Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for American Express Analyst
The Analyst at American Express involves a multi-stage assessment and interview process, designed to evaluate both technical skills and business proficiency. Below is a summary of the process and key points from the interviews you provided:
Assessment Test Rounds:
Round 1: Aptitude Test
Description: Puzzles and logical reasoning questions to assess analytical thinking and problem-solving speed/accuracy.
Round 2: Coding Test (SQL)
Description: Basic SQL questions focused on writing queries, understanding JOINs, and using subqueries.
Interview Rounds:
HR Interview
Description: Motivation, culture fit, and alignment with the Analyst role.
Sample question: Why do you want to work at American Express?
One-on-one Interview
Description: Behavioral deep-dive into past impact and achievements.
Sample question: What is your greatest accomplishment at work?
Interview Preparation Tips:
Research American Express thoroughly: values, culture, and recent achievements.
Be ready to articulate your career goals and how they align with the Analyst role.
Practice behavioral answers using real-life examples (STAR method).
For assessments: practice puzzles/logical reasoning to build speed and accuracy.
Brush up on SQL basics, especially JOINs and subqueries; practice writing queries.
Conduct note: The process is smooth and professional; stay calm and confident.
Technical/SQL
Write an SQL query using a JOIN to combine data from two tables.
Use a subquery to filter results in SQL.
Explain the differences between INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and when to use each.
Aptitude/Logical Reasoning
Solve logical reasoning puzzles that test patterns, sequences, and deductive thinking.
HR/Personality/Behavioral
Why do you want to work at American Express?
How do your skills align with the Analyst role at American Express?
What are your career goals, and how do they align with this role?
Application Process: Applied via LinkedIn in March 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Why do you want to work at American Express?
Your Approach:
I emphasized my admiration for the company’s culture, values, and its reputation in the financial industry. I also highlighted how my skills align with the role of an Analyst.
Outcome:
Successfully cleared the round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
What is your greatest accomplishment at work?
Your Approach:
I shared a specific example of a project where I made a significant impact, detailing the challenges, my contributions, and the positive outcome.
Outcome:
Cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Research the company thoroughly, including its values, culture, and recent achievements.
Prepare to articulate your career goals and how they align with the role.
Practice answering behavioral questions with real-life examples.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and professional. I felt well-prepared, but I could have practiced more behavioral questions to articulate my answers even better. My advice to future candidates is to focus on aligning your experiences with the company’s expectations and to stay confident throughout the process.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed in March 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Difference between UNION and UNION ALL in SQL.
Your Approach: I explained that UNION combines the results of two queries and removes duplicate rows, while UNION ALL also combines results but retains all duplicates. I provided examples to clarify the distinction.
Outcome: I passed this round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SQL concepts, especially set operations like UNION and UNION ALL.
Practice explaining technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward, and the question was directly related to SQL, which I was well-prepared for. I would recommend focusing on core technical skills and being ready to explain them in simple terms.
Application Process: The application was submitted through the company’s career portal.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
A variety of SQL and Python-related questions were asked.
Your Approach: I focused on explaining my thought process clearly and demonstrated my problem-solving skills with examples from my past projects.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Similar to the first round, with additional focus on SQL and Python. A puzzle was also included.
Your Approach: I tackled the puzzle methodically and ensured my answers for SQL and Python were concise and accurate.
Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SQL queries and Python programming concepts.
Practice solving puzzles to improve logical thinking.
Review past projects to confidently discuss your experience.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role’s requirements. I felt well-prepared, but practicing more puzzles beforehand could have made me even more confident. For future candidates, focus on core technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Location: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee
Application Process: I applied through campus placements at IIT Roorkee in July 2024.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Aptitude Test:
Questions Asked:
60 MCQs covering SQL, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation.
Time allotted: 60 minutes.
Your Approach: I focused on time management, ensuring I answered all questions within the given time. I prioritized questions I was confident about and revisited the tougher ones later.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Round 2 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about yourself.
Describe your recent project.
Machine Learning questions, SQL queries, guesstimates, and puzzles.
Your Approach: For the behavioral questions, I kept my answers concise and relevant. For the technical part, I explained my thought process clearly, even if I wasn’t sure of the exact answer.
Outcome: The interview went well, and I received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SQL and logical reasoning concepts.
Practice solving puzzles and guesstimates to improve problem-solving speed.
Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, focusing on your contributions and learnings.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. I felt prepared, but practicing more puzzles beforehand could have made me even more confident. My advice to future candidates is to focus on both technical and analytical skills, as the interview covers a wide range of topics.
Application Process: I applied via a walk-in interview before April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: Tell something about project management experience?
Your Approach: I discussed my previous project management roles, highlighting key responsibilities and achievements.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: How will you deal with team conflicts and work pressure?
Your Approach: I shared examples of conflict resolution and stress management techniques I’ve used in past roles.
Outcome: Advanced to the final round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: Where do you see yourself in the next 2 years?
Your Approach: I aligned my career goals with the company’s growth and my role’s potential.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the interview.
Preparation Tips:
Research the company thoroughly.
Understand the role and its requirements.
Practice common interview questions.
Stay confident and composed during the interview.
Ask insightful questions about the role and company.
Keep yourself motivated throughout the process.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and focused on both technical and behavioral aspects. Being well-prepared and confident helped me perform well. I’d advise future candidates to research the company and role deeply and practice common questions to ace the interview.
Application Process: The application process involved three rounds: Resume Shortlist, Aptitude Test, and a One-on-One Interview.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume-based shortlisting)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant projects and skills.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Aptitude Test Round:
Questions Asked: N/A (Aptitude-based questions)
Your Approach: Focused on solving problems quickly and accurately, as speed was emphasized.
Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test and moved to the final round.
Round 3 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked:
Explain your CV projects.
Basic ML questions.
Your Approach:
For the CV projects, I clearly explained the objectives, methodologies, and outcomes of each project.
For the ML questions, I provided concise and accurate answers, focusing on fundamental concepts.
Outcome: Awaiting results.
Preparation Tips:
Keep your resume crisp and to the point, as recruiters spend minimal time reviewing it.
Practice aptitude questions to improve speed and accuracy.
Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail and brush up on basic ML concepts.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. Ensuring my resume was polished and practicing aptitude questions helped me perform well. For future candidates, I recommend focusing on clarity in project explanations and brushing up on foundational ML topics.
Application Process: [Application process details not provided]
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Q1. Explain XGBoost and how it works.
Your Approach:
I started by giving a high-level overview of XGBoost as a gradient boosting framework, then delved into its key features like regularization, handling missing values, and parallel processing. I also explained how it optimizes the loss function using gradient descent.
Outcome:
Successfully cleared this round.
Round 2 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Q1. Case study on American Express.
Your Approach:
I analyzed the case study by breaking it down into key components, identifying the problem, and proposing data-driven solutions. I also linked it to how my skills align with the role.
Outcome:
Awaiting results.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on machine learning concepts, especially ensemble methods like XGBoost.
Practice case studies related to the financial sector to align with American Express’s domain.
Conclusion:
The interview process was insightful, and I felt well-prepared for the technical round. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both technical depth and practical problem-solving skills.
Your Approach: Prepared by practicing common SQL queries and ensuring a strong understanding of database concepts.
Outcome: [Not specified]
Preparation Tips:
Focus on mastering SQL queries and database fundamentals.
Practice problem-solving and analytical skills.
Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward with a focus on technical skills, particularly SQL. Preparing thoroughly for SQL-related questions is key for this role.
Experience: 20 students were shortlisted based on their resumes.
Outcome: [Not specified]
Round 2 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked:
What are your long-term and short-term goals?
Where do you see yourself after 5-6 years?
Why didn’t you choose to do an MBA?
Your Approach: The interview was a mix of HR and technical questions. I focused on answering honestly about my motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and work preferences. A significant part of the interview revolved around my internship experience.
Outcome: [Not specified]
Round 3 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
Questions related to bank reconciliation statements.
Effects of various entries on passbook and cashbook.
Questions related to contra entries.
Your Approach: I prepared thoroughly for technical questions related to the subjects mentioned in my resume.
Outcome: [Not specified]
Preparation Tips:
Be prepared for any question about your resume. If you mention specific subjects, ensure you are well-versed in them.
Practice answering HR questions honestly and confidently.
Brush up on technical topics relevant to the role.
Conclusion:
The interview process was a mix of HR and technical rounds, with a strong focus on my resume and internship experience. Being prepared for both types of questions was crucial. I would advise future candidates to thoroughly review their resumes and be ready to discuss any aspect of it in detail.
Be cautious about the work environment. The role may involve more Excel and PowerPoint work than technical tasks like big data or analytics.
