Career Advice for an Analyst

Analysts research industry trends, analyse business processes and systems, and make recommendations. They will design and implement new processes and advise on forecasting and ongoing strategies within a business to maintain business viability.

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How to Become an Analyst

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Analyst

Should you wish to work as an Analyst you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Analyst

  • 2 or 3 A Levels
  • Degree in Computing, Maths, and Statistics or Business
  • Apprenticeship in Business Analysis

Key Responsibilities for an Analyst

  • Determining workflow systems
  • Analysing processes and current infrastructure
  • Discussing procedures with various teams
  • Working with senior management to determine possible improvements
  • Developing new business system solutions
  • Increasing business efficiency
  • Researching industry trends and upcoming technology
  • Testing and maintaining new systems
  • Providing support to teams
  • Presenting analytical reports

What to expect as an Analyst

Analysts are responsible for researching business system improvements to help businesses remain efficient and competitive. To succeed in this career, you will need a highly analytical mind, superb organisational skills, and the ability to present complex solutions understandably.

Recommended Analyst Jobs

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How to get Analyst Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Analyst job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Analyst application. If you have not held an Analyst position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Analyst role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Analyst CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Analyst application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Analyst in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Analyst 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Analyst and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Analyst experience.

How to get Analyst Experience

What does it take to be an Analyst? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Analyst jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Analyst through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Analyst Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Analyst part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Analyst or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Analyst freelance work

If you have impressive Analyst qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.