Data Analyst CV Example & Writing Guide for 2023

Let’s crunch the numbers. Big data is big business. The jobs market for data analysts is hotting up, with no sign of a cool-down yet. It’s easy to think you can just walk into a job. But companies aren’t going to trust their data to anyone. 

You need to prove you can take those numbers and transform them into easily understandable advice, and the best way to do that is with a well-written data analyst CV. 

Read on to discover a data analyst CV example that you can use as the basis for your own. You’ll also get simple step-by-step instructions to write a CV for data analyst jobs that’ll get you interviewed by the best employers.

Let’s begin with this data analyst CV sample made with our builder.

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Data analyst CV made with our builder—See more templates and create your CV here.

And if you’re looking for advice for other careers you can analyse these:

• Business Analyst CV Example & Writing Guide
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• Customer Service CV Example & Writing Guide
• Pharmacist CV Example & Writing Guide
• Bartender CV Example & Writing Guide
• Engineering CV Example & Writing Guide
• Web Developer CV Example & Writing Guide
• Marketing CV Example & Writing Guide
• Model CV Example & Writing Guide
• Architecture CV Example & Writing Guide

Sample Data Analyst CV Template

And here’s the formula for writing your own data analyst CV.

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Data Analyst CV

A data analyst examines sets of raw data using analytical tools. They then use that data to draw inferences and produce meaningful and easily understandable results to help businesses make decisions.

So the purpose of your data analyst CV is to show you can understand complex sets of numbers and translate them into simple English to help advise on strategy and decision-making. By the same token, your CV has to take the complex dataset of your work history and skills and transform it into a simple document to help drive the recruiter’s decision to hire you. Here’s how to do it.

• Choose the best CV format. For a data analyst CV, that format is called chronological. It’s the basic and easy to read format that hiring managers know best.
• Set up a well laid out CV structure. Your page margins need to be one inch on all sides, you should double-space between CV sections and use left-alignment only. Doing this creates white space, an important design trick that makes your CV easy to read.
• Select an easily readable CV font. There’s endless debate over which ones are best, but we recommend you stick to the basics. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all perfect choices.
• Never include unnecessary personal details such as your marital status, date of birth or photograph.
• And when you’re finished writing, save it as a PDF to keep the layout in mint condition.

Read more: How to Layout a Professional CV

2. Write a Data Analysis CV Personal Profile

When you present your work you probably kick off with a brief summary of your findings. And that’s what your CV personal profile does. It’s the introduction to the content that follows. Also known as a personal statement or CV summary it should be 3–4 lines long and effectively grab the hiring manager’s attention.

The best way to write it is to think of it as a way of answering these questions.

1. Who are you?
2. What can you offer to the employer?
3. What are your career goals?

And that approach works for all levels of experience. You just adjust the way you answer accordingly. So for experienced candidates writing a senior data analyst CV, use this method.

• Write up a list of your experience and abilities as a data analyst. Consider the full picture of everything that makes you good at your job. 
• Read the job advert and highlight the all of the abilities and experience required. 
• Then choose 3–4 points from your own list that match up with what the job requires to write a targetted personal statement.

For candidates who don’t have much experience and are writing a junior data analyst CV, please follow this approach.

• Make a list of all the knowledge and experience you’ve gained through your education and other jobs if you’ve had them. Then highlight everything that’s transferable to a data analyst role.
• Then you write your personal statement by combining a few of your transferable skills with enthusiasm for the role and for the company you’re targetting. Showing some positive energy helps prove you’ll be a productive and committed new team member.

And for both junior and senior data analysts you should save this section until last. After all, it’s a CV summary and that’s easier to do if the main body of your content is written and ready to refer to.

Read more: How to Write an Effective CV Summary

3. Create a Convincing Data Analyst CV Work Experience Section

Your CV needs to prove you can jump right in and get knee-deep in data. And the best way to show that is with a well-written work experience section. Here’s how to deliver.

• List your work history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job going first. 
• Include the essential details about each post. Your job title, the name of the company, your location of work and your dates of employment
• Write up to six bullet points per job that describe your role. But don’t just list your duties. Give each bullet point added energy by starting it with a CV action verb. Think adapted, calculated, or analysed rather than ‘responsible for’.
• Quantify your achievements with numbers and use the accomplishment statement method to add even more impact.
• And make sure you’ve created a tailored work experience section. Refer back to the job advert and ensure you’ve addressed the key requirements as closely as possible.

