I recently went through a technical round for a data analyst role, and I have to say, it was an eye-opening experience. As a complete fresher, I thought I was well-prepared, having solved over 200 SQL problems. But, as I soon realized, it’s not just about solving problems, it’s about how you perform under pressure.
## The Interview
The interview started with two SQL questions. The first one was a breeze – finding the top 2 salaries per department. But the second one had me stumped. I was asked to find the top 2 increment salaries per department percentage-wise. At first, I didn’t even understand what the question meant! It took me a while to wrap my head around it, and I had to take some help from the interviewer to eventually solve it.
Next, the interviewer asked me some basic statistical questions. I was able to answer only 1.5 out of 4, which was a disappointment. I realized that I wasn’t prepared for this part, and it showed.
The final question was the classic ‘same 5 row, same value’ question, where I was asked to use different joins. I messed up this one, and it was frustrating because I knew the answer, but I didn’t think it through.
## The Takeaway
Looking back, I realize that I might have given the impression that I’m weak in the basics. Despite solving so many SQL problems, I didn’t perform well under pressure. It’s a valuable lesson learned – practice is not enough; you need to be able to think on your feet.
## A Shoutout to the Interviewer
I have to give a special mention to the interviewer, who was an absolute gem. He gave me honest feedback and told me ways I could improve. It’s not often that you meet someone who’s willing to help you grow, even if you’re not moving forward in the process.
## The Moral of the Story
We keep trying, and we keep learning. It’s not about failing; it’s about how you bounce back from it. So, to all the aspiring data analysts out there, don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Keep practicing, and most importantly, learn to think under pressure.