Cornerstone Research Data Scientist Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Cornerstone Research provides expert economic and financial consulting for high-stakes legal matters, focusing on data-driven analysis and testimony. The firm is known for tackling complex economic issues in litigation and regulatory proceedings with precision and reliability.

As a Data Scientist, you’ll analyze large datasets, build predictive models, and optimize data workflows. Key skills include statistical analysis, data manipulation, and proficiency with Python, R, and SQL. You’ll collaborate with consultants to deliver clear, actionable insights that shape the outcomes of high-profile legal cases.

By engaging with this guide, you will understand the nuances of the interview process, get tips on how to answer commonly asked Cornerstone Research data scientist interview questions, gain insights from past candidates, and learn how to showcase your skills effectively. This resource aims to increase your chances of securing the role and thriving in this prestigious consulting firm.

The interview process usually depends on the role and seniority; however, you can expect the following on a Cornerstone Research data scientist interview:

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is shortlisted, a recruiter from the Cornerstone Talent Acquisition Team will contact you to verify key details such as your experiences and skill levels. This preliminary call will often touch on your motivation for joining Cornerstone and your understanding of economic consulting versus other types of consulting.

Behavioral questions, although fewer in the initial stages, may be asked to gauge your fit within Cornerstone’s collaborative team environment. This call typically lasts around 30 minutes.

Virtual Interview Rounds

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will lead to virtual interview rounds. These interviews consist of brief case studies and personality interviews conducted via video conference. The main objective here is to assess your basic economic background, so make sure to brush up on topics like microeconomics (especially elasticities).

In this round, interviewers will evaluate your analytical and communication skills through qualitative case questions. These virtual interview rounds generally involve two back-to-back case studies lasting around one hour in total. The process is fairly quick, usually taking less than a week for feedback.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Following a successful virtual interview, you will be invited to attend onsite interview rounds at Cornerstone. These final rounds are spread over a day and involve multiple interviews, each roughly 30 minutes in length. Interviewers will be friendly and willing to help you along the way.

The onsite interview involves a mix of case studies and personal interviews, with a significant emphasis on behavioral questions to evaluate your fit for the role. You may be asked to discuss economic research you have conducted and explain why you are interested in economic consulting.

Typically, interviews at Cornerstone Research vary by role and team, but common data scientist interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics:

1. What are the logistic and softmax functions, and how do they differ?

Explain the logistic and softmax functions, highlighting their differences. Describe why they are useful in logistic regression.

To prepare for statistics and probability interview questions, consider using the A/B testing and statistics learning path and the comprehensive probability learning path. These resources cover essential concepts and advanced topics.

2. What are the key differences between classification models and regression models?

Explain the main distinctions between classification and regression models, focusing on their objectives, output types, and typical use cases.

3. What’s the relationship between PCA and K-means clustering?

Describe how Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering can be used together, including how PCA can be applied to reduce dimensionality before performing K-means clustering.

To get ready for machine learning interview questions, we recommend taking the machine learning course.

Here are some tips on how you can ace your Cornerstone Research data scientist interview:

1. Brush Up on Microeconomics: Make sure to review basic economic principles, with a specific focus on elasticities. Having a strong grasp of these basics will make you more confident during case studies.

2. Prepare for Behavioral Questions: While the initial rounds may not focus heavily on behavioral questions, the final onsite rounds do. Reflect on your past experiences and prepare to discuss why you are interested in economic consulting, and Cornerstone Research specifically.

3. Practice Case Studies: The interviews heavily focus on case studies that test your analytical and communication skills. Practice case interviews beforehand to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you may encounter.

What is the average salary for a Data Scientist at Cornerstone Research?

According to Glassdoor, data scientists at Cornerstone Research earn between $167K to $232K per year, with an average of $196K per year.

Where can we search for job postings at Cornerstone Research?

At Interview Query, we have compiled the job openings available at Cornerstone Research:

Cornerstone Research offers a dynamic career opportunity for data scientists eager to tackle complex economic challenges in high-stakes legal cases. With responsibilities ranging from building predictive models to delivering data-driven insights, this role is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in a prestigious consulting firm.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main Cornerstone Research Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as business analyst and data analyst, where you can learn more about Cornerstone Research’s interview process for different positions.

You can check out all our company interview guides for better preparation, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Good luck with your interview!