Most companies and major businesses in all industries now rely on using data to make key business decisions. These companies are therefore on a hiring spree. As per our estimates, there will be more than a million data analyst job/internship openings in the second half of 2021 alone!
The average annual salary of a data analyst ranges from Rs.5.3 lakhs (for fresher) to Rs.8.2 Lakhs (for senior analysts). Glassdoor reports that the national average salary for a Data Analyst is Rs.5 Lakhs.
So, wouldn’t it be nice to land your dream job as a Data Analyst in one of the big companies?
That is where we are going to help you :)
Recently, we reached out to Akash Dongre, a Senior Data Analyst at Accenture. In our discussion, he shared some valuable insights into what a Data Analyst does and explained the Accenture interview process. He concluded by providing some key tips and suggestions for job seekers to follow.
So, let’s get to it.
The Role of a Data Analyst:
Data Analysts, to put it simply, make sense of raw data and help in making them presentable in a way that they can be used to make data-driven decisions. This role requires the amalgamation of advanced technical, logical, and leadership skills.
According to Akash, a typical data analyst role at any company involves:
- Designing and maintaining data systems and databases.
- Capturing data with ETL tools
- Interpretation of data sets using statistical tools, finding out patterns and trends for predictive analytics efforts.
- Making use of SaaS, Python, and R programming to mine relevant data from primary and secondary resources.
- Making use of Data Visualization tools like Spotfire,Tableau, and Qlikview to present data in a comprehensible way.
The Prerequisites to applying for a Data Analyst role:
Akash explains that the prerequisites for Data Analyst roles differ from company to company. Anyone pursuing a degree in Data Analytics or passing out from other disciplines must possess some rudimentary training of a few programming languages, data mining tools, and testing systems.
He further adds that a typical Data Analyst role requires a candidate to have:
- Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative discipline (Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Statistics)
- 1-2 years’ experience in analytics or management consulting
- Proficiency using SQL and querying relational databases
- Experience in at least one statistical programming language (SAS, R, Python)
- Experience in at least one data visualization tool (Spotfire,Tableau, Qlikview)
- Experience with project management.
- Knowledge of spreadsheet tools like Google Sheets and Excel.
The Interview Process at Accenture:
Akash explains that all Accenture interviews consist of three rounds provided, it is not a project-specific hiring or managerial acquisition. The main three rounds (along with the resume sorting round) are:
Resume Sorting:
Your resume and cover letter land right in the hands of the recruiter who then matches the said resume with the posted job description and matches the prerequisites with the candidate’s qualifications.
If your resume fits the role, you will be scheduled for an initial screening interview and the Accenture team will directly contact you. If the resume was not the right fit, you will be notified by email directly. The Accenture Recruitment team keeps your details for any future opportunities at the company.
One of the Senior Recruitment Specialist at Accenture Toronto has clarified about-What happens to a resume after you click “Submit”
What does the recruiter look for in a resume for data analyst roles?
- Relevant work experience i.e. experience (ideally 1-2 years) that corresponds with the role you have applied for
- Number of projects you have managed or been a part of previously
- Statistical Knowledge (helps to have a strong stats-maths background)
- Proficiency in SQL, R and Python
- Whether the resume is concise and to the point
- Educational Background (helps to be from STEM background)
Check out these 8 powerful resume tips and the article by Will Hillier on How to write a great Data Analyst Resume?
1st Round- Aptitude/Verbal Ability/ Written:
This round comprises three different sections in the form of analytical aptitude, verbal ability, and attention to detail. Akash adds that each candidate gets 55 questions to answer in 60 minutes. These questions test your command of English, logical reasoning, and analytical aspects to the fullest.
Candidates clearing this round proceed to the second round- The Technical Interview. You can find some question examples for the 1st round, here.
2nd Round- Technical Interview:
According to Akash, there is no fixed pattern as to which questions can be asked by the panel. You will be questioned about each of the hard skills mentioned in your resume along with a few puzzles. The technical aspects will also be tested with a few functional problems like performing a Bubble sort, Binary Search, or an Insertion Sort.
