Getting ready for an Data Scientist interview at Affirm? The Affirm Data Scientist interview span across 10 to 12 different question topics. In preparing for the interview:
Interview Query regularly analyzes interview experience data, and we've used that data to produce this guide, with sample interview questions and an overview of the Affirm Data Scientist interview.
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Describe a situation where you and a colleague had differing opinions on a machine learning technique. How did you handle the disagreement and ensure a productive outcome?
In handling disagreements, I focus on open communication and evidence-based discussions. For example, during a project, a colleague and I disagreed on the feature selection method. I proposed a meeting to discuss our perspectives, prepared data-backed evidence to support my approach, and encouraged my colleague to do the same. We agreed to test both methods on a sample dataset to see which yielded better results. This approach not only resolved our disagreement but also enhanced our mutual respect and led to a more robust model.
Affirm values the business impact of data science. Describe a time you had to balance business needs with technical accuracy. What was your approach and the outcome?
Balancing business and technical needs requires understanding both perspectives. In one instance, I worked on a predictive model that had to balance accuracy with business feasibility. I collaborated with business stakeholders to understand their priorities and adjusted the model's parameters to align with those needs. By maintaining open communication and iterating on the model based on feedback, we achieved a satisfactory balance, resulting in a model that was both accurate and business-aligned.
Interviews can be unpredictable. Can you share an experience where an interview didn't go as planned and how you managed it?
I once faced a situation where an interviewer missed our scheduled call. I remained calm and flexible, reaching out to reschedule. During the follow-up interview, I focused on staying positive and prepared, despite the initial hiccup. I used the extra time to further research the company, which helped me to better tailor my responses and ultimately leave a positive impression.
Typically, interviews at Affirm vary by role and team, but commonly Data Scientist interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.
We've gathered this data from parsing thousands of interview experiences sourced from members.
Practice for the Affirm Data Scientist interview with these recently asked interview questions.