Preparing for an interview at The Information Lab requires a blend of technical preparation, design thinking, and communication practice. Because the process is highly practical, success depends on your ability to showcase your analytical mindset in real time.

Coachability & Feedback Loop – This is perhaps the most critical evaluation criterion. Interviewers are less interested in a flawless initial submission than in how you receive, process, and implement their feedback. When they suggest changes to your dashboard, implement them thoughtfully and be ready to explain your iterations.

Data Storytelling – Your dashboards must do more than look visually appealing; they must tell a clear, actionable story. Focus on clean layouts, intuitive user experiences, and purposeful color choices. Avoid clutter and ensure that a user can understand the main takeaway of your dashboard within five seconds.

Consulting Aptitude – As a consultant, you must build trust quickly. Practice presenting your work clearly, concisely, and with confidence. Be prepared to defend your design choices while remaining open to alternative perspectives and constructive critique.

Problem-Solving & Curiosity – Choose a dataset for your initial application that you are genuinely interested in. Your passion will naturally come through during your presentation. Be ready to discuss the "why" behind your data exploration and what unexpected insights you uncovered.

The hiring process at The Information Lab is highly distinctive, focusing heavily on practical demonstration and iterative improvement. It is designed to simulate the actual day-to-day work of a data consultant, giving both you and the hiring team a clear picture of mutual fit.

The journey begins with your initial application, where you submit a Tableau visualization based on a dataset of your choice. If your initial visualization shows promise, you will enter an iterative feedback loop. A coach or recruiter will provide feedback on your dashboard, and you will be expected to refine your work and resubmit it. This stage is crucial; the team is closely observing how you handle critique and how effectively you can improve your own work.

If your resubmission is successful, you will move to an initial video interview. This is typically a 30-minute session where you present your polished dashboard for 5 to 7 minutes, followed by questions about your design choices, your background, and your interest in consulting.

The final stage is a comprehensive assessment, often held in-person or via a detailed virtual panel. You will be given a brand-new, complex dataset by The Information Lab and tasked with creating a completely new dashboard within a limited timeframe (usually 1 to 1.5 weeks). You will present this dashboard to a panel of coaches and senior consultants, participate in a Q&A session, tackle consulting scenario questions, and complete a live "critic" exercise where you analyze and provide feedback on a random dashboard shown to you on the spot.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from your initial dashboard submission to the final panel presentation. Candidates should use this roadmap to pace their preparation, ensuring they allocate ample time for dashboard iterations and presentation practice. While the process is rigorous and can span several weeks, it ensures that successful candidates are fully prepared for the consulting environment.

Dashboard Design & Data Storytelling

This area lies at the heart of the entire interview process. You are evaluated on your ability to translate raw data into a compelling, easy-to-digest visual story using Tableau.

Be ready to go over:

• Visual Hierarchy – Organizing your dashboard so the most important high-level KPIs are at the top, followed by supporting details.
• Color Theory & Formatting – Using color purposefully to highlight key insights rather than purely for decoration. Keep your color palette limited and clean.
• Dashboard Performance – Ensuring your dashboard loads quickly and that filters and actions function smoothly without lagging.
• The Dashboard Critic Exercise – During the final round, you will be shown a poorly designed dashboard. You must quickly identify its flaws, suggest concrete improvements, and explain why those changes would benefit the end-user.

Example scenarios:

• Presenting your personal dashboard and explaining the exact user flow you designed.
• Being shown a dashboard with chaotic colors and misleading axes, and being asked to critique its design live.
• Explaining how you cleaned and structured your chosen dataset to make it compatible with your visualization goals.

Coachability & Iterative Improvement

The Information Lab values your growth potential and adaptability above your current technical expertise. How you handle feedback is a major deciding factor in whether you receive an offer.

Be ready to go over:

• Active Listening – Taking detailed notes on the feedback provided during your initial dashboard submission.
• Graceful Acceptance of Critique – Avoiding defensive reactions when interviewers point out flaws or suggest alternative approaches to your data.
• Proactive Iteration – Demonstrating a clear, visible effort to implement the suggested changes in your next submission, even if you have to research new techniques to do so.

Example scenarios:

• Explaining the specific changes you made to your dashboard based on the initial feedback round and what you learned from that process.
• Handling a live, challenging question from a panel member about a design choice you made, and explaining your rationale while remaining open to their suggestion.

Consulting Scenarios & Communication

As a consultant, you are the face of The Information Lab to clients. You must demonstrate that you can communicate professionally, handle ambiguity, and guide clients toward the right data solutions.

Be ready to go over:

• Stakeholder Management – Navigating difficult conversations with clients who may have conflicting requirements or unrealistic expectations.
• Simplifying Complexity – Explaining technical data concepts, calculations, or statistical patterns in simple, business-friendly language.
• Requirements Gathering – How you would approach an initial meeting with a client to understand their business needs before building a dashboard.

Example scenarios:

• Roleplaying a scenario where a client demands a dashboard feature that you know will severely degrade performance or mislead users.
• Answering situational questions about how you would handle a sudden shift in client project requirements mid-way through a sprint.