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Data & Advanced Analytics Blog

How to write your CV for a data analyst job

James Walsh, Business Director - Cyber, Data & Cloud, Hays UK&I

Jacob Vydelingum
Published Date3 Hours Ago

Are you looking for a data analyst job? There’s good news. It’s among the most in-demand tech jobs for employers in 2025. However, it’s still a competitive market, so hiring managers will be looking for someone who stands out from a pile of applicants. Your CV will be your first impression that defines your success. 

In this blog, we’ll cover what to include in a data analyst CV. You’ll want to consider data analyst core skills alongside your own experience, as well as what to avoid in your CV and what to do if you have limited experience in this field.  

By incorporating these recommendations, you’ll create a tailored, detailed yet concise CV. Our goal is to help you secure an interview. 

Looking for opportunities as a data analyst? Search our jobs here. 

Essential tips when writing a data analyst CV 

  • Tailor your CV to the specific role you are applying for. If you’re applying for a junior data analyst or senior data analyst, your CV should reflect this. Avoid creating a broad data analyst CV, as employers are seeking different skills and experiences at different levels.
  • Make sure your CV isn’t too long. Hiring managers and recruiters will be reviewing numerous applications, so keep yours concise and to the point, with the key information jumping out to the reader.
  • Highlight your core soft skills as a data analyst. Demonstrating these transferable skills will be essential, especially if you don’t have much experience in data analyst roles. 

Skills to highlight in a data analyst CV

 

Whether this will be your first data analyst role, or a new position, there are essential skills you’ll need to succeed that should be included in a CV

  • Analytical skills - Analysing data and critically explaining what it means will be essential in any data analyst role.
  • Attention to detail - You'll need to be able to spot trends and errors when compiling reports.
  • Collaboration - you'll be working with colleagues across departments to deliver valuable insights.
  • Communication and stakeholder engagement - Positive communication is a crucial skill for most roles. As a data analyst, you’ll need to work effectively with various stakeholders and alter your messaging depending on the audience.
  • Data management - Organising and storing data will be key for quick and effective decision making.
  • Organisation - Managing data effectively and backing up essential work can prevent any data losses. As regulations and legislation increase, it’s important to maintain a clear audit trail and meticulous organisation.
  • Presentation skills - The ability to present your findings will be necessary for explaining complex data in a clear and concise manner.
  • Problem solving - Successful data analysis involves translating your findings into actionable solutions. This problem-solving approach is what an employer will look for in a data analyst. 

What to include in a data analyst CV 

Your CV should clearly present your experience, qualifications, skills and knowledge for the data analyst job you apply for. Employers will be looking for a candidate who clearly knows what they’re talking about. Including the following in your CV will be essential: 

Make your experience stand out 

  • Discuss your most recent roles first. Employers will be looking for someone who has the ability to query, clean and manipulate data. If your last job included analysing data or presenting big data reports, the reader will want to know.
  • Specify your soft skills. Skills needed for a data analyst role include common job requirements, like communication. Explain how your communication skills help you to translate complex data modelling into actionable insights - even if you’re new to the industry.
  • Clearly state your relevant roles and responsibilities. Explore how projects you worked on in your last role relate to data analysis. Describe when you’ve used data visualisation or a similar approach.
  • Add any relevant extracurricular experience. Include links to a portfolio, case study or project that showcases your skills. Alternatively, if possible, include an attachment for employers to learn more. 

Depending on your level of existing experience as a data analyst, there are different things that the hiring manager will want to see: 

  • Entry level (0-2 years) - Internships, academic projects or personal portfolio.
  • Mid-level (2-5 years) - Experience working with real-world datasets, managing reporting and stakeholder comms and the level of stakeholder in an organisation have worked with.
  • Senior Level (5+ years) - Leading projects, influencing business strategy and mentoring junior analysts.

Specify common data analysis software that you’re familiar with 

  • Include a list of common, essential technology or software that you’ve used. Don’t assume anything on behalf of your reader. Mention tools from Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics through to more complex data integrations like Power BI or Tableau. These tools will prove useful for a variety of data analyst jobs.
  • Showcase any high-demand experience. If you’re applying for an entry-level data analyst job, highlight anyexperience using specialist toolkits or knowledge of programming languages that power multiple tools, such as Python, R, and SQL.  

Data analysis software that employers will look for on a CV 

Data analysts rely on powerful tools and software platforms to process, analyse, and visualise large data sets. There are a range of common tools across the market, but some of the most popular include: 

  • Tableau
  • Apache
  • Spark, Hadoop & storm
  • Power BI Statistical Analysis System (SAS)
  • KNIME
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google tools - Analytics, Big Query & Looker Studio
  • Jupyter Notebook 

If you haven’t used these data processing tools before, that’s ok. Conduct some online research or download a free demo in your spare time. Demonstrating that you’ve gone out of your way to learn will help to set you up for success.  

Help your reader to digest information with a clear layout 

  • Break up your CV with clear sections. An easy-to-read structure will help hiring managers to find what they’re looking for, which may indirectly demonstrate your skills in data visualisation. Demonstrate that you can identify and highlight important information.
  • Introduce your data analyst CV with a personal statement. Tell a brief story about who you are, what you can do and what you’re looking for. Don’t go into too much detail here – 100 words will suffice. Remember: you can always add a cover letter if necessary.
  • Highlight your education. If you’re a recent graduate, explain how your studies have underpinned your core skills in data analysis. Clarify why your degree, or other qualifications, may be relevant in a data analyst job. 

How to become a data analyst with no experience 

If you’re embarking on this career path, it can be daunting without direct work experience. Don’t be discouraged to apply, though. Instead, tailor your CV to clearly demonstrate you have the skills and knowledge needed.  

To boost your entry-level data analyst CV, it’s best to show your passion for the role and prior knowledge. I’d recommend utilising free certification or entry certifications across cloud platforms. Where possible, gain exposure to AWS, GCP, Google BigQuery or Azure so you have some experience in using these. 

What to avoid when writing a data analyst CV 

When writing your data analyst CV, ensure that you avoid these common mistakes: 

  • Spelling and grammar mistakes - Attention to detail is a key skill for a data analyst. Proofread your CV prior to sending it to an employer and ask colleagues or friends to take a look too.
  • Generic information - Avoid creating a one-size-fits-all CV if you’re applying for multiple data analyst jobs. Tailor your CV to explain why you’re the best candidate.
  • Irrelevant experience – Only focus on roles that showcase your data analysis skills. Avoid going into detail elsewhere, unless to highlight transferable skills.
  • Soft skills without evidence – Avoid listing generic skills like “detail-orientated” or “team player”. Instead, demonstrate it in your experience or achievements – find out more in this blog. 

Things to remember when writing your CV for data analyst roles 

Rather than listing skills in abstract, showcase real life examples to illustrate each point. Specify your knowledge of data analyst software and convey your willingness to learn new skills. Of course, best practice CV rules apply in all industries. However, for data analyst jobs, aim to demonstrate your meticulous attention to detail in action. A well-crafted CV, with no errors, can indicate that your future reports will be similarly flawless. 

Search our data analyst jobs here. 

Searching for a data analyst job? Explore our jobseeker advice in these related blogs: 

 

Author

James Walsh
Business Director - Cyber, Data & Cloud, Hays UK&I

James has worked in cyber security talent recruitment for over 15 years, finding and placing people at all seniority levels.

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