Ace the data science technical interview
So, you have an upcoming technical interview for a data science position, and you’re wondering how to best prepare? Learn more about what a technical interview is and get tips about how to succeed.
What is a technical interview?
A data science technical interview assesses your ability to work with data and solve problems effectively.
You’ll likely need to write code in Python or SQL for data cleaning, exploration, or querying databases. Expect to discuss machine learning concepts, explain when to use certain algorithms, or even implement a model.
You may also be asked to interpret data, critique visualizations, or walk through a case study, demonstrating how you’d approach solving a real-world problem using data analysis and modeling.
The focus is on showcasing your coding skills, statistical understanding, and analytical thinking.

Preparation
Connecting
A great starting place, if you have not already, is to connect with someone in the field and ask them your own questions (we’ve drafted some example questions to help) to start to feel more comfortable and informed.
There are several ways you can do this, the most effective being to utilize MIT’s Alumni Advisors Hub to connect with an alum working in the data science field and have a career conversation. Anyone on the Alumni Advisors Hub has explicitly agreed to be on there to connect and support MIT students, so they can answer any questions you have with a direct perspective from the field. Alumni on this platform can also offer mock interviews, technical or behavioral.
In addition to Advisors Hub, you can utilize the MIT Alumni Directory to have helpful networking conversations, although that might feel more like cold calling.
Studying
Once you are ready to study for your interview, you will want to do the following.
Practice code
First and foremost, brush up on your coding languages that you might see, like Python and SQL. Another example is PySpark, a version of Python sometimes used in data science to analyze large sets of data.
After brushing up on those skills, complete practice problems online. LeetCode is a commonly cited tool for practicing anything computer science related. Completing practice problems through LeetCode is an excellent way to brush up on the fundamentals and get your brain ready to complete technical coding questions in the technical interview.
Another website specifically useful for data science students is DataLemur, which provides data science practice questions. You can find tailored questions on here that will prepare you to answer questions about analyzing data sets or creating queries to draw data out of a dataset.
Mock technical interview
Another great option is to try a mock technical interview, utilizing the aforementioned Alumni Advisors Hub.
Consider having a career conversation with someone who also offers mock technical interviews, strengthening that relationship and reducing the need to search for others, lowering stress and barriers.
While CAPD is unable to offer mock technical interviews, take advantage of Advisors Hub to find opportunities for this invaluable practice method.
Be prepared for messy data!
One common occurrence for candidates doing their first technical interviews is for them to not be prepared for data that is messy, incomplete, or difficult to use. Coursework often lacks opportunities to work with messy, incomplete data, while internships offer hands-on practice with these skills. Be mentally prepared to work through this, and don’t get frazzled!

During the interview
Once you’ve prepared thoroughly, it’s time to ace the interview! Here are some tips for how to best navigate that experience.
Take a moment
When you are shown a question during the interview, don’t feel that you need to immediately jump in. Rather, it is okay to ask for a moment to consider the problem and carefully decide how you want to approach it. Rushing can lead to a less effective, if not wholly incorrect, solution.
Vocalize your thought process
Once you have your plan of attack, vocalize your thought process at the start. This provides the interviewer the opportunity to gently correct you if you are headed in the wrong direction. Contrary to popular belief, interviewers can provide hints if you let them know your thought process!
Continue to vocalize your thought process as you are working through the interview question. Even if you do not ultimately end up at the right answer, if you vocalize your thought process out, and those ideas make logical sense and are based in strong foundations, your interviewer might still be happy with your answer.
After the interview
Once you have finished with your interview, take a breather and pat yourself on the back! Getting through an interview is no small feat, so make sure to provide yourself kudos. After you’re done with your victory lap, there are two follow-up steps that will be useful.
Reflect on the interview
An important step of the interview process that many forget is to reflect on how the interview went.
During this time, you can focus on what parts of the interview went well and what could use improvement in the future. Consider which questions you felt well prepared for, and where you stumbled. Reflect back on your emotions throughout the interview, and if they affected your performance.
These considerations will prepare you best for your future interviews, and help you grow as a candidate.
Send a thank you note
Sending a thank-you note after your interview is a thoughtful way to leave a strong impression. Aim to send it within 24 hours, expressing your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and highlighting a specific detail or insight from your conversation. For example, if they shared challenges the team is facing, mention how it resonated with you.
Keep your message brief but genuine, and reaffirm your interest in the role. While email is typically best for its speed, a handwritten note can add a personal touch in more traditional settings. This small effort not only shows gratitude but also reinforces your enthusiasm for the position.
Good luck!
I hope these tips help you with your upcoming data science technical interview! By practicing via the methods mentioned above, and following the tips provided, you should be able to approach the interview with confidence. Don’t hesitate to reach out to CAPD in the future and schedule a 1:1 with an advisor for further guidance!