MY FINAL INTERVIEW

What is the difference between Data management and Data Analysis?

• Data management is about making sure data is accurate, consistent, and organized so that it’s reliable for business use.

• It involves cleaning data, removing duplicates, standardizing formats, and storing information properly.

• In my thesis journey, I was responsible for handling a large dataset from surveys. I used Excel and IBM SPSS to clean the data, remove errors, and organize it into proper classifications. That process is data management—making sure the data is structured and reliable before it’s used for analysis

• Data analysis, on the other hand, is about using that clean and organized data to find patterns, generate insights, and support decision-making.

• In short: Data management ensures the quality of the data, while data analysis extracts meaning from the data.

You are going to work with Pamela Cruz (your relative). Is that going to affect your work or not?

• No, it will not affect my work. I understand the importance of professionalism and objectivity in the workplace. Even though Pamela Cruz is my relative, I will treat her like any other colleague—respecting proper reporting lines, policies, and boundaries. I believe my contributions should be based solely on my skills and performance, not on personal relationships.

• In fact, I see it as an opportunity to uphold professionalism even more strictly, to make sure there is no perception of bias.

What is your relationship with her?

She is the fiancée of my cousin. Since it’s not an immediate family connection, it won’t affect my work. I’ll maintain professionalism and objectivity, and my focus will remain on performing my responsibilities based on my skills and results.

Can you tell us about your hobbies or interests, and how they help you fit into a team?

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling when I can, because it helps me learn new perspectives and adapt to different situations. I also keep routines and workouts to stay disciplined and consistent. Practicing work-life balance allows me to stay motivated, meet deadlines, and keep improving my skills.

What is your salary expectation?

Based on my previous interview and research, my salary expectation is around ₱25,000. At the same time, I would like to ask if there’s flexibility to slightly increase the offer, as I am an only child supporting my parents. Nevertheless, my main priority is to build my career with Emerson and grow in data management, so I am very open to discussion.

What is your goal 5 years from now?

Five years from now, I want to be a more skilled data management professional, with strong expertise in tools like SQL, Oracle, and Power BI. I hope to take on bigger responsibilities, such as leading data quality projects or mentoring new team members, while continuing to support Emerson’s growth through accurate and reliable data management.

Tell us about yourself and why you want to join Emerson as a Master Data Management Specialist.

I recently graduated with a degree in Business Economics, where I gained experience working with large datasets and developed a strong interest in data management. I researched Emerson and saw that one of its goals is supporting the career growth of employees, which aligns with my own goal of continuously learning and improving my skills. I’m excited about this role because it focuses on data enrichment and system improvement, which are areas where I can add value while also growing my career.

This role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. How do you ensure data accuracy in your work?

• I ensure accuracy by relying on the official sources provided by the company, double-checking entries for inconsistencies, and breaking large tasks into smaller steps to minimize errors and stay focused. I also make it a habit to document my process, so if issues come up, they can be traced and corrected more easily

What if you still find an error after validation?

If I still find an error after validation, I would flag it immediately and double-check the entry against the company’s official sources to confirm if it’s really inaccurate. If it still doesn’t align, I would make sure to document the issue clearly, including what I checked and what the discrepancy was. If the issue persists, I would escalate it to my team lead so it can be corrected properly and won’t affect the rest of the data.

This job involves working with legacy systems and tools like Oracle, PL/SQL, and reporting tools like Tableau or Power BI. What is your experience with these or similar technologies?

• I don’t have direct experience yet with Oracle or Tableau, but I’ve used Excel and IBM SPSS for data handling. Those gave me a good foundation, and I’m confident I can quickly learn and adapt to the tools used here.

How will you learn the said software?

• I plan to utilize online video tutorials and AI tools for step-by-step guidance, but I’ll also make the most of any training and learn from colleagues’ best practices. That way, I can quickly build confidence with the tools while aligning with how the team already uses them.

Give an example of a time you worked with a large dataset. How did you process and analyze it?

• During my thesis, we conducted surveys with more than  500 respondents, which required me to clean, organize, and validate large datasets to ensure accuracy before analysis. This experience taught me how important proper data management is in achieving reliable results. In my internship, I also worked with large datasets from different brands, where I used Excel functions, Google Sheets, and Microsoft Azure to transform raw data into organized and accurate datasets. These experiences strengthened my ability to handle data systematically and ensure its quality for decision-making

You will sometimes serve as a single point of contact for data accuracy. How would you handle pressure if multiple stakeholders request updates simultaneously?

•  I understand the importance of staying organized when handling multiple requests. I would first check which tasks are the most urgent or critical to the team’s goals. I’d also communicate with stakeholders about realistic timelines, so they know what to expect. If I’m unsure about priorities, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask guidance from my team lead to make sure I’m aligned. I believe that by staying transparent and organized, I can handle requests effectively while ensuring data accuracy.

How do you see yourself contributing to Emerson’s mission of long-term value creation through data management?

•  I know that accurate and reliable data is key to decision-making. I’m eager to learn and adapt to Emerson’s processes while ensuring data is clean and standardized. At the same time, I hope to contribute fresh ideas and continuously grow my skills in data management to support long-term value creation.

How would you handle conflicting or incomplete customer data from different sources?

• If I find conflicting or incomplete data, I would first check the official sources given by the company. I would do my best to research using the tools given to us and, if needed, request clarification before updating. If I’m still unsure, I’d ask guidance from my team lead to make sure the record is correct and consistent.

What would you do if you found recurring data errors coming from the same source system?

If I found recurring data errors, I would first document and review the errors to see if they came from manual entry, formatting, or system issues. I’d then communicate with the responsible team to understand the root cause and suggest improvements like validation checks or process adjustments. I believe that fixing the source of the error is important to avoid repetitive clean-ups and to maintain long-term data quality.

This role requires collaboration with teams like Sales and Marketing. How would you explain technical data issues to non-technical stakeholders?

I’d avoid technical jargon and use simple, business-focused language. For example, instead of saying ‘data normalization,’ I’d explain it as ‘making sure all addresses follow the same format to avoid duplicates.’ I’d also use visuals or comparisons so stakeholders clearly understand the issue and its impact on business decisions.

What skills do you bring to this position?

I bring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in handling large datasets from my thesis and internship. I also have foundational skills in Excel and SPSS, which I’m eager to build on as I learn tools like Oracle and Power BI. Most importantly, I bring a willingness to learn quickly and adapt to new systems.

How do you prioritize your work?

I prioritize urgency and impact. I break tasks into smaller steps and set timelines so I can stay focused and meet deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.

Can you give an example of a time you worked effectively under pressure?

During my thesis, we worked with data from over 500 survey respondents under a tight deadline. I stayed organized by dividing tasks with my team and focusing on cleaning and validating data step by step, which helped us finish on time with accurate results.

How do you handle constructive criticism?

• I see constructive criticism as a chance to improve. I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions if needed, and apply the feedback right away so I can grow and perform better.