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Senior economist skills for your resume and career

Q: What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Economists?

Regression analysis (linear and multivariate), research skills (as demonstrated by something like an Honors Research Project), and using excel/programming languages to work with and present data are on the top of the list.

Q: What skills stand out on Senior Economist resumes?

Well, this likely differs between academic, gov't and private-sector economists. But in general, Ph.D. economists have extensive data management and analysis skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and strong mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics. Of course, they need to know about economic theory and the economics literature more generally. Graduate degrees are usually required to be an "economist."

Q: What skills will help Senior Economists earn the most?

Obviously, some economists are "better" than others. But we are all trained in a similar way. We are taught economic theory and then how to test those theories and evaluate policy. So, the people who are the best at those types of things tend to earn more. That's not me.

Q: What soft skills should all Senior Economists possess?

Teamwork, coordination, and persuasion come to mind. Economists often work with other economists and, in some cases, people from other disciplines (e.g., sociology, law, etc.) on research/teaching/service projects. These collaborations require cooperation and persuasion.

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

John Levendis,

John Levendis

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior economist skills. We ranked the top skills for senior economists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.1% of senior economist resumes contained econometrics as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior economist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior economist skills for your resume and career

1. Econometrics

Here's how senior economists use econometrics:

Developed, specified, and tested econometric models using time-series econometrics, panel-data econometrics, and limited dependent variable techniques.
Led the department research in forecasting and econometrics.

2. Macro

Here's how senior economists use macro:

Managed research development to publish reports: * Kept Board of Directors and international stakeholders abreast of global macro trends.
Conducted research and current analysis on macro economic and capital markets issues.

3. Research Projects

Here's how senior economists use research projects:

Estimated health outcomes, analyzed qualitative data and managed many data research projects.
Initiate and lead numerous research projects examining various end-use related issues as well as usage patterns among customers;.

4. SAS

SAS stands for Statistical Analysis System which is a Statistical Software designed by SAS institute. This software enables users to perform advanced analytics and queries related to data analytics and predictive analysis. It can retrieve data from different sources and perform statistical analysis on it.

Here's how senior economists use sas:

Evaluate the performance and outcome of clinical programs on Medicare and Retirement members for various markets using SAS.
Perform ad-hoc queries, statistical analysis, modeling, and reporting using SAS.

5. Data Analysis

Here's how senior economists use data analysis:

Assemble and train a small data analysis team.
Conducted data analysis and developed models via R and Stata to predict market movements.

6. Economic Analysis

Economic analysis refers to examining or assessing issues or topics from an economist's point of view. The goal of such analysis is to find out how efficiently the economy or something within it is functioning. For example, a company's economic analysis would involve determining the profit it is making. According to some economists, economic analysis involves a systematic approach to determine how to use scarce resources optimally. To perform economic analysis, you should have analytical, communication, critical thinking, mathematical, statistical, and writing skills, in addition to being detail-oriented.

Here's how senior economists use economic analysis:

Conducted economic analysis and researches of labor market developments, investments and consumption behaviors.
Provided economic analysis and critical feedback supporting work by other staff.

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7. Economic Research

Economic research focuses on short and medium-term research in competitiveness, market structure, productivity, framework policies, business innovation, business investment, and sectoral trends and issues.

Here's how senior economists use economic research:

Directed economic research used to provide expert testimony in antitrust litigation
Conducted economic research on behalf of the U.S. Treasury for policy development and measurement of program performance.

8. Financial Markets

Fіnаnсіаl mаrkеtѕ еnсоmраѕѕ аnу рlасе оr system thаt allows buyers аnd sellers tо trаdе financial іnѕtrumеntѕ, including bоndѕ, stocks, еԛuіtіеѕ, ѕесurіtіеѕ, foreign еxсhаngе, derivatives, rаw materials, and рrесіоuѕ metals. It serves аѕ an іntеrmеdіаrу bеtwееn іnvеѕtоrѕ аnd thе соllесtоr by mоbіlіzіng саріtаl bеtwееn thеm.

Here's how senior economists use financial markets:

Researched and delivered innovative longer-term focused reports on macroeconomics and financial markets.
Assist in forming the Firm's outlook on the U.S. economy, monetary and fiscal policy options and financial markets.

9. Stata

STATA is a statistical software package used for data visualization, manipulation, statistics, and automated reporting. Individuals with experience in using other types of statistical software or a background in data science may find it easier to absorb the concepts of STATA quickly.

Here's how senior economists use stata:

Analyzed, constructed, and manipulated data using STATA and Excel to facilitate expert analysis.
Used SQL and STATA to accurately report summary statistics and project progress to project managers.

10. Policy Issues

Policy issues are key issues that influence the economic, social, and political life of a place where conflicts arise over the direction of government policy. Often the policy issues are general, dealing with broad approaches to problems, such as whether the federal government should increase spending on national defense or whether social security should be privatized in some fashion.

