Interview guide — Entry-Level Data Analyst

Past-behavior questions 10

STAR-style (Situation, Task, Action, Result) questions built from this profile's canon responsibilities and O*NET tasks, importance-ranked where O*NET rates them.

• 01Tell me about a time you had to deliver correct analyses. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 02Tell me about a time you had to complete assignments on time. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 03Tell me about a time you had to assist in data cleaning and preparation. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 04Tell me about a time you had to support senior analysts in report generation. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 05Tell me about a time you had to perform basic data queries and extraction. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 06Tell me about a time you had to maintain data quality standards. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 07Tell me about a time you had to document data processes and findings. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 08Tell me about a time you had to participate in team meetings and contribute ideas. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 09Tell me about a time you had to troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4.24
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 10Tell me about a time you had to provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4.05
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

Work-style probes 5

A second question type (per the evidence: multiple question types outperform any single type) probing the work-style constructs O*NET rates as important to this occupation.

• Describe a situation that required Attention to Detail. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.79
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Leadership Orientation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.58
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

  Calibration reference (not this probe's own anchor — a related leveled competency)

  Leadership — Show enthusiasm for your work and take personal accountability for your role. Demonstrate responsibility for your own objectives. Act in a fair, inclusive and respectful way when dealing with others. Be considerate and understanding of other people’s points of view. Understand and support the objectives of the wider team. Demonstrate consideration of the wider consequences of own actions. UK Civil Service Success Profiles · AA and AO or equivalent

• Describe a situation that required Dependability. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.45
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Intellectual Curiosity. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.34
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Innovation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.27
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

  Calibration reference (not this probe's own anchor — a related leveled competency)

  Creativity and Innovation — Recognizes creativity in work unit Considers innovative ideas generated by others OPM Leadership Proficiency Levels · Level 1 - Awareness

Panel instructions

Fixed methodology, evidence-backed — not a claim of local validation for this profile or your organization.

1. Score independently first: every panelist records their own rating before any discussion.
2. Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, from this guide.
3. Rate against the anchored 5-point scale for each question — not overall gut feel.
4. Take notes during the interview, against each question, not from memory afterward.
5. Reconcile scores as a panel only after every panelist has recorded an independent score.