CHS Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

CHS is a leading global agribusiness that serves agriculture customers and consumers, creating connections to empower agriculture through innovative data solutions.

The Business Intelligence Analyst role at CHS is crucial for enhancing the Internal Audit team's capabilities by leveraging data to drive insights and improve efficiency. Key responsibilities include extracting and analyzing data from various sources using SQL, developing real-time performance dashboards, and collaborating with IT to establish data standards. An ideal candidate will possess strong skills in data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau, as well as advanced Excel capabilities. Additionally, effective communication skills are essential for conveying complex analytical concepts and audit findings to stakeholders. Experience in audit environments and familiarity with SAP or JDE are highly valued, as this role requires a proactive approach to identifying data-driven opportunities that can streamline processes.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insights into the role's requirements and expectations, enabling you to demonstrate your fit for the position at CHS.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence Analyst at CHS is designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-rounded and fit for the collaborative environment. The process typically unfolds in several structured stages:

1. Initial HR Screening

The first step involves a phone interview with a member of the HR team. This conversation is generally straightforward and focuses on your background, motivations for applying to CHS, and a brief overview of your skills and experiences. The HR representative will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, allowing you to gauge your fit within the organization.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may undergo a technical assessment, which can be conducted via video conferencing tools. This stage often includes questions related to SQL, data visualization, and analytical problem-solving. You may be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in data extraction and visualization tools, as well as your ability to analyze and interpret data effectively. Expect to engage in case studies or practical exercises that reflect real-world scenarios you might encounter in the role.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates typically participate in one or more behavioral interviews with team members or managers. These interviews focus on your past experiences, particularly in teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication. Interviewers will be interested in how you handle challenges, collaborate with others, and convey complex analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities and adaptability in various situations.

4. Panel Interview

In some cases, candidates may face a panel interview, which involves multiple interviewers from different departments. This format allows for a comprehensive evaluation of your fit within the team and the organization. Questions may cover a range of topics, including your technical skills, past projects, and how you would approach specific challenges related to business intelligence and data analysis.

5. Final Interview

The final stage may involve a discussion with senior leadership or key stakeholders. This interview is often more strategic, focusing on your vision for the role and how you can contribute to the company's goals. You may be asked about your understanding of CHS's operations and how data-driven insights can enhance decision-making processes within the organization.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that assess your technical expertise and behavioral competencies.

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

Emphasize Your Analytical Skills

As a Business Intelligence Analyst, your ability to analyze and interpret data is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis and visualization tools, particularly SQL, Power BI, and Excel. Highlight specific projects where you successfully extracted insights from data and how those insights impacted decision-making. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your analytical prowess and problem-solving skills.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral interview questions. Prepare to discuss scenarios that showcase your teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication skills. For instance, think of a time when you had to navigate a difficult stakeholder or resolve a conflict with a teammate. The interviewers at CHS appreciate candidates who can articulate their experiences clearly and reflect on what they learned from those situations.

Ask Insightful Questions

The interview process at CHS allows ample time for you to ask questions, so come prepared with thoughtful inquiries. Consider asking about the team dynamics, the specific challenges the Internal Audit team is currently facing, or how the company leverages data analytics to drive business decisions. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to discuss your proficiency in SQL and data visualization tools. You may encounter technical questions or case studies that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Brush up on relevant technical concepts and be prepared to walk through your thought process when tackling data-related challenges.

Highlight Your Communication Skills

Effective communication is key in this role, as you will need to convey complex analytical concepts to various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully communicated findings in the past, whether through presentations, reports, or dashboards. Emphasize your ability to tailor your communication style to different audiences, ensuring clarity and understanding.

Understand the Company Culture

CHS is known for its supportive and professional environment. During your interview, aim to convey your alignment with their values and culture. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to a team that empowers agriculture and supports its community. This cultural fit can be a significant factor in the hiring decision.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your interest in the role and briefly mention a key point from your discussion that reinforces your fit for the position. This not only demonstrates professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for CHS. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence Analyst interview at CHS. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills in data analysis, SQL, and data visualization, as well as your ability to communicate findings effectively. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role.

