Important business decisions arising from data analysis may take a while to formulate, but CV-influenced hiring decisions can happen in mere seconds!
Keep that in mind when creating an impactful data analyst CV that does justice to your expertise and skills. You only get one chance to make a persuasive first impression, and only a few seconds is how long that chance lasts.
Demand for skilled data analysts shows no sign of slowing down. The recent Future of Jobs report found that data analyst roles were among the top 10 jobs expected to grow the fastest between 2023 and 2027. This includes exciting job opportunities with top companies, such as Amazon, Deloitte, and Bloomberg to name but a few.
If you’re looking to progress in your career as a data analyst, you’ll need a top-notch CV to help you land your dream data job. Luckily, we have you covered with our expert CV guide.
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This CV guide and the corresponding data analyst CV example will cover the following:
Unless you’re applying for an entry-level data analysis role, where a one-page CV is the norm, a two-page CV is considered the perfect length. Having an awareness of the correct structure to use will help you stay on track when writing your CV. With few exceptions, all CVs should include these essential sections:
No two versions of your data analyst CV should ever be exactly alike. It’s vitally important to tailor your CV to each job application so it’s 100% relevant. That’s one reason to make sure you carefully scutinise the posted job description and requirements. It’s your best source for customising your CV content and tone accordingly.
Presenting yourself as the best candidate is vital. Here’s how:
How to optimise your CV for ATS
In the modern hiring world, many companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan high-volume applications. These systems rank applicants based on how well the keywords in their CV match the job description. Clearly, not having the right keywords can lead to your CV being passed over, even if you’re highly qualified.
For example, a data analyst job posting may list the following requirements:
With the inclusion of relevant keywords, your professional summary might read:
“Highly-skilled data analyst with over 5 years of experience in the retail sector. Fluency in data assessment, technical writing, and presentations. Regarded as a strong team player and team builder, with excellent communication skills. Strong technical proficiency, including Advanced MS Excel, Python, and SQL.”
If you’re looking for more information on building a CV that gets past ATS scanners, check out our article to find out more.
Similar to preparing a trend analysis report for a client, your data analyst CV should be clear, concise, informative, and in an easy-to-digest format.
Most job seekers are well-advised to use the reverse chronological format for their CVs, which tends to be preferred by employers. Your employment history takes precedence, organised in order from your most recent position back to the earliest.
Some job applicants choose the functional CV format instead, where skills are most prominent, or the hybrid (combination) format, where skills and experience are given an equal footing.
These formats can be useful if you have little or no experience in the data analysis field or you’re pursuing a complete career change.
For the majority of data analysts, the reverse chronological CV format is the best choice. This is due to the easy-to-read format and the ability to see a clear timeline of career progression.
Check out our CV templates if you need some inspiration and choose the format that best suits your situation. We also have many versions available as CV examples that you can review.
Located at the top of your CV, the header contains essential contact details that the hiring manager can use to identify you and get in touch with you—ideally with an interview invitation.
A distinctive header design can help your CV stand out from all the rest, and make it look more inviting to read. That doesn’t mean you need to use any quirky design elements. You can easily make your CV header visually distinct by using a coloured or bolded font, ruling lines or a subtle background colour.
Here’s the key information you need to include:
Don’t include:
Corinne Smith
Data Analyst
0117 895 4670
corinne_smith@email.com
LinkedIn profile
C Smith
Data Champion
01178954670 / 07785658963
sunseekersmith@email.com
Every CV should start with a strong introduction, and this is where your summary comes in. The summary (sometimes called the personal statement or profile) is a short paragraph below your CV header that showcases your data analysis skills and expertise in the best possible light.
Done right, it gives hiring managers a good vision of what makes you suitable for the job, where you are in your career and the value you can bring to their organisation.
Your data analyst CV summary should hit the high notes of your accomplishments via dynamic, results-oriented action statements. This doesn’t mean you need to regurgitate achievements from other sections of your CV, rather provide an overview of what makes you the data analyst to hire. For example, "Successfully managed high-volume data sets and enabled clients to make strategic, data-driven product decisions."
Try to avoid using too much technical jargon in your opening summary. Your technical expertise needs to be a key component, but balance this with soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. The first person to screen your CV may not be a data analysis expert, so it's better to be clear, accessible, and engaging.
If you’re looking for some inspiration to create your summary, view our related CV examples:
You can find adaptable data analyst CV example summaries below:
Talented data analytics graduate, keen to apply strong analytical skills and technical knowledge of Python and SQL to support data-driven decision-making. Successfully completed an internship with PwC, analysing customer trends and creating insightful reports. Articulate communicator and collaborative team player.
