Power BI Developer Interview at Novartis: My Approach to the Questions
Excited to share how I would answer the questions asked in a recent interview for a Power BI Developer role at Novartis. These questions cover both technical concepts and practical applications, so let’s dive in!
1️⃣ Introduce Yourself
Answer:
I’m a passionate data professional with [X years] of experience in data visualization, analytics, and reporting. I specialize in Power BI, SQL, and Python, having worked on projects involving dashboard creation, data modeling, and KPI analysis to drive business insights. My experience includes collaborating with cross-functional teams and delivering actionable insights for data-driven decision-making.
2️⃣ Explain Merge and Append Queries
Answer:
- Merge Queries: Used to join two tables based on a common column (like SQL joins). It’s useful for combining data from different sources.
- Append Queries: Used to stack or union tables vertically, adding rows from one table to another.
3️⃣ Share 3 Methods to Replace Null Values in Power BI
Answer:
- Replace nulls with default values using the Transform Data menu in Power Query.
- Use the DAX function
IF(ISBLANK(ColumnName), "Default Value", ColumnName)
in calculated columns. - Replace nulls during data import by specifying rules in the source query (SQL or Python).
4️⃣ Define Star Schema vs. Snowflake Schema
Answer:
- Star Schema: A denormalized structure with one fact table and multiple dimension tables directly connected to it. It’s simpler and faster for querying.
- Snowflake Schema: A normalized structure where dimension tables are further broken into sub-dimensions. It’s more complex but saves storage space.
5️⃣ Discuss Available Data Connections in Power BI
Answer:
Power BI supports various data connections, including:
- SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL
- Excel, SharePoint, Google Sheets
- Azure services (Azure SQL, Azure Data Lake)
- Cloud connectors like Salesforce, AWS, and more.
6️⃣ Detail Transformations in Your Projects
Answer:
In my projects, I’ve used transformations like:
- Removing duplicates, splitting columns, and pivoting/unpivoting data in Power Query.
- Creating calculated columns and measures using DAX for performance metrics.
- Filtering and merging datasets for better data modeling.
7️⃣ Describe Your Project and Utilized KPIs
Answer:
In a recent project, I created a sales performance dashboard to track regional sales, product trends, and revenue growth. Key KPIs included:
- Monthly Sales Growth
- Customer Retention Rate
- Average Revenue per User (ARPU)
8️⃣ Illustrate Scatter Chart with an Example
Answer:
A scatter chart plots two quantitative measures to analyze correlation.
Example: Visualizing the relationship between Ad Spend and Sales Revenue to identify ROI patterns across campaigns.
9️⃣ Define Fact Table and Dimension Table
Answer:
- Fact Table: Contains measurable data like sales, revenue, or quantities (e.g., Sales Fact).
- Dimension Table: Contains descriptive attributes like product names, dates, or customer details (e.g., Product Dimension).
🔟 Differentiate Filters and Slicers in Power BI
Answer:
- Filters: Apply data restrictions globally or at the report/page/visual level.
- Slicers: Visual filters users can interact with directly on the dashboard.
1️⃣ Identify Charts Used in Real-Time Projects and Explain
Answer:
Common charts include:
- Bar/Column Charts: For category-wise comparison (e.g., sales by region).
- Line Charts: For trends over time (e.g., monthly revenue).
- Heatmaps: To show intensity variations (e.g., sales by region and time).
2️⃣ Contrast Pie Chart and Donut Chart
Answer:
- Pie Chart: Circular visualization to show part-to-whole relationships.
- Donut Chart: Similar but with a hollow center, which allows additional information in the middle.
3️⃣ Elaborate on the Drill Through Concept
Answer:
Drill Through allows users to navigate from a summary view to a detailed view of the data by clicking on specific data points in a Power BI report.
4️⃣ Enumerate Types of Gateways in Power BI
Answer:
- On-Premises Data Gateway: For accessing on-premise data.
- Personal Gateway: Used by individuals for their datasets.
5️⃣ Define Sync Slicer and Its Application
Answer:
Sync Slicer allows slicers to work across multiple report pages, ensuring consistent filtering.
6️⃣ Explain RLS (Row-Level Security)
Answer:
RLS restricts data access for users based on roles. It is implemented by creating roles in Power BI Desktop and defining DAX filters like Region = "East"
.
7️⃣ Outline Post-Project Testing Procedures
Answer:
- Validate data accuracy by cross-checking with source data.
- Ensure report interactivity (filters, slicers) functions as expected.
- Conduct performance testing to check load times.
8️⃣ Discuss DAX Functions, Specifically Time Intelligence
Answer:
DAX Time Intelligence functions like TOTALYTD
, PREVIOUSMONTH
, and DATESMTD
help analyze trends over specific timeframes.
9️⃣ Address Many-to-Many Relationships Challenges
Answer:
Challenges include ambiguity and double counting. Resolve by:
- Using bridge tables for unique key mappings.
- Redesigning the data model to avoid such relationships.
2️⃣0️⃣ Explain SQL Joins in Detail
Answer:
SQL joins combine data from multiple tables.
- INNER JOIN: Returns matching records.
- LEFT JOIN: All records from the left table and matching ones from the right.
- RIGHT JOIN: Opposite of LEFT JOIN.
- FULL OUTER JOIN: Combines all records from both tables.
2️⃣1️⃣ Define DDL and DML Commands in SQL
Answer:
- DDL (Data Definition Language): Commands like
CREATE
,ALTER
,DROP
. - DML (Data Manipulation Language): Commands like
INSERT
,UPDATE
,DELETE
.
2️⃣2️⃣ Contrast Where and Having Clause in SQL
Answer:
- WHERE: Filters rows before grouping.
- HAVING: Filters groups after aggregation.
2️⃣3️⃣ Differentiate Left Join and Right Join
Answer:
- Left Join: Returns all records from the left table and matching records from the right.
- Right Join: Returns all records from the right table and matching ones from the left.
2️⃣4️⃣ More Insights on Novartis?
Answer:
Novartis is a global healthcare leader focused on innovation. Its data-driven culture emphasizes efficiency, patient care, and groundbreaking research.
2️⃣5️⃣ Any Questions for Us?
Answer:
- What are the current challenges your team faces with Power BI?
- How does Novartis plan to expand its data analytics capabilities in the next 5 years?
Conclusion
Preparing for Power BI Developer interviews requires not only technical expertise but also a clear thought process and practical examples. I hope this blog helps you ace your interviews!
Let’s Discuss!
How would you approach these questions? Share your tips in the comments.
Hashtags:
#PowerBI #SQL #DataVisualization #InterviewPreparation #Novartis
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