Proquest Product Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Proquest is a global leader in providing access to comprehensive research and educational resources that empower users to make informed decisions.

As a Product Analyst at Proquest, you will play a pivotal role in the development and management of product lines, particularly focusing on intellectual property (IP) law content and its integration into portfolio management systems. Your key responsibilities will include analyzing data to inform project strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the delivery of high-quality IP law updates, and applying your project management skills to enhance existing processes. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of IP law, experience with portfolio management software, and the ability to translate complex requirements into actionable insights. A background in SQL and analytical methodologies will also be essential, as you will be tasked with creating advanced data queries and performing gap analysis.

This guide will provide you with insights into the skills and competencies that Proquest values, helping you to prepare effectively for your interview and to demonstrate your fit for the Product Analyst role.

The interview process for a Product Analyst at Proquest is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages designed to evaluate your expertise in product metrics, SQL, and analytical thinking, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which is usually a phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation focuses on your background, experience, and understanding of the role. The recruiter will also gauge your fit within Proquest's culture and values, as well as your interest in the position.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates are often required to complete a technical assessment. This may include a home test that evaluates your knowledge of SQL and product metrics. You might be asked to solve problems related to data analysis or to write SQL queries that demonstrate your ability to manipulate and interpret data effectively. This step is crucial as it helps the interviewers assess your technical proficiency and problem-solving skills.

3. Technical Interview

The next stage typically involves a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. During this interview, you will meet with a member of the product team who will ask you to demonstrate your understanding of product metrics and analytics. Expect questions that require you to explain your thought process in solving specific problems, as well as inquiries about your experience with relevant technologies and methodologies.

4. Behavioral Interview

After the technical interview, candidates usually participate in a behavioral interview. This round focuses on your interpersonal skills, teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a work environment. Interviewers will ask about past experiences and how you have contributed to team success, as well as your approach to managing conflicts or setbacks.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often includes a meeting with senior management or key stakeholders. This interview may involve discussing your long-term career goals, your understanding of Proquest's products, and how you can contribute to the company's objectives. You may also be asked to present a case study or a project that showcases your analytical skills and strategic thinking.

As you prepare for these interviews, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked, particularly those related to product metrics and SQL.

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

Understand the Role and Its Impact

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand the responsibilities of a Product Analyst at Proquest. Familiarize yourself with how the role contributes to the IP Laws team and the overall business objectives. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experiences align with the tasks of coordinating IP law content and managing project deliverables. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and your ability to contribute effectively.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on technical knowledge, particularly in SQL and Java, ensure you are well-versed in these areas. Practice writing SQL queries and understanding how to manipulate data effectively. Additionally, be ready to solve coding problems in Java, as interviewers may ask you to write code or explain the output of specific code snippets. Familiarity with object-oriented design principles and common algorithms will also be beneficial.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Proquest values a collaborative and professional work environment. Expect behavioral questions that assess your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, focusing on specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills and adaptability.

Showcase Your Knowledge of IP Law

As a Product Analyst, having a solid understanding of intellectual property laws and procedures is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of patent rules and the workflows associated with various governing bodies like the USPTO and EPO. This will not only show your expertise but also your commitment to the field and the role.

Engage with the Interviewers

During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the team dynamics, current projects, and the company’s vision for the future. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values. Additionally, showing curiosity about their experiences can create a more conversational atmosphere.

Be Ready for a Multi-Stage Process

The interview process at Proquest may involve multiple rounds, including technical assessments and discussions with various stakeholders. Prepare for a range of interview formats, from coding tests to behavioral interviews. Stay organized and keep track of the different interviewers and their roles within the company, as this will help you tailor your responses accordingly.

Emphasize Your Project Management Skills

Given the project management aspect of the role, be ready to discuss your experience in managing projects, particularly in the context of IP law or software development. Highlight your ability to coordinate tasks, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams. This will illustrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the position.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Analyst role at Proquest. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Analyst interview at Proquest. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, understanding of product metrics, SQL proficiency, and your ability to work with data to drive business decisions. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of product performance, data analysis, and your experience with relevant software tools.

Product Metrics

1. How would you measure the success of a product feature after its launch?

Understanding product metrics is crucial for a Product Analyst role.

How to Answer

Discuss specific metrics you would track, such as user engagement, conversion rates, and customer feedback. Emphasize the importance of aligning these metrics with business goals.

Example

“I would measure the success of a product feature by analyzing user engagement metrics, such as the number of active users and the frequency of feature usage. Additionally, I would look at conversion rates to see if the feature is driving desired actions, and gather qualitative feedback from users to understand their experience and satisfaction.”

