Relativity Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Relativity is a cutting-edge company focused on revolutionizing aerospace technology and additive manufacturing, with the ambitious goal of creating humanity's industrial base on Mars.

The Business Intelligence (BI) role at Relativity is pivotal in shaping data-driven decision-making across the organization. Responsibilities include collaborating with internal business stakeholders such as FP&A and Supply Chain teams to translate reporting requirements into technical specifications. A key part of this role involves developing data models and dashboards that leverage SQL to integrate and analyze data from various sources like ERP, MES, and MRP systems. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in data visualization tools like Tableau or Grafana, ensuring that dashboards are user-friendly and generate actionable insights. Additionally, the role requires meticulous documentation of data models and metrics, as well as training end users for successful adoption of BI products.

A strong candidate for this position will possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field, along with at least two years of hands-on experience in data modeling and visualization. An advanced understanding of Microsoft Office applications and an ability to work well under pressure are also essential. Relativity values individuals who can think creatively and possess a strong analytical mindset, aligning with the company's commitment to innovation and excellence.

This guide will prepare you to excel in your interview for the Business Intelligence role at Relativity by equipping you with a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and expectations for the position. You will be better positioned to showcase your skills and experiences that align with the company's vision and values.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence role at Relativity is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different competencies relevant to the position.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with a 30-minute phone interview with a recruiter. This initial screening focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Relativity. The recruiter will also assess your fit with the company culture and provide an overview of the role and expectations.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates usually participate in a technical interview, which lasts about 45 minutes. This interview is often conducted by a hiring manager or a senior team member. Expect questions that evaluate your SQL skills, data modeling experience, and understanding of data visualization tools. You may be asked to solve problems related to data schemas and demonstrate your ability to translate business requirements into technical specifications.

3. Panel Interview

If you successfully pass the technical interview, you will move on to a panel interview. This stage typically involves multiple interviewers from different departments, such as FP&A and Supply Chain. The panel will assess your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders and your approach to developing data models and dashboards. This session may also include behavioral questions to gauge how you align with Relativity's core values.

4. Final Presentation

In some cases, candidates may be required to present a case study or a project related to data visualization or modeling. This "finalist round" presentation allows you to showcase your analytical skills and your ability to communicate complex data insights effectively. You will present your findings to the director and hiring manager, who will evaluate your presentation skills and depth of knowledge.

5. Follow-Up and Feedback

After the interviews, candidates can expect a follow-up from the recruiter regarding the outcome of their application. While feedback may vary, it is common for candidates to receive a generic response if they are not selected. However, some candidates report receiving constructive feedback, which can be beneficial for future applications.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during the process.

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

Understand the Company and Its Culture

Before your interview, take the time to familiarize yourself with Relativity's mission, values, and recent developments in the aerospace and additive manufacturing sectors. Understanding the company's goals will not only help you align your answers with their vision but also demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of their journey. Pay special attention to how the Accounting team contributes to the overall success of the organization, as this will be crucial in your discussions.

Prepare for a Multi-Round Interview Process

Expect a structured interview process that may include multiple rounds, such as an initial HR screening, technical interviews, and a final presentation or panel interview. Be ready to discuss your experience in data modeling, SQL, and data visualization tools like Tableau or Grafana. Given the emphasis on collaboration with internal stakeholders, prepare to articulate how you have successfully translated business requirements into technical solutions in your previous roles.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Given the role's focus on SQL and data visualization, ensure you are well-versed in writing complex SQL queries and building data models. Practice common SQL functions, joins, and aggregations, as well as how to design dashboards that effectively communicate insights. Familiarize yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, as hands-on experience with Tableau or Grafana will likely be assessed during the interview.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Relativity values cultural fit, so expect behavioral questions that assess your alignment with their core values. Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your contributions and the impact of your work.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During the interview, articulate your thought process clearly, especially when discussing technical concepts. Interviewers will be interested in how you approach problem-solving and your ability to communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining your past projects and the methodologies you used in a way that is accessible to a broader audience.

Follow Up and Seek Feedback

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. If you receive a rejection, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback. While it may not always be provided, showing your willingness to learn and improve can leave a positive impression.

By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your technical expertise and cultural fit, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Business Intelligence role at Relativity. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at Relativity. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills in SQL, data modeling, and visualization, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and understand business requirements.

SQL and Data Modeling

1. Can you explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN in SQL?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data modeling and retrieval.

How to Answer

Explain the basic definitions of INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN, and provide a scenario where each would be used.

Example

"An INNER JOIN returns only the rows where there is a match in both tables, while a LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table. For example, if I have a table of customers and a table of orders, an INNER JOIN would show only customers who have placed orders, whereas a LEFT JOIN would show all customers, including those who haven't placed any orders."

2. How would you design a data model for tracking sales performance?

This question assesses your ability to create effective data models.

How to Answer

Discuss the key entities you would include, such as sales representatives, products, and sales transactions, and how they relate to each other.