Candidates with CS educational background will be expected to write codes during the interview.
The line of questions in this round is mostly based on key programming concepts for C++, Java, Python, and SQL. Therefore, you should be prepared with Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating Systems, and a programming language of your choice.
Candidates who can back their skills and answer most of the tricky puzzle questions with aplomb proceed to the next round.
3rd Round- HR and Behavioral Interviews:
In this round, your soft skills will be assessed by the interviewers. They will ask you questions about your current company and role (if any) or will ask you to say something about yourself (the usual “Tell me about yourself” prompt).
This is the round where you will need to explain your experience at the previous company and why you want to join Accenture. The key tip here is to describe projects in a descriptive manner highlighting your role in the smooth completion of the same. Basically, in this round, the panel will delve deep into your resume so, it is important to be able to back everything you have added there.
For a fresher, it helps to have a few internships and projects under your belt before you apply for a job at Accenture. Then, this round becomes much more about your projects and your industry know-how and level of expertise in the programming languages.
Here are some of the common questions asked:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why Accenture?
- How do you see yourself five years from now?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Questions from resume- regarding hard skills and portfolio
- Questions from Internship/prior projects
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Common mistakes made by candidates and how to avoid them:
Though some mistakes are usually trivial nature, they can have a lasting impression on the recruiter.
Some of these mistakes listed below can give you a better idea of what exactly not to do :)
Listing technologies/programming languages that are not relevant to data analytics:
Akash explains that many candidates often list projects and skills in languages like CSS, HTML, and testing systems that are not considered relevant to an interviewer for a Data Analyst role. Despite the importance of the aforementioned technologies in the market, the world of data analytics demands proficiency in R Programming, Python, and SQL and, projects involving the use of the same as well.
Lying on the resume:
Many candidates end up listing many programming languages and other hard skills just to get to the interview round. Some candidates also list AI and Machine Learning to leverage the boom of the said technologies, to land the interview. This doesn’t work because, in the technical round of the interview, each candidate is bombarded with tricky questions about each technology or language they have listed. So, at one point during the interview, your frailties will catch up to you.
Lack of effective communication:
In many cases, the candidates know what an “element” in a programming language like R does but, they can’t explain the correct definition and the work done by an “element”. In most cases, candidates actually know the answer but they are not able to communicate the thought process behind it, properly.
This is due to either a lack of clarity in your concepts or a lack of practice before the interview. Either way, going over your materials for data analyst interviews should help. Upskilling with a few additional courses should also help you learn new languages and technologies with ease.
Long Resumes:
With virtual hiring, a 4-5 pages-long resume doesn’t work as there are many submissions to Accenture from all over the country. A clean and concise resume is the way to go. There you should be listing all of the hard skills you possess that match the job description and its requirements. Moreover, you need to keep working on improving your cover letters all the time. Here’s a helpful guide.
Do Mock Interviews help in improving verbal skills?
Akash explains that nowadays, many services offer industry-specific practice interviews or mock interviews as known in common parlance. The mentors you choose for the mock interview sessions will bombard you with all the questions that will be asked in your actual Data Analyst job interview. Moreover, in these sorts of interviews, real interview challenges and rounds will be simulated by the people who have gone through the same and are now employed as a Data Analyst at your dream company.
Before mock interviews, candidates used to prepare the top questions but ended up getting confused during the actual interview. In a comprehensive research by Macrothink Institute, there was a severe lack of confidence reported in interview candidates. Giving mock interviews regularly can help solve this problem with aplomb.
Get started with mock interviews
Start practicing your verbal skills and get valuable feedback from our qualified mentors.
Practice with a mock interviewCheck out this complete guide to mock interviews
Tips for Virtual Data Analyst Interviews:
- Proper internet connection
- Reach out to HRs on LinkedIn for online interviews
- Focus on shortening your resume
- Keep all of your files, projects and certificates ready for presenting
- Use proper headphones having a microphone.
