Interview scorecard template

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Risk Analyst interview scorecard

Evaluate Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Risk Analyst candidates across 4 weighted areas: technical command, deals and deliverables that closed, risk judgement, and explaining it to decision-makers. Technical command leads at 35%, so test command of AMM mechanics, collateral factors, liquidation curves and oracle design; ask how they model bad debt on Aave. Use the rubric to compare role-specific evidence consistently.

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finance riskdefiliquidity modelingprotocol governancesmart contract risk
TL;DR
For technical command, look for evidence the candidate explains loan-to-value calibration, oracle latency risk and liquidation cascade math with reference to specific protocols and on-chain data sources. For deals and deliverables that closed, look for evidence the candidate cites named parameter proposals or risk reports they authored, with the forum thread, vote outcome and observed effect on protocol solvency. Apply the written 1–5 anchors to every answer, record the evidence behind each rating, and use the factor weights to reach a consistent overall assessment.
Complete evaluation framework

What to assess and how to score it

Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.

01
Evaluation factor

Technical command

35% weight

Test command of AMM mechanics, collateral factors, liquidation curves and oracle design; ask how they model bad debt on Aave or Compound style lending markets.

Evidence to listen for

  • Commands the instruments, models, or reporting standards the role turns on
  • Can build the analysis rather than only interpret someone else's
  • Knows the assumptions inside a model and which ones actually drive the answer
  • Fluent in the frameworks and disclosure regimes that apply

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Cannot explain the instruments or standards they claim to work with.

2
Needs Improvement

Interprets others' analysis but cannot build or defend it.

3
Satisfactory

Solid working command; thin on unfamiliar structures or standards.

4
Very Good

Builds the analysis and knows which assumptions actually move the answer.

5
Excellent

Explains loan-to-value calibration, oracle latency risk and liquidation cascade math with reference to specific protocols and on-chain data sources.

02
Evaluation factor

Deals and deliverables that closed

25% weight

Probe concrete deliverables: risk parameter recommendations passed by governance, Gauntlet or Chaos Labs style simulations, listing memos, or dashboards built on Dune and Nansen.

Evidence to listen for

  • Names transactions, filings, or reports they worked, with size, counterparties, and their own scope
  • Distinguishes their contribution from the deal team's
  • Knows what happened afterwards, including what underperformed
  • Can describe one that fell over and why

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

No completed work; describes process rather than outcomes.

2
Needs Improvement

Involved in transactions but cannot state their own scope.

3
Satisfactory

Real deliverables with adequate ownership; outcomes described loosely.

4
Very Good

Named transactions or filings with clear personal scope and honest post-mortems.

5
Excellent

Cites named parameter proposals or risk reports they authored, with the forum thread, vote outcome and observed effect on protocol solvency.

03
Evaluation factor

Risk judgement

25% weight

Assess how they weigh depeg scenarios, bridge exposure, thin liquidity on long-tail collateral, and admin key or multisig centralization when sizing a position or limit.

Evidence to listen for

  • Distinguishes a modelled risk from a real one
  • States confidence and what would change their view
  • Comfortable disagreeing with a number that suits everybody
  • Knows the limits of the data behind a projection, especially over long horizons

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Treats model output as truth; no sense of data limits.

2
Needs Improvement

Reports numbers without qualifying them; avoids unwelcome conclusions.

3
Satisfactory

Reasonable judgement; qualifies findings when prompted.

4
Very Good

States confidence unprompted and will hold an unpopular position on evidence.

5
Excellent

Ranks risks by loss severity rather than novelty, and names a token or protocol they refused to approve plus the reasoning.

04
Evaluation factor

Explaining it to decision-makers

15% weight

Judge how they brief treasury committees, DAO delegates or non-technical investors on exploit exposure and stress test results without collapsing into jargon.

Evidence to listen for

  • Explains a technical position to an investment committee, board, or regulator so they can act on it
  • Writes to the standard the audience is held to
  • Handles challenge without either caving or digging in
  • Works across legal, operations, and external counterparties

Five-point scoring guide

1
Poor

Cannot communicate beyond technical peers.

2
Needs Improvement

Explanations lose the audience or oversimplify to the point of error.

3
Satisfactory

Adequate with familiar audiences; less effective under challenge.

4
Very Good

Explains clearly to committees and regulators and holds up under challenge.

5
Excellent

Translates simulation output into clear solvency implications, states assumptions and confidence, and holds position under governance forum pushback.

Evidence-led prompts

Interview questions for a Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Risk Analyst

Use these prompts to surface evidence for the weighted factors above and compare candidates against the same role-specific criteria.

  1. 01

    Can you discuss a situation where you identified a significant risk and how you addressed it?

  2. 02

    Can you provide an example where you audited a protocol and found critical issues?

  3. 03

    Can you describe your experience with risks associated with flash loan attacks?

  4. 04

    What is your experience analysing smart contracts for vulnerabilities?

  5. 05

    What key indicators do you consider when evaluating a protocol's security?

See the complete Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Risk Analyst question set
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