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What does a Data Analyst do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A data analyst is a professional who uses data to help organizations make better decisions. Data analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to find trends and insights that can be used to improve business operations. They may also develop predictive models to help organizations forecast future outcomes.

Data Analyst job duties include:

  • Collecting data from various sources and analyzing it to find trends and patterns.
  • Identifying business problems and opportunities by analyzing data.
  • Developing hypotheses about how changes in data can impact business outcomes.
  • Testing hypotheses using statistical methods and analytical tools.
  • Interpreting results and communicating findings to stakeholders.
  • Developing data-driven recommendations for business decision-making.
  • Creating reports, dashboards, and other visualizations to help stakeholders understand data.
  • Collaborating with team members to develop data-driven solutions.
  • Continuously improving processes and methodology for data analysis.

Data Analyst Job Requirements

A data analyst typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Many employers also require data analysts to have experience working with databases and statistical software. Some companies may require data analysts to be certified in a specific type of software.

Data Analyst Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication skills
  • Creativity
  • Critical thinking
  • Data analysis
  • Data mining
  • Database management
  • Interpretation of data
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Programming skills

Related: Top Data Analyst Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Data Analyst

A data analyst is a professional who is responsible for analyzing data and providing insights to help businesses make better decisions. There are many different ways to become a data analyst, but there are some common steps that will help you on your way.

1. Get a degree in a relevant field. A data analyst typically has a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or another quantitative field. If you want to work as a data analyst, it's important to have strong analytical skills and be comfortable working with numbers.

2. Learn how to use data analysis software. Data analysts use a variety of software programs to analyze data, including Excel, SPSS, and Tableau. It's important to learn how to use these programs so that you can effectively analyze data.

3. Find a job in a relevant field. Many data analysts work in the fields of market research, business intelligence, or management consulting. However, there are many other industries that need data analysts, so it's important to find a job that matches your skills and interests.

4. Be prepared to continue learning. Data changes rapidly, so it's important for data analysts to keep up with the latest trends and developments. Continuing education courses and attending conferences are great ways to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field of data analytics.

Related: Data Analyst Resume Example

Related: Data Analyst Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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