How to Become a Data Analyst With No Experience?

avcontentteam 08 Jul, 2023 • 6 min read

Introduction

Did you know that entry-level data analysts can earn up to $49,092 annually? In today’s data-driven world, data analytics careers span diverse industries, offering numerous pathways to enter this rapidly-growing field. Data is the primary decision-making tool for every organization. Analytics is an essential aspect of strategic planning across all sectors. This article aims to answer a common question among freshers – How to become a data analyst with no experience!

Is it Possible to Become a Data Analyst With No Experience?

Absolutely! You can pursue a data analyst role with no experience by obtaining the necessary qualifications. Several factors make the data job market accessible to beginners:

Lack of data expertise: The demand for data professionals surpasses the current supply, creating opportunities for newcomers to enter the field.
Emphasis on transferable skills: Data analytics values skills that can be applied from other domains, allowing individuals to leverage their existing abilities.
Rapid market growth: The data market has witnessed exponential growth, increasing the need for skilled professionals across industries.

Hiring data experts becomes a top priority as businesses rely on data-driven strategies. By investing effort, embracing growth, and accessing appropriate training resources, individuals can acquire the expertise needed to thrive in this dynamic field.

How to Become a Data Analyst With No Experience?

Here is your step-wise guide to get a data analyst job with no experience:

Gain Relevant Skills
Master Data Tools
Creating a Professional Portfolio
Networking and Seeking Internship Opportunities
Leveraging Online Learning Platforms
Joining Professional Data Analysis Communities
Showcasing Your Skills Through Personal Projects
Tailoring Your Resume and Cover Letter
Preparing for Data Analyst Interviews

1. Gain Relevant Skills

It’s not necessarily essential to be a data analyst to have a degree in a relevant subject; however, having one in statistics, mathematics, or computer science might be helpful. You can sign up for in-person training sessions, watch video tutorials, or take online courses to increase your data expertise. Learn Python libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn and data visualization applications like Tableau, Power BI, and others. Invest time in understanding language syntax, data types, and packages associated with programming languages.

2. Master Data Tools

Real-data projects can give you practical experience while instructing you on how to use data in practical settings. You may participate in existing projects or create your own by utilizing some of the freely available public data sets and building your project around those. Experiment with tools like Excel for data handling, SQL for database querying, and statistical software like SAS or SPSS.

Alt text: Tools for how to become a data analyst with no experience — Source: Monkeylearn

Helpful Resources –

3. Creating a Professional Portfolio

A portfolio of work can help you get a job because it builds authenticity and displays the projects you participated in in the past. Build a portfolio that showcases your skills by documenting your projects and their results. The portfolio you create might be simple, but it’s a good idea to incorporate a biography portion that highlights your fondness for data analytics and your education and experience.

Data Analyst Fresher Portfolio — Source: BeamJobs

4. Networking and Seeking Internship Opportunities

Networking can result in insightful connections, mentorship possibilities, and even helpful internships. Explore reaching out to the connections you’ve developed from your projects, classes, and self-study. Recruitment websites are a wonderful resource for discovering prospective job opportunities.

How to become data analyst with no experience through networking — Source: Springboard

5. Leveraging Online Learning Platforms

The best way to upskill in data analytics field is through a professional online course. A professional certificate from an accredited institution might help you show businesses you have the education needed for the job. The most effective courses focus on projects and give students access to resources for career services. Our Blackbelt Plus Program offers a one-stop solution to all your needs. From guided projects to one-on-one sessions with expert mentors, you get all the resources to become a data analyst!

6. Joining Professional Data Analysis Communities

You may establish connections with business leaders, possible mentors, and recruiters by engaging in discussions, attending events, and interacting with other members. You can build a strong professional standing within the sector by actively participating in such networks. Additionally, it improves your exposure and increases the likelihood that companies would approach you directly about job openings.

Connect, Learn, Thrive: Join the Analytics Vidhya’s Data Community Today!

7. Showcasing Your Skills Through Personal Projects

Suppose you’re completely new to the field of data analytics. In that case, it’s essential to establish a correlation between the skill set of your previous projects and skills for your new job opportunities. Gather relevant data, assess it, and draw insightful inferences. Create a methodology report, then concisely convey what you have learned.

8. Tailoring Your Resume and Cover Letter

Having an all-around resume is a good idea if you wish to apply for multiple jobs. However, tailor your CV if you have a particular position in mind. Edit your resume to emphasize skills that are essential to the position’s requirements. Wherever it is possible, highlight your technical skills and projects and provide numbers for your accomplishments.

9. Preparing for Data Analyst Interviews

The interview gives the hiring managers a better understanding your skills and prospective match for the position. Prepare your primary concepts, algorithms, and statistical methods well. Also, be prepared to showcase your skills for problem-solving while working with real-world datasets. You may stand out in the interview by showcasing your understanding of the latest innovations and how they affect data analysis.

Entry Level Data Analyst Salary

According to Glassdoor, the average entry-level data analyst’s salary would be around $51,965 annually in the US and ₹5,19,033 per year in India. Your location (or the location of the work) and the industry you’re entering will determine how much money you may expect to make with your first data analyst position. One of the most significant factors that could affect your salary is the amount of experience you have.

Entry-Level Data Analyst Jobs You Can Get Without Experience

Here is a list of entry-level jobs you can get with no experience:

Junior data analyst
Quality assurance analyst
Marketing and sales data analyst
Data associate
Research analyst
Data quality analyst

Conclusion

A data analyst employs data to address issues, find solutions, and suggest techniques for enhancement. Objectives of the job include looking at patterns and using present data to fuel projections and future approaches. Putting your foot in the door as a data analyst is only the beginning. Analytics vidhya offers various courses to help freshers build their skills.

FAQs

Q1. How do I start a data analyst for beginners?

A. Beginners can start as a data analyst by learning the fundamentals of data analysis. Sign up for online courses to learn the skill set for data analysis.

Q2. What qualifications do I need to be a data analyst?

A. Some data analysts might have a graduate degree in subjects mathematics, statistics and computer science. It is not essential to have a degree in specific subjects; with the right skill set, any individual can be a data analyst.

Q3. Can I join a data analyst as a fresher?

A. Yes, one can be a data analyst as a fresher with the proper skill set and expertise.

Q4. How do I become a data analyst from zero?

A. Start with small steps, such as learning the fundamentals of data analysis, joining an online course to learn the tools used, making a portfolio, networking and applying for various job roles. You can consider signing up for our Blackbelt program to gain the relevant skills.