Tips for aspiring Data Analysts:
- You should be able to read and understand data on your own
- You should know what exactly a data analyst role entails
- Master SQL and few programming languages as much as you can
- You should attain proficiency in data mining and visualization tools
- Develop lots of projects
- Keep learning and keep yourself updated with the latest trends in Data Analytics
- Upskill by learning new programming languages all the time
- Connect with top Data Analysts on LinkedIn or any other such platforms
And, always remember....
Good luck!
Get to know Akash Dongre:
Akash has been working at Accenture since the start of 2021 as a Senior Analyst. He completed his graduation from SVCE Indore in 2015.
He started his work life as a Data Reporting Analyst for IQVIA (formerly Qunitiles and IMS health) and worked there for more than 2 years. He then joined Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) in the same designation and worked there for 2 & a half years. At TCS he was a part of multiple projects and gained expertise in Tibco Spotfire, Python and Tableau.
In January, he decided to join Accenture. He has been eager to make use of his 5 years of experience in this field to mentor young data analysts land their dream jobs. You can connect with him through his linked LinkedIN profile or choose him as your mentor by clicking HERE!
#Interview Process
FAQs
What are the stages of interview in Accenture? ›
There are three rounds in an interview at Accenture. These include an online assessment, technical interview and HR interview round.
How do I prepare for a data analyst interview? ›Be prepared to discuss technical skills, analytics and visualization, as well as business acumen and soft skills. Study and practice interview questions: Make use of programs such as Datacamp to practice technical skills, or build up your project experience, as well as business and analytics case studies.
How many days it will take in Accenture for interview process? ›Once the online application and interviews of a particular candidate are completed, Accenture normally aims to respond to their decision within 10–15 working days.
What are the 3 rounds of interview? ›3 Rounds of Interview
A 3 round interview is commonly conducted for experienced professionals who are specially selected for their skills and abilities. This type of interview may include an HR round, technical round and a final discussion round.
Most job interviews can be broken down into three phases: Introduction, Getting to Know You, and Closing.
How many rounds are there in data analyst Interview? ›4 Rounds of Interview.
What 3 skills are involved in data analyst? ›- Data cleaning and preparation.
- Data analysis and exploration.
- Statistical knowledge.
- Creating data visualizations.
- Creating dashboards and reports.
- Writing and communication.
- Domain knowledge.
- Problem solving.
- Data Visualization. As the term suggests, data visualization is a person's ability to present data findings via graphics or other illustrations. ...
- Data Cleaning. ...
- MATLAB. ...
- R. ...
- Python. ...
- SQL and NoSQL. ...
- Machine Learning. ...
- Linear Algebra and Calculus.
Job Description
Perform data entry and research in various systems and tracking tools. Apply knowledge of processes and related systems to assist in identifying, assessing and resolving issues/problems. Assess and resolve non-standard and standard issues or problems.
...
The hiring manager will consider you an asset to the organization who will remain with it for a long period.
- Keep it short. ...
- Don't include Hobbies. ...
- Don't restate what's on your CV. ...
- Confidence. ...
- Academic History.
Why should we hire you as data analyst? ›
Potential Answer:
“I have previous experience working with projects that had similar problems to yours. I also have excellent communication skills and further technical knowledge that would be an asset to your company. The mix of technical and team skills I bring to the table make me an ideal fit for this role.”
The HR Interview is the final round to select a candidate as an employee at Accenture since it helps to determine a candidate's personality and other related aspects.
Is a final interview just a formality in Accenture? ›Final Interview usually means HR interview and that you have cleared the technical round. To put things into perspective, Accenture usually keeps on taking interviews and gives offer letter only when their is a solid requirement, sometimes they may keep you on hold and never call back. But your case looks soli...
Is it easy to get hired at Accenture? ›It's not hard at all. Well, with some caveats. It depends entirely on your background experience, which job you have applied for, and how well you prepare your interview. Getting a position at a Fortune 500 company is a pretty big deal.
Does a 3rd interview mean I got the job? ›If you're called in for a third interview, that's a great sign—it indicates that your previous conversations went well, and you are on a shortlist of job applicants. A third interview is used to ensure the candidate is a good fit for the job.
