Tegna Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Tegna is a media company that delivers news and information to communities across the United States, focusing on high-quality journalism and innovative storytelling.

The Data Analyst role at Tegna is pivotal in transforming raw data into actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making. Key responsibilities include analyzing data trends, creating reports, and providing recommendations to improve business performance. A successful candidate will possess strong skills in statistics and analytics, with a solid foundation in SQL to extract and manipulate data effectively. Experience with probability and algorithms will further enhance your ability to interpret complex datasets.

In alignment with Tegna's commitment to quality and community-focused journalism, the ideal Data Analyst will demonstrate a passion for storytelling through data, translating numerical insights into compelling narratives that inform and engage audiences. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset are essential traits that make a great fit for this role.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by providing a comprehensive understanding of the role and the skills necessary to succeed at Tegna, ensuring you can confidently showcase your qualifications and fit for the position.

The interview process for a Data Analyst position at Tegna is structured to thoroughly evaluate candidates' qualifications, skills, and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which usually takes place via a phone call with a recruiter or HR representative. This conversation is designed to gauge your overall fit for the role and the company. Expect to discuss your educational background, relevant experiences, and general interest in the position. The recruiter may also touch on compensation expectations and provide an overview of the company culture.

2. Phone or Video Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a more in-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager. This stage focuses on the specifics of the Data Analyst role, including your technical skills and analytical capabilities. Be prepared to answer direct questions about your experience with data analysis, statistical methods, and any relevant tools or software you have used. This interview aims to assess your problem-solving abilities and how you approach data-driven decision-making.

3. In-Person Interview

If you successfully pass the previous rounds, you may be invited for an in-person interview. This stage often involves multiple one-on-one interviews with team members and stakeholders. During these sessions, you will likely encounter a mix of technical and behavioral questions. The goal is to evaluate your analytical thinking, communication skills, and how well you collaborate with others. You may also be asked to present a case study or a project you have worked on, showcasing your analytical process and results.

4. Reference Checks

The final step in the interview process may include reference checks, where the hiring team will reach out to your previous employers or colleagues to verify your qualifications and work ethic. This step is crucial in ensuring that the candidate not only possesses the necessary skills but also aligns with Tegna's values and work environment.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may arise during each stage of the process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Analyst interview at Tegna. The interview process will assess your analytical skills, understanding of statistics, and ability to work with data to drive insights. Be prepared to discuss your educational background, relevant experiences, and how you can contribute to the team.

Experience and Background

1. What is your educational background, and how has it prepared you for a data analyst role?

Tegna values candidates who can articulate how their education has equipped them with the necessary skills for the position.

How to Answer

Discuss your degree, relevant coursework, and any projects or experiences that directly relate to data analysis. Highlight specific skills or tools you learned that are applicable to the role.

Example

“I hold a degree in Statistics, where I focused on data analysis and predictive modeling. My coursework included hands-on projects using SQL and R, which allowed me to analyze large datasets and derive actionable insights. This foundation has prepared me to tackle real-world data challenges effectively.”

Role-Specific Skills

2. Can you describe a project where you used data to influence a decision?

This question assesses your practical experience in applying data analysis to real-world scenarios.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a project, detailing the data you analyzed, the insights you derived, and how those insights impacted decision-making.

Example

“In my previous role, I analyzed customer feedback data to identify trends in product satisfaction. By presenting my findings to the management team, we were able to implement changes that improved our product features, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores.”

Technical Skills

3. What statistical methods are you most comfortable using, and how have you applied them in your work?

This question evaluates your technical proficiency in statistics, which is crucial for a data analyst.

How to Answer

Mention specific statistical methods you are familiar with, and provide examples of how you have applied them in your previous roles or projects.

Example

“I am proficient in regression analysis and hypothesis testing. In a recent project, I used regression analysis to predict sales trends based on historical data, which helped the marketing team allocate resources more effectively.”

Data Manipulation and Analysis

4. How do you approach cleaning and preparing data for analysis?

Data preparation is a critical step in the analysis process, and this question assesses your methodology.

How to Answer

Discuss your process for data cleaning, including tools you use and common challenges you face.

Example

“I typically start by identifying missing values and outliers in the dataset. I use Python and SQL for data cleaning, ensuring that the data is consistent and accurate before analysis. This step is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of insights derived from the data.”

Business Acumen

5. How do you ensure that your analysis aligns with business goals?

This question gauges your understanding of the business context in which data analysis operates.

How to Answer

Explain how you connect your analytical work to the broader business objectives, and provide an example of how you have done this in the past.

Example

“I always begin by understanding the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the business. In my last role, I aligned my analysis of customer behavior with the company’s goal of increasing retention rates, which allowed me to provide targeted recommendations that directly supported our strategic objectives.”