Aon Data Scientist Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Aon is a leading global professional services firm providing a broad array of risk, retirement, and health solutions.

As a Data Scientist at Aon, you will play a crucial role in leveraging data analytics to drive strategic decisions and improve client outcomes. You will be responsible for developing predictive models, conducting exploratory data analysis, and implementing machine learning algorithms to extract insights from complex datasets. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand business needs, translating data findings into actionable recommendations, and effectively communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with data manipulation and visualization tools. A successful Data Scientist at Aon will demonstrate a passion for data-driven decision-making, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to influence and advocate for data initiatives within the organization.

This guide is designed to prepare you for the interview process by providing insights into the role's expectations and common interview themes, enabling you to effectively showcase your skills and experiences.

The interview process for a Data Scientist role at Aon is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening conducted by a recruiter. This is usually a brief phone call where the recruiter will discuss your resume, professional background, and motivations for applying to Aon. They will also gauge your understanding of the role and the company culture, ensuring that you align with Aon's values and expectations.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates are invited to participate in a technical interview, which is often conducted via video conferencing. During this session, you will engage with a hiring manager or a senior data scientist. The focus will be on your previous experiences, particularly in areas such as feature extraction, model building, and data analysis. Expect to discuss specific projects you've worked on and the methodologies you employed, as well as how you communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

3. Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process typically involves a more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager and possibly other team members. This interview may cover behavioral questions aimed at understanding your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and how you envision contributing to the team and the organization in the long term. Candidates may also be asked about their career aspirations and how they see themselves growing within Aon.

Throughout the process, it is essential to demonstrate not only your technical expertise but also your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively within a team environment.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Role and Its Impact

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand the role of a Data Scientist at Aon. Familiarize yourself with how data science contributes to the company's objectives, particularly in risk management and analytics. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experiences align with these goals and how you can add value to the team. This understanding will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Aon places a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication skills. Expect behavioral questions that assess how you work with others, handle conflict, and contribute to a collaborative environment. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you provide clear examples from your past experiences. Highlight instances where you successfully communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

While the interview may not include a formal case study, be prepared to discuss your technical expertise in areas such as feature extraction, model building, and data analysis. Review your past projects and be ready to explain your methodologies and the impact of your work. Familiarize yourself with the tools and technologies commonly used in the industry, as well as any specific ones mentioned in the job description.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Given the feedback from previous candidates about communication challenges, it’s essential to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Practice explaining your technical work in simple terms, as if you were speaking to someone without a technical background. This will not only help you avoid misunderstandings but also showcase your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical team members.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Vision

During the interview, you may be asked about your long-term career goals and how you see yourself contributing to Aon in the future. Reflect on where you want to be in five years and how this role aligns with your career aspirations. Be prepared to discuss how you can help elevate the data science department within the company, as this aligns with the expectations of the hiring manager.

Stay Professional and Courteous

Lastly, maintain a professional demeanor throughout the interview process. Even if you encounter challenging situations or feedback, respond with grace and professionalism. This will leave a positive impression and demonstrate your ability to handle difficult conversations, which is a valuable trait in any team environment.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Scientist role at Aon. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Scientist interview at Aon. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you can communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences, methodologies, and how you can contribute to the team and the organization.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you had to extract features for model building?

Aon values practical experience in data science, particularly in feature extraction, which is crucial for building effective models.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific project where you identified and extracted relevant features from raw data. Highlight the techniques you used and the impact of your work on the project's success.

Example

“In a recent project, I worked with a dataset containing customer transaction records. I performed feature extraction by analyzing transaction patterns and customer demographics, which helped in building a predictive model for customer churn. This model improved our retention strategy by 20%.”

2. How do you ensure your models are interpretable to non-technical stakeholders?

Communication is key at Aon, and they want to know how you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical team members.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to simplifying complex concepts and using visualizations or analogies to make your findings accessible to a broader audience.

Example

“I focus on using clear visualizations and straightforward language when presenting my models. For instance, I once used a simple graph to illustrate how different features influenced customer behavior, which helped the marketing team understand the model's insights without getting lost in technical jargon.”

Technical Skills

3. What statistical methods do you commonly use in your data analysis?

Aon seeks candidates with a strong foundation in statistics, so be prepared to discuss the methods you are familiar with.

How to Answer

Mention specific statistical techniques you have applied in your work, and provide examples of how they contributed to your analysis.

Example

“I frequently use regression analysis and hypothesis testing in my projects. For example, I applied logistic regression to predict the likelihood of loan defaults, which allowed us to adjust our lending criteria effectively.”

4. Describe a time when you had to clean and preprocess a messy dataset. What steps did you take?

Data cleaning is a critical part of a data scientist's role, and Aon will want to see your problem-solving skills in this area.

How to Answer

Outline the specific challenges you faced with the dataset and the systematic approach you took to clean and prepare the data for analysis.

Example

“I encountered a dataset with numerous missing values and outliers. I first conducted exploratory data analysis to understand the extent of the issues, then used imputation techniques for missing values and applied z-score analysis to identify and remove outliers, ensuring the dataset was robust for modeling.”

Team Dynamics and Culture Fit

5. Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this role fit into your career goals?

Aon is interested in candidates who have a clear vision for their future and how they can grow within the company.

How to Answer

Share your career aspirations and how the role aligns with your long-term goals, emphasizing your desire for growth and contribution to the team.

Example

“In five years, I see myself in a leadership position within data science, driving strategic initiatives. This role at Aon is a perfect stepping stone, as it allows me to deepen my technical skills while also engaging with cross-functional teams to influence business decisions.”

6. What unique qualities do you bring to a team?

Aon values collaboration and wants to understand how you can enhance team dynamics.

How to Answer

Reflect on your personal strengths and how they contribute to a positive team environment, providing examples of past teamwork experiences.

Example

“I bring a collaborative spirit and a knack for fostering open communication. In my last role, I initiated regular brainstorming sessions that encouraged team members to share ideas, which led to innovative solutions and a more cohesive team atmosphere.”