for this position?
- Tell me about a past experience that showcases your relevant skills.
- Describe how you would approach a business case, including data interpretation, problem structuring, and recommendation presentation.
NERA
Research Assistant
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Panel Presentation
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral Presentation
The interview process was pretty straightforward. The first round was with an RA, and the second and final round had about five people interviewing me, ranging from RAs to economists. If you're doing research with an economist in undergrad, make sure you have an 'elevator pitch' ready about the project's background and know the technical details. Each interviewer asked about a different part of my resume, like my role as club president, my research, majors, and courses. I think for econ consulting interviews, it's important to have an economic concept (like Pareto efficiency) that you can explain if they ask about something related to your coursework. The interviewers were really nice and seemed genuinely interested in my background.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- Can you describe the research project you've worked on and the technical skills you utilized?
- Could you elaborate on your background and the experience you have?
- Would you be able to explain an economic concept, such as Pareto efficiency, in the context of your coursework?
NERA Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from NERA interview reports.
“What would be the effects if the NYC government decided to limit building heights in Manhattan?”
Read reports →“What are the main dangers of a system like the EU ETS which only covers part of the trade network of most countries?”
Read reports →“How would you calculate a company's WACC using CAPM and leverage to find the discount factor?”
Read reports →“Can you perform a regression analysis on the amount of fat a person eats and the...”
Read reports →“What's the reasoning for excluding the lowest 1% and highest 1% of your data?”
Read report →“Could you explain what a regression coefficient means, as if you were talking to someone completely new to economics?”
Read report →“Next, you'll need to develop a microeconomics case study concerning the pricing of taxi licenses, which are initially given out for free in a city. Additionally, what actions would you take if you were the mayor of that city?”
Read report →“What challenges might a company encounter when exploring the establishment of a new market in a foreign country?”
Read report →“Can you explain the concept behind removing the bottom 1% and top 99% of the data?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 237 NERA interview reports.