The Information Lab Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process started with a Tableau Dashboard submission. Then there was a video call round with the recruiter/HR. This was followed by an onsite interview which included a presentation of the dashboard I submitted. I was asked to critique a dashboard they showed me and then they gave feedback on my work. After the presentation round, I had a final round with two other interviewers. Overall, it was a great experience as a candidate because the interviewers were very nice and friendly.

First, you gotta apply by building a Tableau Public viz. To nail this, find a cool dataset, tell a story with it, and use the five W's (What, Where, Who, Why, When) to structure your dashboard. Pay attention to things like colors, structure, and chart clarity. Check out their YouTube channel or Andy Kreibel for tips on making a great dashboard and follow viz principles. After submitting, they'll give you feedback, so use it! Revise your dashboard based on their notes, even if it's not perfect. They'll then check if the second version is good enough. If you pass, you'll have a quick chat with a coach. Just talk about your dashboard, your insights, and the story you told. Also, be ready for consulting questions, like how you'd handle bad feedback or what makes a good consultant. The final stage involves a tough dataset with tons of info. You'll need to spend time cleaning it up to find insights. Your dashboard doesn't need to be fancy, just show your analytical skills. Stick to viz principles and the 5 W's, and you'll be fine.

The interview process is pretty different and a nice change from the usual. You don't need a resume, but it could be handy. It's less about showing off your technical chops and more about seeing how you take feedback. First, you make a Tableau visualization using any dataset you like, send it in, and then get some feedback. The first interview involves presenting a revised version of that viz. Then, you're given a new dataset to create a final viz, which you present in the final interview (mine was in person). I applied super late, just a few days before the deadline, but they still gave me a lot of help and feedback on my first viz. I had zero Tableau experience and spent about 14 hours a day on my viz, resulting in a pretty messy first version, but my first interview went well. The feedback was really helpful, and my final viz was better, though not perfect. It seems the main reason I was hired was my strong analytical and soft skills, and my ability to take all the advice given. The Data School is all about training you technically, after all. That said, you should definitely try to learn as much as you can about Tableau during the process, but don't let it be a reason not to apply. If you think you're analytical and insightful, you should seriously consider applying and be ready to learn Tableau from scratch. I've seen reviews suggesting you need good Tableau skills to apply. While it helps, I'd argue that your analytical skills and how you show you're willing to learn and take advice are way more important than a killer Tableau viz. Highlight the importance and impact of every data point and what they mean. You'll learn the design and technical stuff after you're hired.

So I started learning Tableau in early April, and got my first draft in mid to late May. Then I had a 1-1 Zoom call in early June, about a week before the final deadline, where we discussed my application viz and they asked some general screening questions. The final interview was late June, and I got an offer by the end of that week. They mentioned I applied for the October cohort, but offered me a later one. The final interview was on Zoom because of COVID-19, with 4 people on the panel, and it lasted 30 mins. It was split into a strict 5-minute presentation and then a 20-minute formal/culture fit interview. After that, I had about 5-10 minutes to ask them questions. You should really get feedback on your viz, both drafts, and make sure you use it. Pick a dataset you actually like for your first viz. Definitely check out their example vizs on their website, they're the standard. Don't underestimate it, other candidates are really good, so you need to put in a lot of hours. Joining #MakeoverMonday, Thursday Training at Three, and the virtual Meet and Greets is a good idea to improve your skills and get noticed. Also, make sure you know the company culture and research them, like reading their blog posts. One post mentioned they reject a lot of applications sent on the final deadline day!