How can you showcase your data visualization skills in an interview?

1 Know the basics

Before you apply for a business reporting job that requires data visualization skills, make sure you have a solid understanding of the basic principles and best practices of data visualization. You should be familiar with different types of charts, graphs, and dashboards, and how to choose the most appropriate one for your data and audience. You should also know how to design clear, accurate, and engaging visuals that highlight the key messages and insights from your data. You can review some online resources, books, or courses on data visualization to refresh your knowledge and skills.

3 Prepare some samples

Another way to show your data visualization skills in an interview is to prepare some samples of data visualization that are relevant to the role and the company that you are applying for. You can research the industry, the market, the competitors, or the customers of the company, and find some data sources that you can use to create some visuals that answer some questions or solve some problems that the company might have. You can use your own tools or software, or use some online platforms or tools that offer free trials or demos. You should be ready to explain your data visualization process, choices, and results in a clear and concise way.

4 Demonstrate your creativity

While it is important to follow the standards and guidelines of data visualization, it is also important to show your creativity and originality in an interview. You can demonstrate your creativity by using some innovative or unconventional methods or techniques to visualize your data, such as storytelling, animation, gamification, or art. You can also show your creativity by asking some insightful or provocative questions about the data, or by finding some unexpected or surprising insights or patterns from the data. You should be careful not to sacrifice clarity, accuracy, or relevance for creativity, and always explain the rationale and purpose behind your creative choices.

5 Be ready for challenges

Finally, you should be ready for some challenges or tests that the interviewer might give you to assess your data visualization skills. You might be asked to analyze some data sets and create some visuals on the spot, using the tools or software that the company uses. You might also be asked to critique some existing data visualization examples and suggest some improvements or alternatives. You might also be asked to explain some data visualization concepts, terms, or techniques, or to demonstrate some data visualization skills, such as coding, scripting, or designing. You should be confident, flexible, and open-minded, and show your enthusiasm and passion for data visualization.