FTI Consulting Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

FTI Consulting is a leading expert-driven consulting firm that empowers organizations to tackle their most significant challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

The Data Analyst role at FTI Consulting is crucial for transforming data into actionable insights that drive business decisions across various sectors. In this role, you will analyze and interpret complex datasets, conduct performance analyses, and build models to support data-driven strategies. A strong emphasis on statistics, SQL, and analytics is essential, as you will work with diverse data sources to generate meaningful reports and presentations for top-level leaders. Excellent interpersonal skills are also vital, as building cross-departmental relationships and communicating findings effectively will be key to your success. A great fit for this position will have a solid background in data management, a keen analytical mindset, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative and dynamic environment, aligning with FTI Consulting's commitment to professional growth and impactful work.

This guide aims to equip you with the necessary insights and focus areas for your interview preparation, helping you to stand out as a candidate who is not only skilled but also aligned with FTI Consulting’s values and mission.

The interview process for a Data Analyst position at FTI Consulting is structured and thorough, designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. The process typically unfolds in several distinct stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step is usually a phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation serves to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to discuss your background and experience. Expect to answer questions about your resume and your motivations for applying to FTI Consulting. This stage is crucial for establishing a preliminary fit for the company culture and the specific team.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates often participate in a technical interview. This may involve live coding exercises, particularly in Python, as well as questions related to SQL and data analysis techniques. You might be asked to solve problems on the spot or discuss past projects that demonstrate your analytical capabilities. This round is designed to evaluate your technical proficiency and problem-solving skills, which are essential for the role.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates typically undergo one or more behavioral interviews, which focus on assessing soft skills and cultural fit. These interviews often include standard behavioral questions, such as those related to teamwork, conflict resolution, and your approach to challenges. Interviewers may also inquire about your interest in consulting and your understanding of FTI Consulting's mission and values. This stage is important for determining how well you align with the company's collaborative culture.

4. Case Study or Modeling Exam

In some instances, candidates may be required to complete a case study or a modeling exam. This task assesses your ability to apply analytical skills to real-world business problems. You may be asked to analyze data sets, draw insights, and present your findings. This step is critical for demonstrating your analytical thinking and your ability to communicate complex information effectively.

5. Final Interviews

The final stage often consists of multiple interviews with team members and senior management. These interviews may be more conversational in nature, allowing you to discuss your experiences in greater depth and explore how you would fit within the team. Expect to engage in discussions about your previous work, your approach to data analysis, and how you would contribute to FTI Consulting's projects.

As you prepare for your interviews, be ready to discuss your technical skills, particularly in statistics, probability, and SQL, as well as your experiences in analytics and algorithms. Now, let's delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at FTI Consulting typically consists of multiple rounds, including a recruiter call, technical assessments, and behavioral interviews. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect a mix of technical questions related to your experience with data analysis, SQL, and possibly a modeling exam. Knowing the flow of the interview will help you manage your time and responses effectively.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given the emphasis on technical skills such as SQL and analytics, ensure you are well-versed in these areas. Brush up on your SQL knowledge, focusing on complex queries, joins, and data manipulation techniques. Additionally, be prepared to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, particularly those involving machine learning or data modeling. Practice coding problems in a live environment, as you may encounter a technical round that requires you to demonstrate your skills in real-time.

Master Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions are a significant part of the interview process. Prepare to discuss your past experiences, particularly those that highlight your problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Be ready to explain why you are interested in FTI Consulting and how your values align with the company’s culture of collaboration and diversity.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

FTI Consulting values strong interpersonal and communication skills. During your interviews, focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be prepared to present your analysis and recommendations in a way that is understandable to non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between data insights and business decisions.

Emphasize Cultural Fit

FTI Consulting prides itself on its collaborative and inclusive culture. Research the company’s values and be prepared to discuss how you embody these principles. Highlight experiences where you have worked effectively in teams or contributed to a positive work environment. This will show that you are not only a skilled analyst but also a good fit for their team-oriented culture.

Engage with Your Interviewers

During the interview, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the team, projects, and company culture. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if FTI Consulting is the right fit for you. Engaging with your interviewers can create a more conversational atmosphere, making the experience more enjoyable for both parties.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Use this as a chance to reiterate your interest in the role and briefly mention a key point from your conversation that resonated with you. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the interview process at FTI Consulting and demonstrate your qualifications for the Data Analyst role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Analyst interview at FTI Consulting. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, analytical thinking, and ability to communicate insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis, SQL, and any relevant projects you've worked on.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a left join and an inner join in SQL?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial 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 have a table of customers and a table of orders, a left join would show all customers, including those who haven’t placed any orders, whereas an inner join would only show customers who have made purchases.”

2. Describe a machine learning project you have worked on. What was your role?

This question assesses your practical experience with machine learning.

How to Answer

Discuss the project’s objective, your specific contributions, and the outcomes.

Example

“I worked on a project to predict customer churn for a retail client. My role involved data cleaning, feature selection, and building a logistic regression model. The model improved retention strategies, leading to a 15% reduction in churn over six months.”

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

Handling missing data is a common challenge in data analysis.

How to Answer

Explain various techniques you use to address missing data, such as imputation or removal.

Example

“I typically assess the extent of missing data first. If it’s minimal, I might use mean or median imputation. For larger gaps, I consider removing those records or using predictive modeling to estimate the missing values, depending on the context and importance of the data.”

4. What is your experience with data visualization tools?

This question gauges your ability to present data effectively.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools you’ve used and how you’ve applied them in your work.

Example

“I have extensive experience with Power BI and Tableau. In my last role, I created interactive dashboards that visualized key performance indicators for management, which helped in making data-driven decisions quickly.”

5. Can you explain the concept of data normalization?

Normalization is essential for database design and data integrity.

How to Answer

Define normalization and its importance in data management.

Example

“Data normalization is the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. It involves structuring a database in a way that dependencies are properly enforced, which helps maintain consistency and efficiency in data retrieval.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you overcome it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on the challenge, your actions, and the results.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a tight deadline due to unexpected data quality issues. I organized a team meeting to identify the problems and delegated tasks to clean the data efficiently. We managed to resolve the issues and deliver the project on time, which was well-received by the client.”

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

This question evaluates your time management skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and the impact they have on the overall project. I use project management tools like Trello to keep track of my tasks and ensure I allocate time effectively to meet all deadlines without compromising quality.”

3. Can you give an example of how you communicated complex data findings to a non-technical audience?

Effective communication is key in a consulting role.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you simplified complex data for stakeholders.

Example

“I once presented a data analysis report to a group of marketing executives. I used visual aids like charts and graphs to illustrate trends and avoided technical jargon, focusing instead on actionable insights that could inform their strategy.”

4. Why do you want to work at FTI Consulting?

This question assesses your motivation and fit for the company.

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s values, culture, and the specific role.

Example

“I admire FTI Consulting’s commitment to making a positive impact through data-driven insights. I’m excited about the opportunity to work alongside industry experts and contribute to projects that help clients navigate complex challenges.”

5. Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and teamwork.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the conflict, and the outcome.

Example

“I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their perspective and shared my concerns constructively. This open dialogue helped us find common ground and improved our collaboration on the project.”