IU #020: Looking to Land a Data Job?

Over the last week, I've been on more coaching calls than ever.

Helping people all around the world land their dream jobs. It’s been amazing.

So, who do I help?

Some of my clients are people switching careers in their 50s. Some are coming back to work after starting a family. Others are pivoting to data analytics after 5-10 years stuck in a job that wasn’t exciting.

So, what did I learn?

Aspiring data analysts all make the same mistake. They don’t frame their past experience with a focus on data.

They talk in acronyms that their previous business would understand. But that’s no use in a new industry if no understands what you mean. If you want to join the data industry, start talking like a data analyst.

In 2 minutes, you’ll know how to make your resume more data-focused. Let’s get started. I’ll share 9 questions you can ask yourself to help re-frame your resume.

9 Ways to Make Your Resume More Suited for Data Roles

1) Data Import & Integration:

"Have you ever been involved in importing or integrating data from one system to another? If so, what tools or methods did you use?"

One of my clients changed "Transferred files between systems" to "Integrated customer data from System A to System B using Tool C, enhancing data consistency."

It’s a lot easier to see your technical skills if you say which tools you used.

2) Data Collection:

"Did you gather raw data for any projects? How was this data sourced?"

Instead of "Conducted market surveys", my client rephrased it to "Collected raw data from 200+ market surveys to inform product decisions."

3) Business Requirements:

"Were you responsible for collecting or defining business requirements?"

This shows your understanding of business objectives. Speaking to stakeholders will be a key part of any data role.

4) Data Cleaning:

"Have you had to clean data to ensure its quality before analysis or reporting?"

This is the mundane bit of analysis. Most people forget to mention it. Don’t fall into this trap. Hiring managers want to hear you can clean and transform data.

Highlight your commitment to quality data, ensuring reliable insights.

5) Data Visualization:

"Did you ever create or interpret data visualizations, charts, or dashboards? What tools did you use for this?"

This shows your ability to translate data into visual insights. For example, “Created data visualizations using Tableau”.

6) Database Management:

"Have you worked with any database management systems? Did you run queries or manage the data within them?"

"Used databases" can be improved to "Managed SQL databases, running queries to extract timely business insights."

7) Statistical Analysis:

"Have you used statistical methods or tools to analyze financial or business data? What were some key findings or outcomes from this analysis?"

This shows you can draw conclusions from complex data. This is whole point of a data analyst job. Any examples will help you.

8) Data-driven Decision Making:

"Can you recall a time where you used data or analytics to inform business decisions or strategies?"

"Helped decide marketing plans" could become "Leveraged PowerBI to steer a 20% more efficient marketing campaign."

9) Reporting:

"Were you involved in generating regular reports or ad hoc analyses based on data? How did you ensure the accuracy and relevance of these reports?"

One of my clients enhanced "Generated monthly reports" to "Produced monthly data reports in PowerBI, directly focusing on business KPIs.”

If you currently work in Finance, it’s almost like you have to remember your life differently. Don’t focus on the financial acronyms. Focus on the times you used data. It’s this subtle re-frame that will help you pivot from finance to data.

It’s how hiring managers will see YOUR value.

Hope this helps!

Want some 1:1 career coaching help tailored specifically to you?

Reply, the word ‘Coaching’ to this email and we can jump on a call. If you didn’t receive this via email, you can catch me on LinkedIn.

Good luck!

Michael

P.S.

Last month, I released “LinkedIn Posts for Jobseekers”. It’s a content strategy and 30 templates designed to help jobseekers land a job through their LinkedIn posts.

We’re already seeing some amazing results:

Grab your copy here. If you buy this month, you get a free coaching call with me and the chance to join our exclusive LinkedIn private community.