Disney Data Scientist Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Disney is synonymous with creativity, innovation, and storytelling, having millions of fans around the globe. Disney Streaming Services, encompassing platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, using cutting-edge data science to enhance user experiences and engagement.

Prepare to embark on an exciting journey where your skills will contribute to the magic of Disney. In this guide, we’ll tackle how they conduct their data science interviews, along with commonly asked Disney data scientist interview questions to help you prepare better.

The interview process usually depends on the role and seniority, however, you can expect the following on a Disney data scientist interview:

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Disney Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process. The recruiter may also touch upon topics such as your familiarity with machine learning models or statistical methods.

In some instances, the Disney data science hiring manager might join the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company. They might also engage in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The entire recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. This is typically conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around Disney’s data systems, your proficiency in ML models, statistical analysis, and SQL queries.

The interview might include tasks such as writing a function to transpose a matrix in Python or answering questions about SQL joins and window functions. Additionally, case studies on one of Disney’s products and take-home assignments related to ML modeling or statistical analysis using Python could be incorporated.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. This usually involves multiple interview rounds and varies with the role. Your technical skills, including programming, ML modeling capabilities, and statistical knowledge, will be evaluated against those of other finalized candidates throughout these interviews.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, you might also face a presentation round during the onsite interview for the data scientist role at Disney Streaming Services.

Typically, interviews at Disney vary by role and team, but commonly Data Scientist interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. How would you select the best 10,000 customers for a pre-launch of a new show?

Amazon Prime Video wants to test the launch of a new show on 10,000 customers. How would you go about selecting the best customers for this pre-launch?

2. What process would you use to pre-launch a TV show on Amazon Prime to measure its performance?

Describe the steps you would take to pre-launch a TV show on Amazon Prime Video and measure its performance.

3. Write a query to select the top five most expensive projects by budget to employee count ratio, accounting for duplicate rows.

We have two tables: projects and employee_projects. We want to select the five most expensive projects by budget to employee count ratio, considering duplicate rows in the employee_projects table.

4. Write a query to show the number of users, number of transactions placed, and total order amount per month in 2020.

Given the transactions, products, and users tables, write a query to show the number of users, number of transactions placed, and total order amount per month for the year 2020.

5. Create a function rotate_matrix to rotate a 2D array by 90 degrees clockwise.

Given a 2D array filled with random values, write a function rotate_matrix to rotate the array by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction.

6. Write a function to generate a transposed matrix and estimate linear regression parameters.

Given a matrix of X and y values, write a function to generate a transposed matrix and estimate the parameters for linear regression. Return the solutions as a list of [[A_T], [coefficients]].

7. Will increasing the number of trees in a random forest model continuously improve its accuracy?

If you are working on a random forest model and increase the number of trees sequentially, will the model’s accuracy keep improving indefinitely?

8. What is the probability that a coin is double-headed and the next toss is a head after seeing 10 heads?

A jar holds 1000 coins, 999 fair and one double-sided with two heads. You pick a coin at random and toss it ten times, observing 10 heads. Calculate the probability that the coin is double-headed and the probability that the next toss will also be a head.

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your Disney data scientist interview include:

• Know Disney’s Products and Services: Disney questions often incorporate scenarios involving their streaming platforms, so having detailed knowledge of their products (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) can be beneficial. Understand how you would analyze user behavior data for these platforms.

• Be Data-Driven: Disney’s data science interviews assess how well you can provide insights that drive business decisions. Brush up on your knowledge of statistics, probability, and machine learning because these concepts are crucial for solving their interview questions.

• Embody the Spirit: Disney values a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture. Practice responding to behavioral questions with answers that highlight your ability to work well in teams, drive innovation, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

What is the average salary for a Data Scientist at Disney Streaming Services?

What is the company culture like at Disney Streaming Services?

Disney fosters a business culture where a diverse range of ideas and decisions help drive growth and innovation. The company values creativity, collaboration, and a proactive approach to making the best stories and experiences for its users.

How can I make my application stand out for a Data Scientist position at Disney Streaming Services?

Highlight your experience with developing and operationalizing machine learning models, conducting statistical analysis, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Showcase your proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools, and mention any relevant degrees or certifications.

The path to becoming a Data Scientist at Disney Streaming Services is filled with unique opportunities and challenges. From engaging technical interviews to a collaborative, innovation-driven work culture, Disney offers an environment where data scientists can thrive. With a role integral to the development and improvement of models and insights that touch millions of users, this position is perfect for those who love to blend creativity with technical prowess.

For a deep dive into more insights about the interview process and how to prepare, check out our comprehensive Disney Interview Guide. We not only cover what to expect but also provide strategies to help you succeed.

Good luck with your interview!