When writing your resume, knowing where to begin can be a challenge. You could be fresh out of college with a computer science degree, or maybe you have just completed and graduated from a coding bootcamp. Either way, you are likely wondering: What comes next? How will you land your dream job?
A successful technical resume requires extreme attention to detail, and an understanding of the essential elements and format to optimize your chances of receiving an interview. It is important to highlight your technical skills and years of experience so that you will stand out as an eligible candidate for any data analyst position. Even if you lack experience and are fresh on the job market, there are ways to make you stand out from the crowd. This article will explain the best tips and tricks when writing a data analyst resume.
What Is a Data Analyst?
Data analysis is the profession of interpreting and analyzing data that has been recorded and stored in databases, sometimes including very large and complex databases known as Big Data. This interpreted data is used to make effective business decisions about budget, time spent, and future projects. Data analytics involves statistical analyses and models to evaluate social trends found in the data collection, ultimately helping a company make proper financial decisions. Data analysts can analyze market research, sales figures, logistics, and more.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is often considered to be the most challenging part of a resume, but it does not need to be. When writing your cover letter, think about why you want this job, and why you have a passion for the technology industry.
A great tip when writing a cover letter is to take a look at a company’s mission statement first, and then tailoring your letter around that. This will convince a hiring manager that not only have you done your research, but you also will be a great addition to the company culture.
The most important part of a cover letter is to make sure you are being authentic and not robotic. You want to stand out, and this is your chance to show the hiring manager that you are the best fit for this job. Think of this as your elevator speech, exhibit confidence in yourself, show your personality, and make sure to briefly make note of your experience and education that qualifies you for the position.
How to Format a Resume
Choosing how to format your resume is half the battle, but there are many options and resources out there for you to choose from:
Free Resume Templates
By simply researching “free resume templates” you will find tons of options all over the internet. You will want to choose one that looks sleek and professional, while still being unique. Take a look at how the resume is formatted, what is the order of the sections? A traditional format for a resume is known as chronological order, but it is recommended for technical resumes to be in what is known as reverse-chronological order.
Reverse-Chronological Resume
Reverse-chronological order means that you are putting the most important information first, rather than putting the information in time-order. This is recommended because hiring managers typically only briefly take a look at a resume, so you want to ensure that your experience and skills catch their eye. This would mean that instead of beginning with your education, you begin with a summary or objective, your experience, and your skills all near the top of the page. This is also why choosing a color and format that allows someone to quickly get the gist is so important.
What to Include in Your Data Analyst Resume
Here is a basic guide to all of the sections that should be included in your resume:
Contact Information
Your contact information should be at the top of the page. You should include your name, phone number, and professional email address. Your address is not required, especially if the job opportunity is not local.
Summary vs Objective
You can either include a resume objective or summary, and both serve a different purpose. An objective is typically used when you are fresh on the job market or may not have experience in the field. Think of it as similar to a sales pitch, where you are briefly explaining yourself and what kind of career you are looking for.
A summary, on the other hand, illustrates your years of experience, skills, and achievements. This should be short, but should quickly demonstrate your mastery in the field. This is the first thing the hiring manager will read, so it is crucial that it properly demonstrates your qualifications for the job.
Experience
When writing your experience section, you will only want to include experience that directly relates to the job you are applying for. In your experience descriptions, make sure you are being concise and structured while using numerical figures to represent your achievements. It is highly advised to use a professional language in an active voice.
Education
In the education section you will start with your highest degree or level of education, and work down from there. When adding a degree, you will want to list the degree type, the major, the college or university, and any awards or honors you may have received. If you have a notable GPA, it is recommended to add that as well. This is also where you would add any workshops, conferences, bootcamps, or any specialized courses you may have taken.
Skills: Both Technical and General
The skills section is one of the most important sections in a resume and should be quick to spot by an employer. If you do not have much experience in the field, this is where you can shine and illustrate your potential. As a data analyst, you will want two different skills sections: both technical (specific to data science) and general professional skills.
Technical skills, also called hard skills, could include
- Mathematics (statistics and probability)
- Coding languages (specifically list them here)
- Relational databases
- Database design and management
- Data science research methods
- Any other skills you have obtained in your education
General skills, also known as soft skills, can include
- Communication skills (verbal, written, presentation)
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Organization
- Time-management
Certifications and Licenses
In this last section, you can include any certifications, licenses, or awards you have received that was not previously mentioned. This section can include anything applicable to the job you are applying for that demonstrates your expertise and experience, or even simply shows that you are a reliable candidate.
Best Tips to Consider When Writing Your Resume
In summary, here is a list of some of the key things to consider when creating your resume.
1. Tailor your resume to fit the job description
2. Choose a layout and template that is easy to maneuver and grabs their attention
3. Try to keep it to one page
4. Only add essential information
5. Never lie
6. Proofread and edit
Feeling Confident in Your Resume
Creating a resume for a technical career does not have to be difficult. With attention to detail, you can create a resume that stands out and guarantees you an interview for your dream job. Even if you do not have much experience, a professional, clean, and well-formatted resume can demonstrate your potential and passion for the job.
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