PubMatic Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

PubMatic is an independent technology company revolutionizing the digital advertising supply chain to maximize customer value.

As a Business Analyst at PubMatic, you will utilize your analytical and data extraction skills to drive holistic revenue optimization. Your responsibilities will include mining data from extensive data infrastructures, such as the Hadoop distributed file system, and employing industry-standard tools like SQL and Python to analyze large datasets for anomalies and monetization opportunities. Working closely with the Customer Success and Operations teams, you will identify revenue optimization opportunities, automate workflows, and monitor key performance indicators. This role demands a strong programmatic background, proficiency in data analytics, and the ability to cross-collaborate with stakeholders across various teams to ensure customer success and drive business outcomes.

Success in this role requires a detail-oriented mindset, a strong aptitude for metrics and analysis, and excellent communication skills to articulate findings and collaborate effectively with others. This guide will help you prepare thoroughly for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations and the types of questions you may encounter.

The interview process for a Business Analyst at PubMatic is structured to assess both technical and analytical skills, as well as cultural fit within the organization. The process typically includes several rounds, each designed to evaluate different competencies relevant to the role.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening call with a recruiter. This conversation is generally focused on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to PubMatic. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Business Analyst role. This is an opportunity for you to express your interest in the position and ask any preliminary questions you may have.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates usually undergo a technical assessment. This may involve an online coding test or a data analysis exercise, where you will be required to demonstrate your proficiency in SQL and possibly Python. The assessment is designed to evaluate your ability to extract and manipulate data, as well as your understanding of data structures and algorithms. Expect questions that require you to analyze datasets and identify trends or anomalies, reflecting the responsibilities of the role.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the technical assessment are typically invited to participate in one or more technical interviews. These interviews are often conducted by team members or hiring managers and focus on your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with industry-standard tools and platforms. You may be asked to discuss your previous projects, particularly those involving data extraction and analysis, and how you approached challenges in those projects. Be prepared to answer questions related to revenue optimization strategies and how you would apply your skills to drive customer success.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical skills, PubMatic places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and collaboration. As such, you can expect one or more behavioral interviews where you will be asked about your experiences working in cross-functional teams, your approach to communication, and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment. Questions may focus on your ability to work with account managers and operations teams to achieve common goals.

5. Final Interview

The final step in the interview process may involve a presentation or case study where you will be asked to analyze a dataset and provide insights or recommendations based on your findings. This is an opportunity to showcase your analytical thinking and presentation skills, as well as your ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.

As you prepare for your interviews, keep in mind the key skills and qualifications that are essential for the Business Analyst role at PubMatic, particularly your proficiency in SQL and data analysis.

Next, 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 Role and Company Culture

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand PubMatic's mission and how the Business Analyst role fits into their overall strategy. Familiarize yourself with their approach to digital advertising and the importance of data-driven decision-making in their operations. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its goals.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given the emphasis on SQL and data analysis in the role, ensure you are comfortable with SQL queries, data extraction, and manipulation. Practice writing complex queries and working with large datasets. Additionally, brush up on Python basics, as it may come into play during technical discussions. Familiarize yourself with data structures and algorithms, as these concepts are often tested in technical interviews.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences where you successfully analyzed data to drive business decisions. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to identify anomalies, optimize processes, and contribute to revenue growth. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and your capability to add value to the Customer Success team.

Emphasize Cross-Functional Collaboration

Since the role involves working closely with Account Managers and Operations teams, be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional roles. Highlight instances where you collaborated with different teams to achieve common goals. This will show your ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment, which is crucial at PubMatic.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. This approach will help you convey your thought process clearly and demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

You may encounter scenario-based questions that require you to think on your feet. Practice articulating how you would approach specific challenges related to revenue optimization or data analysis. This will showcase your critical thinking skills and your ability to apply your knowledge in real-world situations.

Communicate Your Passion for Data

Showcase your enthusiasm for data and analytics throughout the interview. Discuss any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your passion for extracting insights from data. This will resonate well with the interviewers, as they are looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in leveraging data to drive business success.

