Data Analyst Examples and Writing Tips

Key Sections to Include in a Data Analyst Resume

The top elements to include in a data analyst resume are much the same as other roles: a header, resume objective, work experience, education, and skills. However, it’s important to put the right focus on each section for your specific role, such as emphasizing your technical skills.

Use the following sections as your own data analyst resume template and read our realistic examples for inspiration on what to include.

Header

Resume headers are the first bit of information that a hiring manager sees, so it should provide your full name and contact details in a clear, concise way.

Clear contact details could stand between you and a job interview, so make sure they’re correct and easy to access.

Here are the top details to include:

• Full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Email address
• Location (city and state)
• LinkedIn URL

These points tell a hiring manager everything they need to know and give them the flexibility of contacting you however they’re comfortable, whether they prefer phone calls, emails, or LinkedIn messages.

Here’s a data analyst header example to get you started:

Kate Barnes
Data Analyst
555-7844
kathbarnes@example.com
Cheyenne, WY
linkedin.com/katebarnes/

Resume objective or summary

A resume summary is a quick description of your skills, achievements, and work history. It’s the first thing recruiters read, so it’s important to make it engaging and only include accomplishments that directly relate to the specific role in question.

Here’s a data analyst resume sample objective:

“Experienced data analyst specializing in data mining, data modeling, and data interpreting. Proven excellence in database management systems and statistical tools. Looking to apply expertise in business operations and analytical technology to further the goals of 24/7 Tech.”

Work experience

This section is widely regarded as the most important part of a resume. Hiring managers want to know why you’re perfect for their role, so their best bet is to compare your past achievements to their needs.

For each bit of work history you list, start with your previous job title, the company’s name and location, and your date of employment. After these, add a bullet list of outcomes you achieved in this role.

Here’s an example to inspire you:

Data Analyst Manager
Spontaneous Labs, Casper, WY
September 2020 – Present

• Lead a team of 10 data analysts, optimizing processes to improve supply chain efficiency by 30%
• Completed expert market analysis, resulting in a 25% increase in lead generation
• Leveraged statistical tools, quality control techniques, and data mining practices to improve the performance and efficiency of data pipelines
• Ensured data accuracy, leading to a 10% reduction in data-related errors.

Education

While the most important element in your data analyst resume is your work history, listing your education is still essential. However, this doesn’t mean it has to be long and detailed – simply list your degree, the name of the institution and its location, and your graduation date.

If your GPA is higher than 3.5, it’s a great idea to include that, too.

Here’s an example education section:

Bachelor of Science, Business Analytics
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
October 2010 – June 2014
GPA: 3.6

Hard skills

Of the top data analyst skills, resumes should prioritize technical over soft. These skills show role-specific proficiency in programming languages, data science, and database management systems.

Here are the most common data analyst hard skills:

• Data mining and warehousing
• Database design and management
• Python programming
• Predictive modeling
• Machine learning
• Data science research
• Statistical analysis
• Data visualization

Note that skills often go right after education, unless you’re crafting a data analyst skills resume (also called a functional resume) or a two-column resume. To see different resumes in action, browse our resume templates.

Soft skills

Soft skills aren’t as important as hard skills, but there are still a handful of them that display standout expertise. For example, a data analyst manager should showcase keen teamwork and leadership skills.

Here are our top soft skills to consider:

• Critical thinking
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Decision-making
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Communication
• Leadership

Optional sections

The above sections are the basics, but these extra sections, while optional, add a little more character to your data analyst resume.

The most common optional sections are:

• Certifications
• Volunteer work
• Languages
• Hobbies and interests

Certifications are a great choice, such as listing that you’re a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP). However, if you’re new to the job market, try providing your volunteer experience to show your dedication in an analyst environment.

Interested in more ideas and role-specific tips? Check out our detailed resume examples.

Tips for Writing a Data Analyst Resume

You have a strong foundation – now let’s apply some expert writing tips to help your data analyst resume catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Small touches, like personalizing each resume, can make a world of difference and only take a few minutes. Use these quick tips to polish up your resume and land your dream job.

Tailor each resume to the job description

Every resume you send off should be carefully crafted with a specific role in mind. 

Examine how the job description lists responsibilities and which skills it asks for. You possess most of these skills, but if the company is looking for “critical thinking” and not “attention to detail,” provide that instead.

Sound like a lot of work? Updating each resume is worth it. It not only shows the recruiter your relevance to their open role, but it also helps you build an ATS resume capable of breaching applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Use clear terminology

Data analysts work with complicated terminology daily, so you might not notice that your resume is full of technical jargon. This presents a barrier because most hiring managers aren’t experts in your field and struggle to understand complex terms.

Proofread your resume for complicated technical terms and use layman’s terms instead. If you aren’t sure which words are too complex, ask a friend or colleague to read through your resume and provide you with valuable feedback.

Quantify work achievements

Standard responsibilities don’t bring anything engaging to the table. Your work history looks dull when you list your experience like this: “Developed processes for metrics reports.”

Let’s put your keen data skills to use and quantify your work achievements. This process uses metrics to display measurable outcomes, providing context for recruiters so they know your impact and worth.

Here are a few examples:

• Planned and developed new processes for metrics reports, increasing efficiency by 20%
• Conducted studies on the forecast and demand for new services, boosting product success and sales by 15%
• Managed a team of 5 data analysts, leveraging team strengths to boost performance by 30%

Looking for more actionable resume advice? Read even more tips in our catalog of resume articles.

Showcase Your Technical Know-How in a Data Analyst Resume

It might seem complex, but it’s easy to display your data analysis skills with the right approach. It’s a complicated field, but you can concisely describe your experience and stand out from the crowd with our tips:

• Include specific, relevant information in your resume summary
• Quantify work achievements and showcase impressive outcomes
• Prioritize technical skills over soft skills
• Use clear terminology and avoid technical jargon

Ready to get started? Use CVwizard’s Resume Builder to create a professional data analyst resume in just a few minutes.