INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Specialist positions are at a 8% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 168,000 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 13,200 to 181,200 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Data Specialist jobs was $98,860 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $54,070, and the highest 10% more than $155,660.
Our conclusion? The Data Specialist job market is wide open for candidates.
Top Data Specialist sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Data Specialist resume experience section
Data Specialist Resume’s Job Experience Checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Data Specialist resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Creation of reports in order to do data analysis for B2B and Commercial/Trade area (Swiss Market) through programming SQL/T-SQL using MS SQL SERVER 2012 and Excel;
- Extraction of data from COGNOS (csv format) and loading through SSIS(SQL SERVER Integration Services) in order to have a data warehouse and build automated reports;
- Internal Training – how to work with Pivot Tables;
- Management of different BI access.
- Responsible for all Customer Data related questions and owner of 3 main data platforms: SAP, Salesforce and B2B website
- Being able to translate business needs into Technical requirements as I am the Expert link between external agencies and EMEA territories
- User management owner (Profiles, Roles, Permissions, licenses)
- Execute user acceptance testing before go live in Production
- Review & manage data quality, provide exception data reports
- Provide ongoing Salesforce training and support to all EMEA territories
- Extract data via FTP/SFTP Server.
- SCP data for investigating data quality.
- Read multiple data formats.
- ETL from source systems into reports/database: Data quality Data preparation and cleansing - Prepare and clean data before transformation. Data transformation - transform data formats into readable data. Data manipulation and mapping - Organize data as per customer demands. Data validation - Validate input data and before outputting into reports/database. Data backups
- Test ETL processes
- Run SQL commands for data processed
- Data load verification
- Batch Processing Scheduling tasks for data integration
- Error alert notifications
- Report error logging
- Support and maintenance of business as per usual issues.
- Documentation of processes
- Using Azure Data Factory, I have to create and optimise ETL pipelines to reduce the lead times and complexity of financial projections.
- Transformed data is modelled in a way to allow for easy report development in PowerBI (dependent of project specifications, report development duties may or may not be in scope).
- Knowledge of and adherence to GDPR guidelines and legislation is essential.
- Expertise in data management and governance as a data quality analyst and operational proficiency in handling data requests
- Accountable for operational executions of the project and facilitating change via technology or continuous improvement
- Automated the data extraction from various sources using tools like Alteryx, Qliksense and Power Query
- Implemented workflows to maintain the quality and consistency of the data using Alteryx and Qliksense tools• Document and maintain the technical and functional understanding• Established direct Sharepoint communication channel between operations and stakeholders to ensure transparency and business assurance
- Supported Sales targets with cohort analysis, driving up-sell +40%
- Generated advanced Tableau dashboards with quick/context/global filters, parameters and calculated fields that allowed to track and improve customer units.
- Supported the development and modification of Tableau views in Tableau Desktop 10, while preparing documentation and training users from respective units.
- Creating and maintaining database of articles in Makro system
- Daily data validation and quality checks
- Support and training other departments regarding master data area
- Configure connections between more than 100 marketing platforms and ChannelMix (Alight's Data Aggregation and Warehouse Solution).
- Analyze code for problem resolution and performance optimizations, troubleshoot API failures collaboratively with Integrations Team.
- Develop database views combining data sources at different levels of aggregation.
- Document clients' complex data architecture and troubleshoot their data quality concerns via ticketing system.
- Integrity Due Dilligence - Dow Jones, Dun&Bradstreet, Nosis
- Achieve first time right data
- Main contact between C&P and vendors
- End to end management to ensure processes and controls are fulfilled
- Leadership role in continuous improvement projects
- Supports MRD Analysts and Assistants
- Análisis de integridad de proveedores y clientes (Dow Jones, Dun&Bradstreet, Nosis).
- Asegurar first time right data.
- Inicio de solicitudes para mantenimiento de proveedores, siendo el principal contacto entre CP y proveedor.
- Manejo end to end para asegurar que los requisitos y controles se cumplen en tiempo y forma - Mantenimiento de KPI's.
- Desarrollo y mantenimiento de procedimientos e instructivos.
- Entrenamiento y constante soporte a Master Data Analysts y Assistants.
- Rol de liderazgo en proyectos de mejora continua.
- Create materials, classes, characteristics and configurable materials in ERP Sap System.
- Ensures that the database is keeping clean, the processes are followed and the materials are correctly created.
- Performed audit of all phases of product to verify conformity to regulation requirements.
- Ensures that EGT policies, standards and internal controls are adhered to (e.g. approvals, manuals).
- Serve as the primary liaison with business and other technical teams to ensure their master data expectations and requirements are understood.
