How to get a job as a data analyst?

It is a good idea to focus your path on areas like math, computer science, and other related fields. After you have foundational knowledge, the next step is to build your technical knowledge. Data analysis requires a specific set of technical skills, including:

• Statistics

• R

• Python programming

• Structured Query Language (SQL)

• Data visualization

• Data cleaning and preparation

Evaluate job postings for positions you are interested in and focus on learning the specific programming languages and visualization tools that are listed as requirements. In addition to these hard skills, hiring managers are looking for workplace skills like solid communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and domain knowledge.

The best way to prepare for a job as a data analyst is to learn how to find value in data. This means working with data in real-world settings. Look for degree programs or courses that include hands-on projects using real data sets. You can also find a variety of free public data sets that you can use to design your own projects.

Be ready to create a portfolio of your work and present your findings to a prospective employer. A portfolio will demonstrate your skills to the hiring managers and can go a long way to helping you get the job. Focus your projects on work that will demonstrate your ability to:

• Scrape data from different sources

• Clean raw data

• Normalize raw data

• Visualize your findings through graphs, charts, or maps

• Draw actionable insight from data