How are data interviews evolving with the rise of AI tools?

Unfollow Follow

Sourabh Suri

Updated on March 15, 2026 in

With tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and automated coding assistants becoming common in the workplace, the traditional data interview process is starting to change. Some companies are shifting away from pure SQL or coding challenges toward problem-solving, system thinking, and real business case discussions. From your experience, how are data interviews evolving, and what skills are becoming more important for candidates today?

<div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-25">
<article class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-698d9bbb-4f20-8323-9b61-f2b445b5e95b-2" data-testid="conversation-turn-364" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant">
<div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)">
<div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn">
<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow">
<div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="193982e0-46d4-486d-9893-352f48003d58" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-3">
<div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden">
<div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling">
With tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and automated coding assistants becoming common in the workplace, the traditional data interview process is starting to change. Some companies are shifting away from pure SQL or coding challenges toward problem-solving, system thinking, and real business case discussions. From your experience, how are data interviews evolving, and what skills are becoming more important for candidates today?
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start"> </div>
<div class="mt-3 w-full empty:hidden">
<div class="text-center"> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>
<div class="pointer-events-none h-px w-px absolute bottom-0" aria-hidden="true" data-edge="true"> </div>

Cancel

Data Interviews

3
130
1 month ago
0

Write your reply here to join the conversation

YOUR PREVIEW

Avatar

Subscriber

Rudolph Serrao on March 28, 2026

They’re shifting from doing to thinking.

With AI tools handling coding and boilerplate faster, interviews are focusing more on:

Problem framing and business understanding
Data interpretation and storytelling
Decision-making, not just syntax

You’re no longer just tested on how you code,
but how you think through data.

Liked by

They’re shifting from doing to thinking. 
With AI tools handling coding and boilerplate faster, interviews are focusing more on: 
<ul data-start="133" data-end="257"> 
<li data-section-id="qtqqeq" data-start="133" data-end="179">Problem framing and business understanding</li> 
<li data-section-id="rnhu23" data-start="180" data-end="220">Data interpretation and storytelling</li> 
<li data-section-id="5nkvei" data-start="221" data-end="257">Decision-making, not just syntax</li> 
</ul> 
You’re no longer just tested on how you code, but how you think through data.

Cancel

Subscriber

Nicola on March 20, 2026

What’s changing isn’t just the format of interviews, it’s what they’re trying to measure.

With AI tools handling a lot of the syntax and boilerplate, the signal is shifting toward how candidates think under ambiguity. It’s less about “can you write this query” and more about “do you understand what needs to be asked in the first place.”

In practice, I’m seeing three subtle shifts:

Questions are becoming more open-ended, closer to real business problems
Evaluation is moving toward reasoning, trade-offs, and assumptions
Communication is carrying more weight than pure technical speed

The interesting part is that AI hasn’t reduced the bar, it’s raised it in a different direction.

The candidates who stand out aren’t the ones who know the most tools, but the ones who can structure problems clearly, question data, and connect their thinking to decisions.

Liked by

What’s changing isn’t just the format of interviews, it’s what they’re trying to measure. 
With AI tools handling a lot of the syntax and boilerplate, the signal is shifting toward how candidates think under ambiguity. It’s less about “can you write this query” and more about “do you understand what needs to be asked in the first place.” 
In practice, I’m seeing three subtle shifts: 
<ul data-start="392" data-end="607"> 
<li data-section-id="1nyxdc" data-start="392" data-end="468"> 
Questions are becoming more open-ended, closer to real business problems 
</li> 
<li data-section-id="uzkjqt" data-start="469" data-end="539"> 
Evaluation is moving toward reasoning, trade-offs, and assumptions 
</li> 
<li data-section-id="1pjpds9" data-start="540" data-end="607"> 
Communication is carrying more weight than pure technical speed 
</li> 
</ul> 
The interesting part is that AI hasn’t reduced the bar, it’s raised it in a different direction. 
The candidates who stand out aren’t the ones who know the most tools, but the ones who can structure problems clearly, question data, and connect their thinking to decisions.

Cancel

Subscriber

Tariq on March 17, 2026

Data interviews are shifting from tool-based testing to problem-solving and thinking ability.

With AI tools handling coding and syntax, companies are focusing more on how candidates frame problems, interpret data, and connect insights to business decisions. Real-world case studies, system thinking, and communication are becoming more important than just SQL or coding speed.

Liked by

Data interviews are shifting from tool-based testing to problem-solving and thinking ability. 
With AI tools handling coding and syntax, companies are focusing more on how candidates frame problems, interpret data, and connect insights to business decisions. Real-world case studies, system thinking, and communication are becoming more important than just SQL or coding speed.

Cancel

How are data interviews evolving with the rise of AI tools?

Sourabh Suri

Top Thread Contributors