BBC Data Scientist Interview Questions

2.8 /5 difficulty

0% Positive

Negative 50%

Interviews for top jobs at BBC

No offer

Neutral experience

Difficult interview

I applied online.The process took 1 day.I interviewed at BBC (Glasgow, Scotland) in Mar 2025

The interview consisted of a 20min job experience/projects presentation; 30mins of questions based on that plus technical questions; a 10min break; before a 45min competency-based interview and a 10min chat at the end. So roughly, 2hrs. The position was for a Data Scientist for the web-recommendations team. I was interviewed by 4 different people. Two of whom did so throughout the entire process, before a guy was swapped out for one of the project managers for the portion after the break. I thought the interview went okay, I felt like I had good rapport with the interviewers, however there were some technical questions I found tricky. There was a healthy amount of discussions and nodding during the competency portion of the interview, and I did not feel that the interview went on as long as it did. However, I did find the eye-rolling and face-making from the lead interviewer during my presentation, a bit distracting and quite rude. I’m not sure if he has a particular tic or he genuinely found my presentation boring. Overall it came off as very unprofessional - not sure if it entirely aligns with BBC values if the latter is true. I was a little surprised that I was rejected for the position. I asked for feedback and received nothing so was quite disappointed about that as I won’t ever know what the reasons for rejecting me was.

Question 1

Predictive modelling and competency based questions. Bit and bobs about my project and the algorithms I used.

No offer

Negative experience

Average interview

I applied online.The process took 2 months.I interviewed at BBC (London, England) in Feb 2020

Applied online, didn’t hear anything for weeks until I received an email telling me that I now had an on-site interview with a presentation in a completely different city to where I currently live in just a few days time. I told them that this wasn’t a feasible time frame for me. Asked if I could do the following Friday, was told that was good with them and so booked time off work and travel for the interview, a few days later I was told that they’d actually moved my interview to a week after that, I bit my tongue and (foolishly) booked more time off and train tickets. They then had the gall to move my interview yet again, at which point I told them I would be unable to do their new day. They then didn’t send any more emails for weeks until I got a generic ‘We have decided not to proceed’ email back. Extremely disappointing and disrespectful, an absolute waste of time and money.

5

What people are saying about BBC

Accepted offer

Neutral experience

Easy interview

I applied online.The process took 4 weeks.I interviewed at BBC (Salford, North West England, England) in May 2019

The process was a data analysis challenge followed by an interview covering general interview questions as well as a presentation on the approach and outcomes of the challenge. Found out I got the job on the online career portal before getting the phone call, which wasn’t ideal. HR contact defensive and rude on the phone when discussing terms.

Question 1

Describe one moment in your career where you discovered something surprising.

1

No offer

Negative experience

Easy interview

I applied in-person.The process took 4 weeks.I interviewed at BBC (London, England) in Sept 2016

4-day blind data challenge and 1 interview. The challenge asked for some medium to advanced skills in data analysis and reporting. The code needed to be commented out throughout. It was important to get the answer they asked for correctly to get the job. Interview was a presentation on the findings.

Question 1

How I approached the data challenge?

1