Zynga Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Known for its hit game “Farmville” in 2009, Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment that connects the world through games. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company boasts locations across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, India, Turkey, and Finland.

For aspiring Data Analysts, Zynga offers an opportunity to leverage extensive data to enrich the player experience. Your role will encompass analyzing data to inform game design, testing hypotheses through A/B testing, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement data-driven solutions.

This guide will walk you through the company’s interview process for the position, including common Zynga data analyst interview questions and preparation tips. Let’s dive in and get you ready for a career in one of the industry’s leading gaming companies!

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your application passes the initial screening, you will be contacted by a recruiter from Zynga’s Talent Acquisition Team. During this call, which typically lasts around 30 minutes, the recruiter will discuss your background, skills, and what you are looking for in a new role. Expect some behavioral interview questions and be prepared to talk about the games Zynga develops; you might even be encouraged to play some of them.

Some example questions you might encounter during this stage include:

• What games do you like to play, and how would you improve them?
• What is the difference between a list and a dictionary in Python?

Technical Virtual Interview

Post the recruiter call, you will likely have a technical interview. This is often conducted virtually via video conference and screen sharing. The focus here is heavily on your technical skills, particularly in SQL and Python.

Example topics and tasks for this round include:

• Writing SQL queries involving joins and aggregations.
• Python coding problems focused on libraries such as Numpy and Pandas.
• Case study problems related to game data analytics.
• Hypothetical scenario-based questions such as A/B testing, statistical significance testing (e.g., t-tests), and product metrics evaluation.

A specific question to prepare for could be:

• What is the probability of picking 2 green balls from a mix of red and green balls without replacement?

Onsite Interview Rounds

If you succeed in the virtual technical interview, you will be invited for onsite interviews, which typically consist of multiple rounds lasting about 45 minutes each. These rounds will include:

• Technical discussions with other Data Analysts and Product Managers.
• Case studies focusing on SQL queries, data analysis, and business analytics for the gaming industry.
• Behavioral interviews to gauge your fit within Zynga’s culture and your passion for gaming.

Some of the technical aspects you might face include writing complex SQL queries on a whiteboard or solving open-ended case studies on product improvement strategies.

Typically, interviews at Zynga vary by role and team, but commonly, data analyst interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. What retention rate is needed to surpass revenue from the non-subscription price?

We sell an e-commerce product for $29 with a 50% per unit margin. We want to switch to a monthly subscription model at a 20% discount on the retail price. What retention rate would be required to surpass the revenue from the non-subscription price?

2. How would you decide if Google should build a game feature for Google Home?

You are tasked with pitching a new feature for Google Home. A co-worker suggests building a game feature. How would you go about deciding whether Google should build it?

3. How would you generate a list of coin toss results based on a given probability?

Write a function that takes the number of tosses and the probability of heads as inputs. The function should return a list of randomly generated results (‘H’ for heads and ’T’ for tails) equal in length to the number of tosses.

4. How would you calculate the sample variance of a list of integers?

Write a function that takes a list of integers as input and outputs the sample variance, rounded to 2 decimal places.

5. How would you explain a p-value to a non-technical person?

Explain what a p-value is in simple terms to someone without a technical background.

6. What are the mean and variance of the distribution of (2X - Y) given (X \sim \mathcal{N}(3, 4)) and (Y \sim \mathcal{N}(1, 4))?

Given that (X) and (Y) are independent random variables with normal distributions, determine the mean and variance of the distribution of (2X - Y). (X) follows (\mathcal{N}(3, 4)) and (Y) follows (\mathcal{N}(1, 4)).

7. Create a function to simulate coin tosses based on a given probability of heads.

Write a function that takes the number of tosses and a probability of heads as input and returns a list of randomly generated results. Each result represents the outcome of a coin toss, where ‘H’ represents heads and ’T’ represents tails.

8. Write a function to calculate the sample variance of a list of integers.

Write a function that outputs the sample variance given a list of integers. Round the result to 2 decimal places.

9. Develop a function compute_deviation to calculate the standard deviation for lists in a dictionary.

Write a function compute_deviation that takes a list of dictionaries with a key and list of integers and returns a dictionary with the standard deviation of each list. Do not use NumPy built-in functions.

10. How would you assign point values to letters in Spanish Scrabble if you don’t know Spanish?

You need to build Scrabble for Spanish users who don’t know Spanish. How would you approach assigning each letter a point value?

To prepare for your Zynga data analyst interview, consider the following tips:

• Know Your SQL: Proficiency in SQL is crucial. Practice writing advanced queries, including window functions and multi-table joins. Familiarize yourself with real-time data querying and session analysis.

• Be Data-Driven in Gaming Context: Zynga’s questions often revolve around gaming metrics and how to improve user engagement and monetization. Be prepared to discuss how to analyze user behavior, derive insights, and make data-driven suggestions to improve game features.

• Understand A/B Testing and Statistical Significance: Many roles involve validating experimental results and understanding when they are statistically significant. Brush up on your knowledge of statistical tests (like t-tests) and concepts such as p-values and the power of the test.

By tailoring your preparation around these aspects, you can substantially improve your chances of acing the interview process at Zynga.

What is the average salary for a Data Analyst at Zynga?

What makes Zynga’s data science and analytics team unique?

Zynga’s data science and analytics team leverages large volumes of data to model and predict user behavior, aiming to make games more personalized and enjoyable. The team collaborates closely with Product Managers, Game Designers, and Engineers to integrate data-driven insights into game development, thus directly impacting the user experience.

Are there any job openings at Zynga?

There are job openings as of writing this interview guide! Check out our Job Board to see current opportunities.

As you gear up for your Zynga Data Analyst interview, remember that the journey might come with its challenges—including technical hurdles and intense SQL scrutiny. However, this is a chance to dive deep into data, shape engaging player experiences, and be part of a dynamic team creating games that connect millions worldwide.

Good luck with your interview!