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Manipulating Data

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Written by Cindy GaoStrategy & Ops, LinkedIn, BCG

BizOps interviews look for your ability to use common tools (Excel, Google Sheets & SQL) to quickly and correctly manipulate data. Don’t get fancy here. A common pitfall is to get lost in the analysis and visualization and fail to demonstrate insights saliently with the data.

Let's review tools and functions you should feel comfortable with going into a bizops interview.

Excel & Google Sheets

Being able to quickly and correctly manipulate data in Excel or Google Sheets is very important. BizOps take-homes exercises often include a component of converting long-form data (columns in a spreadsheet) to tables and charts (which we’ll talk more about in a later lesson on storytelling). Sometimes, these are timed, similar to coding challenges for SWE interviews.

To prepare for data manipulation challenges and bizops takehomes, be sure to practice:

  • Using basic and advanced formulas (combining INDEX and MATCH, data cleaning functions, financial calculations.)
  • How to do conditional formatting, trendlines, and other forms of basic visualization.
  • How to use pivot tables and charts.
  • How to create basic charts and visualizations.

If these don’t sound familiar, brush up with some resources like this Coursera course on Excel data visualization (it’s free to enroll without a certificate).

While VBA and other advanced functionalities are not always required, they can be helpful, especially for routine tasks like when you have to conduct similar analyses every week.

SQL

Many bizops roles won’t require deep SQL knowledge, but having it is definitely an advantage especially when your data science teams are under-resourced. Because bizops work often requires combining sets of siloed data, SQL is a powerful tool for creating custom measures and generating valuable business insight.

During the interview, you may be tested on basic concepts like:

  • How to query a table.
  • How to aggregate data based on a characteristic (eg. all sales made on the same date.)
  • How to filter for certain characteristics.
  • How to join tables together correctly.

If your interview does end up including a SQL component, make sure you triple-check the syntax because it’s easy to miss a comma when the nerves hit!

Tip: If you do get nervous or stuck, verbally walk your interviewer through what you'd like to do and why. It's always recommended to explain your logic as you work - the interviewer is ultimately more interested in how you think than the mechanics of your code.

If you don’t already know SQL, take a look at this course to learn the basics. Even if the interview doesn’t test for SQL skills, it means a lot to your potential coworkers when you demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond to learn what’s needed to succeed in the role.

Recap

You probably won't have to manipulate data live, but it is possible. More likely, interviewers will be looking for advanced-level spreadsheet skills. Most bizops roles won't require advanced SQL skills, but you may be tested on the basics. More advanced SQL skills can be a huge differentiator, so if you've got the time, it's worth brushing up that skill set.

To show you can manipulate data:

  • Practice converting long-form data into relevant tables and charts. Play with sample datasets if you're feeling rusty: first, run your gut checks, then see what sort of interesting data visualizations and charts you can create. Your goal is to tell a meaningful story as you answer the question.
  • Check the job description for details on SQL requirements for the role. If you're unsure, ask your recruiter.
  • If you do get a live SQL challenge, do some timed practice so your nerves don't get the better of you!
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