What are some tips for interviewing remotely as a statistician?

1 Check your tech

Before your interview, make sure that your computer, internet connection, microphone, and camera are working properly. Test them with a friend or a colleague and adjust the settings if needed. You don't want to waste time or create a bad impression by having technical issues during your interview. Also, choose a quiet, well-lit, and professional-looking environment for your interview. Avoid distractions and interruptions from other people, pets, or noises.

2 Review your resume and portfolio

Your resume and portfolio are your main tools to showcase your statistical skills and experience. Review them carefully and make sure that they are updated, accurate, and relevant to the position you are applying for. Highlight your achievements, projects, and publications that demonstrate your proficiency in statistics. Be prepared to explain your methods, results, and implications of your work in a clear and concise way. You may also want to have some samples of your code, data, or graphs ready to share on your screen if asked.

4 Practice your communication skills

Communication skills are essential for statisticians, especially when working remotely. You need to be able to communicate your ideas, findings, and recommendations effectively and persuasively to different audiences and stakeholders. Practice your communication skills by doing mock interviews with a friend, a colleague, or a mentor. Ask them to give you feedback on your clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm. You can also record yourself and watch your performance. Pay attention to your body language, eye contact, tone, and pace.

5 Prepare for common and technical questions

As a statistician, you can expect to face both common and technical questions during your remote interview. Common questions may include why you want to work for the company, what your strengths and weaknesses are, how you approach a new data analysis project, how you handle data quality issues, and how you deal with feedback and criticism on your work. Technical questions may include which statistical tools and software you use and why, how you choose the appropriate statistical methods and techniques for different types of data and problems, how you validate and interpret your results and assumptions, how you present and communicate your findings to non-technical audiences, and how you stay up to date with the latest developments in statistics. To prepare for these questions, review your notes, books, and online resources. Have some examples and stories ready to illustrate your skills and experience. Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Be honest, concise, and specific.

6 Follow up and thank

After your interview, send a thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours. Express your appreciation for their time and interest. Reiterate your enthusiasm and fit for the role. Mention one or two key points that you discussed during the interview and why they are important to you. Ask about the next steps and timeline for the hiring process. Keep it professional, polite, and brief.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?