Zillow Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Zillow is the most-visited real estate website in the United States, dedicated to making home buying, selling, financing, and renting easier and more accessible for millions of users.

As a Data Analyst at Zillow, you will play a crucial role in driving business strategies through data-driven insights. Your key responsibilities will include conducting exploratory data analysis, building dashboards, and leveraging SQL to manipulate large datasets. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams such as Sales, Product Management, and Marketing to identify trends and actionable insights that can enhance revenue growth. This role demands strong analytical skills, proficiency in data visualization tools like Domo and Tableau, and the ability to communicate complex data findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will possess a solid understanding of B2B2C marketplaces, have advanced skills in Excel and SQL, and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. You should be proactive, detail-oriented, and passionate about storytelling through data. A background in business, economics, or a related technical field, along with relevant experience in sales analytics, is highly valued.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations, the skills required, and the types of questions you may encounter. Being well-prepared can significantly enhance your confidence and performance during the interview process.

The interview process for a Data Analyst position at Zillow is structured and designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. It typically unfolds in several stages, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with a phone interview conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation is generally friendly and focuses on understanding your background, motivations for applying to Zillow, and your relevant experiences. Expect questions that gauge your interest in the company and the role, as well as your general analytical skills.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screen, candidates are often required to complete a technical assessment. This may involve a take-home exercise or a mini case study that tests your analytical abilities and proficiency with data manipulation tools, particularly SQL. The assessment is designed to evaluate your problem-solving skills and your ability to interpret data effectively.

3. Team Interviews

Candidates who successfully complete the technical assessment will move on to a series of interviews with team members. This stage typically includes one or two phone interviews with analysts or managers from the team. These interviews will delve deeper into your technical skills, including SQL queries and data visualization techniques, as well as your past experiences and how they relate to the role.

4. Onsite Interview

The final stage is an onsite interview, which may also be conducted virtually. This consists of multiple back-to-back interviews, often with different team members. Each interview lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour and alternates between technical and behavioral questions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their analytical processes, provide examples of past projects, and demonstrate their ability to communicate complex data insights effectively.

Throughout the interview process, Zillow emphasizes the importance of cultural fit, so expect questions that assess your alignment with the company's values and your ability to collaborate across teams.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages.

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

Understand Zillow's Culture and Values

Zillow places a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to equity and belonging. Familiarize yourself with their mission to reimagine real estate and how they aim to make home a reality for more people. During your interview, express your alignment with these values and demonstrate how your personal and professional experiences resonate with Zillow's culture. This will not only show your enthusiasm for the role but also your potential fit within the team.

Prepare for Behavioral and Technical Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions throughout the interview process. For behavioral questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you’ve navigated challenges. For technical questions, brush up on SQL queries, data manipulation, and visualization tools like Tableau and Domo. Practice common SQL tasks such as joins, aggregations, and data cleaning techniques.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Zillow is looking for candidates who can dive deep into data and extract actionable insights. Be prepared to discuss your analytical process and how you approach data-driven decision-making. You may be asked to walk through a past project where you utilized data analysis to influence business outcomes. Highlight your experience with exploratory data analysis and how you’ve used data visualization to tell compelling stories that drive decisions.

Be Ready for Case Studies and Assessments

You may encounter case studies or take-home assessments as part of the interview process. These exercises are designed to evaluate your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Approach these tasks methodically, clearly outlining your thought process and the steps you take to arrive at your conclusions. If you have the opportunity, present your findings in a visually appealing format, as this aligns with Zillow's emphasis on data storytelling.

Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role, as you will need to collaborate with various teams and present your findings to stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the team, projects, and company direction. This demonstrates your interest and helps build rapport.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thoughtful thank-you email to your interviewers. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their decision.

By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your alignment with Zillow's values, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Data Analyst role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Analyst interview at Zillow. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, analytical thinking, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, and showcase your proficiency in data analysis tools.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain how you would write a SQL query to remove duplicates from a dataset?

This question tests your SQL knowledge and your ability to manipulate data effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss the SQL functions you would use, such as DISTINCT, GROUP BY, or window functions, and explain your thought process in ensuring data integrity.

Example

“To remove duplicates, I would use a query with the ROW_NUMBER() window function to assign a unique identifier to each row based on the criteria for duplication. Then, I would filter out rows where the row number is greater than one, effectively keeping only the first instance of each duplicate.”

2. Describe your experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Domo.

This question assesses your familiarity with data visualization and your ability to communicate insights effectively.

How to Answer

Share specific projects where you utilized these tools, focusing on the impact your visualizations had on decision-making.

Example

“I have used Tableau extensively to create interactive dashboards that visualize sales trends over time. One project involved analyzing customer behavior, which led to a 15% increase in targeted marketing effectiveness after presenting the findings to the marketing team.”

3. How would you approach exploratory data analysis (EDA) for a new dataset?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and your methodology in understanding data.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take, including data cleaning, visualization, and identifying key trends or anomalies.

Example

“I would start by cleaning the dataset to handle missing values and outliers. Then, I would use visualizations like histograms and scatter plots to understand distributions and relationships. Finally, I would summarize key findings to inform further analysis or business decisions.”

4. What methods would you use to evaluate the success of a new business strategy?

This question gauges your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) and business metrics.

How to Answer

Discuss the importance of defining clear KPIs and how you would track and analyze them over time.

Example

“I would first establish KPIs aligned with the business goals, such as customer acquisition cost and conversion rates. Then, I would set up a dashboard to monitor these metrics regularly, using statistical analysis to assess trends and make data-driven recommendations.”

5. Can you explain the concept of A/B testing and how you would implement it?

This question tests your knowledge of experimental design and data analysis.

How to Answer

Describe the process of setting up an A/B test, including hypothesis formulation, sample selection, and analysis of results.

Example

“A/B testing involves comparing two versions of a variable to determine which performs better. I would define a clear hypothesis, randomly assign users to each group, and measure the outcomes using statistical tests to ensure the results are significant before making any decisions.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, focusing on your role in overcoming the challenge.

Example

“In a previous role, I was tasked with analyzing a large dataset with missing values. I took the initiative to develop a strategy for data imputation and collaborated with my team to ensure accuracy. As a result, we were able to deliver insights on time, which helped the marketing team refine their strategy.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and the potential impact on the business. I use project management tools like Trello to track progress and ensure I allocate time effectively to high-priority projects while remaining flexible to accommodate urgent requests.”

3. Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex data findings to a non-technical audience.

This question tests your communication skills and ability to simplify complex information.

How to Answer

Share an example where you successfully conveyed technical information in an understandable way.

Example

“I once presented a complex analysis of customer segmentation to the sales team. I created visual aids to illustrate key points and used analogies to explain technical concepts, which helped the team grasp the insights and apply them to their strategies effectively.”

4. Why do you want to work at Zillow?

This question assesses your motivation and cultural fit within the company.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for Zillow’s mission and how your skills align with their goals.

Example

“I admire Zillow’s commitment to innovation in the real estate market. I believe my analytical skills and passion for data storytelling can contribute to your mission of making home a reality for more people, and I’m excited about the opportunity to work in such a dynamic environment.”

5. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your openness to growth and collaboration.

How to Answer

Discuss your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you’ve used it to improve.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. In my last role, I received constructive criticism on my presentation style. I took a public speaking course to enhance my skills, which ultimately led to more engaging presentations and positive feedback from my colleagues.”