Example

"I would create a data model with entities for Sales Representatives, Products, and Sales Transactions. The Sales Transactions table would include foreign keys referencing both the Sales Representatives and Products tables, allowing for easy aggregation of sales performance by representative or product."

3. What are some common data quality issues you have encountered, and how did you resolve them?

This question evaluates your experience with data integrity.

How to Answer

Mention specific data quality issues, such as duplicates or missing values, and the methods you used to address them.

Example

"I often encounter duplicate records in our customer database. To resolve this, I implemented a deduplication process using SQL scripts that identify and merge duplicate entries based on unique identifiers like email addresses."

4. Describe a complex SQL query you wrote and the problem it solved.

This question tests your SQL proficiency and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Provide context for the query, the challenge it addressed, and the outcome.

Example

"I wrote a complex SQL query to analyze customer purchase patterns over the last year. The query involved multiple joins and subqueries to aggregate data by month and product category, which helped the marketing team identify trends and adjust their strategies accordingly."

5. How do you ensure that your SQL queries are optimized for performance?

This question assesses your understanding of SQL performance tuning.

How to Answer

Discuss techniques such as indexing, avoiding unnecessary columns in SELECT statements, and analyzing query execution plans.

Example

"I ensure my SQL queries are optimized by using indexes on frequently queried columns, avoiding SELECT *, and analyzing execution plans to identify bottlenecks. For instance, I once optimized a slow-running report by adding an index to the date column, which significantly improved performance."

Data Visualization

1. What visualization tools have you used, and how do you decide which one to use for a project?

This question evaluates your experience with data visualization tools.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools and the criteria you use to select them based on project requirements.

Example

"I have experience using Tableau and Grafana. I choose Tableau for its advanced visualization capabilities and user-friendly interface when presenting to stakeholders, while I prefer Grafana for real-time monitoring dashboards due to its integration with various data sources."

2. Can you describe a dashboard you created and the insights it provided?

This question assesses your ability to create actionable insights through visualization.

How to Answer

Provide details about the dashboard's purpose, the data it included, and the insights gained.

Example

"I created a sales performance dashboard in Tableau that visualized sales data by region and product line. This dashboard allowed the sales team to identify underperforming regions quickly and adjust their strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in sales in those areas over the next quarter."

3. How do you ensure that your dashboards are user-friendly and meet the needs of stakeholders?

This question tests your understanding of user experience in data visualization.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to gathering requirements and iterating on designs based on feedback.

Example

"I ensure my dashboards are user-friendly by conducting initial meetings with stakeholders to gather their requirements and preferences. I then create wireframes and prototypes, allowing for feedback before finalizing the design. This iterative process ensures the final product meets their needs effectively."

4. What metrics do you consider essential when designing a business intelligence dashboard?

This question evaluates your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs).

How to Answer

Discuss the importance of aligning metrics with business goals and the types of metrics you typically include.

Example

"I consider metrics such as sales growth, customer acquisition cost, and customer lifetime value essential for a business intelligence dashboard. These metrics align with business goals and provide insights into overall performance and areas for improvement."

5. How do you handle feedback on your dashboards from users?

This question assesses your ability to adapt and improve based on user input.

How to Answer

Explain your process for collecting feedback and making iterative improvements.

Example

"I actively seek feedback from users after deploying a dashboard. I conduct follow-up meetings to discuss their experiences and any challenges they face. Based on their input, I prioritize enhancements and updates to ensure the dashboard remains relevant and useful."

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and conflict resolution abilities.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on your approach to communication and resolution.

Example

"I once worked with a stakeholder who was resistant to adopting a new reporting tool. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns and demonstrated how the tool could save them time and improve accuracy. By addressing their specific pain points, I was able to gain their support and successfully implement the tool."

2. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

"I prioritize my tasks by assessing deadlines, project impact, and stakeholder needs. I use project management tools like Trello to track progress and ensure I allocate time effectively. For instance, when juggling multiple dashboard requests, I focus on those with the highest business impact first."

3. Can you give an example of a time you made a mistake in your work? How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your accountability and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Be honest about the mistake, what you learned, and how you rectified it.

Example

"I once miscalculated a key metric in a report, which led to incorrect insights being shared with management. Upon realizing the error, I immediately informed my manager, corrected the calculations, and provided an updated report. I also implemented a double-check process for future reports to prevent similar mistakes."

4. Why do you want to work at Relativity?

This question assesses your motivation and alignment with the company's values.

How to Answer

Discuss your interest in the company's mission and how your skills align with their goals.

Example

"I am excited about the opportunity to work at Relativity because of your commitment to innovation in aerospace and additive manufacturing. I believe my experience in business intelligence can contribute to data-driven decision-making that supports your ambitious goals of expanding humanity's presence in space."

5. How do you stay current with industry trends and technologies?

This question evaluates your commitment to professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed and how you apply new knowledge.

Example

"I stay current with industry trends by following relevant blogs, attending webinars, and participating in online courses. I also engage with professional networks on platforms like LinkedIn to exchange insights with peers. Recently, I completed a course on advanced data visualization techniques, which I applied to enhance my dashboard designs."