What are analytical skills and how can they unlock career success?

Employers continually prioritise analytical skills in their job postings – and for good reason. In today's climate, solving problems and navigating challenges is more crucial than ever. Thankfully, you likely possess many analytical skills cultivated through work and personal experiences. In this article, we explore what analytical skills are and why they're essential in the workplace. We also offer examples of how to include them in your CV to make a lasting impression on prospective employers.

What are analytical skills?

Analytical skills help you solve problems, develop solutions, and make informed decisions. If you have an analytical skill set, you can examine data or information, identify patterns or anomalies, create new ideas, and take action.

Analytical thinking requires a combination of logic and creativity to solve problems. More often than not, this usually unfolds in four steps:

  1. Identify the problem: What do you actually need to solve? Are you looking at the root cause or the symptoms?

  2. Devise a plan: How will you solve the problem? What data, tools, or resources do you need?

  3. Analyse the problem: Analyse the situation using the data, tools, and resources. Make educated assumptions if you're missing certain information.

  4. Develop the solution: Based on your analysis, what is your proposed, actionable solution?

While this skill set might seem best suited to a technical person who thrives on data analysis, analysis skills are valuable in nearly every job. Thinking critically about a problem and developing well-informed solutions is vital to many everyday tasks across various roles.

Why are analytical skills important in the workplace?

According to LinkedIn's research, analytical skills are among the most in-demand skills at work, which is unsurprising as these skills have been useful for:

Harnessing the growing data economy

Many organisations are prioritising the use of data across all departments, regardless of their industry. As data-driven environments become more prevalent, the demand for employees with analytical abilities continues to grow.

Leveraging a transferable skill set

Analytical skills can be applied to almost any situation. If you understand the basics of breaking down complex problems and devising practical solutions, you can use this mindset in any scenario, from implementing a new piece of software to resolving a workplace conflict.

Securing leadership buy-in

Employers value the ability to make informed decisions, especially if your role requires presenting to leadership and the stakes are high. You may need to demonstrate how your choices are based on solid analysis and information to ensure leaders can confidently buy into your proposed solutions. That's where analytical skills come in.

Driving innovation

You'd be pushed to find a company that wants to remain static. Usually, organisations want to push boundaries and thrive. Analytical skills are a vital part of making that happen. If you can bring fresh ideas to the table supported by your creative yet logical approach, you can help drive innovation and company success.

Advancing your career

If you continue to hone your analytical skills and critical thinking ability, you'll open more doors to career opportunities. Employers seeking senior managers look for candidates who can confidently analyse data, think strategically, and make informed decisions to help the organisation reach its goals.

Examples of analytical skills

You'll need analytical skills to approach workplace challenges with precision and critical thought. Here are examples of crucial analytical skills that you can apply in a professional setting to help you be a better problem-solver:

Ideation

Ideation is the creative process of developing and refining new ideas. Since good ideas are created, not born, ideation requires embracing a level of vulnerability to work through unpolished ideas to make them great.

With strong ideation skills, you can generate a wide range of ideas by analysing information or engaging in blue-sky thinking and filtering them to identify the most practical or innovative solutions.

Logical thinking

Logical thinking is analysing a problem and creating a rational solution. It uses reasoning skills to assess a situation objectively, reviewing facts and concrete data to form a well-founded conclusion and plan.

Logical thinkers assess facts and methodically choose a way to move forward. Types of logical thinking include deductive and inductive reasoning which help form clear and practical solutions.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking involves analysing facts to understand a situation and devise an appropriate solution. However, unlike logical reasoning, critical thinking requires questioning and scrutinising the information before reaching a reasoned decision. It's very similar to higher-order thinking.

Using rationality and logic to formulate an answer to a problem often leads to better and more confident decision-making. It keeps the analysis credible as persuasive decisions grounded in clear reasoning rather than subjective opinions. 

Creativity

Creative thinking is a critical component of an analytical skill set. Some roles require us to be innovative and to do that effectively, we must combine data with creativity. Creative thinking involves approaching something in a new or unconventional way.

While some risks are involved with being creative, it's a crucial part of a broader set of analytical skills. By integrating creativity with analytical abilities, you can explore innovative solutions while grounding them in data-driven insights.

