What is data Analysis?
In the process of Data Analysis, where a Data analyst converts the raw Data for some specific use. The data is analyzed, managed, stored, and use for taking beneficial decisions in the company. They present data in a more useful form and deliver demographic information. This data helps the companies to take financial decisions, for growth. Data analysis is required in every field such as banking, education, health, and finance industries. In contemporary times the demand for Data analysts is on the rise, almost every sector is depending upon data-driven information. For better growth of their business, recruiters hire people for entry-level data analyst jobs and senior-level data analyst jobs.
What does a Data Analyst do?
A data analyst is expected to solve problems and take crucial financial decisions in a company. Every business needs a specialist opinion on decisions related to finance and cost management. Data Analysts communicate with different teams, they design, manage, store, and collect data. This data is interpreted and filtered and is used later for understanding the patterns, of customers. Python is also essential for data Analysts, this language is the foundation along with SQL, Tableau, and Excel.
Apart from being good at the technical requirements of Data Analyst jobs of data handling, data management, and data analysis. They must be good at communication, problem-solving, and critical decision-making, and they must have good financial knowledge. They process the data and visualize the data using statistical and mathematical approaches.
Why start a career as a data analyst?
This job brings various opportunities to candidates, there are a lot of companies in different sectors that are hiring data analysts.
- This profession is in high demand these days, as quality decision-making is very much needed for delivering quality growth and beneficial finance management of the company.
- Candidates can get very good compensation packages. For entry-level data analyst jobs, candidates can get an average package of $ 70,000 to $90,000 annually. And senior-level data analysts get an average of $120,000 to $ 140,000 annually. Though these salaries differ based on location, companies, industries, experience, and skills.
- This job role is very beneficial for critical thinkers and decision-makers. Various skills like communication, problem-solving, and decision-making are the core skills that are required for becoming a data analyst.
- A global surge in demand, as these skills are globally applicable and acceptable. So a Data Analyst job is not restricted to boundaries. This gave the candidates a chance to work with global competitors.
Data Analyst Job Description: Roles and Responsibilities
Before opting for data analysis as a career the candidates must understand the technicalities of this job:
- They have to collect, store, and manage, data from primary and secondary sources.
- They opt for a statistical approach for maintaining databases, for various usages.
- They develop and design data, gather data, and bring operational research.
- They should know the industry, to bring the best decisions based on the data analysis.
- The major role is they have to communicate and convey the visualized set of data. To convey their findings and research they have to bring the data-driven information into graphs and charts.
- Team coordination is the fundamental responsibility of a Data Analyst. After finding relevant data from a pile of data and information, they coordinate different teams and talk them through.
- They create plans and design projects and bring new ideas based on their research.
Read to learn more: Best Paying Data Analyst Jobs in USA in 2023-2024
Data Analyst skills required
Data Analysis is a skill-specific job, so candidates have to focus on refining their skills. The skills are needed to be excelled. Let’s have a look at the required skills for Data Analysts Jobs:
- SQL and Microsoft Excel – SQL and Excel and other Microsoft tools are required for the Data analysts to work with. They must have a sound knowledge of using Excel, SQL, and other database tools. They are required to handle large sets of data, then relevant data is extracted as per the requirements of the data-driven projects.
- Python and R – For a statistical approach and analysis, the data analysts are required to learn and know Python. It is used in complex projects and is the most widely used programming language. It is also used for the correlation and distribution of data. Data analysts with a good understanding and knowledge of Python and R can strive in the industry.
- Tableau, PowerBI – After finding relevant data and researching all the data is presented and utilized in a more productive form. Data Analysts, they must know the presentation of data. The demographic presentation is done through Tableau, PowerBI, and JupyterNotebook. It helps other teams and concerned employees to find relevant information and understand their assignments.
- Decision making – The say of a data analyst is very essential for the company and taking important financial decisions for the better growth of the business. Data analysts are hired for the sole purpose to monitor and take important decisions. They gather data and collect it for specified purposes using database tools and later manage and filter the data for upcoming projects.
- Communication and team coordination – Though Data analysts work on technical grounds and for technical purposes. They must have a team spirit and other soft skills, such as management, multi-tasking, and team coordination and they must be good at communication. Recruiters have to keep in mind soft skills apart from hard skills.
- Maintain a good work culture – The Data Analysts are expected to bring good changes for different teams and the whole company. It will help the company to maintain healthy relations among all the employees. They must motivate all the concerned, teams and employees for any new projects. They must bring new and creative ideas and also encourage other teams and members to bring new ideas.
How to Become a Data Analyst
In contemporary times the demand for Data Analysts is surging. So candidates who aspire to become Data Analysts must follow these 5 steps to get Entry-level Data Analysts and Senior-level Data analysts:
- Learn the essential Data Analysis skills- Data Analysts are required to excel in their skills and have a strong understanding and sound knowledge of tools. The statistical approach combined with the database tools like SQL, Tableau, Excel, Python, and R. They must have the ability to utilize these tools, to handle large datasets, address queries, and data analysis.
- Gain a Qualification that demonstrates these skills – The candidates must have a relevant graduation degree or a relevant specialization for becoming a data analyst. A degree in economics, mathematics, business, and accounting. Any relevant degree will serve as the foundation for becoming a Data Analyst, recruiters majorly short-list the resumes based on the educational qualifications. The candidates have a relevant degree is a plus point if they are freshers and recruiters hire entry-level data analysts based on their educational qualifications.
The candidates can even gain a relevant certificate in the same field if they don’t have a relevant graduation and specialization degree. They can join boot camps and have professional certificates to have specialized knowledge and skills.
- Practice your Data Analyst Skills on a variety of Projects – Apart from having a relevant degree and certifications, data analysts must have a good knowledge of skills. The skills and experience will give the candidates an upper hand in becoming successful data analysts. They must join internships, volunteer, and freelancing projects. It will help them to gain relevant experience, and many recruiters are inclined towards hiring experienced candidates. So candidates must focus on being a part of different projects it will make their resume attractive and the chances of getting job offers will likely increase. It will enhance their knowledge and make them more familiar with the work culture. A good understanding of different industries such as the health sector, education, hospitality, finance, and IT sector.
- Create a Portfolio of Your Work – The candidates must begin with a professional resume, it is the foremost introduction of the candidate. Recruiters short-list the resumes based on educational qualifications, skills, professional experience, and projects. The more the candidates are active in their professional journey the more they are likely to be hired by the top-notch companies. Those who aspire to become Data Analysts must ensure that they join multiple projects and create a synopsis for it on their portfolio.
- Apply for entry-level data analyst jobs – Fresh graduates who want to begin their job exploration in the field of Data Analyst must follow some basic steps:
1- Look for official company websites, in which the jobs are posted by the team. The candidates can apply directly through email and can contact the staff.
2- Drop your resume in the database of OPTnation for professional guidance and assistance.
3- create a professional resume, enclosing all the relevant information about education, skills, professional experience, and additional skills. The resume must tell the recruiter how a profile can be a good fit for the company.
4- they can ask for references and recommendations from their peers, and other social groups.
Conclusion
- The statistical approach combined with the database tools like SQL, Tableau, Excel, Python, and R.
- The candidates have a relevant degree is a plus point if they are freshers and recruiters hire entry-level data analysts based on their educational qualifications.
- The skills and experience will give the candidates an upper hand in becoming successful data analysts.
- A good understanding of different industries such as the health sector, education, hospitality, finance, and IT sector.
- Those who aspire to become Data Analysts must ensure that they join multiple projects and create a synopsis for it on their portfolio.