Zillow Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Zillow is reimagining real estate to simplify the process of unlocking life's next chapter for its users.

As a Business Intelligence Analyst at Zillow, you will play a critical role in understanding customer behaviors and insights through data analysis. Your primary responsibilities will include conducting ad hoc analyses for key stakeholders, creating compelling visualizations, and delivering strategic insights to executive leadership. You will collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to design analytical frameworks and identify opportunities within the customer journey, particularly in the new construction and growth sectors. A successful candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of business strategy, and the ability to communicate complex data in a clear and actionable format.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations, key skills, and the unique culture at Zillow, ensuring you present yourself as a confident and knowledgeable candidate.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence role at Zillow is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate's qualifications and experiences.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which is usually conducted via a video call. During this 30-minute conversation, a recruiter will discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role. They will also evaluate your understanding of the real estate sector and how your statistical knowledge can be applied to the position. This is an opportunity for you to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This round may involve a deeper dive into your analytical skills, particularly focusing on your experience with data analysis and visualization tools such as SQL, Tableau, and Excel. You may be asked to solve case studies or present past projects that demonstrate your ability to derive insights from complex data sets. Expect to discuss how you would approach specific business problems and the methodologies you would employ.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is a crucial part of the process, where interviewers assess your soft skills and cultural fit within Zillow. This round often includes questions about your previous work experiences, how you handle challenges, and your ability to work cross-functionally. You may be asked to provide examples of how you have influenced business strategy or collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals.

4. Final Interview

The final interview typically involves meeting with senior leadership or key stakeholders from the Growth Analytics team. This round is more strategic in nature, focusing on your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. You may be asked to present your insights on the customer journey and discuss how you would contribute to the company's mission. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics and the company's future direction.

As you prepare for these interviews, it's essential to reflect on your experiences and how they align with Zillow's goals and values. Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

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

Understand the Role's Impact

As a Business Intelligence Analyst at Zillow, your role is pivotal in influencing business strategy through data-driven insights. Familiarize yourself with how your work will directly impact the New Construction and Growth product teams. Be prepared to discuss how your analytical skills can uncover opportunities and drive business outcomes. Highlight your understanding of the customer journey and how your insights can enhance user experience on the platform.

Leverage Your Statistical Knowledge

Given the emphasis on statistics in this role, be ready to articulate how you have applied statistical methods in previous positions. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to analyze data, derive insights, and make recommendations based on statistical findings. This will demonstrate your capability to contribute effectively to the Growth Analytics team.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

Zillow values clear and compelling communication, especially when presenting complex data to executive audiences. Practice distilling intricate analyses into simple, actionable insights. Prepare to discuss how you have successfully communicated data-driven recommendations in the past, and be ready to demonstrate your ability to create impactful visualizations that tell a story.

Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration

The role requires working closely with various teams, including product and engineering. Be prepared to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration and how you have influenced stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to connect customer problems to business strategies and how you can facilitate discussions that lead to actionable solutions.

Familiarize Yourself with the Real Estate Sector

Since Zillow operates in the real estate market, having a basic understanding of the industry will be beneficial. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the real estate sector. Be ready to discuss how your insights can help Zillow navigate these dynamics and enhance its offerings.

Embrace the Company Culture

Zillow promotes a culture of innovation, equity, and belonging. Reflect on how your personal values align with these principles. Be prepared to share examples of how you have contributed to a positive team culture in the past and how you can bring that mindset to Zillow. This will help you demonstrate that you are not only a fit for the role but also for the company as a whole.

Practice Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to encounter problem-solving scenarios during your interview. Prepare to discuss how you approach complex data challenges and the methodologies you use to derive insights. Think of specific examples where you identified opportunities for improvement and the impact of your recommendations.

By focusing on these areas, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Business Intelligence Analyst role at Zillow. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence Analyst interview at Zillow. The interview will focus on your analytical skills, understanding of statistics, and ability to communicate insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences, particularly in relation to the real estate sector, and how you can contribute to Zillow's mission through data-driven decision-making.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe your previous experience in business intelligence or analytics roles?

This question aims to understand your background and how it relates to the responsibilities of the position.

How to Answer

Highlight specific roles and projects where you utilized your analytical skills. Emphasize any experience that aligns with Zillow's focus on customer insights and data-driven strategies.

Example

“In my previous role at [Company Name], I was responsible for analyzing customer behavior data to identify trends and opportunities. I developed dashboards that provided actionable insights to the marketing team, which led to a 20% increase in customer engagement.”

2. How would you apply your knowledge of statistics in this position?

Zillow is looking for candidates who can leverage statistical methods to derive insights from data.

How to Answer

Discuss specific statistical techniques you are familiar with and how they can be applied to analyze customer data and improve business strategies.

Example

“I have a strong foundation in statistical analysis, including regression analysis and hypothesis testing. I would use these techniques to analyze customer funnel data and identify key metrics that drive business performance.”

3. What experience do you have in the real estate sector?

Understanding the industry context is crucial for this role.

How to Answer

Share any relevant experience in real estate or related fields, focusing on how it has prepared you for the challenges at Zillow.

Example

“I worked at [Real Estate Company] where I analyzed market trends and customer preferences. This experience taught me the importance of data in making informed decisions in the real estate market.”

Technical Skills

4. Can you explain how you would create a compelling data visualization?

Visualizations are key in communicating insights effectively.

How to Answer

Describe your approach to creating visualizations, including the tools you use and the principles of effective design.

Example

“I typically use Tableau to create visualizations. I focus on clarity and simplicity, ensuring that the key insights are easily understandable. For instance, I once created a dashboard that visualized customer journey metrics, which helped stakeholders quickly grasp the data.”

5. What SQL techniques are you proficient in, and how would you use them in this role?

SQL is essential for data manipulation and analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with SQL, including specific functions or queries you are comfortable with.

Example

“I am proficient in SQL and often use JOINs and subqueries to extract relevant data for analysis. In my last project, I used SQL to combine multiple data sources, which allowed me to create a comprehensive view of customer interactions.”

Problem-Solving and Strategy

6. Describe a time when you identified an opportunity for improvement in a business process.

Zillow values proactive problem-solving and strategic thinking.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where your analysis led to a significant improvement in a process or outcome.

Example

“At [Company Name], I noticed that our customer onboarding process had a high drop-off rate. I analyzed the data and found that simplifying the initial steps could improve retention. After implementing changes, we saw a 30% increase in successful onboarding.”

7. How do you prioritize your work when managing multiple projects?

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use.

Example

“I prioritize my work by assessing the impact and urgency of each project. I use project management tools like Trello to keep track of deadlines and progress, ensuring that I focus on high-impact tasks first.”

Communication and Collaboration

8. How do you ensure that complex data insights are communicated effectively to non-technical stakeholders?

Effective communication is crucial in a cross-functional role.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for simplifying complex data and ensuring clarity in your presentations.

Example

“I focus on using clear visuals and straightforward language when presenting data insights. I often summarize key findings in bullet points and provide context to help non-technical stakeholders understand the implications of the data.”

9. Can you give an example of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams?

Collaboration is key in a role that interacts with various departments.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you worked with other teams to achieve a common goal.

Example

“I collaborated with the marketing and product teams to analyze customer feedback data. By bringing together insights from different departments, we were able to develop a more targeted marketing strategy that improved customer satisfaction.”