Follow Up with Questions

At the end of the interview, be prepared to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how success is measured in the Business Analyst role. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at PubMatic. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, data extraction capabilities, and understanding of the digital advertising landscape. Be prepared to discuss your experience with SQL, data analysis, and how you can contribute to revenue optimization.

Experience and Background

1. Describe your experience with data extraction tools and how you have used them in previous roles.

This question aims to assess your familiarity with industry-standard data extraction tools and your ability to leverage them for analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss specific tools you have used, the types of data you extracted, and how this data contributed to decision-making or revenue optimization.

Example

“In my previous role, I utilized SQL and Python to extract data from our databases. I focused on identifying trends in user engagement, which helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns effectively, resulting in a 15% increase in conversion rates.”

SQL and Data Analysis

2. Can you explain how you would write a SQL query to find anomalies in a dataset?

This question tests your SQL skills and your ability to identify data irregularities.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take to write the query, including the specific SQL functions you would use to identify anomalies.

Example

“I would start by using a SELECT statement to pull relevant data fields. Then, I would apply aggregate functions like COUNT and GROUP BY to identify outliers. For instance, if I were analyzing ad impressions, I might look for counts that deviate significantly from the average.”

3. How do you prioritize which KPIs to monitor for revenue optimization?

This question evaluates your understanding of key performance indicators and their impact on business outcomes.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to selecting KPIs based on business goals, data availability, and potential impact on revenue.

Example

“I prioritize KPIs based on their direct correlation to revenue. For instance, I focus on metrics like fill rate and CPM, as they provide insights into inventory utilization and pricing strategies. I also consider historical data trends to identify which KPIs have previously driven revenue growth.”

4. Describe a time when you identified a significant opportunity for revenue optimization. What steps did you take?

This question assesses your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in a real-world context.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, detailing the data analysis process, the opportunity you identified, and the outcome of your actions.

Example

“While analyzing our ad performance data, I noticed a drop in CPM for a specific publisher. I conducted a deeper analysis and found that certain ad formats were underperforming. I collaborated with the account manager to adjust the ad placements, which ultimately led to a 20% increase in CPM for that publisher.”

Technical Skills

5. What scripting languages are you familiar with, and how have you used them to automate tasks?

This question gauges your technical skills and ability to streamline processes.

How to Answer

Mention the scripting languages you know and provide examples of tasks you have automated.

Example

“I am proficient in Python and have used it to automate data cleaning processes. For instance, I created a script that regularly pulls data from our database, cleans it, and prepares it for analysis, saving the team several hours of manual work each week.”

Industry Knowledge

6. Can you explain the current trends in the digital advertising landscape?

This question tests your knowledge of the industry and your ability to apply that knowledge to your role.

How to Answer

Discuss recent trends, such as programmatic advertising, data privacy regulations, or the shift towards mobile advertising, and their implications for revenue optimization.

Example

“Currently, there’s a significant shift towards programmatic advertising, which allows for more targeted ad placements. Additionally, with increasing data privacy regulations, advertisers are focusing on first-party data strategies to maintain effective targeting while complying with legal requirements.”

7. How do you handle working with cross-functional teams?

This question assesses your collaboration skills and ability to work in a team environment.

How to Answer

Share your experience working with different teams and how you ensure effective communication and collaboration.

Example

“I believe in maintaining open lines of communication with cross-functional teams. In my last role, I regularly scheduled check-ins with the marketing and product teams to align our strategies. This collaboration helped us launch a successful campaign that increased our overall revenue by 10%.”

Problem-Solving

8. Describe a challenging data analysis problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience in the face of challenges.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a data analysis challenge, the steps you took to resolve it, and the outcome.

Example

“I once faced a challenge with incomplete data from a key publisher. I reached out to the publisher to understand the issue and worked with our data engineering team to implement a solution that ensured data completeness moving forward. This proactive approach not only resolved the immediate issue but also improved our data quality for future analyses.”