Research

Research skills involve discovering potential answers or information through studying materials or resources. The process includes collating, reviewing, interpreting, and extracting relevant information that could contribute to developing effective solutions.

You've likely been using research skills since school and regularly use them in your personal life (e.g. planning a holiday) and your work life (e.g. researching competitor activity), making you naturally adept. Research encompasses other skills, including attention to detail and critical thinking, further enhancing your ability to uncover valuable insights.

Data analysis

Don't panic at the fact that data analysis is a critical analytical skill. While many companies are looking for Data Analysts with a highly specialised skill set, this level of competency isn't necessarily required for all roles. 

In most workplace contexts, data analysis refers to organising and interpreting data using spreadsheets, charts, or other data analysis software. This process requires a basic understanding of maths and computing, plus the ability to present and communicate information clearly.

Communication

Both written communication and non-verbal communication are essential skills at work, and you'll often see them listed as a key requirement in job descriptions. Communication is crucial for success in any role and plays an essential part in analytical skills.

When solving problems, you need to present your findings clearly to avoid misunderstandings, collaborate with others, exchange feedback, and persuade others that your analysis, conclusions, and recommendations are valid. All wouldn't be possible without strong communication skills.

Problem-solving

Problem-solving is the cornerstone of analytical thinking. It's essential for developing solutions to challenges and navigating unexpected situations at work. You could argue that analytical thinking and problem-solving are one and the same.

Problem-solving involves many skills, including active listening, analysis, and decision-making. There are also many problem-solving techniques that can be used to find solutions. Some popular methods include The Problem Tree, Flip It, The World Cafe Method, and SWOT analysis. 

How to highlight analytical skills on your CV

There are three places where we'd recommend demonstrating your analytical skills on your CV, including:

Here are a few things to remember before we get started with the examples:

  • Incorporate keywords: If the job description specifically mentions analytical skills, include the exact phrases as employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) will search for these keywords.

  • Use synonyms: Analytical skills incorporate other soft and hard skills like communication, data analysis, and problem-solving, so keep an eye out for these terms in the job description and include them where relevant.

  • Tailor your CV: You must tailor your CV to align it with the requirements in the job description. Don't rely on a generic CV to convey your analytical skills. Instead, use examples that directly address what the employer is looking for.

With that said, here's how to incorporate analytical skills into your CV:

How to show analytical skills in your personal statement

If the employer values an analytical skill set, mention it in your personal statement. This section of your CV is likely the first section the prospective employer will read, so referencing your analytical abilities here ensures you capture their attention.

Here are a few examples of how to reference analytical skills in your personal statement:

  • Insightful HR specialist with experience in analysing employee surveys and feedback to address workplace concerns and implement effective HR initiatives

  • Results-driven project manager skilled in analytical problem-solving and risk management, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget

  • Solution-oriented software developer skilled in troubleshooting complex issues and analysing user feedback to enhance software functionality and user satisfaction

How to include analytical skills in your key skills and competencies

Also reference your analytical skills in the key skills and competencies section of your CV. Make a judgement call on the number and type of analytical skills to include based on their prominence in the job description.

Here are a few analytical skills examples you might consider for your skills section:

  • Critical thinking

  • Data analysis

  • Data interpretation

  • Strategic analysis

  • Quantitative analysis

  • Research and evaluation

  • Logical reasoning

  • Analytical thinking

  • Problem-solving

How to showcase analytical skills in your employment history

Demonstrating your analytical thinking skills in your employment history section is a great way to make your CV stand out. You can use specific examples to showcase your expertise in analysis through specific examples and achievements.

Here are some examples of how to include analytical skills in your employment history:

  • Used advanced Excel modelling and financial forecasting to support strategic decision-making and optimise investment portfolios

  • Analysed sales data and customer feedback to identify trends, leading to a 15% boost in customer retention and a more tailored sales approach

  • Applied problem-solving skills and debugging techniques to streamline code, resulting in a 30% reduction in system errors

  • Leveraged analytical frameworks and industry insights to provide actionable recommendations, driving operational improvements and increasing client satisfaction

Ready to showcase your exceptional analytical skills in your CV but need help figuring out how to get started? Check out TopCV's professional CV writing services, or submit your CV for a free review to take the next step towards landing your next opportunity.

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