[boringds]

I'd like to add that while you are right for engineering, for certain analytics roles communication would be the decisive factor I'd consider (granted of course the candidate knows how to use SQL and got decent scripting skills). The reason is most of our job as analytics engineers is communication and translating stakeholders business problems.

[chiefalchemist]

> translating stakeholders business problems.

To clarify a bit, cause it matters. This is more of a listening skill, and then an analytical skill. Mind you listening is half (or more?) of good comms. But evaluating listening is 10x more difficult than speaking or writing. The latter two are not a proxy for the former.

[eterevsky]

Of course, I should've started with this. Different jobs require different amount of communication skills.

[boringds]

Absolutely. I wasn't taking a jab at your comment, just adding my experience. Thanks for sharing your point of view!