Read more: How to Write a Convincing CV Work Experience Section 

4. Include an Education Section

When you’ve just graduated, your education feels like the main defining factor in your CV. Once you’ve been working for a few years though it can feel like a distant memory. But regardless of what stage of your career you’re at, you need an education section in your data analyst CV and it has to follow the same basic format. Here’s how to do it.

• Write the name of the university you attended, the degree you graduated with, and your dates of study. Enter your expected graduation date as the end date if you’re still studying. 
• If you have post-grad qualifications, enter your degrees in reverse chronological order.
• Only list 1st class or 2:1 honours, and if you’ve just graduated within the last 12 months and have limited work experience you can put this section first before your work history.
• Another change new grads can make is to include the details of relevant particular modules you studied. It’ll help show your knowledge in the absence of practical experience.

Read more: How to Write Your CV Education Section

5. Demonstrate Your Data Analyst CV Skills

Being a successful data analyst requires a wide variety of skills. It isn’t just about the ability to literally analyse data, you need to be able to communicate effectively with colleagues who don’t have the same level of technical knowledge. It’s an incredibly broad skill set, so how do you choose which ones to include in your CV? After all, space is limited, you should be aiming for a one or two page CV.

So here’s how to get a short and effective list of skills. 

• Dust off the job advert again and note all the skills mentioned. Then write a second list consisting of your own skills. Use your work experience and education sections as a prompt.
• Then see what matches on the two lists and choose 5–10 skills to include on your CV. Make sure it’s a mix of soft skills and hard skills.
• And for each skill, include a short sentence that helps to demonstrate your proficiency. It’s much more effective than just throwing in a skills shopping list. E.g. Statistical programming: Proficient user of Python to leverage data treatment and analysis.

Here are some skills that would look great on a CV for data analyst jobs.

Essential Data Analyst Skills

• Report writing
• Data mining
• Data visualisation
• Database design
• Statistical methods
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Statistical script and programming languages

Read More: Best Skills List For Your CV [Popular Skills & Examples]

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6. Put Additional Sections in Your Data Analyst CV

You can’t make accurate decisions with incomplete data and it’s the same when you’re writing a data analyst CV. Without a full picture, the hiring manager can’t make an accurate decision, i.e. inviting you for an interview. The best way to fill in the gaps and complete the recruitment dataset is to add extra sections to your CV. Here are some examples.

• Add a languages section if you can speak a foreign language. Evidence shows that linguistic skills increase your chances of getting a better job.
• Other ideas include volunteering, awards and hobbies and interests. Anything that’s relevant and will help the hiring manager see you as a high-quality candidate is worth including.

Read more: Best List of Hobbies and Interests for Your CV

7. Add a Data Analyst Cover Letter

As a data analyst you’re lucky to be a rapidly growing industry. According to the World Economic Forum you’re in one of the top emerging job roles for the future. But don’t let that lull you into a false sense of complacency. To get the best jobs you need to submit the best application possible. 

And the best way to take your job application to the next level is with a convincing cover letter. Here’s what to include in a cover letter for a data analyst role.

• Choose the right cover letter format and ensure you write your cover letter address according to UK business letter requirements.
• Use your cover letter opening as a hook to get the recruiter’s attention. Show off a professional accomplishment that’ll make them hungry for more.
• Strengthen your cover letter structure in the middle paragraphs by adding in even more proof of your abilities and show enthusiasm for the role and the company.
• Add a call to action to your cover letter ending to increase your chances of an interview. All you need to do is ask the hiring manager to contact you so you can discuss the role further. Good things come to those who ask.
• Know when to stop. The best cover letter length is no more than one page.
• And choose a matching CV and cover letter template for an extra-professional touch.

If you want to give your application one final push then follow up your application. If you’ve not had any news within a week of applying then get in touch with the employer to check up on the status of your application.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Thanks for reading. I hope our data analyst CV example was helpful. If you’ve got any other questions or concerns about writing a CV for data analyst jobs then please ask away in the comments section and I’ll be happy to answer.