Preparation for Voya Investment Management requires a balanced approach. You must be technically proficient in your toolset while remaining prepared to discuss how those tools serve the broader investment thesis.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of the financial tools and methodologies relevant to your specific desk. Interviewers are looking for evidence that you can translate raw data into actionable insights for portfolio managers.

Communication and Collaboration – Because you will work closely with fundamental analysts, your ability to articulate the "why" behind your data is as important as the "how." Practice translating technical jargon into clear, business-focused narratives.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Voya values individuals who can navigate ambiguity. You will be evaluated on your process for structuring open-ended problems, particularly when dealing with incomplete or fragmented data sources.

The interview process at Voya Investment Management is generally characterized as straightforward, professional, and efficient. Typically spanning two to three weeks, the process is designed to evaluate both your technical competence and your ability to integrate into a team-oriented culture. You can expect a high level of responsiveness from the recruiting team, with a focus on creating a low-pressure, conversational environment.

The progression typically begins with an initial screening, followed by deeper technical and behavioral discussions with hiring managers and team leads. Candidates often note that the interviewers are supportive, making the experience feel more like a professional dialogue than a high-stress interrogation. The rigor of the process ensures that you are a strong technical fit, but the primary goal is to ensure your communication style aligns with the collaborative nature of the firm.

This timeline outlines the standard progression from your initial recruiter screen through to final-round interviews with leadership. You should interpret this as a guide to pacing your preparation; focus on refining your technical narrative early, as subsequent rounds will increasingly test your ability to apply those skills to specific investment challenges.

Technical & Quantitative Rigor

This area assesses your hands-on proficiency with modern data tools and your mathematical foundation.

Be ready to go over:

• Programming Proficiency – Your experience with Python or R in a production or research capacity.
• Relational Databases – Understanding of SQL and the ability to manage or query complex data schemas.
• Financial Modeling – Familiarity with portfolio optimization, simulation, or performance attribution.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would build a signal for a multi-factor model."
• "How do you handle missing values or look-ahead bias in your datasets?"

As a Data Analyst, your day-to-day work centers on enhancing the firm's investment capabilities. You will partner with fundamental sector analysts to quantify investment theses, effectively "translating" fundamental intuition into data-driven signals. This involves constant evaluation of new data sources, ensuring that the firm remains at the forefront of stock selection modeling.

Beyond research, you will be responsible for the integrity of your models and the tools used in periodic portfolio rebalancing. You will collaborate frequently with the broader research team, providing risk reporting and performance attribution that informs critical decision-making. Your role is to ensure that the "machine" part of the "human plus machine" investment process is robust, scalable, and directly aligned with the goals of the discretionary investment teams.

To be competitive for this position, you must demonstrate a mix of hard technical skills and a genuine interest in the financial services industry.

• Must-have skills:

• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with a background in econometrics or statistics.

• Hands-on experience with Python or R.

• Solid understanding of relational databases and SQL.

• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

• Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with factor-based equity investing.

• Familiarity with ESG and sustainability-related metrics.

• Experience with financial databases such as FactSet, Bloomberg, or CapitalIQ.

• Prior experience in a "quantamental" or systematic research environment.

Q: How difficult is the interview process? A: Most candidates describe the difficulty as average. The process is rigorous but fair, focusing more on your ability to think through problems and fit into the team than on obscure technical trivia.

Q: What is the best way to stand out to the hiring manager? A: Demonstrate a deep curiosity about the firm's specific investment strategies. Candidates who can articulate how their data work directly impacts the portfolio manager's bottom line are viewed most favorably.

Q: How long does the process usually take? A: The entire process typically moves quickly, often concluding within two to three weeks from the initial screen to a final decision.

Q: Is this role fully remote? A: Voya generally expects a hybrid or office-based presence depending on the specific location and team needs. Always clarify your specific location's requirements during the initial recruiter screen.

• Prioritize Culture Fit: Voya Investment Management prides itself on a supportive environment. During your interviews, emphasize your collaborative nature and your interest in learning from others.
• Master Your Resume: Be prepared to dive deep into every project listed. If you mention a specific data structure or model, be ready to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
• Research the "Quantamental" Approach: Familiarize yourself with the concept of combining fundamental analysis with quantitative modeling, as this is central to the firm's strategy.
• Be Concise: When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers structured and impactful.

The Data Analyst role at Voya Investment Management offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of systematic and discretionary investing. Success in this process is rooted in your ability to marry technical precision with a clear understanding of financial markets. By focusing on your core analytical strengths and demonstrating a genuine passion for the "human plus machine" investment philosophy, you will be well-positioned to impress the team.

Use the insights provided here to structure your preparation, focusing on both your technical narrative and your behavioral alignment with the firm's values. You can find further resources and interview deep dives on Dataford to continue refining your approach. You have the skills and the drive to succeed—stay focused, be clear in your communication, and approach each interview as a collaborative discussion about the future of investment data.

The salary data provided reflects the current market expectations for this role in specific locations. Use this information to benchmark your own compensation requirements and to understand the competitive nature of the position within the industry.