Analytical skills are a person’s ability to logically analyse situations, identify problems, and apply rational solutions. They are sometimes called analytical thinking or problem-solving skills.
The term ‘analytical skills’ is versatile, so it can mean different things to different employers. Reading a job description closely will help you understand what kind of analytical skills to emphasise when you’re writing your CV.
Below are examples you can include on your CV to showcase your analytical abilities.
Active Listening & Communication
Active listening and communication are two of the most broadly applicable and highly transferable skills to have and demonstrate. These are examples of analytical skills because they demonstrate your ability to parse an issue at hand and offer effective solutions.
Jobs in customer service, management, and HR greatly benefit from applicants who are strong communicators. Make a point to demonstrate communication skills in these sectors.
Examples of active listening & communication on a CV
| Customer service representative | Resolved over 3000 customer complaints through phone and email with a 93% satisfaction rate as measured in follow-up questionnaires |
| Project manager | Facilitated a three-part workshop to identify bottlenecks in current SOPs and best resolutions, which resulted in project completion 2 months ahead of schedule |
| Human resources | Restructured the annual performance review process to emphasise constructive feedback, resulting in a 40% improvement in employee engagement scores as measured by annual surveys |
Brainstorming & Creativity
Any role that involves creation and active problem-solving can benefit from your ability to brainstorm.
Show that you can analyse a situation and then come up with fresh ideas or creative solutions, especially in the following industries:
Examples of brainstorming & creativity on a CV
| Graphic designer | Spearheaded the visual redesign of a major consumer website which contributed to a 40% increase in traffic and a 30% increase in user session time |
| Financial analyst/consultant | Led a project team in a comprehensive operational review for a mid-sized retail chain, streamlining the inventory process that improved supply chain efficiency by 20% |
| Marketing manager | Developed and implemented an innovative content marketing strategy that leveraged user-generated content, boosting social media engagement by 50% and driving a 20% increase in website traffic |
Budgeting & Forecasting
Financial literacy is a specific type of analytical skill that covers budget planning and spend forecasting.
Organisations across every industry benefit from strong financial management, but here are some notable positions:
Examples of budgeting & forecasting skills on a CV
| Accountant | Implemented a new budget monitoring system that improved real-time tracking of expenditures and revenues, enhancing departmental accountability and reducing overall budget variances by 15% |
| Operations manager | Managed capital budget projects, including the acquisition and installation of new manufacturing equipment, staying 10% under budget and enhancing production capacity by 30% |
| Executive | Oversaw a post-merger integration of budgeting systems, achieving a unified financial strategy that resulted in a 15% increase in cost efficiency across combined operations |
Data Crunching & Visualisation
In the UK, the need for data analysis skills is growing rapidly, particularly in roles emphasising digital skills. The government estimates that digital data analysis skills will grow by 33% between 2021 and 2026, and roughly half of UK businesses are recruiting for roles that require these skills on CVs.
The ability to parse and visualise relevant data points is most effectively communicated through specific and quantified CV achievements. We also recommend reviewing CV examples from your industry for popular and desirable technical skills (e.g. Excel functions, code libraries):
Examples of data crunching & visualisation skills on a CV
| Data scientist | Visualised complex datasets with Python libraries (Matplotlib and Seaborn) to communicate predictive analytics models to non-technical stakeholders |
| Biostatistician | Led a multidisciplinary team to analyse large datasets using R and SAS, which directly contributed to two successful Phase III trials |
| Market research analyst | Conducted detailed data analysis using advanced Excel functions across a dataset of 10,000+ entries, identifying key trends to inform critical decisions |
Editing & Attention to Detail
Knowing what to pay attention to and when to worry about the small details is integral in both editing and logistical positions. Attention to detail helps you:
- discover patterns and discrepancies in data
- write error-free and easy-to-understand emails
- make professional presentations to management and stakeholders.
Demonstrate your analytical skills via critical and structural thinking in the following fields:
Examples of editing skills & attention to detail on a CV
| Editor | Developed a comprehensive style guide tailored to the company's branding, reducing inconsistencies in published content and streamlining the editing process |
| Administrative assistant | Coordinated logistics for over 100 corporate events and meetings annually, including vendor negotiations, budget management, and on-site coordination, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate from event participants |
| Video editor | Colour-corrected and graded footage for a full-length documentary, achieving a visually consistent style that was crucial to the film’s narrative and mood |
Quality Assurance
Effective QA procedures require problem-solving and decision-making ability, which is why this is another useful analytical skill to demonstrate in your CV.
All manufacturing industries require employees with competence in QA.
Examples of QA skills on a CV
| QA engineer | Designed and executed detailed performance benchmarking tests across multiple software versions to assess and optimise system responsiveness, achieving a 20% improvement in load times |
| Quality control inspector | Conducted detailed inspections of 100+ manufactured components daily, maintaining stringent adherence to ISO 9001 standards and achieving a 99.8% compliance rate across all product lines |
| Public health officer | Coordinated with 7 local NHS trust facilities to standardise infection control practices |
Research
Research involves finding new information to identify issues, solve problems, and make decisions. This analytical skill is valuable to all industries, but is particularly sought after in academic and reporting fields.
An academic CV for research and teaching positions needs to demonstrate immense research and analytical ability.
