Archer Daniels Midland Company Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is a global leader in human and animal nutrition, dedicated to unlocking the power of nature to provide essential nutrition worldwide.

The Business Analyst role at ADM is pivotal in driving efficiency and effectiveness across various business processes. Responsibilities include gathering and analyzing business requirements, supporting system administration and technical functions, and enhancing reporting capabilities to improve operational performance. A successful candidate should possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with SQL or similar database querying languages. Experience with ERP systems, particularly Hyperion or Blackline, is advantageous, as the role requires interaction with diverse stakeholders to identify opportunities for process improvements and support during critical accounting periods. The ideal Business Analyst at ADM is a proactive problem-solver who can work independently while demonstrating strong communication skills and a commitment to ADM's values of sustainability and inclusivity.

This guide will empower you to approach your interview with confidence, ensuring you can articulate your relevant experiences and align them with ADM's mission and culture.

The interview process for a Business Analyst at Archer Daniels Midland Company is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and operational needs. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Phone Interview

The first step usually involves a phone interview with a recruiter or a project group leader. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, education, and relevant work experience. Expect questions that gauge your understanding of business analysis principles and your familiarity with software systems, particularly those relevant to the role. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the specifics of the position.

2. Second Phone Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates may participate in a second phone interview, which often includes multiple interviewers, such as a team member and a manager. This round dives deeper into your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. You may be asked to discuss innovative approaches you've taken in previous roles and how you handle challenges in a business context.

3. Onsite Interview

The final stage is an onsite interview, which is more comprehensive and typically involves multiple interviewers, including business analysts, a director, and HR representatives. This session may consist of several one-on-one interviews, each lasting around 45 minutes. Interviewers will assess your analytical skills, communication abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Expect to discuss your past projects in detail, including your role, the tools you used, and the outcomes achieved.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in relevant software applications, analytical thinking, and their ability to work independently while collaborating with various stakeholders.

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

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

Understand the Interview Structure

Be prepared for a multi-stage interview process, which may include multiple phone interviews followed by an onsite interview. The initial phone interviews often involve one-on-one or small group formats, so practice articulating your experiences clearly and concisely. During the onsite interview, you may face a panel of interviewers, including HR, managers, and team members. Familiarize yourself with the backgrounds of your interviewers if possible, as this can help you tailor your responses to their interests and expertise.

Highlight Relevant Experience

When discussing your work experience, focus on specific projects or roles that align with the responsibilities of a Business Analyst at ADM. Be ready to share innovative approaches you have taken in previous positions, especially those that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your contributions.

Emphasize Technical Proficiency

Given the technical nature of the role, be prepared to discuss your proficiency with relevant software and tools, such as Microsoft Office Suite, SQL, and any ERP systems you have experience with. If you have worked with specific applications like Hyperion or Blackline, be ready to explain how you utilized these tools to enhance processes or solve problems. Demonstrating your technical skills will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the role.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your ability to work in a team, handle pressure, and adapt to changing environments. Reflect on past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges or collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Be honest and authentic in your responses, as ADM values candidates who can demonstrate integrity and a strong work ethic.

Align with Company Values

Familiarize yourself with ADM's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's mission and culture. Show that you appreciate the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation and success. This alignment can set you apart as a candidate who not only possesses the necessary skills but also fits well within the company culture.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how ADM measures success in the Business Analyst role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up

After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to each of your interviewers. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your interest in the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and reinforce your enthusiasm for the role.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-prepared and enthusiastic candidate, increasing your chances of success in securing the Business Analyst position at Archer Daniels Midland Company. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Archer Daniels Midland Company. The interview process will likely assess your analytical skills, experience with software systems, and ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you implemented a new software solution? What was your role, and what was the outcome?

This question aims to understand your hands-on experience with software implementations and your ability to drive projects to completion.

How to Answer

Focus on your specific contributions to the project, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight the impact of the solution on the organization.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a project to implement a new ERP system. I was responsible for gathering requirements from various departments, coordinating with the IT team, and training end-users. The implementation improved our reporting accuracy by 30% and reduced processing time by 20%.”

Software Proficiency

2. What experience do you have with SQL and how have you used it in your previous roles?

This question assesses your technical skills and familiarity with data management.

How to Answer

Discuss specific instances where you used SQL to extract, manipulate, or analyze data. Mention any complex queries you wrote and the insights gained from them.

Example

“I have used SQL extensively to generate reports for management. For instance, I created a complex query that combined data from multiple tables to analyze sales trends, which helped the team identify underperforming products and adjust our strategy accordingly.”

3. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question evaluates your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, such as using project management tools or methodologies. Provide an example of a time when you successfully managed competing deadlines.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. I use a project management tool to track deadlines and progress. For example, during a busy quarter, I had to balance multiple reporting requests. I assessed which reports were critical for decision-making and focused on those first, ensuring timely delivery.”

Analytical Skills

4. Describe a time when you identified a significant problem in a process. How did you approach solving it?

This question seeks to understand your problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.

How to Answer

Detail the problem, your analysis process, and the solution you proposed. Emphasize the positive outcome of your intervention.

Example

“I noticed that our inventory management process was leading to frequent stockouts. I conducted a root cause analysis and discovered that our reorder points were set too high. I proposed a new inventory model that reduced stockouts by 40% and improved overall efficiency.”

5. How do you ensure that your analysis aligns with business objectives?

This question assesses your understanding of business strategy and your ability to align your work with it.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for understanding business goals and how you incorporate them into your analysis. Provide an example of how your analysis directly supported a business objective.

Example

“I always start by meeting with stakeholders to understand their goals. For instance, when analyzing customer feedback, I aligned my findings with our goal of improving customer satisfaction. My analysis led to actionable recommendations that increased our satisfaction scores by 15%.”

Communication and Collaboration

6. How do you handle disagreements with team members or stakeholders?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate conflicts.

How to Answer

Describe your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing communication and collaboration. Provide an example of a disagreement and how you resolved it.

Example

“When disagreements arise, I focus on open communication. In one instance, a team member and I disagreed on the direction of a project. I suggested we both present our viewpoints to the team and gather feedback. This collaborative approach led to a compromise that satisfied both parties and improved the project outcome.”

7. Can you give an example of how you have communicated complex data to a non-technical audience?

This question assesses your ability to convey information clearly and effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for simplifying complex data and ensuring understanding. Provide an example of a successful presentation or report.

Example

“I once presented a data analysis report to the marketing team, which included complex statistical findings. I used visual aids like charts and graphs to illustrate key points and avoided jargon. This approach helped the team grasp the insights quickly, leading to informed marketing strategies.”