Interview questions for new analytics position

Audra Will · February 21

We are in the process of hiring for a new position focused on analytics, reporting, dashboards, and automation. We want someone who will come in and help us implement Power BI and Power Automate, which we haven't used. This is an Associate Director position for a small University and our applicants don't necessarily have RE experience (so testing them in RE isn't a possibility). What are some good interview questions for this type of role? As the database admin I feel like I should know, but this is an area that's new for me, too.

Alex Wong · February 21

@Audra Will
That's a tough one. You want someone that knows nonprofit CRM data and ability to report out of it and creates analytics and dashboard AND you want someone that knows how to do power automate for fundraising automation and power bi for fundraising dashboarding.

I have tried to find someone like that and failed, so the burden is still on me right now.

not hard to find someone with CRM experience (not necessary to be RE NXT experience, but a nice to have)….
not hard to find a power platform developer that knows how to do flow and bi

but someone who can do both is hard to come by.

I think in community right now, most of those that are able to do both is someone who is a database manager/admin that already possess the fundraising data knowledge and they learn their way to use the low/no code platform of power automate/bi. In order to learn using of power automate and bi, while not having a programming background is to have a logically sounded mind. Someone that can easily tell the difference between:
A and (B or C)
A and B or C

Here are some other questions I can think of:

when you got 2 excel data files (customer and order), how do tell if a customer made an order
same data file, how to get the customer info (name, email, address, etc) into the order file
Have you worked with any CRM before, which one
if you are new to a CRM, what would be your first step of learning
do you understand one-to-many relationship in a relational database
do you understand or know what JSON is

Another route you can take is to use a consultant that alrady possess the above knowledge and experience, this depends on your budget for this position, as consultant does not have the expense overhead of an employee but a full time employee within company is also beneficial in other ways like retaining of institutional knowledge. There are a few partners that is active in Community that I'm sure will love to hear your needs. There are also other individuals, myself included, that can provide assistance through community and/or paid-assistance for more direct project involvement.

Good luck

JoAnn Strommen · February 21

@Audra Will
These are a few questions we asked when hiring staff who work with RE. As the exact experience may not be easy to find. We look at how they learn - webinar, courses, hands on. From their answers do they seem teachable, do they have ideas on how to find answers when they don't know. Also some questions about learning new aspects when checking references.

Understanding and navigating our database is essential. Please tell us your experience in working with a database and how you go about learning a new software.
Also, please tell us your experience and comfort level in using Microsoft Word and Excel.
This position works closely with the Database Administrator to update and maintain the database which is a detailed process. What is your experience with doing a detailed position and your process.

JoAnn Strommen · February 21

@JoAnn Strommen Just found another list of questions:

Tell me about a time in the last 6 months where you taught yourself something.
What are the ways in which you stay current with technology?
Tell me about how you manage changing priorities.
What is your biggest frustration or challenge with Raiser's Edge and/or Blackbaud products or software you have worked with?
What resources do you avail yourself of when you are “stuck” on a problem with the database?

Audra Will · February 21

@JoAnn Strommen These are all great! Thank you!

Audra Will · February 24

@Alex Wong Thank you! All good info!

Damon Rosenthal · March 3

@Alex Wong
I have been in my position for a while and I had to look up JSON. I learned something new. Not sure how to apply yet, but good to know. ?

Alex Wong · March 3

@Damon Rosenthal
JSON is important to know IF the role evolve into more advance role that does some automation via Power Automate, not needed for “traditional” dba dbm role, though it is a sign of what this person may be able to understand with regards to data.

Damon Rosenthal · March 3

@Alex Wong
Well my plan is to get into more automation, so again good to know. I have heard about the benefits relative to Power BI and Power Automate and good input from Austen Brown and I have the desire to go into that direction. The challenge as always is time and balance of other work priorities put on us. ? Ultimately it should pay for itself right?

Alex Wong · March 3

@Damon Rosenthal
It will absolutely pays for itself.

gain experience that elevate your resume
Power Automate: routine task that used to take up 30 minutes of your time daily/weekly/monthly will no longer need to be done. For example: error checking on gift or constituent record coding, email address that is entered incorrectly from dbview, potentially tagging that is based on giving (though not recommended, I do know some org does it)
Power BI: routine reports that are needed by fundraiser and/or executive, that requires you to export data from RE and then some amount of manipulation before it is “good enough” for your target audience. Report that may take you time to do everytime, will now be auto-refreshed and viewable by your target audience automatically

Interview questions for new analytics position

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