Preparation for this role requires a balance of technical rigor and business acumen. You must demonstrate that you can move beyond simple reporting to provide insights that drive actual business value.

Technical Competency – You must be ready to demonstrate advanced SQL skills and a solid grasp of data modeling. Expect to be tested on your ability to translate vague business requirements into concrete technical schemas.

Communication & Stakeholder Management – As a liaison between technical and business teams, your ability to articulate findings is as important as your technical skill. Practice explaining "why" your analysis matters, not just "what" the data says.

Agile Familiarity – Because the Data Enablement Team operates within an Agile framework, be prepared to discuss your experience with Scrum or Kanban. You should be comfortable discussing how you contribute to a product backlog and assist in defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

The interview process at Hub International is characterized by a structured, professional approach that typically progresses from an initial screening to more in-depth technical and behavioral assessments. You can expect a high level of engagement from HR and hiring managers, with a focus on both your past technical achievements and your ability to fit into their regional, team-based culture.

The timeline is generally efficient, with most candidates moving from the initial screen to a final decision within a few weeks. The process is designed to evaluate both your "hard" technical abilities—such as data modeling and query optimization—and your "soft" skills, particularly your ability to act as a partner to the business.

This timeline illustrates a standard progression from an initial phone screen to virtual or in-person technical interviews. Use this to pace your preparation; ensure your technical portfolio is ready before the first screen, and save your deep-dive behavioral stories for the later rounds.

Data Modeling & Architecture

This area is critical because you will be designing the foundation for organizational reporting. You need to show you understand how to build scalable, clean data structures.

Be ready to go over:

• Star schema vs. Snowflake schema designs.
• Handling data lineage and documentation.
• Cloud-native architecture (e.g., Snowflake, Azure, or BigQuery).

Example scenarios:

• "How would you design a data model for a new insurance product line?"
• "Describe a time you had to refactor an existing data model to improve performance."

Analytical Problem Solving

Hub International looks for analysts who can spot patterns that others miss. They want to see how you approach a "messy" data set and turn it into something reliable.

Be ready to go over:

• Root cause analysis methodologies.
• Identifying and correcting data quality anomalies.
• Translating business requirements into technical deliverables.

Example scenarios:

• "How do you identify a trend in a large, unstructured data set?"
• "What steps do you take when you discover a discrepancy in a key performance metric?"

As a Data Analyst on the Data Enablement Team, you are a builder and a partner. You will spend a significant portion of your time translating business needs into technical requirements. This involves working with data stewards to ensure that the data being used across the organization is not only accessible but also trusted.

You will also be heavily involved in the technical execution of data-driven solutions. This includes writing complex SQL queries, participating in testing plans, and monitoring data quality metrics. Because Hub International is a growing firm, you will often find yourself acting as a mentor or a bridge, helping to increase data literacy among your non-technical colleagues.

To be competitive, you should highlight both your technical toolkit and your history of working in complex environments.

• Must-have skills: Advanced SQL (required), experience with cloud platforms like BigQuery, Snowflake, or Azure, and demonstrated experience in data modeling.
• Nice-to-have skills: Experience with data governance, familiarity with Agile project management tools, and a background in insurance or similarly regulated industries.
• Experience level: A bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field or at least seven years of relevant data analysis experience is expected.

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews? A: The difficulty is generally rated as average. The focus is less on "trick" coding questions and more on your practical ability to solve real-world data problems using SQL and your knowledge of data architecture.

Q: What is the company culture like? A: Hub International prides itself on being a team of entrepreneurs. While it is a large company, it encourages regional autonomy and a collaborative, supportive environment. You should emphasize your desire to "learn, grow, and make a difference."

Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? A: Based on recent reports, the process moves relatively quickly, often concluding within a few weeks from the initial screening to the final offer.

Q: Is there a focus on specific tools? A: Yes, SQL and BigQuery are explicitly mentioned as requirements. Be sure to highlight any specific projects where these tools were central to your success.

• Research the Industry: Understand the basics of insurance brokerage and risk services. Being able to speak the language of the business will set you apart from candidates who only focus on the technical side.
• Prepare "STAR" Stories: For behavioral questions, use the Situation, Task, Action, Result format. Focus on how your data analysis led to a specific business outcome.
• Ask Strategic Questions: At the end of your interview, ask about the current data maturity of the team or how they handle cross-functional collaboration. It shows you are already thinking about your impact.
• Highlight Adaptability: Since the company grows through acquisitions, mention your ability to adapt to new systems, new data sources, and changing priorities.

The Data Analyst position at Hub International is a high-impact role that offers the chance to shape the data strategy of an industry leader. By mastering your SQL fundamentals, articulating your data modeling experience, and demonstrating a genuine alignment with Hub International's core values, you will position yourself as a top-tier candidate.

Your preparation should focus on connecting your technical expertise to the company's business goals. Remember that you are being hired not just to write queries, but to help the organization make better, faster decisions. For further practice and insights, continue utilizing the resources available on Dataford to refine your interview technique. You have the skills to succeed—approach your interviews with confidence and clarity.

The salary data provided represents the broad market range for this position. When negotiating, remember that your specific offer will be influenced by your years of experience, the complexity of your previous projects, and your specific working location.