Workiva Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Workiva is a leading cloud-based software company that provides solutions to connect and report data for various business processes.

The Business Intelligence role at Workiva is pivotal in transforming data into actionable insights that drive decision-making and enhance customer success. In this position, you will be responsible for working with existing metrics, reports, and dashboards to support ongoing improvements. Your key responsibilities will include conducting data analysis, building visualization tools, and assisting with the development of data infrastructure for automated reporting. Candidates will thrive in this role if they possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and basic proficiency in SQL, as well as experience with data visualization tools and cloud solutions. A collaborative mindset and the ability to communicate complex data insights effectively are also essential traits that align with Workiva’s values of innovation and teamwork.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations for the role, the skills you'll need to demonstrate, and the types of questions you may encounter. With a clear understanding of the Business Intelligence role at Workiva, you can approach your interview with confidence and clarity.

The interview process for the Business Intelligence role at Workiva is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the company.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The process begins with a phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experiences, and motivations for applying to Workiva. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates are invited to participate in a technical interview. This stage may involve a video call where you will be asked to demonstrate your analytical skills through practical exercises, such as SQL queries or data analysis scenarios. Expect to engage in discussions about your previous work, particularly any relevant projects that showcase your ability to handle data and analytics.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is a critical component of the process, where you will meet with team members or managers. This interview focuses on your past experiences and how you handle various situations in a team environment. Questions may revolve around conflict resolution, teamwork, and your approach to problem-solving. Be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your skills and adaptability.

4. Case Study or Presentation

For candidates who progress further, there may be a case study or presentation component. This could involve analyzing a dataset or presenting a solution to a hypothetical business problem. You may be asked to explain your thought process and the methodologies you used, showcasing your analytical capabilities and communication skills.

5. Final Interviews

The final stage typically includes interviews with higher-level management or a panel of interviewers. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your fit within the company’s culture and your alignment with Workiva's values. Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your long-term career goals and how they align with the company’s objectives.

Throughout the process, candidates can expect regular communication from the recruiter, providing updates and feedback. This transparency is a hallmark of Workiva's hiring approach, ensuring that candidates feel informed and valued.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that assess your technical skills and cultural fit.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Workiva values transparency, collaboration, and a supportive work environment. Familiarize yourself with their mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Highlight experiences where you demonstrated teamwork and adaptability, as these traits resonate well with their culture.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given the emphasis on SQL and data analysis in the role, ensure you are comfortable with writing and optimizing SQL queries. Practice common SQL problems, focusing on data manipulation and retrieval. Additionally, brush up on your analytical skills, as you may be asked to interpret data and present findings. Familiarity with data visualization tools can also be beneficial, so consider reviewing how to create effective dashboards.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions during your interviews. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses to behavioral questions. Prepare examples that showcase your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Questions about past experiences, such as dealing with difficult customers or disagreements within a team, are likely to come up.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

As a Business Intelligence Analyst, your ability to analyze and present data is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis, including any projects where you utilized statistical methods or tools like R or Python. If you have experience with cloud solutions like AWS or GCP, be sure to mention it, as this knowledge is preferred for the role.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During the interview, focus on clear and concise communication. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you may need to present your findings to non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively will show that you can bridge the gap between data and decision-making.

Follow Up and Stay Engaged

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. This not only shows professionalism but also keeps you on the interviewers' radar. If you don’t hear back within the expected timeline, don’t hesitate to follow up for updates.

By preparing thoroughly and aligning your experiences with Workiva's values and expectations, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Business Intelligence role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at Workiva. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, understanding of data visualization, and ability to communicate insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss your experience with SQL, data analysis, and any relevant tools or methodologies you have used.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a left join and an inner join in SQL?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data manipulation and reporting.

How to Answer

Clearly define both types of joins and provide a brief example of when you would use each.

Example

“A left join returns all records from the left table and the matched records from the right table, while an inner join returns only the records that have matching values in both tables. For instance, if I have a table of customers and a table of orders, a left join would show all customers, including those who haven’t placed any orders, while an inner join would only show customers who have made purchases.”

2. Describe a time when you had to analyze a large dataset. What tools did you use?

This question assesses your practical experience with data analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss the dataset, the tools you used, and the insights you derived from your analysis.

Example

“I worked on a project analyzing customer feedback data using Python and Pandas. I cleaned the dataset, performed exploratory data analysis, and visualized the results using Matplotlib. This helped identify key areas for product improvement, which we then prioritized in our development cycle.”

3. How do you ensure the accuracy of your data analysis?

Accuracy is critical in business intelligence roles.

How to Answer

Explain your process for validating data and ensuring your analysis is reliable.

Example

“I always start by verifying the source of the data and checking for any inconsistencies. I use techniques like cross-referencing with other datasets and performing sanity checks. Additionally, I document my analysis process to ensure transparency and reproducibility.”

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

This question gauges your familiarity with visualization tools.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools you have used and your reasons for preferring one over another.

Example

“I have experience with Tableau and Power BI. I prefer Tableau for its user-friendly interface and powerful visualization capabilities, which allow me to create interactive dashboards that are easy for stakeholders to understand.”

5. Can you walk us through a dashboard you created? What metrics did you include?

This question allows you to showcase your practical experience.

How to Answer

Describe the purpose of the dashboard, the metrics you included, and how it was used by stakeholders.

Example

“I created a sales performance dashboard that included metrics such as total sales, sales by region, and customer acquisition costs. This dashboard was used by the sales team to track their performance against targets and identify areas for improvement.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a team member. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your teamwork and conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the disagreement, and the outcome.

Example

“I had a disagreement with a colleague about the direction of a project. I suggested we hold a meeting to discuss our perspectives openly. By listening to each other and finding common ground, we were able to merge our ideas into a more effective solution that satisfied both of us.”

2. Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges.

How to Answer

Outline the project, your specific contributions, and the challenges you faced.

Example

“I worked on a project to streamline our reporting process, which involved integrating multiple data sources. My role was to analyze the existing process and identify bottlenecks. I proposed a new workflow that reduced reporting time by 30%, which was well-received by the team.”

3. How do you prioritize your tasks when you have multiple deadlines?

This question assesses your organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization and time management.

Example

“I use a combination of task management tools and prioritization techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix. I assess the urgency and importance of each task and focus on high-impact activities first, ensuring that I meet all deadlines without compromising quality.”

4. What motivates you to work in business intelligence?

This question helps interviewers understand your passion for the field.

How to Answer

Share your motivations and what excites you about business intelligence.

Example

“I am motivated by the opportunity to turn data into actionable insights that can drive business decisions. I find it rewarding to help teams understand their performance and identify opportunities for growth through data analysis.”

5. How do you handle feedback on your work?

This question evaluates your receptiveness to feedback.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to receiving and implementing feedback.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive feedback, I take the time to reflect on it and identify areas for improvement. I appreciate constructive criticism and actively seek it out to enhance my skills and performance.”