Data Engineers are essential in improving a business’s data transparency and decision-making. Whether by building data pipelines, integrating and analysing data, or creating data systems, a Data Engineer helps organisations use data for performance improvement and evaluation. They’ll work closely with Data Analysts and Data Scientists in creating dataset procedures that enhance the data quality.
During an interview with a Data Engineer, you should check for the following skills:
- Strong knowledge of data modelling.
- Proven experience using databases and data extracting tools.
- Highly skilled in data visualisation.
- Fluency in SQL and other programming languages.
- High level of computing and mathematical skills.
- Excellent communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
Interviewing a Data Engineer
Data engineers can help your business make better decisions and improve productivity by producing accurate metrics and business predictions. Therefore, having the first conversation right is essential. The candidate must be confident in answering analytical questions, explaining their experience, and showcasing their business understanding.
To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together these guide interview questions for a Data Engineer. Please note that these questions are to be used during the first stage(s) of the interview process to help you decide early on if the candidate is a good fit for the role or not.
How to open the job interview
Candidates are almost always nervous in interviews, especially early on in the interview process. That’s why, as an interviewer, it is essential to put your candidate at ease, especially at the beginning of the interview.
For this reason, starting your interview with some light and interesting questions linked to the role is always best. The questions should leave room for conversation and help the candidate showcase their personality and talents, so you can assess them better.