Tips for Navigating Data Job Applications

Our client pivoted from Sales to Data Analytics. They did it with no formal data experience. Here are 6 strategies they used to make it happen: Context: When our client reached out, they were stuck. They had spent months applying to data analyst roles with no success, despite completing a data analytics course. They had even received a verbal offer that was later rescinded. Frustration was building, and they were considering a return to account management. We teamed up with them, and things started to change: 1. They Clarified Their Target Role Before working with us, their approach was to just apply to any and every data analytics role that popped up. We helped shift that mindset to focus more of our energy on a smaller set of highly-aligned companies. They used this clarity to create a “Match Score” for each opportunity—filtering out roles that didn’t align with their ideal job. 2. They Optimized Their LinkedIn For What Employers Wanted To See Before joining, they weren’t getting any outreach for roles on LinkedIn. We revamped their LinkedIn headline and profile to include keywords specific to the Data Analytics space as well as projects that illustrated their capabilities. Then the inbound messages began to roll in. 3. They Shifted Their Time From Online Apps To Networking Instead of just applying online, they reached out to alumni from an analytics bootcamp they attended. They specifically focused on people who had successfully transitioned into data roles. One alum gave them insider insights into the hiring process at a target company and even suggested key skills to emphasize their application. 4. They Built A Consistent Outreach System They started sending 5 personalized LinkedIn messages per day to data professionals. They focused on asking for advice, then taking action on it and using it to open the door for a follow-up. This helped build rapport and trust, which led to multiple referrals and interviews. 5. They Went Deep On Interview Prep They knew that other candidates would likely have more “traditional” experience to lean on, so they went deep on interview prep. For technical interviews, they built a portfolio project analyzing Airbnb data to showcase SQL and visualization skills. For behavioral interviews, they prepared answer examples that tied directly into the company’s biggest needs and goals. 6. They Stayed Persistent & Flexible Originally, the recruiter who reached out was asking about a business analyst role. After pitching their SQL and Python skills, our client convinced the recruiter to get them in the door for a data analytics position. Then they used their networking to gain insider info on goals and challenges which they pitched in their interview. That approach secured the offer.

🚀 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫! A few years ago, I thought landing a Data Analyst role was all about having strong SQL and Excel skills. But after interviewing (and coaching many candidates), I realized that a strategic approach makes all the difference. If you’re struggling to land interviews, here’s how I would do it today based on my own journey: 1️⃣ Target the Right Roles (Not Just Any “Data Analyst” Job!) Data Analytics is broad finance, e-commerce, product, and BI roles all need different skills. Since my background is in banking and business intelligence, I prioritize roles that value: ✅ SQL-heavy problem-solving (Think Amazon’s BIE roles) ✅ Storytelling with data (Your dashboards should talk) ✅ Business-first mindset (Not just insights but impact) 🔹 Tip: Instead of mass applying, shortlist 10-15 dream companies where your experience truly fits. 2️⃣ Resume ≠ Job Description Dump My biggest mistake early on? Treating my resume like a task list. What worked instead? Turning it into a results-driven document: ❌ “Built dashboards in Tableau” ✅ “Built a Tableau dashboard that reduced reporting time by 40%, used by 5+ teams.” 🔹 Tip: Start every bullet point with action + impact. Recruiters scan resumes in 6-7 seconds so make it count! 3️⃣ Apply Smart: The 80/20 Rule 📩 80% of my efforts go into networking, 20% into online applications. • Cold messages work (if done right!): Instead of “Hi, I’m looking for jobs,” I send value-driven messages. • Just one referral can 10x your chances. 🔹 Tip: If you’re applying to Amazon, Meta, or any top firm, try this: 👉 Find a recent hire in your target role on LinkedIn. 👉 Ask: “Hey [Name], I saw you recently joined [Company] as a Data Analyst. I’d love to hear about your experience! Any tips for someone applying?” Simple, effective, and non-intrusive. 4️⃣ Master the Interview (Because “Tell Me About a Time” Can Kill Your Chances!) I’ve seen great analysts fail because they weren’t ready for behavioral rounds. If I were preparing today, I’d: ✅ Practice STAR format answers for common challenges. ✅ Use mock interviews (Topmate calls, peer practice, or recording myself). 5️⃣ Stand Out by Building In Public Want recruiters to come to you? Share your knowledge! What’s working for me: ✅ Posting real-world SQL case studies & problem-solving ✅ Breaking down how I built dashboards & automated reports 🔹 Tip: Even one post per week on LinkedIn can change your career. People notice. Opportunities come. Trust me! Final Thoughts I’ve helped many data professionals land jobs, and the difference between those who struggle vs. succeed? They don’t just apply but they stand out. If you’re looking for guidance on resumes, interviews, or breaking into data, let’s connect! 🚀 Comment your thoughts below⬇️ #DataAnalytics #JobSearch #SQL #BusinessIntelligence #CareerGrowth #DataScience #freshers #jobseekers

