By Jeff Gillis
Odds are, if you’ve looked through the job listings lately, you’ll have come across numerous hiring managers looking for individuals who possess analytical skills.
But what exactly are analytical skills?
What are Analytical Skills?
Analytical skill is the ability for an individual to solve complex issues by gathering and then analyzing the information that is available to them through a variety of other skills including critical thinking, research, and attention to detail.
In a nutshell, it’s applying logical thinking based on facts rather than making decisions based on emotional responses.
Analytical Skills and Job Seeking
In today’s increasingly complex world, hiring managers want employees who are analytical thinkers and problem solvers, especially when it comes to leadership positions. Candidates who possess analytical skills are better equipped to deal with employees and problem solving. They’re also often better at developing positive business relationships and making sound business decisions.
Of course, highlighting these skills on your resume and your cover letter doesn’t have to be reserved just for leadership positions. Employers are always looking for individuals who are competent and flexible problem solvers. And when it comes time for the interview, if you’re asked to illustrate an example of a time you used analytical skills to solve a problem, don’t forget to include your thought process and what analytical skills you used.
Top Analytical Skills For Job Seekers
Here is a list of top analytical skills employers find valuable in candidates:
- Analysis skills
- Attention to detail
- Budgeting skills
- Calculating skills
- Computing skills
- Classifying skills
- Communication skills
- Comparison skills
- Complexity skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Creativity
- Critical thinking skills
- Data processing skills
- Decision making skills
- Deductive reasoning
- Diagnosis skills
- Evaluation skills
- Examination and investigative skills
- Financial management skills
- Information gathering skills
- Investigative skills
- Judgement skills
- Logical thinking skills
- Management skills
- Math and number skills
- Organizational skills
- Planning skills
- Prioritization skills
- Problem analysis skills
- Problem identification skills
- Problem solving skills
- Research skills
- Reasoning skills
- Troubleshooting skills
Now that we know what analytical skills are, how do we best showcase them for potential employers? Here’s your first opportunity to really use those analytical skills!
How To Use Analytical Skills in Your Job Search
Start by first reading the job description and really focusing in on what specific analytical skills the hiring manager is looking for. Make sure to highlight those in your cover letter as well as in your resume. While it’s critical to include relevant skills in the professional details of these documents, if your analytical skills also cover your interest and activities, include those as well!
Make sure you’re being thorough and listing the individual skills you have. Don’t just list “analytical skills” on your resume or cover letter and leave it at that. A potential employer will want to know exactly what you’re bringing to the position, so be thorough (that’s attention to detail…another analytical skill!)
The same goes for the interview process. If asked by a hiring manager to give an example of a time you use analytical skills to solve a problem, don’t be afraid to go into depth. Don’t go too far, but make sure you give concrete examples of the skills you used to come to the decision you made and why you did things the way you did them.
Good luck!
Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site, with his work being featured in top publications such as INC, ZDnet, MSN and more.
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