Expedia, Inc. Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Expedia, Inc. is a global travel technology company that powers travel for everyone, everywhere through its extensive platform, helping people experience the world in new ways.

As a Data Analyst at Expedia, you will play a crucial role in harnessing travel data to drive insights that support strategic business decisions. Your key responsibilities will include performing statistical analyses to assess the impact of campaigns, creating insightful dashboards to visualize partner performance, and providing data-driven recommendations that enhance revenue growth and site performance. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills with a firm grasp of SQL, experience in data visualization, and a solid understanding of commercial environments. You should be able to communicate complex analyses in a clear manner to stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds, reflecting Expedia's commitment to collaboration and innovation.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations for the Data Analyst role at Expedia, along with the types of questions you may encounter, ensuring you present yourself as a well-qualified candidate ready to contribute to the company's mission.

The interview process for a Data Analyst role at Expedia is structured to assess both technical and behavioral competencies, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the travel industry. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step is an initial screening, often conducted by a recruiter. This may take the form of a phone call where the recruiter discusses your resume, experiences, and motivations for applying to Expedia. They will also gauge your fit for the company culture and the specific role.

2. Online Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates are usually required to complete an online assessment (OA). This assessment typically consists of two parts: a digital interview where candidates record video responses to behavioral questions, and a technical section that tests your knowledge of statistics and SQL through timed problems. This stage is crucial for evaluating your analytical skills and ability to communicate effectively.

3. Technical Interview

Candidates who pass the online assessment will move on to a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This interview focuses on your SQL skills, statistical knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. Expect to answer questions that require you to demonstrate your understanding of data analysis concepts, such as A/B testing and data cleaning techniques.

4. Behavioral Interview

In addition to technical skills, Expedia places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and interpersonal skills. The behavioral interview will explore your past experiences, motivations, and how you handle various workplace scenarios. Be prepared to discuss your resume in detail and provide examples of how you've approached challenges in previous roles.

5. Onsite Interview (or Final Round)

The final stage often involves an onsite interview or a comprehensive virtual interview. This may include multiple rounds with different team members, covering a range of topics from technical questions to business case discussions. You may be asked to present your analytical findings or work through real-life scenarios relevant to the role. This stage is designed to assess your ability to collaborate with stakeholders and communicate complex data insights effectively.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, focusing on both your technical expertise and your ability to articulate your thought process clearly.

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

Understand the Interview Process

The interview process at Expedia can be lengthy and may include multiple stages such as online assessments, video interviews, and technical evaluations. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the interview, including the types of questions you may encounter, such as SQL queries, statistics, and behavioral questions. Being prepared for a variety of formats will help you feel more confident and ready to tackle each stage.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Data Analyst, strong SQL skills are essential. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to write SQL queries from scratch and explain your thought process clearly. Practice common SQL problems, including joins, aggregations, and subqueries. Additionally, brush up on your knowledge of statistics and data visualization tools like Tableau, as these are crucial for the role. Highlight any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your technical expertise.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect to answer behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you work with stakeholders. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, providing clear examples of how you've handled challenges in the past. Emphasize your communication skills and ability to present complex data in an understandable way, as this is vital for collaborating with diverse teams.

Research the Company Culture

Expedia values a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Familiarize yourself with the company's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Show enthusiasm for the travel industry and express your understanding of how data analytics can drive business growth in this sector. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the role.

Be Ready for Situational Questions

You may encounter situational questions that assess your analytical thinking and decision-making skills. Prepare to discuss how you would approach specific scenarios related to data analysis, such as evaluating the impact of a new marketing campaign or identifying revenue risks. Think critically about how you would use data to inform your decisions and support your answers with examples from your past experiences.

Communicate Your Passion for Data

Express your enthusiasm for data analytics and how it can influence business outcomes. Share your experiences with data cleaning, analysis, and visualization, and discuss any tools or methodologies you prefer. This will help convey your commitment to the field and your readiness to contribute to Expedia's analytics team.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After the interview, consider sending a thoughtful follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. Mention specific points from the interview that resonated with you, and reinforce how your skills and experiences align with the needs of the team. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate for the Data Analyst role at Expedia. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Analyst interview at Expedia, Inc. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, analytical thinking, and ability to communicate complex data insights effectively. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of SQL, statistics, and data visualization, as well as your understanding of the travel industry and commercial analytics.