On the other hand, if you have any research experience in university or past jobs, you can leverage them on your CV in a variety of ways.
Examples of research skills on a CV
| Journalist | Produced a video series on urban redevelopment, involving 3 months of field research, economic analysis, and collaboration with urban planners |
| Business analyst | Evaluated competitive product lines using SWOT analysis and developed a new product line which captured an additional 8% market share |
| Academic researcher | Presented findings at over 20 international conferences, including keynote presentations at the Annual XYZ Conference of the ABC Association |
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
Strategic thinking involves evaluating situations, identifying underlying patterns, and devising effective solutions. It includes anticipating potential challenges, setting goals, and crafting long-term plans while balancing multiple factors.
Examples of strategic thinking on a CV
| Marketing manager | Developed and executed a social media campaign targeting millennials, leveraging audience insights and competitor analysis, resulting in a 47% increase in brand engagement and a 20% boost in online sales. |
| Operations manager | Streamlined warehouse operations by implementing Lean principles and redesigning the inventory system, reducing order fulfillment time by 25% and cutting logistics costs by 15%. |
| Software engineer | Designed and implemented an AI-driven recommendation system for an e-commerce platform, analysing user behaviour and optimising algorithms, which increased click-through rates by 47% and boosted sales by 25%. |
Interview questions about analytical skills
If analytical skills are important to the job you’re applying for, you’re likely to be asked about them in the interview.
Six common interview questions you can prepare for are:
- Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem but didn’t have all the information you needed to hand. What did you do?
- How would you describe [technical concept] to a non-technical audience?
- How would you decide if you had to choose between two or three options? Explain your reasoning (for example, pricing, efficiency, ease).
- What techniques do you use to track the success of [industry method]?
- Describe your process for troubleshooting a problem.
- What should [our company]’s main metrics be?
Often what’s most important about your answer isn’t the solution you propose, but the reasoning behind it. So prepare an explanation for your solution and stick to it.
Prepare by answering mock analytical skills questions with a friend or family member before the interview. Also, you can Google interview questions for similar positions.
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How to demonstrate analytical skills with the STAR method
You should also practise using techniques like the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to link your answers to previous experiences and achievements.
Here’s an example of how to answer the first question in the list above using the STAR method:
Question: “Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem but didn’t have all the information you needed to hand. What did you do?”
Situation: ‘In my previous role as a project coordinator at a marketing firm, our team needed to deliver a client’s campaign within a tight deadline. However, the client was delayed in providing all the necessary details and specifications for the campaign.’
Task: ‘My responsibility was to ensure the project stayed on track and met the deadline without compromising on quality. This meant we had to start working with incomplete information.’
Action: ‘I called a meeting to brainstorm potential approaches based on the information we had. I also divided the project into phases and prioritised tasks that could be started immediately. At the same time, I worked to persuade the client to gradually give us the missing details. To manage risks, we developed flexible strategies that allowed us to adjust our approach as new information was received.’
Result: ‘Thanks to our proactive planning and adaptability, we started the project without significant delays. We received the complete information from the client in stages, and we seamlessly integrated it into our ongoing work. The campaign was delivered on time and exceeded the client’s expectations, leading to a 20% increase in client satisfaction scores for our team. This experience taught me the value of agility and proactive problem-solving in uncertain situations.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are five frequently asked questions about analytical skills:
1. Why are analytical skills important?
Analytical skills are important in the workplace because they allow people to solve complex problems, identify patterns, and draw conclusions based on data. In today’s world, where data is increasingly important, being able to analyse information and make decisions based on that analysis is a key skill for success.
2. What jobs require analytical skills?
Analytical skills are necessary in a wide range of jobs, but here are some jobs in which analytical skills are particularly important:
- Data scientists need to be able to analyse large sets of data and draw conclusions from them.
- Engineers need to be able to solve complex problems, design new systems, and optimise existing systems.
- Doctors need to be able to interpret medical test results, understand complex medical conditions, and make diagnoses.
- Marketers analyse market research and gauge the impact of their marketing campaigns.
3. Why are analytical skills essential for managers?
Analytical skills are essential for managers because they help them make informed decisions, understand the implications of those decisions, and measure the results.
In addition, analytical skills can help managers identify problems and trends, as well as find creative solutions. Good managers use strong analytical skills to effectively lead teams and make sound decisions that drive business success.
4. How do I improve my analytical skills?
Here’s how to improve your analytical skills:
- Look for training opportunities at your current job: Ask your manager what training opportunities are available. And if a course you’d like to take isn’t offered already, you might be able to convince your employer to cover the cost — if you can explain how doing so will benefit the company.
- Take accredited courses in your own time: If you want to develop a specific analytical skill, such as data analysis using Excel, consider getting a professional qualification from a recognised body, like the CDP Certification Service in the UK.
- Practise through freelance work: Use a freelance marketplace like Fiverr, 99Designs, or Freelancer.com to find opportunities that use the skills you’re developing. Create a freelancer profile and market yourself to employers using keywords for the skills you want to develop.
5. How do I find examples of analytical skills for my specific role?
Here are our tips for finding examples of analytical skills you’ll need for your job:
- Read job adverts from your line of work
- Ask an AI tool like ChatGPT what skills are necessary for your role
- Look at CV examples and cover letter examples from your industry