Does Final interview mean I got the job? ›A final interview is not a guarantee that you'll get the offer. Instead, it usually means you're among the final two to five candidates, and the company has dedicated time to narrowing down their options. Each company's interview process differs.
What is a 1st stage interview? ›The hiring manager usually does the first in-person interview. A first-stage interview focuses on a candidate's qualifications, employment history, and experience. If successful, the candidate will progress to another round of interviews with managers and staff members.
How many interview rounds are there? ›For entry-level positions, one interview may give enough information to decide. For mid-level positions, two interviews may be sufficient. Companies may use three for senior level or above. Organizations may sometimes justify using a fourth interview to make a final decision between two highly qualified candidates.
What are the rounds in 24/7 interview? ›24/7 Customer Interview Rounds and Process
The first round was One-on-one, followed by Aptitude Test round. The third round was Technical, followed by final HR round.
Generally speaking, Data Analysts can expect to work between 40 and 60 hours a week, typically on a Monday through Friday schedule, which would correspond with the hours the business or company is open. This often means a 9-5 or 8-6 day.
What are the 4 rounds of interview? ›
- Round 1: Exploratory Interview.
- Round 2: Skills Interview.
- Round 3: Culture Interview.
- Round 4: CEO Interview.
Having three to four interviews just for an entry-level position may frustrate candidates but the number is sufficient for a more senior role. In the event where more than four or five rounds of interviews are required, it is best to provide a justification.
Is data analytics a stressful job? ›Several data professionals have defined data analytics as a stressful career. So, if you are someone planning on taking up data analytics and science as a career, it is high time that you rethink and make an informed decision.
Is data analyst a technical job? ›The data analyst serves as a gatekeeper for an organization's data so stakeholders can understand data and use it to make strategic business decisions. It is a technical role that requires an undergraduate degree or master's degree in analytics, computer modeling, science, or math.
What are the four main types of data analyst? ›- Descriptive Analysis.
- Diagnostic Analysis.
- Predictive Analysis.
- Prescriptive Analysis.
A data analyst reviews data to identify key insights into a business's customers and ways the data can be used to solve problems. They also communicate this information to company leadership and other stakeholders.
Do data analysts need to code? ›Do Data Analysts Code? Some Data Analysts do have to code as part of their day-to-day work, but coding skills are not typically required for jobs in data analysis.
What tools do data analysts use? ›- Microsoft Excel.
- Python.
- R.
- Jupyter Notebook.
- Apache Spark.
- SAS.
- Microsoft Power BI.
- Tableau.
Accenture Analyst Salary FAQs
Average Accenture Analyst salary in India is ₹ 6.0 Lakhs for experience between 1 years to 8 years. Analyst salary at Accenture India ranges between ₹ 3.2 Lakhs to ₹ 10.3 Lakhs.
What is an average data analyst's salary? The average base pay for a data analyst in the United States in December 2022 is $63,865, according to job listing site Glassdoor [1].
What is the minimum salary of data analyst? ›
Data Analyst salary in India with less than 1 year of experience to 6 years ranges from ₹ 1.9 Lakhs to ₹ 12 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 4.4 Lakhs based on 44.2k salaries.
What are your strengths data analyst? ›Example: "The most important technical skills a data analyst can possess are database knowledge, knowledge of Big Data, presentation abilities and being skillful at interpreting analytics.
What questions should a data analyst ask? ›- What exactly do you want to find out?
- What standard KPIs will you use that can help?
- Where will your data come from?
- How can you ensure data quality?
- Which statistical analysis techniques do you want to apply?
- Show how your professional goals and the job you're applying for align.
- Focus on the skills you want to learn and get better at.
- Don't get too specific with job titles or time frames.
- Never say “I want your job,” “I don't know” or “Not here!”
Data analytics (DA) is the process of examining data sets in order to find trends and draw conclusions about the information they contain. Increasingly, data analytics is done with the aid of specialized systems and software.
Why are you fit for this job? ›For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to succeed.
