Empower Retirement Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Empower Retirement is dedicated to transforming financial lives by empowering individuals to achieve their financial goals.

The role of a Business Analyst at Empower Retirement involves collaborating closely with stakeholders to gather and analyze data, understand business needs, and translate them into actionable insights that align with the company’s strategic objectives. Key responsibilities include conducting market research, evaluating emerging technologies, and developing business cases that support innovative solutions. A successful Business Analyst will possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytics tools, and a customer-centric mindset. They should also demonstrate effective communication abilities and critical thinking skills while fostering collaborative relationships across cross-functional teams. Given Empower's commitment to internal mobility and a supportive work culture, individuals who embody a proactive approach, curiosity, and a genuine interest in the financial services industry will thrive in this role.

This guide will prepare you for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations and equipping you with tailored strategies to showcase your fit within Empower Retirement's unique culture.

The interview process for a Business Analyst role at Empower Retirement is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several structured steps that allow candidates to showcase their abilities and align with the company's values.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which is usually conducted by a recruiter. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, interest in the financial services industry, and understanding of the role. The recruiter will also discuss the company culture and what it’s like to work at Empower Retirement, ensuring that candidates are aligned with the organization’s values and mission.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This step is crucial for evaluating your analytical skills and familiarity with relevant tools and methodologies. The assessment may include case studies or problem-solving exercises that reflect real-world scenarios you might encounter in the role. Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in data analysis, market research, and the use of analytics tools.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates who pass the technical assessment will move on to one or more behavioral interviews. These interviews typically involve meeting with team members or managers and focus on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Expect questions that explore your critical thinking skills, ability to work collaboratively, and how you approach problem-solving in a business context.

4. Final Interview

The final interview may involve a panel of interviewers, including senior leadership. This stage is an opportunity for you to present your understanding of the business and how you can contribute to Empower Retirement's goals. You may also be asked to discuss your internship project or any relevant coursework that demonstrates your readiness for the role. This is a chance to showcase your communication skills and your ability to engage with stakeholders effectively.

5. Decision and Offer

After the interviews, the hiring team will review all candidates and make a decision. If selected, you will receive an offer that outlines the terms of your internship, including compensation and start dates. The communication during this phase is typically prompt, reflecting the company’s commitment to a smooth hiring process.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during each stage of the process.

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

Understand the Legacy Systems

Given the feedback from previous candidates about the "ancient systems" in place, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with legacy systems and their implications in a business context. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to modernizing processes or how your skills can help bridge the gap between old and new technologies. This will demonstrate your awareness of the challenges the company faces and your proactive approach to problem-solving.

Highlight Your Analytical Skills

As a Business Analyst, your ability to analyze data and translate it into actionable insights is key. Prepare to showcase your analytical skills through examples from your academic projects or internships. Discuss specific tools you’ve used, such as Excel or analytics software, and how you’ve applied them to solve real-world problems. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver value from day one.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

Empower Retirement values teamwork and collaboration, as indicated by the emphasis on working closely with stakeholders and cross-functional teams. Be ready to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills, both verbal and written, as these are essential for a Business Analyst role. Consider preparing a brief story that illustrates your ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.

Show Enthusiasm for Financial Services

Demonstrating a genuine interest in the financial services industry can set you apart. Research current trends, challenges, and innovations in the sector, and be prepared to discuss how they relate to Empower Retirement’s mission. Your enthusiasm will resonate with interviewers and show that you are not just looking for any internship, but are specifically interested in contributing to their organization.

Prepare for a Fast-Paced Environment

Candidates have noted that the interview process is quick and efficient. This reflects the company’s fast-paced, growth-centric environment. Be ready to answer questions succinctly and confidently. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, as this will reflect your ability to thrive in a dynamic workplace.

Be Ready for a Skills Assessment

Some candidates found the skills test challenging. Brush up on relevant skills, particularly in data analysis and business case development. Familiarize yourself with common analytical tools and methodologies that are relevant to the role. This preparation will not only help you perform well on the assessment but also demonstrate your commitment to the position.

Approach with Curiosity and a Customer Service Mindset

Empower Retirement values a sense of curiosity and a customer service mindset. During the interview, express your eagerness to learn and grow within the role. Ask insightful questions about the company’s projects, culture, and future initiatives. This will show that you are not only interested in the position but are also keen on contributing positively to the team and the organization as a whole.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview for the Business Analyst role at Empower Retirement. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Empower Retirement. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, understanding of business processes, and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your experiences and how they relate to the financial services industry, as well as your familiarity with data analysis tools and methodologies.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you had to analyze data to make a business decision?

This question assesses your practical experience in data analysis and decision-making.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific project where you utilized data to inform a decision. Highlight the tools you used, the data you analyzed, and the outcome of your analysis.

Example

“In my last project, I analyzed customer feedback data using Excel to identify trends in service satisfaction. By categorizing the feedback, I was able to present actionable insights to management, which led to a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores over the next quarter.”

Analytical Skills

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use to manage your workload effectively.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact on the project goals. I often use a simple matrix to categorize tasks and focus on high-impact items first. This approach has helped me meet deadlines consistently while ensuring quality work.”

3. What tools or software are you familiar with for data analysis?

This question gauges your technical proficiency and familiarity with industry-standard tools.

How to Answer

List the tools you have experience with, emphasizing any that are particularly relevant to the role at Empower Retirement.

Example

“I am proficient in Microsoft Excel for data manipulation and analysis, and I have experience with Tableau for data visualization. Additionally, I have used JIRA for project management and tracking progress on tasks.”

Business Acumen

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

This question tests your understanding of how analysis supports broader business goals.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to understanding business objectives and how you incorporate them into your analysis.

Example

“I start by engaging with stakeholders to understand their goals and challenges. I then align my analysis with these objectives, ensuring that my recommendations are relevant and actionable. This approach has helped me deliver insights that drive strategic initiatives.”

5. Can you give an example of how you’ve used market research to inform a business strategy?

This question assesses your ability to leverage market insights for strategic decision-making.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where market research influenced a business decision or strategy.

Example

“In a previous internship, I conducted market research on competitor offerings and customer preferences. My findings revealed a gap in our product features, which led to a strategic pivot in our development roadmap, ultimately increasing our market share by 10%.”

Communication Skills

6. Describe a time when you had to present complex information to a non-technical audience.

This question evaluates your communication skills and ability to simplify complex concepts.

How to Answer

Share an experience where you successfully communicated complex data or analysis to a non-technical audience.

Example

“I once presented a data analysis report to the marketing team, which included complex statistical findings. I used visual aids and simplified language to explain the insights, ensuring everyone understood the implications for our marketing strategy. The presentation was well-received, and the team implemented my recommendations.”

7. How do you handle feedback or criticism of your analysis?

This question assesses your ability to accept feedback and improve your work.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to receiving feedback and how you use it to enhance your analysis.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive criticism, I take the time to understand the perspective of the reviewer and incorporate their suggestions into my work. This iterative process has helped me refine my analytical skills and produce better results.”

Problem-Solving

8. Can you describe a challenging problem you faced in a project and how you resolved it?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a challenge you encountered and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example

“During a project, I encountered discrepancies in the data that affected my analysis. I took the initiative to trace the data sources, identify the errors, and collaborated with the data team to correct them. This proactive approach not only resolved the issue but also improved the overall data quality for future analyses.”