Experienced, proactive data analyst, with over five years’ experience delivering data-driven solutions for clients in the retail sector. Steered the successful implementation of new data analysis systems and processes, resulting in tangible improvements in efficiency and productivity. Collaborates effectively to ensure on-track project delivery.
Resourceful Senior Data Analyst, with a solid background in spearheading transformative data-driven solutions and leading top-performing teams. Promotes an environment of continual improvement to aid strategic planning and elevate business performance. Engages fully with key stakeholders to exceed expectations.
Most hiring managers view the work experience section as the jewel in your CV crown. Here you need to detail your work history, starting with the most recent role and working backwards to earlier roles, covering a period of no more than 10 to 15 years.
Create descriptive bullet points for the most directly relevant duties and achievements in each role, resisting the urge to list every aspect of your work history. This approach tends to dilute the impact of your work experience section. Take the approach of quality over quantity.
With no need for the “I” pronoun, start each statement with an action verb such as "analysed," "delivered," or "orchestrated." As a data analyst, you’re well-equipped to cite tangible outcomes using metrics, which will add weight to your CV. Avoid vague statements, such as:
Describing actions combined with positive outcomes and tangible results is going to make your work experience section more powerful and effective. Here’s how you can add some colour to these statements with specific outcomes and results:
Take a look at the data analyst employment history CV sample below:
Data Analyst at Optimal Radar, Bristol
January 2018 - May 2022
Associate Data Analyst at Spectator, Bristol
September 2014 - December 2017
When compiling your CV list of core skills, focus on their value-added impact on the employer. Review the job description to identify skills that are emphasised as important so you can include those that are relevant to attract the hiring manager's attention.
A data analyst CV should include a balanced blend of hard skills and soft skills. That is, your strengths such as data mining, data visualisation, and machine learning should be supported by attributes such as strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills, to name but a few.
If you need some pointers on the types of skills to include on your CV, check out our CV builder which provides examples of in-demand skills as well as proficiency levels you can adjust.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our data analyst CV template.
Listing skills is straightforward, but providing tangible evidence makes a stronger impact. When crafting your data analyst CV, make sure to support each skill with concrete examples. Connect each key skill to a specific situation and its positive result.
This approach will capture the attention of recruiters more effectively. For instance, in your professional profile and work experience sections, emphasise your:
College degrees are not always necessary for a data analyst position role, although they can give you an edge over other candidates.
The education section of your data analyst CV should include any postsecondary education qualifications you have, listed in reverse chronological order from highest to lowest level. In that instance, you do not need to mention secondary school qualifications.
Beyond your degree, college, or high school education, you should also list any additional training or professional development activities:
Check out the education section from our adaptable CV sample below:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of London, London
September 2010 - May 2014
You only have mere seconds to make a great first impression with your CV. If your CV looks sloppy or unprofessional at first glance, it’s game over.
You don't need to overthink the design of your CV, as long as it’s clean, uncomplicated and easy to read. Recruiters are less interested in creativity than they are in legibility. Your CV must be easy to read and assess quickly and efficiently.
A CV can look messy if it is full of different font types and sizes. Use a consistent font throughout and only change the size for the header or the section headings. Always make sure you use a standard size (10 point or 12 point) throughout to optimise readability.
For a hassle-free way to get all of the layout and design details just right, consider using one of Resume.io's field-tested CV templates with our builder tool.
Profile
Experienced and dynamic data analyst with a keen ability for interpreting data and drawing conclusions. Adept in reporting on key metrics and analysing and interpreting trends while providing actionable insights.
Employment history
Data Analyst at Optimal Radar, Bristol
January 2018 - May 2022
Associate Data Analyst at Spectator, Bristol
September 2014 - December 2017
Skills
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of London, London
September 2010 - May 2014
It would be safe to acknowledge that a data analyst career is a secure one. The global big data analytics market size was valued at $307.51 billion (approx. £233.15 billion) in 2023 and is projected to grow from $348.21 billion (approx. £264.01 billion) in 2024 to $924.39 billion (approx. £700.87 billion) by 2032. The demand for data analysts — especially those who are highly skilled and experienced — will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
While this is encouraging news, there will always be competition for plum data analyst roles. Having a strong CV and cover letter can be a powerful tool when you’re looking to stand out and land the best opportunities.
How much do data analysts earn?
The average salary for a data analyst working in the UK is £36,000 per annum. Therefore, data analyst is one of the most needed professions globally. However, there are relatively few data analysts whose experience level is high enough to meet the demand.
Working as a data analyst offers a wealth of opportunities in diverse sectors, with the future looking pretty rosy in terms of job security and growing opportunities. To land the best gigs, showcase your skill-set and tailor your CV as much as possible to the specific role and company using the job description as your guide.
Using an expert-designed CV template can put you on the road to securing your dream data analyst job as quickly as possible.