Managers may lack technical knowledge, so prepare accordingly.
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, but the role may not offer much technical growth. If you’re looking for a highly technical role, this might not be the best fit. Proceed with caution and clarify expectations during the interview process.
Application Process: Applied through the college placement cell. All students were asked to submit their resumes, and based on the resumes, 10 students were shortlisted.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-structured and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Selected for the next round.
Round 2 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked:
Why should the company choose you?
Which political figure do you like?
Which party do you prefer?
What is the role of CBI?
Why are you putting Indian Politics over auditing as you are a commerce student?
What is your favorite subject?
Your Approach: Answered honestly, focusing on my strengths and interests. For the political questions, I shared my views clearly and confidently.
Outcome: The interviewers seemed interested in my perspective, especially since I was open about my interest in politics.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on building a strong resume that highlights your skills and experiences.
Be prepared to discuss your interests and views openly, as interviewers may look for candidates who can think critically about societal issues.
Practice answering HR questions confidently and honestly.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the HR round was more about understanding my personality and views than technical skills. I realized that being genuine and articulate about my interests worked in my favor. For future candidates, I’d advise staying true to yourself and being prepared to discuss a wide range of topics, even if they aren’t directly related to your field of study.
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed before September 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: Puzzles, case study, SQL, and probability questions.
Your Approach: Focused on logical reasoning and structured problem-solving for the puzzles and case study. For SQL, brushed up on intermediate-level queries.
Outcome: Cleared the round and moved to the next stage.
Round 3 - Case Study Round:
Questions Asked: Similar to Round 2, with additional focus on CV details.
Your Approach: Reiterated my CV points clearly and applied the same problem-solving techniques as in Round 2.
Outcome: Advanced to the final round.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
CV-based questions (similar to previous rounds).
Case study on American Express’s ongoing issues.
Puzzle from GeeksforGeeks.
Excel-related questions.
Intermediate-level SQL questions.
Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly for CV-based questions, researched Amex’s current challenges for the case study, practiced puzzles, and revised Excel and SQL concepts.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on logical reasoning and problem-solving for case studies and puzzles.
Brush up on intermediate SQL queries and Excel functions.
Research the company’s recent challenges and industry trends for case study rounds.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was rigorous but well-structured. I felt confident in my preparation, especially for the case studies and technical rounds. If I could improve anything, I would allocate more time to practicing advanced SQL queries and puzzles. For future candidates, I recommend thorough preparation on all fronts—technical, analytical, and company-specific knowledge.
Application Process: Applied via campus placement in August 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Interview:
Questions Asked:
MySQL-related questions.
Python-related questions.
Questions based on the candidate’s resume.
Knowledge of Tableau and SAS was considered a plus.
Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly on MySQL and Python, and ensured familiarity with all aspects of the resume.
Outcome: [Result not specified]
Preparation Tips:
Be well-prepared with your resume, as questions are likely to be based on it.
Focus on MySQL and Python for technical rounds.
Knowledge of Tableau and SAS can be an added advantage.
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, with a strong emphasis on technical skills and resume-based questions. Ensuring a solid understanding of the tools and technologies mentioned in the resume is key. Future candidates should focus on these areas to perform well in the interview.
Application Process: I was approached by the company directly and interviewed in July 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned to make it easy for the recruiter to review.
Outcome: Passed to the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Inner join SQL sample question.
Water bucket puzzle to get specific litres.
2-3 Python basic list and string questions.
Your Approach: Prepared SQL joins thoroughly and practiced puzzles beforehand. For Python, revised basic list and string operations.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Director of the department asked about the difference between product vs service.
A+b = 10, a+b+c = 10, a+b+c+d = 10. Total number of possible combinations in the same order was asked.
Your Approach: Explained the product vs service difference clearly. For the combinations question, tried to break it down logically.
Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
Round 4 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Behavioural questions on how you would react to certain scenarios.
Your Approach: Answered honestly but later realized I came across as egoistic in one response.
Outcome: Did not perform as well as I could have due to the behavioural misstep.
Preparation Tips:
Be humble and calm during interviews. Avoid giving egoistic answers, especially in behavioural rounds.
Practice SQL joins, puzzles, and basic Python operations for technical rounds.
Ensure your resume is well-formatted and easy to read.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and I performed well in the technical rounds. However, I learned the hard way that humility and composure are crucial in behavioural interviews. For future candidates, focus on staying grounded and thoughtful in your responses, even under pressure.
Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed before April 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
SQL: Joins and Aggregated Functions
Behavioural Question: How would you deal with a scenario where your colleagues are getting better projects than you?
Your Approach:
For the SQL question, I explained the types of joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL) and demonstrated how aggregated functions like SUM, COUNT, and AVG work with examples.
For the behavioural question, I emphasized teamwork, communication, and proactive learning. I mentioned how I would seek feedback, improve my skills, and collaborate with colleagues to contribute effectively to the team.
Outcome: I successfully cleared this round.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SQL concepts, especially joins and aggregated functions, as they are commonly tested.
Prepare for behavioural questions by reflecting on past experiences and framing answers around teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward, with a mix of technical and behavioural questions. Practicing SQL and preparing for situational questions helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both technical skills and soft skills to ace the interview.
Application Process: Applied via LinkedIn in October 2021.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked: Basic SQL questions, including joins, row number, and aggregation functions.
Your Approach: Reviewed SQL concepts thoroughly and practiced common queries beforehand.
Outcome: Cleared the technical round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked: General discussion about previous projects.
Your Approach: Prepared to explain my projects in detail, focusing on my role, challenges, and outcomes.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Preparation Tips:
Be well-versed with SQL, Python, and any other languages you have worked with.
Ensure clarity about the projects you have worked on, especially those mentioned in your resume.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and focused on technical skills and project experiences. Being thorough with SQL and having a clear understanding of my past projects helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing SQL queries and being ready to discuss your projects in detail.
Application Process: I applied for the Analyst position at American Express through a Job Fair before June 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Aptitude Test:
Questions Asked: General data interpretation questions.
Your Approach: I focused on solving the questions methodically, ensuring accuracy while managing time effectively.
Outcome: Cleared this round successfully.
Round 2 - One-on-One Round:
Questions Asked: Puzzles and resume-related experience questions.
Your Approach: I prepared by reviewing common puzzle-solving techniques and thoroughly revisiting my resume to articulate my experiences clearly.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked: General HR questions based on my resume.
Your Approach: I ensured I could confidently discuss my background, skills, and motivations for joining American Express.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the HR round.
Preparation Tips:
Practice data interpretation and logical reasoning for the aptitude test.
Brush up on puzzle-solving techniques and be ready to discuss your resume in detail.
Prepare for HR questions by reflecting on your experiences and career goals.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. I felt confident in my preparation, especially for the resume-based and HR rounds. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both technical and soft skills, as American Express values a well-rounded approach.
Application Process: The application process involved a resume shortlist followed by an HR interview round.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. The focus was on reviewing the resume.
Your Approach: Ensured the resume was concise, relevant, and free of unnecessary details like photos, gender, age, or address.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - HR Interview:
Questions Asked:
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Why are you willing to join this company?
Your Approach: Prepared thoughtful answers aligning my career goals with the company’s values and growth opportunities.
Outcome: The interview went well, and feedback was positive.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on aptitude, puzzles, and statistics as these are commonly tested.
Expect no more than 3 rounds in the interview process.
Highlight skills like analytical thinking, risk management, customer service, and SQL in your preparation.
Conclusion:
The overall experience was smooth, and the interviewers were professional. Preparing for aptitude and aligning my answers with the company’s values helped me perform well. For future candidates, I recommend keeping the resume crisp and practicing common HR questions thoroughly.
Application Process: The application process involved two interview rounds: an aptitude test and a coding test.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Aptitude Test:
Questions Asked: Puzzles and logical reasoning questions.
Your Approach: I focused on solving puzzles systematically and practiced similar questions beforehand to improve my speed and accuracy.
Outcome: Passed this round and moved to the next stage.
Round 2 - Coding Test:
Questions Asked: Basic SQL questions to test foundational knowledge.
Your Approach: I revised SQL basics, practiced writing queries, and ensured I understood joins and subqueries.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round as well.
Preparation Tips:
Work on puzzles and logical reasoning to ace the aptitude test.
Brush up on basic SQL concepts, especially joins and subqueries, for the coding round.
Consistent practice and a clear understanding of fundamentals are key.
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, focusing on aptitude and basic technical skills. Preparing well for puzzles and SQL helped me clear both rounds. My advice to future candidates is to stay calm, practice regularly, and ensure a strong grasp of the basics.