SurveyMonkey Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

SurveyMonkey is a global leader in online surveys and forms that empowers people with the insights they need to make decisions with speed and confidence.

As a Business Intelligence Analyst at SurveyMonkey, you will play a crucial role in analyzing data to derive actionable insights that will drive the company's digital marketing strategies. Your key responsibilities will include refining campaign strategies for acquisition and retention, conducting in-depth analyses to understand the effectiveness of marketing spend, and communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. You will work closely with the digital marketing team and the Data Engineering team to ensure accurate data collection and enhance reporting capabilities.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, advanced proficiency in SQL, and experience with analytics and visualization tools like Tableau or Looker. A solid understanding of digital marketing analytics functions, along with the ability to craft compelling narratives from raw data, will be invaluable. Additionally, a collaborative mindset and attention to detail are essential traits that align with SurveyMonkey’s values of fostering an inclusive workplace and driving innovation through data.

This guide will help you prepare for your job interview by providing insights into what to expect, the skills to emphasize, and how to demonstrate your fit for the Business Intelligence role at SurveyMonkey.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence role at SurveyMonkey is structured to assess both technical and analytical skills, as well as cultural fit within the organization. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a phone screen with a recruiter, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. During this call, the recruiter will discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role. They may also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Business Intelligence team. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the role and the company.

2. Technical Screening

Following the initial screen, candidates typically undergo a technical screening. This may involve a live coding exercise or a SQL test, where you will be asked to demonstrate your proficiency in SQL and your ability to analyze data. Expect questions that assess your understanding of data manipulation, reporting, and analytics. This stage is crucial as it evaluates your technical capabilities relevant to the role.

3. Behavioral Interview

After successfully passing the technical screening, candidates often participate in a behavioral interview. This interview focuses on your past experiences, problem-solving abilities, and how you handle various work situations. Interviewers may use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to gauge your responses, so be prepared to discuss specific examples from your previous roles.

4. Onsite or Virtual Interview

The final stage usually consists of an onsite or virtual interview, which can include multiple rounds with different team members. This may involve a mix of technical questions, case studies, and discussions about your approach to data analysis and business intelligence. You may also be asked to present a project or case study that showcases your analytical skills and ability to derive insights from data. This stage is designed to assess your fit within the team and your ability to communicate complex analyses to both technical and non-technical audiences.

5. Final Interview

In some cases, candidates may have a final interview with senior management or team leads. This interview often focuses on cultural fit and alignment with the company's values. You may be asked about your long-term career goals and how you envision contributing to the team and the organization as a whole.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your experience with SQL, data analysis, and digital marketing analytics.

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

Understand the Company Culture

SurveyMonkey values curiosity, inclusivity, and employee feedback. Familiarize yourself with their mission to empower individuals through insights and their commitment to creating a supportive workplace. During the interview, express how your values align with theirs and demonstrate your understanding of their culture. This will show that you are not just looking for a job, but a place where you can contribute meaningfully.

Prepare for Technical Proficiency

Given the emphasis on SQL and analytics in the role, ensure you are well-versed in SQL queries, data manipulation, and statistical analysis. Practice common SQL functions, joins, and aggregations, as well as how to visualize data effectively using tools like Tableau or Looker. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with data analysis and how you have used data to drive business decisions.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

The role requires a strong ability to analyze data and communicate insights effectively. Prepare to discuss specific examples where your analytical skills led to actionable insights or improvements in a project. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight the impact of your work.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving capabilities and how you handle challenges. Reflect on past experiences where you faced obstacles and how you overcame them. SurveyMonkey values candidates who can articulate their thought processes and demonstrate resilience, so be prepared to share stories that showcase these traits.

Communicate Clearly and Concisely

During the interview, practice clear and concise communication, especially when discussing complex analyses. Tailor your explanations to suit both technical and non-technical audiences, as you may need to present findings to various stakeholders. This skill is crucial for the role, as you will be expected to convey insights in a way that drives decision-making.

Engage with Your Interviewers

The interview process at SurveyMonkey is described as warm and welcoming. Take advantage of this by engaging with your interviewers. Ask thoughtful questions about their experiences and the team dynamics. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the team is a good fit for you.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from your discussion that reinforces your fit for the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Business Intelligence role at SurveyMonkey. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at SurveyMonkey. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, experience with SQL, and understanding of digital marketing analytics. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical skills, and how you can contribute to the team’s goals.

Experience and Background

1. Describe a data product you worked on. What were the key successes, failures, and learnings?

This question aims to assess your practical experience and ability to reflect on your work.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific project, highlighting your role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes. Emphasize what you learned and how it can apply to future projects.

Example

“I worked on a data analytics tool that helped optimize our marketing campaigns. One key success was increasing our conversion rate by 20% through targeted analysis. However, we faced challenges with data accuracy, which taught me the importance of thorough data validation processes.”

2. How do you approach analyzing the effectiveness of a marketing campaign?

This question evaluates your analytical thinking and understanding of marketing metrics.

How to Answer

Outline your methodology for assessing campaign performance, including the metrics you would track and the tools you would use.

Example

“I typically start by defining key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates and customer acquisition costs. I then use SQL to extract relevant data and analyze it using visualization tools like Tableau to present insights to stakeholders.”

SQL and Data Analysis

3. Can you explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN in SQL?

This question tests your SQL knowledge, which is crucial for the role.

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 matched rows from the right table. I would use INNER JOIN when I only need matching records, and LEFT JOIN when I want to include all records from the left table regardless of matches.”

4. How do you handle missing data in your analysis?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and understanding of data integrity.

How to Answer

Discuss various techniques for handling missing data, such as imputation or exclusion, and explain your reasoning for choosing a particular method.

Example

“I often use imputation techniques to fill in missing values, especially if the data is critical for analysis. However, if the missing data is extensive, I may choose to exclude those records to maintain the integrity of the analysis.”

Digital Marketing Analytics

5. What metrics would you consider for developing SurveyMonkey's digital marketing strategy?

This question evaluates your understanding of digital marketing and its metrics.

How to Answer

Identify key metrics relevant to digital marketing and explain their importance in driving business decisions.

Example

“I would focus on metrics such as customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, and conversion rates. These metrics help assess the effectiveness of marketing strategies and inform budget allocation for future campaigns.”

6. How would you implement advanced attribution measurement methodologies?

This question tests your knowledge of marketing analytics methodologies.

How to Answer

Explain the methodologies you are familiar with and how you would apply them to measure marketing effectiveness.

Example

“I would implement Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA) to understand the impact of various touchpoints in the customer journey. This involves tracking user interactions across channels and assigning value to each touchpoint based on its contribution to conversions.”

Problem-Solving and Communication

7. Describe a time when you had to communicate complex data insights to a non-technical audience.

This question assesses your communication skills and ability to simplify complex information.

How to Answer

Provide an example of how you tailored your communication style to suit your audience.

Example

“I once presented campaign performance data to the marketing team. I created visual dashboards that highlighted key insights and trends, ensuring I used simple language to explain the implications of the data, which helped the team make informed decisions.”

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

This question evaluates your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact on business goals and deadlines. I often use project management tools like Trello to keep track of progress and ensure that I’m focusing on high-impact tasks first.”