Does Accenture eliminate in interview? ›Which Round is elimination Round in Accenture? First Round is elimination round in Accenture i.e Cognitive and Technical Round. But in few college Coding Round is also considered as elimination Round.
Is Accenture interview difficult? ›One of the biggest challenges of interviewing with Accenture is solving cases that you've never seen before. Each case can be difficult, and you'll have to perform well across multiple case interviews in order to get an offer.
What happens after selection in Accenture? ›After an offer is accepted, your Accenture journey begins with the New Joiner Orientation. You will meet with new colleagues and learn about our culture and values, our growth strategy, and more.
How many candidates usually make it to the final interview? ›The final interview stage should be a consideration of the top three to five candidates from the interview process. By now, the candidates that remain in the running clearly fit the requirements and ideals for the open position, so it is time to see if they are a fit for the person who they will be working under.
How many candidates are usually shortlisted for interview? ›
The shortlist for an interview usually includes 10 to 20 candidates, but this can vary depending on the type of position you are hiring for. Companies with more resources may have much larger shortlists because they can afford to spend more time interviewing people in-person.
Is Accenture high paying? ›Salaries at Accenture range from an average of ₹318,263 to ₹1,864,791 a year. Accenture employees with the job title Consulting Manager make the most with an average annual salary of ₹2,793,978, while employees with the title Account Payable Associate make the least with an average annual salary of ₹235,027.
What Accenture basic salary? ›Minimum salary at Accenture depends on the role you are applying for. For Transaction Processing Associate the minimum salary is ₹2.8 Lakhs per year, for Associate Software Engineer the minimum salary is ₹4.2 Lakhs per year and so on.
Are Accenture salaries good? ›The average Accenture salary ranges from approximately $32,000 per year for Business Intelligence Analyst to $190,110 per year for Mobilization Manager. Average Accenture hourly pay ranges from approximately $11.80 per hour for Intern to $80.85 per hour for Engineering Lead.
What are the 5 stages of the hiring process? ›Here are the five distinct phases during the hiring process that recruiters can assist hiring managers with: opening the requisition, screening the applicants, interviewing the candidates, selecting the best, and making the offer.
Is final interview means hired? ›A final interview is not a guarantee that you'll get the offer. Instead, it usually means you're among the final two to five candidates, and the company has dedicated time to narrowing down their options. Each company's interview process differs.
Will I get job after 3rd interview? ›If you're called in for a third interview, that's a great sign—it indicates that your previous conversations went well, and you are on a shortlist of job applicants. A third interview is used to ensure the candidate is a good fit for the job.
How many candidates get interview stage? ›Only 20% Of the Applicants Get to the Interview Round.
On average, 118 candidates apply for one single job, of whom only 20% are interviewed. And, if you get an offer, you are among just 30.89 percent of interviewees to be selected.
Jodette Cleary, Chief People and Innovation Officer with HiPages, says three to four interviews is usually ideal, depending on the seniority of the role. Here's how this process might look. “This establishes expectations where you can share a high-level brief on the company, role and salary budget,” Cleary says.
What does a Round 2 interview mean? ›While the first job interview is more of a get-to-know-you scenario, the second round is much more about the hiring manager picturing you in the role at the company. It's an opportunity not only for the company to check you out, but also for you to determine if they're right for you.
Who makes final decision in hiring process? ›
And while the recruiter manages the process, it's the hiring manager who actually closes the deal. So, hiring managers are the decision-makers; they have the final say as to who gets hired and who gets rejected. They own the outcome of the recruiting process.
What is the next process after interview? ›As a best practice, always send a follow-up email within 24 hours after your interview so that you can thank your interviewer for their time. And if you've already done that, well then, great job. Now, it's not typical to get a response to a thank you email even if you interviewed really well.
How are hiring decisions made? ›- Create universal hiring criteria. ...
- Take notes during the interviews. ...
- Ask yourself important questions about the employee. ...
- Complete reference checks. ...
- Review all qualified candidates. ...
- Make sure everyone is in agreement. ...
- Be quick about your decision.