UNC Health Care Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

UNC Health Care is an inclusive organization with over 40,000 employees dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the unique communities they serve.

The Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst role at UNC Health Care is vital in enhancing organizational decision-making through insight-driven analyses and reporting. This position requires the BI Analyst to partner with stakeholders across various departments to develop effective data visualization and reporting tools. Key responsibilities include building dashboards, conducting healthcare analytics, and ensuring data governance. A successful candidate must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in SQL and data visualization software, possess strong communication and stakeholder requirements gathering skills, and exemplify the values of UNC Health Care. The role also entails project management, mentorship of junior analysts, and maintaining current knowledge of healthcare analytics trends.

This guide aims to equip candidates with the knowledge and confidence to excel in job interviews for the Business Intelligence Analyst position at UNC Health Care, focusing on the specific skills and experiences that align with the company's mission and values.

The interview process for the Business Intelligence role at UNC Health Care is structured and thorough, reflecting the organization's commitment to finding the right fit for their team. The process typically unfolds over several weeks and includes multiple stages designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills.

1. Application and Initial Screening

Candidates begin by submitting their applications through the UNC Health portal. Following this, a recruiter conducts an initial phone screening, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. This conversation focuses on understanding the candidate's background, experience, and motivation for applying to UNC Health Care. The recruiter may also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Business Intelligence role.

2. Technical Assessment

After the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment, which often includes an Excel assessment. This step is crucial for evaluating the candidate's proficiency in data manipulation and analysis, which are essential skills for the Business Intelligence role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to work with data sets and perform relevant calculations.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates who pass the technical assessment will typically participate in one or more behavioral interviews. These interviews are often conducted by a panel that may include the hiring manager, team members, and representatives from human resources. The focus here is on assessing the candidate's soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Interviewers often employ the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to evaluate responses.

4. Presentation Round

In some cases, candidates may be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation on a relevant topic. This step is designed to assess the candidate's ability to communicate complex information effectively and engage an audience. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their analytical thinking and presentation skills, as well as their ability to convey insights derived from data.

5. Final Interviews

The final stage of the interview process may involve additional one-on-one interviews with senior leadership or other key stakeholders. These interviews often delve deeper into the candidate's experience and how it aligns with the organization's goals. Candidates may also be asked about their approach to project management and stakeholder engagement, as these are critical components of the Business Intelligence role.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with SQL, data visualization tools, and their approach to gathering stakeholder requirements.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence Analyst interview at UNC Health Care. The interview process will likely focus on your analytical skills, experience with SQL and data visualization, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you had to gather requirements from stakeholders? What was your approach?

This question assesses your stakeholder management and communication skills, which are crucial for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss your method for engaging stakeholders, how you ensured their needs were met, and any tools or techniques you used to gather and document requirements.

Example

“In my previous role, I organized a series of workshops with stakeholders to gather their requirements for a new reporting dashboard. I used a combination of interviews and surveys to ensure I captured their needs accurately. This collaborative approach not only helped in gathering comprehensive requirements but also fostered a sense of ownership among the stakeholders.”

SQL and Data Analysis

2. How do you optimize SQL queries for performance?

This question evaluates your technical proficiency in SQL, which is essential for the role.

How to Answer

Explain your understanding of indexing, query structure, and any tools you use to analyze query performance.

Example

“I optimize SQL queries by analyzing execution plans to identify bottlenecks. I often use indexing on frequently queried columns and ensure that my queries are structured to minimize the use of subqueries. Additionally, I regularly review and refactor queries based on performance metrics.”

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

This question tests your understanding of SQL joins, which are fundamental for data manipulation.

How to Answer

Clearly define both types of joins and provide a brief example of when you would use each.

Example

“An INNER JOIN returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables, while a LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table. For instance, if I want to list all customers and their orders, I would use a LEFT JOIN to ensure I include customers who may not have placed any orders.”

Data Visualization

4. What tools have you used for data visualization, and how do you choose which one to use?

This question assesses your experience with data visualization tools and your decision-making process.

How to Answer

Discuss the tools you are familiar with and the criteria you use to select the appropriate tool for a given project.

Example

“I have experience with Tableau and Power BI. I choose the tool based on the complexity of the data and the audience. For instance, I prefer Tableau for its advanced visualization capabilities when presenting to executive leadership, while I might use Power BI for its integration with Microsoft products in a collaborative environment.”

Behavioral Questions

5. Describe a time when you had to manage conflicting priorities. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your project management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In my last position, I was tasked with delivering two critical reports simultaneously. I assessed the deadlines and communicated with both stakeholders to negotiate a timeline that allowed me to prioritize the more urgent report first. By setting clear expectations and managing my time effectively, I was able to deliver both reports on time.”

6. Give an example of a time you missed a deadline. What did you learn from it?

This question assesses your accountability and ability to learn from mistakes.

How to Answer

Be honest about the situation, what led to the missed deadline, and how you addressed it moving forward.

Example

“I once underestimated the time required for data validation on a project, which led to a missed deadline. I learned the importance of building in buffer time for unexpected issues and improved my project planning process to include more thorough risk assessments.”

Communication and Presentation

7. How do you ensure that your data presentations are engaging and informative?

This question evaluates your presentation skills and ability to communicate complex information effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to designing presentations and how you tailor your content to your audience.

Example

“I focus on storytelling with data by using visuals that highlight key insights. I also engage my audience by asking questions and encouraging discussion throughout the presentation. This approach not only keeps the audience interested but also ensures that the information is understood and actionable.”

8. Why do you want to work at UNC Health Care?

This question assesses your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Express your interest in the organization’s mission and how your skills align with their goals.

Example

“I admire UNC Health Care’s commitment to improving community health and well-being. I believe my analytical skills and experience in healthcare analytics can contribute to this mission, and I am excited about the opportunity to work in an environment that values collaboration and innovation.”