Here's how senior economists use policy issues:

Formulated and implemented the country strategy by engaging with policymakers on key policy issues.
Developed background studies on monetary and fiscal policy issues in Brazil, and structural and financial sector reforms in Peru.

11. Risk Management

Risk management is the method of recognizing, evaluating, and managing risks to an organization's resources and profits. Financial insecurity, regulatory liability, strategic management mistakes, incidents, and natural hazards are just some of the challenges or dangers that could arise. For digitalized businesses, IT security vulnerabilities and data-related threats, as well as risk management techniques to mitigate them, have become top priorities.

Here's how senior economists use risk management:

Implemented extreme value theory approach (EVT) operational risk management system for regional bank.
Developed an Enterprise Risk Management system Quantified and tracked various risk exposure such as fuel price and macroeconomic growth

12. Statistical Analysis

Here's how senior economists use statistical analysis:

Conducted statistical analysis for large public organization to determine the success in terms of employment and retention of retrained/educated disabled veterans.
Provided expert testimony in rate case to regulators in matters relating to forecasts/statistical analysis.

13. Economic Models

Here's how senior economists use economic models:

Create innovative Excel-based economic models to conduct analysis of transfer pricing and valuation issues.
Analyzed impact of government incentives in Argentina by creating economic model.

14. Medicaid

Here's how senior economists use medicaid:

Key member of the Medicaid Rate Negotiation Committee with the State Human Services Department, a $250M annual contract.
Generated all monthly, quarterly and annual Medicaid reports for the State of New Mexico Human Services Department.

15. Quantitative Analysis

Quantitative analysis, QA, is a technique that relies on data and uses mathematical and statistical models to collect, evaluate, and analyze data points to understand behavior or condition.

Here's how senior economists use quantitative analysis:

Performed quantitative analysis to identify potential risk to the industry.
Used survey and lab results to compile a database for quantitative analysis.

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What skills help Senior Economists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior economist resumes?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

This all depends upon what kinds of jobs you're applying for, who the employer is, etc... A job at the Fed as a research economist will require a different skillset (and a Ph.D.) from an analyst with the Department of Labor. Regardless of your employer, econometric/statistical skills are highly valued and expected.

What soft skills should all senior economists possess?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

Though economists are expected to have strong technical skills, especially with statistics, soft skills are equally important and easily overlooked by students. It does employers no good to hire economists who cannot explain their work or their conclusions. Be able to convey technical matters to non-technical audiences. Try explaining your research to your parents, for example, without using jargon. Even better, try explaining it to a grade-schooler. Your boss might not need to know the gory mathematical details. But they will need to know what your conclusions are.

What hard/technical skills are most important for senior economists?

John Levendis

Professor of Business Analytics and Economics, Loyola University New Orleans

Economists are expected to be able to analyze reams of data. Econometrics and prob/stats skills are expected. Take as many of these classes as possible. Outside of the standard econometrics offerings, consider taking general programming courses.

What senior economist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Patrick Scott Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Economics, Louisiana Tech University

I wouldn't recommend the gap years. Instead, I would suggest start higher education now or pursue graduate degrees to give yourself a marketable edge.

What type of skills will young senior economists need?

Mike Aguilar

Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The typical Economics major on the job market doesn't need economics, per se. They need the analytical skills that the economics curriculum provides. We train students to think and analyze situations in a manner that other disciplines do not. Sometimes that will lead them to quantitative jobs, and sometimes it will lead them to qualitative jobs. As such, the necessary skills vary.
In general, I would say deep quantitative skills are becoming increasingly attractive. Job titles such as analyst, quantitative analysts, data analysts, and data scientists are accessible to economics majors. This requires a strong understanding of statistics and computational methods. At a minimum, these students should have an advanced understanding of Excel and at least one computational language like R, Python, or Matlab. Database skills are very helpful as well. Moreover, data visualization is key. Economics majors tend to be great storytellers.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior economist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior economist resume and required skills for a senior economist to have include:

Econometrics
Macro
Research Projects
SAS
Data Analysis
Economic Analysis
Economic Research
Financial Markets
Stata
Policy Issues
Risk Management
Statistical Analysis
Economic Models
Medicaid
Quantitative Analysis

Research Findings
Economic Development
Series Analysis
Economic Data
Risk Analysis
Business Development
FX
Financial Analysis
Impact Analysis
Regression
Technical Assistance
Securities
Medicare
Market Analysis
GDP

Interest Rates
Private Sector
Bloomberg
Economic Trends
Litigation
Fixed Income
Treasury
R
Client Relationships
Survey Data
Monetary Policy
Conduct Analysis
Client Presentations

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Senior Economist skills FAQs

What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Economists?

What skills stand out on Senior Economist resumes?

What skills will help Senior Economists earn the most?

What soft skills should all Senior Economists possess?

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