American Family Insurance Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

American Family Insurance is a leading provider of insurance products that focuses on helping customers protect their dreams and aspirations through a strong commitment to community and customer service.

The Business Intelligence role at American Family Insurance involves creating and delivering business intelligence solutions that empower stakeholders through data-driven insights. Key responsibilities include developing interactive dashboards, conducting performance analysis, and providing strategic recommendations based on data trends. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong SQL proficiency and a deep understanding of analytics, statistical methods, and business intelligence tools like Looker and Google Data Studio. Collaboration with product teams to understand their goals and enhance business performance is crucial, aligning with the company’s values of curiosity and community engagement. Exceptional communication skills and an analytical mindset will also be essential traits for individuals in this position.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by equipping you with insights into the role and highlighting the skills that will set you apart as a candidate.

The interview process for the Business Intelligence role at American Family Insurance is structured to assess both technical and behavioral competencies, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the company.

1. Initial Screening

The process typically begins with an initial phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This conversation focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to American Family Insurance. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Business Intelligence role, allowing you to gauge your fit within the organization.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve a take-home project or a coding challenge that tests your proficiency in SQL, data analysis, and possibly other relevant programming languages such as Python or R. The assessment is designed to evaluate your analytical skills and your ability to work with data, which are crucial for the role.

3. Panel Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the technical assessment will typically move on to a series of panel interviews. These interviews often include two or more interviewers, such as hiring managers and team members. Expect a mix of behavioral questions, often framed in the STAR format, alongside technical questions that assess your understanding of business intelligence tools and methodologies. You may be asked to discuss your previous projects, how you approach problem-solving, and your experience with data visualization tools like Looker or Google Data Studio.

4. Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process usually involves a more in-depth discussion with senior management or stakeholders. This interview may focus on your strategic thinking and how you can contribute to the company's goals. You might be asked to present your findings from the technical assessment or discuss how you would approach specific business challenges. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics and the company's vision.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their curiosity and analytical mindset, as well as their ability to communicate complex data insights effectively.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise, particularly those that relate to your experience and skills in business intelligence.

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

Understand the Business Intelligence Landscape

Familiarize yourself with the specific business intelligence tools and methodologies that American Family Insurance utilizes, such as Looker, Google Sheets, and Data Studio. Being able to discuss how you have used these tools in past roles or projects will demonstrate your readiness to contribute immediately. Additionally, understanding the insurance industry and its key performance indicators (KPIs) will give you an edge in discussions about how to drive performance initiatives.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral questions, particularly those framed in the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format. Reflect on your past experiences and prepare to discuss specific instances where you overcame challenges, collaborated with teams, or drove business results through data analysis. Given the emphasis on community connection in some interviews, be ready to articulate how your work has positively impacted your community or how you engage with it.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Given the high importance of SQL in this role, ensure you are comfortable discussing your experience with SQL queries, data manipulation, and reporting. You may also encounter questions related to Python or R, so be prepared to discuss any relevant projects or applications of these languages. If you have experience with cloud platforms like GCP, be ready to explain how you have leveraged these technologies in your work.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During your interviews, especially when discussing complex data analyses or models, clarity is key. Practice explaining your thought process and findings in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders. This will not only demonstrate your analytical skills but also your ability to communicate effectively within a business context.

Engage with Your Interviewers

American Family Insurance values a collaborative culture, so take the opportunity to engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences, the team dynamics, and how the business intelligence function supports the company's strategic goals. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thoughtful follow-up email thanking your interviewers for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. This not only reflects professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their hiring decisions. If you have specific points from the interview that resonated with you, mention them to reinforce your engagement.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and curiosity, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Business Intelligence role at American Family Insurance. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at American Family Insurance. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, experience with data tools, and ability to communicate insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical skills, and how you can contribute to the company's goals.

Technical Skills

1. What is your experience with SQL, and can you provide an example of a complex query you have written?

This question assesses your proficiency in SQL, which is crucial for data analysis and reporting.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with SQL, focusing on specific projects where you utilized complex queries to extract or manipulate data. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

“In my previous role, I wrote a complex SQL query that joined multiple tables to generate a comprehensive report on customer behavior. This involved using window functions to calculate running totals and applying conditional logic to filter the data. The insights from this report helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns effectively.”

2. Can you explain the difference between a left join and an inner join?

Understanding joins is fundamental for data manipulation and analysis.

How to Answer

Clearly define both types of joins and provide a brief example of when you would use each.

Example

“A left join returns all records from the left table and the matched records from the right table, while an inner join returns only the records that have matching values in both tables. For instance, if I wanted to list all customers and their orders, I would use a left join to ensure I include customers who haven’t placed any orders.”

3. Describe your experience with business intelligence tools like Looker or Google Data Studio.

This question evaluates your familiarity with BI tools that are essential for data visualization and reporting.

How to Answer

Share specific examples of how you have used these tools to create dashboards or reports, emphasizing the impact of your work.

Example

“I have extensive experience using Google Data Studio to create interactive dashboards for our sales team. By integrating various data sources, I was able to provide real-time insights into sales performance, which led to a 15% increase in quarterly sales due to more informed decision-making.”

4. How do you ensure the accuracy and integrity of your data analysis?

This question assesses your attention to detail and understanding of data quality.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods you use to validate data and ensure accuracy in your analyses.

Example

“I always start by cleaning the data to remove duplicates and outliers. I also cross-verify my findings with multiple data sources and perform sanity checks. Additionally, I document my processes to ensure transparency and reproducibility in my analyses.”

5. Can you describe a time when you had to communicate complex data findings to a non-technical audience?

This question evaluates your communication skills, which are vital for a Business Intelligence role.

How to Answer

Provide an example that illustrates your ability to simplify complex information and engage your audience.

Example

“During a quarterly review, I presented our customer retention analysis to the executive team. I used visual aids to illustrate key trends and avoided technical jargon, focusing instead on actionable insights. This approach helped the team understand the importance of our retention strategies and led to the implementation of new initiatives.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge in a project and how you overcame it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Describe the challenge, your approach to resolving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a tight deadline due to unexpected data discrepancies. I organized a team meeting to identify the root cause and delegated tasks to ensure we could correct the data quickly. By collaborating effectively, we not only met the deadline but also improved our data validation processes for future projects.”

2. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization and any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I use a combination of project management tools and prioritization frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix. By assessing the urgency and importance of each task, I can focus on high-impact projects first while ensuring that deadlines are met across the board.”

3. Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, focusing on your approach to communication and conflict resolution.

Example

“I once worked with a stakeholder who was resistant to data-driven recommendations. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns and presented data in a way that aligned with their goals. By actively listening and addressing their needs, I was able to gain their support for the proposed changes.”

4. What motivates you to work in the field of business intelligence?

This question helps interviewers understand your passion and commitment to the role.

How to Answer

Share your motivations and what excites you about working in business intelligence.

Example

“I am passionate about transforming data into actionable insights that drive business success. The ability to influence strategic decisions through data analysis is incredibly motivating for me, and I enjoy the challenge of continuously learning and adapting in this fast-paced field.”

5. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in business intelligence?

This question evaluates your commitment to professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed and any relevant courses or certifications you pursue.

Example

“I regularly follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online courses to stay current with BI trends. I’m also a member of several professional organizations where I can network with other analysts and share best practices.”