- Meet with internal teams to discuss data needs.
- Product creation and maintenance
- Pricelists check and maintenance
- Ongoing communication to the other company members
- Product creation and maintenance
- Pricelists check and maintenance
- Ongoing communication to the other company members
- Ensures that the database is keeping clean, the processes are followed and the materials are correctly created
- Performed audit of all phases of product to verify conformity to regulation requirements
- Developed script to automate the image analysis process
- Ownership & management of database maintenance practices and tools
- Ensures that EGT policies, standards and internal controls are adhered to (e.g. approvals, manuals)
- Organize trainings and mentoring
- Problem-solving, mentoring and basic work planning within the team
- Worked as an Agile Intern for various teams and helped them in adopting agile within their team
- Creating weekly/monthly/ quarterly team performance dashboard for the project manager thereby assisting with accurate data tracking
- Conducted various Knowledge sharing sessions to improve and upgrade the skills along with work
- Worked in Agile team and hosted scrum standups along with conducting sprint ceremonies
- Managing JIRA tickets and creating dashboards, confluence pages for same.
- Analyzing root cause for quality through various quality tools such as Pareto and Corrective And Preventive Actions(CAPA) to maintain quality standards
- Trained new members during project life cycle and also supervised team of 20 members
- Participated in monthly HDLM connects on a project level thereby creating deck and hosting the event
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast paced atmosphere thereby demonstrating respect, willingness and HERE values
- Achieving daily metric on project specific tools with 98% quality
- Planning and coordinating MDI activities for the project
- Creating and providing reports on task completed by team
- Responsible for creating ETA reports for quality and Compliance report in MS excel.
- Maintaining 5S audits to ensure
- Creating the leave planning tracker for reducing the unplanned leaves
- Strong skills in time management, prioritizing task and meeting deadlines
- Currently working in ALC project, involved in Barrier Signs, PLO processes with agile methodologies.
- Worked on JIRA tool.
- Completed the training of Agile 101 also worked in a team by playing a role of developer.
- Have a experience of a confluence tool.
- Problem-solving, mentoring and basic work planning within the team
- An Agile Intern for various teams and helped them in adopting agile within their team
- Creating weekly/monthly/ quarterly team performance dashboard forthe project manager thereby assisting with accurate data tracking
- Conducted various Knowledge sharing sessions to improve andupgrade the skills along with work
- Hosted scrum standups along with conducting other sprint ceremonies
- Managing JIRA tickets and creating dashboards, confluence pages forsame.
- Conducting RCA for quality through various quality tools such asPareto and Corrective And Preventive Actions, CAPA to maintainquality standards
- Trained new members during project life cycle and also supervisedteam of 20 members
- Participated in monthly HDLM connects on a project level therebycreating deck and hosting the event
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast pacedatmosphere thereby demonstrating respect, willingness and HEREvalues
- Achieving daily metric on project specific tools with 98% quality
- Planning and coordinating MDI activities for the project
- Responsible for creating ETA reports for quality in MS excel.
- Creating the leave planning tracker for reducing the unplanned leaves
- Maintaining 5S audits to ensure the system and workplace are maintained as per prescribed standards
- Host for team bonding and employee engagement activities
- Strong skills in time management, prioritizing task, and meetingdeadlines.
PRO TIP
Don't make the same mistake everyone else does. What we mean is, don't list your Data Specialist job responsibilities instead of your achievements. Recruiters know what you do. They want to know what kind of difference you can bring to their company. Focus on what you've accomplished.
Action Verbs for your Data Specialist Resume
Recommended reads:
Data Specialist Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Resume Skills Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Skills for your Data Specialist resume
- Python
- SQL
- R
- Machine Learning
- Java
- Tableau
- Communication
- Curiosity
- Business mindset
- Adaptability
- Critical and analysitcal thinking
- Problem solving
PRO TIP
Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.
Recommended reads:
Data Specialist Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices
CHECKLIST For Your Data Specialist Resume Header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your Data Specialist resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
Data Specialist Resume Summary Best Practices
Checklist: What to include in your Data Specialist resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume Summary Formula:
PRO TIP
When writing a resume summary or objective, avoid first-person narrative.
Recommended reads:
Listing Your Education, Certifications and Courses
Resume Education Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Certifications for your Data Specialist resume
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Data Specialist. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Data Specialist Resume: Additional Writing & Formatting Tips
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Data Specialist Resume Summary best practices
Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:
- Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
- Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
- Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.
To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Data Specialist resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Data Specialist resume:
Data Specialist Resume: How to Make Yours More Creative & Stand Out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Data Specialist resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What Makes a Great Data Specialist Resume: Key Takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.