Unum Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Unum is a Fortune 500 company dedicated to providing employee benefits and service solutions that empower individuals to thrive throughout life's key moments.

The Business Intelligence Analyst role at Unum is pivotal in translating complex data into actionable insights that drive decision-making across the organization. As a BI Analyst, you will be responsible for conducting data analysis, visualization, and preparation to support various business units. Key responsibilities include performing data profiling to evaluate sources, acquiring and transforming data into meaningful dashboards and reports, and collaborating with data engineers to validate and test data. This role requires strong technical skills, particularly in analytics programming languages (SQL, R, Python) and proficiency with modern BI tools such as Tableau or Power BI. A successful candidate will also exhibit problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and a passion for mentoring others.

Candidates who thrive in this role will not only possess the requisite technical skills but also exhibit strong analytical thinking and a team-oriented approach. Understanding the insurance industry and emerging business intelligence trends will enhance your ability to provide valuable insights. This guide will help you prepare for your interview, allowing you to showcase your skills and align with Unum’s values of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to employee growth.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence Analyst at Unum is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several structured rounds, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate's qualifications and potential contributions to the team.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, usually conducted by a recruiter via a phone call. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and serves to gauge your interest in the role and the company. The recruiter will ask about your background, relevant experience, and motivations for applying to Unum. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This round may be conducted via video conferencing and focuses on your proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools. Expect to discuss your experience with SQL, data profiling, and BI tools such as Tableau or PowerBI. You may also be asked to solve a case study or a practical problem that reflects the type of work you would be doing in the role.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next step is a behavioral interview, which often involves a panel of two or more interviewers. This round assesses your soft skills, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Questions may revolve around your past experiences, how you approach problem-solving, and your ability to communicate complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to share specific examples that demonstrate your analytical thinking and collaboration skills.

4. Final Interview

The final interview is typically with senior management or team leads. This round may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your long-term career goals and how they align with Unum's mission. You may also be asked to present a project or analysis you have worked on in the past, showcasing your ability to translate data into actionable insights.

5. Offer and Negotiation

If you successfully navigate the previous rounds, you will receive a job offer. This stage may involve discussions about salary, benefits, and other employment terms. Unum is known for its competitive compensation packages, so be prepared to negotiate based on your experience and the market standards.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the specific skills and experiences that will be relevant to the questions you may encounter. Next, let's delve into the types of questions that candidates have faced during the interview process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence Analyst interview at Unum. The interview will likely focus on your technical skills, analytical thinking, and ability to translate data into actionable insights. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis, visualization tools, and your understanding of the insurance industry.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain your experience with SQL and how you have used it in your previous roles?

Understanding SQL is crucial for this role, as it is a primary tool for data manipulation and analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized SQL to extract, manipulate, or analyze data. Highlight any complex queries you wrote and the impact of your work.

Example

“In my previous role, I used SQL extensively to extract data from our data warehouse for reporting purposes. I wrote complex queries involving multiple joins and subqueries to generate insights on customer behavior, which helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns effectively.”

2. Describe a project where you used a BI tool (like Tableau or PowerBI) to create a dashboard. What was the goal and outcome?

This question assesses your practical experience with BI tools and your ability to visualize data effectively.

How to Answer

Explain the project context, your specific contributions, and how the dashboard helped stakeholders make informed decisions.

Example

“I developed a dashboard in Tableau to track key performance indicators for our sales team. The goal was to provide real-time insights into sales performance across different regions. The dashboard was well-received and led to a 15% increase in sales efficiency as the team could quickly identify underperforming areas.”

Data Analysis

3. How do you approach data profiling and what steps do you take to ensure data quality?

Data profiling is essential for understanding data sources and ensuring accuracy.

How to Answer

Outline your process for data profiling, including any tools or techniques you use to assess data quality.

Example

“I start by examining the data structure and types, followed by checking for missing values and outliers. I use tools like Alteryx for data profiling, which allows me to visualize data distributions and identify anomalies. This thorough approach ensures that the data I work with is reliable and ready for analysis.”

4. Can you provide an example of a statistical analysis you performed and how you presented your findings?

This question evaluates your statistical knowledge and communication skills.

How to Answer

Discuss the statistical methods you used, the analysis process, and how you communicated the results to stakeholders.

Example

“I conducted a regression analysis to understand the factors affecting customer retention rates. After analyzing the data, I presented my findings in a PowerPoint presentation, using visual aids to highlight key trends. This analysis helped the leadership team implement targeted retention strategies that improved our rates by 10%.”

Business Acumen

5. How do you ensure that your data analysis aligns with business objectives?

This question assesses your ability to connect data insights with business strategy.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to understanding business needs and how you incorporate them into your analysis.

Example

“I always start by engaging with stakeholders to understand their goals and challenges. By aligning my analysis with their objectives, I ensure that the insights I provide are actionable and relevant. For instance, I worked closely with the marketing team to analyze campaign performance, which directly informed our future marketing strategies.”

6. What steps do you take to stay updated on trends in business intelligence and the insurance industry?

This question gauges your commitment to continuous learning and industry knowledge.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as industry publications, webinars, or professional networks.

Example

“I regularly read industry publications like Insurance News and attend webinars on emerging BI technologies. Additionally, I’m part of a professional network where we share insights and best practices, which helps me stay current with trends that could impact our business.”

Problem Solving

7. Describe a challenging data-related problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a challenge, the steps you took to address it, and the outcome.

Example

“I encountered a situation where the data from our CRM system was inconsistent, leading to inaccurate reporting. I collaborated with the IT team to identify the root cause, which was a data entry issue. We implemented a new validation process that significantly improved data accuracy, resulting in more reliable reports for decision-making.”

8. How do you handle changes in project requirements or unexpected challenges during a project?

This question assesses your adaptability and project management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to managing change and how you maintain project momentum.

Example

“When faced with changing requirements, I prioritize open communication with stakeholders to understand their needs. I adapt my project plan accordingly and ensure that the team is aligned. For example, during a recent project, we had to pivot our analysis focus due to new business priorities, but by staying flexible and proactive, we delivered valuable insights on time.”