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time you had a conflict with a teammate.

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflicts in a professional setting.

How to Answer

Focus on the situation, the actions you took to resolve the conflict, and the outcome. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.

Example

“In a previous project, I disagreed with a teammate on the approach to data visualization. I initiated a one-on-one discussion to understand their perspective and shared my insights. We ultimately combined our ideas, which led to a more comprehensive dashboard that satisfied both our needs.”

2. Tell me about a time where you had to communicate an issue to leadership and how you handled it.

This question evaluates your communication skills and your ability to manage upward.

How to Answer

Describe the issue, how you approached leadership, and the resolution. Emphasize clarity and professionalism in your communication.

Example

“I noticed a significant discrepancy in our data reporting that could impact decision-making. I prepared a concise report outlining the issue and its implications, then scheduled a meeting with leadership to discuss it. They appreciated my proactive approach, and we implemented corrective measures promptly.”

3. What challenges have you faced as a leader while working with other associates?

This question looks at your leadership experience and how you handle challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific challenge, your leadership style, and the outcome. Highlight your ability to motivate and guide others.

Example

“As a project lead, I faced challenges with team members who had differing work styles. I organized regular check-ins to align our goals and foster open communication. This approach improved team cohesion and ultimately led to the successful completion of our project ahead of schedule.”

4. When was a time at work/school where you went above and beyond when not asked to?

This question assesses your initiative and work ethic.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that demonstrates your willingness to take on additional responsibilities and the positive impact it had.

Example

“During a critical project, I noticed that our data collection process was inefficient. I took the initiative to streamline it by creating a new template that reduced data entry time by 30%. This not only improved our workflow but also allowed the team to focus on analysis.”

Technical Questions

1. Can you describe a time when you had to clean and preprocess a large dataset? What steps did you take to ensure the data was accurate and ready for analysis?

This question tests your technical skills in data management.

How to Answer

Outline the specific steps you took in the data cleaning process, including any tools or techniques used.

Example

“I worked on a project where I had to clean a dataset with over 10,000 entries. I used SQL to identify and remove duplicates, then applied Python scripts to handle missing values. Finally, I validated the data against source documents to ensure accuracy before analysis.”

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

This question assesses your proficiency with SQL, a key skill for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss specific SQL queries you have written and the context in which you used them.

Example

“In my last role, I frequently used SQL to extract data for reporting. For instance, I wrote complex queries to join multiple tables and aggregate sales data, which helped the team identify trends and make informed decisions.”

3. How do you approach creating dashboards for executive-level reporting?

This question evaluates your experience with data visualization and reporting.

How to Answer

Explain your process for designing dashboards, including tools used and how you ensure they meet stakeholder needs.

Example

“When creating dashboards, I start by understanding the key metrics that stakeholders want to track. I use Power BI to design interactive dashboards, ensuring they are visually appealing and easy to interpret. I also gather feedback from users to make iterative improvements.”

4. Describe your experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI.

This question assesses your familiarity with essential tools for the role.

How to Answer

Share specific projects where you utilized these tools and the impact they had.

Example

“I have extensive experience with Tableau, where I created visualizations for a marketing campaign analysis. By using various chart types and filters, I was able to present insights that led to a 15% increase in campaign effectiveness.”

5. Can you explain how you would use Benford's Law in data analysis?

This question tests your understanding of statistical concepts relevant to auditing.

How to Answer

Discuss the principle of Benford's Law and how it can be applied to detect anomalies in financial data.

Example

“Benford's Law states that in many naturally occurring datasets, the first digit is more likely to be small. I would apply this principle to audit financial transactions to identify any irregularities or potential fraud by comparing the distribution of first digits in our data against the expected distribution.”