In the ever-evolving job market, career transitions have become increasingly common. Many professionals have been exploring opportunities for career transitions to the dynamic and high-demand field of data and business analytics.
But what does it take to successfully make this career change? Well, we caught up with Justin Nadelman, Director on the I.T., New York team to get some insight into the skills needed to successfully switch careers.
In this article, we’ll share his perspective on five common questions that arise when making a career switch to tech, specifically data and business analytics roles.
What specific skills and qualifications are companies looking for when hiring candidates for data and business analytics roles, especially those with career change backgrounds?
Columbia University highlights some of the most important technical and soft skills required when entering the field of analytics.
Justin also noted, “Clients are looking for professionals who have a mix of analytical, technical and soft skills. Additionally, knowledge of cloud-based technology is now in demand.”
Some of the technical and soft skills to note are: –
- Microsoft Excel
- Data visualization
- Data cleaning
- Machine Learning
- Linear Algebra and Calculus
What programming languages and software tools are in high demand in the tech industry, specifically for data and business analytics roles?
Indeed, is a good resource to stay updated on what’s in demand in the tech field. There are articles on in-demand programming languages and descriptions of each for beginners.
When considering switching careers, professionals should note that, “Standard SQL experience is the starting point for anyone in the Data/BI space. Most companies work with SQL daily,” Justin stressed. He went further to highlight that, “Data Visualization, PowerBI, Tableau and Qlik are currently very popular. Also, both Azure/AWS are in high demand. To set yourself apart, have knowledge of working with new data tools like Snowflake Data Warehouse or Azure Databricks.”
What challenges do career changers often face when entering this field?
Justin highlighted one of the most common challenges when switching careers saying, “Switching careers into a more technical role is certainly a challenge. Most candidates will have a tough time navigating the job market as most companies are looking for hands-on real-world experience.”
He also discussed how to gain experience and have an advantage when entering the tech job market saying, “Certifications and internships could be a good way to gain some hands-on experience while trying to make that transition.”
What advice would you give to candidates on tailoring their resume to emphasize their transferable skills and make a strong case for their career change?
“We’ve seen a much tighter market this year and as such, we have been working diligently with candidates to update their resumes stressing on listing every tool they’ve worked with. This is a very important step when entering the job market to be a cut above in a competitive field like this one. Having these tools listed on your resume will also help hiring managers who may not be very technical see your knowledge of these tools.”
Are there any unique industry-specific trends candidates should be aware of when switching careers to tech?
“Ultimately, it’s never easy to transition into a new field. The tech industry specifically is a bit more challenging as most roles require hands-on experience in enterprise environments. Additionally, candidates may need to start in entry-level positions, which come with substantial pay cuts for some. However, this step will help them gain experience and while working with other analysts.”
In summary, a career transition to tech can be exciting. Remember to quip yourself with the right skills, stay updated on industry trends, and leverage your transferable skills. You too can successfully shift into this thriving field and contribute to the data-driven future.
If you are ready to take a leap, by finding a new role or joining a dynamic team, the team at Green Key is ready to be your partner along the way. Browse our jobs page or connect with us on LinkedIn to work with our talented recruiters.
