If you know me, you know I’ll go on and on about how much I love being a data analyst. While I’m at it, I’ll probably try to convince you to become a data analyst. On the chance I’ve successfully convinced you, here is how to become a data analyst broken down into 10 steps.

1. Make sure you want to become a data analyst

Before you go through all of the work and spend money (if you decide to take a paid course), you need to make sure data analytics is right for you.

Ask yourself what you want out of this job.

Do you love data? Do you want to make good money? Do you want the flexibility to work from home? Do you want to work for a big company? If your answer to any of these is yes, the dive into data is worth looking into.

Next, whether you want to break into data because you love data or you just want to make more money, you should look into what a data analyst actually does.

For many data analyst jobs, you will use SQL to query data from a large database, use Excel to “clean” the data and perform analysis on the data, and use a data visualization tool such as Tableau or Power BI to visualize the data. Duties will obviously vary by company and position, but these three functions are pretty standard. More on how to do these things below.

HERE is a short video of Alex the Analyst further explaining what a data analyst does. If you still want to become a data analyst, it’s time to move to the next step and start putting in some work!

2. Learn SQL

If you don’t know, SQL (pronounced as S-Q-L or sequel) stands for Structured Query Language and is a computer language used to manage, manipulate, and retrieve data from a database. Most coding languages are difficult to learn with cumbersome syntax, but SQL is moderately easier to learn with more intuitive syntax.

Here is how I would go about learning SQL from scratch but feel free to use other resources or do these steps in a different order.

First, I would watch this video further explaining what SQL is and does in under four minutes using Legos.

Second, I would watch this playlist by Alex the Analyst teaching SQL basics to grow your familiarity with SQL. He also has intermediate and advanced SQL playlists that I recommend you check out.

Third, I would start learning to use SQL by taking Khan Academy’s FREE SQL course. This course is incredible as it will show you a video teaching you a SQL command and how to use it, then it gives you an exercise to put your knowledge to work. In my opinion, this course should be one of the first things anyone who wants to break into data does.

Last, if you want to further your skills, consider taking a paid course of some kind that offers a certificate. Many inexpensive options are out there, so look into that if you’re interested.

Now that you know SQL, it’s time to move onto the next step.

3. Learn Tableau (or Power BI)

A big part of being a data analyst is visualizing the data using a data visualization tool such as Tableau or Power BI. Data visualization is great because it takes numbers off of a spreadsheet and presents the data via graphics in a visually pleasing way. Both Tableau and Power BI are equally good, but I am going to talk about Tableau only here.

To learn Tableau, you can download a free version of it called Tableau Public and the same website offers tutorials of how to use Tableau Public and datasets to practice. Check out these great resources HERE.

As always, I’d supplement these resources with the great Alex the Analyst. Here is his beginner Tableau playlist.

4. Learn Microsoft Excel

Of the software recommended in this post, Microsoft Excel is probably the one you’re most familiar with. To succeed in data analytics, you don’t need an expert handle of excel, but you need to know how to use basic functions like filters, formulas, etc. Pivot tables are slightly trick at first, but I’d recommend learning those as well.

Beyond that, just be willing to learn and Google or YouTube search for functions you’re not familiar with. YouTube will be your best free resource for learning Excel. And here is (you guessed it) Alex the Analyst’s playlist for learning Excel for data analysts.

In addition to ATA’s tutorials and other content, he also has videos of him using SQL, Excel, and Tableau to complete projects. I’d highly recommend checking these out as you move onto the next couple steps.

5. Create a SQL Portfolio

Many of you reading this are likely trying to break into data analytics without a related degree or college degree at all. Without having a degree on your resume, skills portfolios are how you show that you know your stuff!

To create a SQL portfolio, it’s common to use GitHub. This video can get you started on GitHub. This example uses R code, but the directions are the same for SQL. It takes a bit of playing around to get used to GitHub, but you’ll figure it out and it’ll be worth it.

6. Create a Tableau Portfolio

Just as you need to create a SQL portfolio to showcase your SQL skills, you need a Tableau portfolio to showcase your Tableau skills. The great thing about Tableau Public is it is super easy and quick to upload your projects to Tableau Public’s website which will serve as your Tableau portfolio.