Technical Skills

1. What is the difference between OLAP and OLTP?

Understanding the distinction between these two database systems is crucial for a data analyst role, especially in a data-intensive environment like Expedia.

How to Answer

Explain the primary functions of OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) and OLTP (Online Transaction Processing), emphasizing their use cases in data analysis and transaction management.

Example

“OLAP is designed for complex queries and data analysis, allowing users to perform multidimensional analysis of business data. In contrast, OLTP is optimized for managing transaction-oriented applications, focusing on speed and efficiency for daily operations.”

2. Can you explain what A/B testing is and how you would implement it?

A/B testing is a fundamental concept in data analysis, particularly in evaluating the effectiveness of different strategies.

How to Answer

Discuss the process of setting up an A/B test, including defining the hypothesis, selecting a sample, and measuring outcomes.

Example

“A/B testing involves comparing two versions of a webpage or product to determine which performs better. I would start by defining a clear hypothesis, segmenting users randomly into two groups, and then analyzing the results based on key performance indicators to draw conclusions.”

3. Describe your experience with SQL. Can you write a query to join two tables?

SQL proficiency is essential for data analysts, and being able to demonstrate your skills in writing queries is critical.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of your SQL experience and then walk through a simple example of a join operation.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, including writing complex queries. For instance, to join a ‘customers’ table with an ‘orders’ table, I would use an INNER JOIN to retrieve customer details alongside their order history.”

4. What is your experience with data visualization tools? Which do you prefer and why?

Data visualization is key in presenting insights effectively, and familiarity with tools like Tableau or Power BI is often required.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with specific tools, highlighting any projects where you used them to convey data insights.

Example

“I have worked extensively with Tableau to create interactive dashboards that visualize key metrics. I prefer Tableau for its user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities to handle large datasets, which allows stakeholders to easily interpret the data.”

5. How do you approach data cleaning and preparation?

Data cleaning is a critical step in the data analysis process, and interviewers will want to know your methodology.

How to Answer

Outline your typical process for data cleaning, including identifying and handling missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies.

Example

“My approach to data cleaning involves first assessing the dataset for missing values and outliers. I then apply techniques such as imputation for missing data and normalization for outliers to ensure the dataset is accurate and ready for analysis.”

Analytical Thinking

1. How do you measure the success of a data-driven initiative?

Understanding how to evaluate the impact of your work is essential for a data analyst.

How to Answer

Discuss the metrics you would use to assess success and how you would gather and analyze data to support your conclusions.

Example

“I measure the success of a data-driven initiative by establishing clear KPIs beforehand, such as conversion rates or revenue growth. After implementation, I analyze the data to compare these metrics against baseline figures to determine the initiative's effectiveness.”

2. Can you provide an example of a time you used data to influence a business decision?

This question assesses your ability to apply data insights in a practical context.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where your analysis led to a significant business outcome, detailing the data used and the decision made.

Example

“In my previous role, I analyzed customer feedback data and identified a trend indicating dissatisfaction with a specific feature. I presented my findings to the product team, which led to a redesign that improved user satisfaction scores by 20%.”

3. What statistical methods do you find most useful in your analysis?

A solid understanding of statistics is vital for interpreting data accurately.

How to Answer

Mention specific statistical methods you frequently use and explain their relevance to your work.

Example

“I often use regression analysis to identify relationships between variables and hypothesis testing to validate assumptions. These methods help me draw meaningful conclusions from data and support strategic recommendations.”

4. How do you prioritize multiple requests from different stakeholders?

Managing competing priorities is a common challenge in data analysis roles.

How to Answer

Describe your approach to prioritization, including how you assess the urgency and impact of each request.

Example

“I prioritize requests by evaluating their alignment with business goals and the potential impact on revenue. I also communicate with stakeholders to understand their needs better and manage expectations regarding timelines.”

5. How is data analytics incorporated at Expedia?

Understanding the role of data analytics within the company can demonstrate your interest and knowledge about the organization.

How to Answer

Discuss how data analytics can drive decision-making and improve customer experiences in the travel industry.

Example

“Data analytics at Expedia is crucial for optimizing pricing strategies, enhancing customer experiences, and driving marketing campaigns. By analyzing travel trends and customer behavior, the company can tailor its offerings to meet market demands effectively.”