Do you feel stuck in your data job search but don’t know the problem? As a Data mentor for the last 3 years, helping over 100 people 1:1 and having gone through it myself, here are the four main problems I find: Problem 1: Roadmap: Lack of Skills or the Path to Get Them Symptoms: - Unclear on the required skills or qualifications. - Uncertain of your strengths and weaknesses. - Lack of marketable projects or hands-on experience. Steps: 1) Assess Your Skills: Match 40% of your skills to job descriptions for your desired role. 2) Identify Gaps: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. 3) Build Projects: Create industry-level projects to showcase your skills. Problem 2: Marketing: Lacking Visibility Symptoms: - Have the necessary skills but struggle with profile traction. - Some recruiter outreach or screenings, but not enough interest. Steps: 1) Enhance Your Portfolio: Add impact and value to your LinkedIn, resume, cover letter, GitHub, and website. 2) Optimize for Readability: Ensure it’s human-readable and optimized for ATS and SEO. 3) Make It Unique: Stand out with unique content. 4) Create Content: Regularly produce content to showcase your expertise. Problem 3: System: Inconsistent Interview Opportunities Symptoms: - Few or no interviews, and they’re not for desirable positions. - Primary strategy is applying online. - Lack of networking or referral strategies. Steps: 1) Leverage Your Network: Ask friends and family for referrals. 2) Target Companies: List 10-15 companies you want to work for. 3) Find Contacts: Identify 10-20 people from each company. 4) Build Relationships: Network and build genuine connections. 5) Ask for Referrals: Request referrals from your connections. Problem 4: Interviews: Limited or No Offers Symptoms: - Getting interviews but not offers. - Struggling with specific interview types. - Unable to showcase impact. - Offers don’t meet your expectations. Steps: 1) Highlight Your Strengths: Know your key achievements and skills. 2) Understand the Process: Learn what each interview round focuses on and how to succeed. 3) Improve Communication: Practice asking questions, using positive body language, and making it conversational. 4) Daily Practice: Continuously practice your interview skills. Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews to refine your technique. Conclusion Identify where you’re stuck and take actionable steps to move forward. What strategies have helped you move to the next problem in your job search? Share your tips in the comments below! ------------------------- ➕ Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips. 🔔 Hit the bell icon to be notified of job searchers' success stories.

If I had to start my data analytics career all over again, these are the exact steps I’d take: 1) Do the 7-day free trial for the Google Data Analytics Certificate. I felt the certificate was all I needed to show I was ready for this new career. However, after doing some research, I realized the certificate was the bare minimum needed. Doing the 7-day trial would give me enough material to fully understand what a data analyst does and if I want to invest my time and money into this. 2) Learn the technical tools from Maven Analytics. I didn’t learn about Maven until late 2022. After taking a couple of their courses (taught by John Pauler), I truly felt they were the most realistic courses out there. With tools like Excel, SQL, Python, and Power BI/Tableau, it’s a one-stop shop for all your needs. Plus, they have a learning path that will keep you in line from a time/schedule perspective. (This isn’t sponsored, I just truly love what Maven is doing). 3) Create 3 projects for my portfolio. When I started, I made around 7-8 projects and put them on my portfolio. I soon realized the quantity wasn’t equalling quality. I should’ve chosen the best projects and further enhanced them. Having too many options and sometimes be a bad thing. 4) Hire a well-reviewed resume writer. Not going to lie, I can be a very cheap person. However, I am awful at writing and I wish I would’ve hired a resume writer. I was lucky enough to have Paden Janney revamp my resume, which led to my latest job opportunity. Seeing how a professional crafts a resume compared to what I could do is like night and day. A solid resume can be your ticket to the interview stage. 5) Try multiple application methods. I was primarily using Easy Apply on LinkedIn, and even though I got some callbacks, I just wasn’t getting enough to bring value to the time spent applying. I wish I had spent my time with referrals, cold applying through company sites, having coffee chats, and more instead of spending 90% of my time on Easy Apply. 6) Keep a tight circle when job hunting. You will meet lots of people when networking on LinkedIn, especially if you attended a boot camp or other data programs. However, there will be some people who thrive off negativity. I wish I had been a bit more strict on who I kept close to and not let the negativity from others get to me. Anything you’d add to this?