When you download Tableau Public (see link in step 3), you can create a Tableau Public profile, then it is exceedingly easy to upload your projects and build your tableau portfolio. All you have to do is click “file” at the top right of Tableau Public then click “Save to Tableau Public as” and name your project.

It’s that easy. Check out the end of this video to see exactly where to do this.

7. Optimize your resume

It’s time to market your skills by crafting an excellent resume. A good data analytics resume will prominently feature your skills near the top, display your past experience in a way that showcases traits that transfer over to analytics (Excel experience, work ethic, organization, time management, etc.), and will present your new data skills confidently and honestly.

A good resume for any type of job will be one page, won’t be gimmicky by including a picture or QR code, won’t be cluttered with irrelevant information, and will be non-flashy and easy to read.

HERE is an Alex the Analyst video to help you get started with your resume. HERE is another great YouTube video with data-driven tips for building any type of resume. Beyond these videos, do some extra research and put some work into crafting a great resume.

8. Optimize your Linked In.

If you go through all the trouble to learn SQL, Excel, and Tableau and build portfolios but you have a Linked In that looks like a ghost town, you put yourself through all that work for nothing. Recruiters won’t even look at your portfolios and see your epic skills if they click onto your Linked In and you don’t have a profile picture or any relevant information.

What does it mean to optimize your Linked In?

At the very least, it means having a professional looking profile with a good headshot as your profile photo, an updated resume uploaded, a relevant tagline, a succinct but informative bio, and employment and education history. That is the bare minimum.

To optimize your Linked In and get recruiters to reach out to you, there are a few more steps you must take. You should have data analytics keywords in your tagline and bio, set your profile to “open to work” with the settings such as desired job titles selected, and whatever else possible to get noticed and show you’re a great addition to a data analytics team.

HERE is a quick video further explaining how to optimize your Linked In. And HERE is an Alex the Analyst video with 3 tips on using Linked In to land a job.

9. Apply for data jobs

The job application process is the trickiest part of breaking into data analytics without a related degree or job experience. On average 118 people apply for a given job according to Forbes with roughly 23% of those applicants getting an interview.

Because of the large volume of applications job postings get, many applications are often weeded out be computers. And the criteria for making these cuts will likely be level of degree and/or years of related experience.

Therefore, this process can be challenging if you have little to no related experience/education. You should still send out applications, but you should also be creative. One way of doing this is reaching out to recruiters on Linked In (See Alex the Analyst video from the previous section). Optimizing your Linked In and having great portfolios will also be crucial.

When you are actually applying for jobs, this is my #1 piece of advice: stay away from the “quick apply” option offered on Linked In and Indeed. The competition when applying for a job is already great, but a zillion people will click a button to quickly apply for a job they don’t even want. However, only serious applicants will generally fill out the full application.

10. Ace interviews

By this point, you’ve come so far. You’ve learned the skills, built portfolios, leveled up your resume and Linked In, and strategically applied for jobs. Now, all there’s left to do is win the interview.

Acing the interview requires that you showcase three things: you have the technical skills, you’re excited about the position and company, and you’re friendly and will fit in well with the team (this doesn’t get talked about enough, but I think it is the most important part assuming you have the skills). Let’s talk about all of these in slightly more detail.

First, you must possess the technical skills. Don’t psych yourself out by thinking you have to be a SQL wizard or the Lebron James of Tableau to be ready to interview. You don’t. You should have some kind of experience (through work, education, and/or projects) with SQL, Tableau, etc. and be able to talk about the basic functions of each of these.

Second, it should be obvious to the interviewer that you’re excited to work for this company and in the specific role. Don’t lie about anything, but do a lot of company research and find something about the company that appeals to you.

For me, I’m interested in environmental conservation. So, when I apply for jobs, I look up the environmental initiatives of the company I’m applying for and use that as a talking point. If nothing relevant shows up there, I find something else that’d make me passionate about the company.

Last, be friendly. While your technical skills are important, you need to be someone people want to work with. It’s likely the person interviewing you will work with you in some capacity, so be friendly, generous, and hard-working and let that show in the interview.

Extra tip:

Want to set your skills portfolios apart? Consider building a portfolio website to show your work in a convenient, aesthetically pleasing way. HERE is a video of Alex the Analyst showing one way of building a portfolio website. If you want a more simplified website, just use a free online website builder like Wix or WordPress and try to make it look as good and be as simple as what ATA shows.

Thanks for reading!

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