Invensis Technologies Research Analyst Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Research Analyst in the BPO/KPO/ITES sector gathers, validates, and analyses data from public and proprietary sources to support client decisions in areas like market research, business intelligence, and financial analysis. Day to day work includes secondary research, data cleaning, building Excel models, and preparing reports or presentations for internal teams and clients. Freshers typically start with structured research tasks and gradually take on more complex analysis and client-facing deliverables.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between primary and secondary research, and which one is more common in a KPO like ours?

   Explain that primary research involves collecting new data directly, while secondary research uses existing sources. In KPO, secondary research is more common due to cost and speed, but both may be used depending on client needs.

2. 2

   How would you use Excel to clean and analyse a dataset of 10,000 customer records?

   Mention removing duplicates, handling missing values, using filters, pivot tables, and functions like VLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH. Also talk about validating data against a source and creating summary charts.

3. 3

   What are some common sources you would use for industry research on the Indian IT services sector?

   List sources like IBEF, NASSCOM reports, company annual reports, government databases, and reputable news sites. Emphasise cross-checking facts and citing sources.

4. 4

   Explain how you would verify the accuracy of a data point you found online.

   Describe checking the source's credibility, looking for the original report, cross-referencing with at least two other reliable sources, and noting any discrepancies.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   You are asked to prepare a market summary for a client in two hours, but the data you need is incomplete. What do you do?

   Show that you would prioritise the most critical data, use available sources, inform your supervisor about gaps, and provide a preliminary summary with caveats.

2. 6

   A client wants a competitor analysis on three companies. How would you structure your research and final deliverable?

   Outline a plan: define parameters (revenue, market share, products), gather data from annual reports and news, create a comparison table, and summarise key insights in a slide deck.

3. 7

   You notice a mistake in a report that has already been sent to the client. What steps would you take?

   Emphasise immediate escalation to your manager, preparing a corrected version with an explanation, and suggesting process improvements to prevent recurrence.

4. 8

   How would you handle a situation where your research findings contradict the client's initial assumption?

   Focus on presenting data objectively, highlighting the evidence, and suggesting a discussion to align on the interpretation without being confrontational.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline for an academic project. How did you manage it?

   Use the STAR method: describe the situation, task, actions (prioritising, breaking down work), and result (met deadline, learned time management).

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you worked in a team to solve a problem. What was your role?

   Highlight collaboration, communication, and your specific contribution. Show that you can work with others and adapt to team dynamics.

3. 11

   Give an example of a time you received criticism on your work. How did you respond?

   Demonstrate openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and how you improved your work as a result. Avoid being defensive.

4. 12

   How do you handle repetitive tasks while maintaining accuracy?

   Talk about creating checklists, taking short breaks, double-checking work, and using tools like Excel to automate parts of the process.

HR and Motivation

1. 13

   Why do you want to work as a Research Analyst in the BPO/KPO/ITES sector?

   Show interest in research, data analysis, and the fast-paced client-service environment. Mention opportunities to learn about multiple industries and grow.

2. 14

   What do you know about our company and the kind of clients we serve?

   Research the company's services, industries, and global presence. Mention specific examples like market research or business process outsourcing to show you have done your homework.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in three years?

   Align your goals with the role: gaining expertise in research, taking on more complex projects, and possibly leading a small team. Avoid saying you want to leave the sector.

4. 16

   Are you comfortable working in shifts or with tight deadlines?

   Be honest but positive. If you are flexible, say so and give examples of managing time effectively. If not, mention your preferred schedule and willingness to adapt.