The job searching strategy that got me a job as a data scientist.. 📌 Create a spreadsheet with the name of the company, job title, date applied and link to the document that contains the job description. Save a copy of the job description to your google drive because some companies remove the job once the application period is over. The job description will help you prepare for the interview. 📌 Apply to a minimum of 10 jobs per week. Apply to a minimum of 2 jobs per day during the week. Dedicate the weekends to learning and building projects. Never stop learning! 📌 Customize the resume for each job by updating the with language from the job description. Most companies use screening software to filter and rank resumes based on how closely it relates to the job description. 📌 Send connection requests to multiple people from the company. I always sent connection requests to data scientists and people who attended the same school. I attended NC Central University so a quick "Eagle Pride, AMPLIFIED" always worked for a connection request. 🦅 📌 Try to set up a call or video meeting with connections from the company. Ask questions about the company and/or hiring process. If I was to do it all over again, I would... ✅ Use Jobscan or Jobalytics to see how closely my resume matches the job description. ✅ Contact my connections and ask for an employee referral before applying. The referral will increase the odds that your application will be seen by a recruiter. 💭What is/was the most challenging part of your job search? #DataSistah #strategy #personalbranding #socialnetworking ------------- 📣 If you sent me a connection request, please don't feel ignored. I check profiles and write personal messages before connecting. Tip: Add a personal message for a faster connect.

Don't just click apply and wait. Submitting your application isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Being proactive is how you really make progress. Here's what else you can do: - Immerse yourself in the company's values, needs, projects and initiatives. Know their journey like the back of your hand. - Build connections on LinkedIn at your target companies. Start conversations with employees, understanding the role's nuances and expectations. - Pinpoint decision-makers or influencers in the hiring process. Utilize tools like Voila Norbert to find their contact details. - Craft an engaging follow-up email. Highlight how you're a perfect fit and your excitement for the position. - Hone your elevator pitch. Be ready to impress in any spontaneous chats or scheduled interviews. - Join the company's webinars or virtual events. Familiarize yourself with their ethos and vision. - Express your gratitude to those who assist or advise. It showcases your professionalism and earnestness. - Tap into alumni groups, professional organizations, or mentorship programs to get an inside track. Applying is just the beginning. Being proactive is how you take control of your job search and direct it the way you want it to go. Which of these strategies have you had success using? #LinkedInTopVoices #jobsearch #careers

Worried about finding a job? Last week I met an amazing young gentleman Who is looking to find a job in data science. As I talked with him and shared the steps That worked very well for me in the past, I realized that these might help many Folks who are actively job-seeking. So, I wrote this Friday #GetHired2025 post. It might help folks who are: 1. About to graduate in the #Classof2025. 2. Been job searching for a few months. 3. Recently affected by various layoffs. You're probably getting worried and stressed About finding a steady position, and soon, So that you can get on with your life! News stories like these can affect your momentum. Pessimism in careers: https://lnkd.in/gtGdRN7e Hiring holds up: https://lnkd.in/gwGkg2w6 First, let go of all fears and refocus on your purpose. If finding a job and growing your career matters, You will need to approach it with a strategy. Random applications are perfectly fine, But they often create a false sense of Security in having done "something." Follow my "Take FIVE Strategy" Actionable Insights for Every Weekday: 1. Write down 5 job titles that pertain to you. --> Focus on why and how you qualify. --> Job titles can be generic so specificity matters. 2. Find 5 job postings for each job title --> If you can't find 5 openings, the job doesn't exist. --> Look for alternative job titles to seek out. 3. Identify 5 keywords in each job posting. --> You will see many keywords repeating. --> Embed these words in your resume. 4. Reach out to and network with 5 professionals --> Connect with and follow 5 leaders in your field. --> Do this everyday - that's 25 people a week! 5. Create 5 customized Job Applications --> Use #AI tools or LinkedIn tools to add value. --> Try to reach out to recruiter if you can. Quantity or bulk applying are not sufficient In a competitive job market to stand out. You need to demonstrate the quality & The value that you bring along when You apply to any organization. It takes work to find work! Follow Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer & Analytics TX, LLC for #PostitStatistics #DataScience #Economics tips. P.S.: What is your biggest fear about jobs right now?