2. Can you explain how you would conduct a competitive analysis for a product?

This question assesses your analytical skills and understanding of market dynamics.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take to gather data on competitors, including market research, user reviews, and feature comparisons. Highlight the importance of identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Example

“I would start by identifying key competitors and gathering data on their product features, pricing, and customer reviews. I would then create a comparison matrix to evaluate how our product stands against theirs, focusing on unique selling points and areas for improvement. This analysis would help inform our product strategy and positioning.”

3. Describe a time when you used data to influence a product decision.

This question evaluates your ability to leverage data in decision-making.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where your data analysis led to a significant product change or improvement. Highlight the impact of your findings.

Example

“In my previous role, I analyzed user behavior data and discovered that a significant number of users dropped off during the onboarding process. I presented this data to the product team, and we implemented a more guided onboarding experience, which resulted in a 30% increase in user retention.”

4. What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you consider most important for a product analyst?

This question tests your knowledge of relevant metrics.

How to Answer

Discuss KPIs that are relevant to product performance, such as user acquisition, retention rates, and customer satisfaction scores. Explain why these metrics matter.

Example

“I believe that user retention rate, customer satisfaction score, and net promoter score (NPS) are critical KPIs for a product analyst. These metrics provide insights into how well the product meets user needs and its potential for growth in the market.”

SQL

1. Can you write a SQL query to find the top 5 products by sales in the last quarter?

This question assesses your SQL skills, which are essential for data analysis.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process in writing the query, focusing on the tables you would use and the logic behind your selection criteria.

Example

“I would write a query that selects product names and sales figures from the sales table, grouping by product and ordering by total sales in descending order. I would limit the results to the top 5 products. The query would look something like this: SELECT product_name, SUM(sales) AS total_sales FROM sales WHERE sale_date BETWEEN '2023-07-01' AND '2023-09-30' GROUP BY product_name ORDER BY total_sales DESC LIMIT 5;”

2. How do you handle missing data in a dataset?

This question evaluates your data management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss various strategies for handling missing data, such as imputation, removal, or using algorithms that can handle missing values.

Example

“I typically handle missing data by first assessing the extent of the missing values. If the missing data is minimal, I might choose to remove those records. For larger gaps, I would consider using imputation techniques, such as filling in missing values with the mean or median, or using predictive modeling to estimate the missing values.”

3. Explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN in SQL.

This question tests your understanding of SQL joins.

How to Answer

Clearly define both types of joins and provide examples of when you would use each.

Example

“An INNER JOIN returns only the rows where there is a match in both tables, while a LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table, filling in NULLs for non-matching rows. I would use INNER JOIN when I only want records that have corresponding entries in both tables, and LEFT JOIN when I want to retain all records from the left table regardless of matches.”

4. How would you optimize a slow-running SQL query?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills in database management.

How to Answer

Discuss techniques such as indexing, query restructuring, and analyzing execution plans to improve performance.

Example

“To optimize a slow-running SQL query, I would first analyze the execution plan to identify bottlenecks. I might add indexes to columns that are frequently used in WHERE clauses or JOIN conditions. Additionally, I would look for opportunities to simplify the query by reducing the number of subqueries or using more efficient joins.”

Analytics

1. What tools do you use for data analysis and visualization?

This question evaluates your familiarity with analytics tools.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools you have experience with, such as Excel, Tableau, or Google Analytics, and explain how you use them.

Example

“I frequently use Tableau for data visualization because it allows me to create interactive dashboards that make it easy to communicate insights to stakeholders. I also use Excel for data manipulation and analysis, leveraging its advanced functions and pivot tables to summarize large datasets.”

2. Describe a complex data analysis project you worked on. What was your approach?

This question assesses your analytical thinking and project management skills.

How to Answer

Provide a detailed example of a project, including the problem you were solving, the data you analyzed, and the outcome.

Example

“I worked on a project to analyze customer churn for a subscription service. I collected data from various sources, including user activity logs and customer feedback surveys. I used statistical analysis to identify patterns and factors contributing to churn. Based on my findings, I recommended targeted retention strategies, which ultimately reduced churn by 15% over the next quarter.”

3. How do you ensure data quality in your analyses?

This question evaluates your attention to detail and data integrity practices.

How to Answer

Discuss methods you use to validate and clean data before analysis.

Example

“I ensure data quality by implementing a thorough data validation process, which includes checking for duplicates, missing values, and inconsistencies. I also cross-reference data with reliable sources and conduct regular audits to maintain accuracy throughout the analysis process.”

4. What is your experience with A/B testing?

This question assesses your understanding of experimental design and analysis.

How to Answer

Explain the A/B testing process, including how you set up tests, analyze results, and make decisions based on findings.

Example

“I have conducted several A/B tests to evaluate changes in product features. I set up control and experimental groups, ensuring that the sample sizes are statistically significant. After running the tests, I analyze the results using statistical methods to determine if the changes had a significant impact on user behavior, which informs our product development decisions.”