How to Build a Fabulous Data Analyst Résumé

A wide range of interesting employment options is available in the field of data analytics. Careers in data analytics need a certain set of abilities and information. When applying for a job as a data analyst, you will want to create a compelling résumé so that potential employers will be impressed with your application. Here are some tips for making your data analyst resume a powerful tool on your journey toward your ideal job. 

1. Think of your résumé as a marketing document

Basically, with your résumé, you are selling your abilities. Therefore, it’s helpful to showcase them in a way that lets the reader see what you are capable of at a glance, yet have the chance to dig deeper if they wish.

2. Start with your top selling points.

In just five seconds, a hiring manager will skim your résumé and decide whether or not to read the complete document. Therefore, put your best selling points at the top rather than the bottom. Nevertheless, consider your relevant abilities whenever you apply for a job. Rank them according to those you believe the employer would be most enthusiastic about. Then arrange your résumé so that the most important skills are at the very top, where they are guaranteed to be noticed.

3. Adapt your résumé to the position.

Many young professionals believe they will only need to send out one resume for each job application. However, there is a better strategy. It’s far better to tailor your résumé to the job if you are applying for more than one role. When you highlight your qualifications for each position you have a much better chance of getting hired.  This is especially true if you are applying for both financial analyst and marketing analyst positions. However, it is also true if you are applying for any other combination of similar yet different jobs.  There will be some things that are universal, but depending on your goal, you can talk about the different aspects of your experience in different ways. 

4. Be specific and discuss the right topics.

Try to be more explicit in your phrasing when discussing your experience. In addition, you will want to emphasize any duties and encounters relevant to the position you seek. Therefore, instead of saying you “produced strategic insights and recommendations”, you might say something like, “leveraged Omniture to analyze and optimize websites.” With the latter, there is a clear picture of what was actually done. Therefore, be as descriptive as possible and focus on outlining the key details of your experience.

5. Only take up space with items that are in demand.

When reviewing your résumé, be objective. Is there anything there that’s not really selling you? If yes, is there a way to discuss it that will help you sell yourself better or make it more relevant to the position you want? In other words, they probably don’t need to know that you were a babysitter when you were 14.

6. Proofread carefully

Avoid sending a document with typos. It pays to be thorough. Therefore, read and reread your résumé before you send it. You can also read it from bottom to top. Then have someone else review it for errors. Typos will stand out and lessen your chances of landing the job. This is a relatively easy one to do, but it’s also easy to overlook. However, someone who is careful enough to pay attention to the details of a resume will definitely have a better chance at a job as a data analyst!

7. Recognize your red flags and take prompt action to remedy them.

Finally, it’s time to put yourself in the position of a hiring manager. However, you can ask a friend to do this for you if you find it difficult. After reading your résumé, check to see if anything stands out as unusual. Here is a list of things that a hiring manager is going to be aware of. These are red flags that have the potential to knock you out of the running. Therefore, putting yourself in the place of the hiring manager, look through your  résumé for these potential red flags and do what you can to remove them:

  • Job Hopper: No one wants to train someone who looks like they are going to leave after just a few months. If this is what your résumé looks like, you may want to do something about that.
  • Not Relevant for the Role: If the first few parts of your résumé don’t scream “Data Analyst,” you’re done. Therefore, stack your best work at the top and make it count.
  • Needs to be more technical/quant: Analytics hiring managers are searching for technical expertise or aptitude in mathematics. Therefore, you’re probably going to be ruled out if your résumé doesn’t mention this in some way.
  • Sloppy: Typos and erroneous formatting are examples of what a hiring manager might call sloppy. This is unacceptable. Therefore, perform multiple proofreads.
  • Concerning History: For younger applicants, it’s normal to have little experience. However, if you have some experience, be mindful that lengthy periods between jobs and time spent in unrelated or underwhelming positions will raise suspicions. Therefore, look honestly at your history and try to show it in the best light. 

Conclusion

Both novice and seasoned analysts may find creating a data analyst résumé overwhelming. You might have had a  résumé for previous positions, but you may have yet to learn how to modify it for a data analysis position. Using these guidelines will give you the tools you need to create and share your résumé successfully. 

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