Be ready to go over:

• Advanced formulas – Your mastery of lookup functions, nested conditions, and array formulas in Excel.
• Relational databases – Writing and optimizing SQL queries, including aggregate functions, subqueries, and multi-table joins.
• ERP data extraction – How you navigate and pull reports from major enterprise systems like SAP or Oracle.
• Data modeling – Building structured data models that can support automated, recurring reports.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Automating repetitive tasks using VBA or basic Python scripts.
• Designing data pipelines that connect direct machinery outputs to business intelligence dashboards.

Example scenarios:

• "Explain how you would write a query to find the average manufacturing cycle time for a specific product line across multiple regional plants."
• "How would you design an automated Excel template to track weekly inventory levels without manual copy-pasting?"

Operational Context & Stakeholder Communication

A great analyst at NOV does not work in a vacuum. You must be able to understand the physical operations of the company—such as manufacturing, logistics, and field services—and communicate your insights to the people running those operations.

Be ready to go over:

• Metric definition – How you define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to supply chain, manufacturing, or operational efficiency.
• Simplifying complexity – Your approach to explaining technical data findings to non-technical stakeholders, such as shop floor supervisors or sales managers.
• Requirements gathering – How you work with business leaders to understand their data needs and translate them into technical specifications.

Example scenarios:

• "A plant manager tells you that their inventory tracking is 'broken' but cannot give you specific details. How do you investigate and solve this problem?"
• "How would you present a slide deck showing a 10% decline in operational efficiency to a busy regional manager who only has five minutes to spare?"

As a Data Analyst at National Oilwell Varco, your day-to-day responsibilities will keep you deeply connected to both the digital and physical aspects of the business. You will be the primary point of contact for data requests within your assigned business unit or geographic region, ensuring that operational leaders have the information they need to make real-time decisions.

Your primary responsibilities will center around:

• Data Extraction and Maintenance – Querying relational databases and ERP systems (like SAP) to retrieve operational, financial, and supply chain data, while ensuring that local databases remain accurate and up to date.
• Report Automation and Visualization – Designing, building, and maintaining interactive dashboards in Power BI or Excel that track key operational metrics such as production throughput, inventory turnover, and equipment utilization.
• Ad-Hoc Analysis – Conducting rapid-response data investigations to help operations teams troubleshoot sudden bottlenecks, inventory discrepancies, or cost spikes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Working closely with plant managers, supply chain coordinators, and engineers to understand their workflows and provide customized data solutions that make their jobs easier.

By executing these duties, you help transition NOV's regional operations away from manual, spreadsheet-heavy tracking and toward automated, real-time data visualization. Your work ensures that the company can react quickly to supply chain disruptions and maintain its high standards of manufacturing excellence.

To be highly competitive for the Data Analyst position at National Oilwell Varco, you must demonstrate a strong foundation in data analytics alongside a practical, problem-solving mindset. The hiring team values candidates who have a proven track record of managing data in fast-paced, industrial, or corporate environments.

Technical Skills

• Must-have skills – Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, index/match, and complex nested formulas) and strong SQL skills for querying relational databases.
• Must-have skills – Hands-on experience building clear, operational dashboards using business intelligence tools, with a strong preference for Power BI.
• Nice-to-have skills – Familiarity with major ERP platforms such as SAP or Oracle, as well as basic scripting knowledge in Python or VBA for automation.

Experience & Soft Skills

• Experience level – Typically requires 2–5 years of professional experience in data analysis, business intelligence, or operational reporting, preferably within manufacturing, logistics, or the energy sector.
• Soft skills – Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with cross-functional, non-technical team members and translate raw data into clear business stories.
• Soft skills – High adaptability and self-motivation, enabling you to take ownership of ambiguous problems and drive them to resolution with minimal supervision.

Q: How technical is the Data Analyst interview at National Oilwell Varco? A: The interview is highly practical rather than theoretical. You will not face abstract coding riddles or intense algorithm design. Instead, you will be asked to explain how you use Excel, SQL, and BI tools to solve real-world operational problems, and you must be ready to discuss your past projects in detail.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? A: The process is generally efficient and can take anywhere from two to four weeks from the initial HR contact to the final decision. NOV's recruiting team is highly structured and typically provides consistent updates regarding your status.

Q: Are there regional differences in the interview process? A: Yes. While the core technical and managerial interviews are similar worldwide, some regional offices (such as those in South America) may include standard localized steps, such as in-person aptitude or psychological evaluations at an NOV facility.

Q: What is the working style and culture like for analysts at NOV? A: The culture is professional, collaborative, and deeply rooted in industrial operations. Analysts work closely with execution teams, meaning you will interact with pragmatic, results-oriented professionals who value clear, actionable data over complex theoretical models.

Q: Does National Oilwell Varco support hybrid or remote work for this role? A: Work arrangements depend heavily on the specific business unit and location. Because this role often supports physical manufacturing, supply chain, or port operations, many teams prefer a hybrid schedule that allows for regular face-to-face collaboration with local operations managers.

To maximize your chances of success during the National Oilwell Varco interview process, keep these practical, insider tips in mind:

• Know your resume inside out: Be ready to explain the "why" behind every project, tool, and methodology listed on your CV. Your interviewers will use your past experiences as the primary way to test your technical depth.
• Highlight your adaptability: NOV has a vast data ecosystem that includes legacy databases. Emphasize your ability to quickly learn new systems, clean messy data, and work with whatever tools are available to get the job done.
• Focus on operational impact: When describing your past achievements, always connect your analysis to a business outcome. Frame your answers around how you helped save money, reduce time, or improve safety.

• Prepare for localized questions: If you are interviewing for a role that supports a specific facility, port, or regional hub, do some research on that location's main activities. Showing that you understand the local business context will immediately set you apart.
• Ask smart questions about their data stack: Use your turn to ask questions to show your professionalism. Inquire about their current database migration plans, the main data challenges the local team faces, or how they currently handle legacy ERP data.

The Data Analyst position at National Oilwell Varco is an exceptional opportunity for a data professional who wants to see the direct, real-world impact of their work. At NOV, your analyses will help optimize the supply chains and manufacturing processes that power the global energy sector. It is a role that offers high visibility, a diverse range of data challenges, and the chance to work with a supportive, professional team.

To prepare effectively, focus your energy on mastering your resume walkthrough, brushing up on your advanced Excel and SQL capabilities, and practicing how you communicate technical insights to operational stakeholders. By demonstrating both your technical competence and your practical, problem-solving mindset, you will show the hiring team that you are ready to make an immediate impact.

The compensation data above highlights the competitive salary ranges typical for this position. When discussing compensation, remember that NOV values practical experience and immediate operational utility; demonstrating strong alignment with their specific systems and workflow needs can position you favorably during offer discussions. To explore more interview experiences, salary insights, and preparation resources tailored to your target roles, visit Dataford. Good luck with your preparation—you have all the tools you need to succeed!