what is a data analyst?
A data analyst is a person who works with analyzing data. Another common title is data analyst. As a data analyst, you spend much of your workday organizing data and helping various decision-makers draw conclusions, make decisions, and find solutions using the information that the data provides. It does not matter which industry you work in, the job of a data analyst is to collect the relevant data and interpret it. One example is in sales and marketing, where you translate different sales figures into analyses to make decision-making easier and more effective within the company.
A data analyst can also look at historical data within an organization, such as quarterly sales reports, monthly revenue, or annual website traffic, to use that data to find different trends or patterns. With your deep knowledge, you can then put together descriptive and diagnostic analyses to explain different events or results that occur within the business.
In addition to understanding the historical aspect, a data analyst also plays an important role in helping organizations with forecasts for the future. You use descriptive data to identify tendencies and trends that then form the basis for your forecasts. Making forecasts for future results gives companies the chance to be proactive in their decisions to avoid negative consequences.
data analyst jobswhat does a data analyst do?
When a company or organization needs to make an important decision, they rely on a data analyst, who is then expected to provide a data-driven basis of evidence and information to make the decision-making process easier. With the help of descriptive analyses, you can stay updated on various trends within the industry. As a data analyst, you use complex algorithms, statistical methods, and machine learning or AI technology to organize and evaluate available data. In some cases, you need to be skilled at visualizing and presenting the data, where you may need to know coding languages for different databases in order to control the data sources and databases.
Would a job as a data analyst suit your analytical skills and your interest in numbers? Then read on to find out more about the skills and qualifications required to succeed in a data analyst role.
average salary as data analyst.
Given the current state of the job market, data analyst is a role that needs to be filled in a range of different industries and sectors. For many companies and organizations, it is of utmost importance to be able to use data to better understand their target audience, their operations, and their own processes.
That is why the role of data analyst plays an important function in many companies, where they primarily work to make decision-making processes more accurate and efficient. The data should serve as a basis of information that makes it easier to understand the business itself and find different ways to develop it. However, a data analyst can have different roles within different companies and organizations. A role as a data analyst can mean different things and the complexity of the work can vary.
This also means that the average salary as a data analyst varies. The more experience and skills you have, the greater your chance to negotiate a higher salary as a data analyst. For more information about the salary level for a data analyst, see Unionen's market salaries or SCB.
what factors influence the salary as a data analyst?
In many cases, the salary for a data analyst is competitive and the general salary level for a data analyst is good in the Swedish job market. At the same time, there are factors that can affect individual salary setting for those working as analysts with a focus on data. As we have already established, data analyst is a role that needs to be filled in many industries. This in itself can affect salary setting, since the salary level looks different in different industries.
Another factor that affects the salary for someone working as a data analyst is the size of the company or organization, as well as the specifics of the role. Some data analysts have more complex tasks that require higher skills and more work experience. In those cases, you generally have a higher salary than others. As a data analyst, it is also important to stay updated on the latest tools and trends in data analysis and to continuously develop your skills. These are important factors for anyone who wants to positively influence their salary.
different roles as a data analyst.
A data analyst can have different roles:
- Business intelligence analyst: Your role is to identify different patterns and interpret data collected through the company’s own systems. In addition to managing and interpreting internal data, you also collect external data from competitors and from the market at large, which you then evaluate to identify patterns and potential problems or challenges that may affect your own business in the future.
- Data analyst in logistics: As a data analyst in the logistics sector, your job is to collect and organize data from the entire supply chain. You use the information to create new strategies to run the supply chain and the whole process more efficiently, by reducing costs and improving efficiency in both production and distribution.
- Business systems analyst: You are responsible for evaluating and weighing data, in order to improve various functions within the company's IT systems and communication channels. Your job is essentially about finding new strategies to make the systems better.
- Data analyst in marketing: Your job is to collect data and use it to help the sales or marketing team better understand their market and target audience. You carefully analyze the company's target groups and, using this data, develop the best possible marketing strategies.
working as a data analyst.
A person working in the role of data analyst needs to be good with numbers and able to use data to come up with new ideas or concepts. Read more about the future prospects for a data analyst in the Swedish job market and what the job tasks are like.
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tasks and areas of responsibility
- Collect data: As a data analyst, your main task is to collect data from secondary and primary sources. This means you need to gather the relevant information available in the company's databases and scan external sources to obtain the additional information needed. For example, you put together surveys and analyze user behavior on the company's website. You also need to structure the raw data using various digital tools and software.
- Organise data: After you have collected the data, you should clean it. This means you need to remove irrelevant or incorrect data, as well as organise the data in a good way so you can carry out an analysis. Some data may contain duplicates or errors that need to be fixed for the analysis to be accurate. This process also involves cleaning the dataset of information that could give a skewed picture and lead to incorrect conclusions.
- Categorise data: In the role of data analyst, you also build the database that will store the data securely. Your programming skills are useful when you organise the databases, for example to set up categories for the data. You also decide how the data should be stored and how it can be accessed in the database.
- Interpret information: With the help of various analysis tools, you should interpret the information found within the data and draw conclusions from it. The results of how you interpret the information help to solve problems or answer questions. This requires strong logical thinking to examine data components or use statistical tools to identify patterns and trends in the dataset.
- Create data reports and visualize data for presentations: As a data analyst, one of the most important parts of the job is to translate raw data into information that can serve as a basis for decision-making when decision-makers at the company or within the organization need to make important decisions. Reports help other staff members integrate the information from the data into the business and their daily work. Therefore, as a data analyst, you need to be good at creating easy-to-understand reports and visualizing the information you have produced from the data, for example with the help of graphs and charts.
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work environment
As a data analyst, you can work in many different industries, from the financial sector to insurance companies or healthcare services. You can also work as a data analyst at IT companies. You use your analytical skills to improve efficiency and help optimize various internal and external processes in the company. You can work for both private companies and in public administration. The work can be done both in the office and remotely, but in any case, you can expect a faster pace at work.
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your colleagues
Since data analyst is a job needed in many sectors, your colleagues may vary depending on the employer. As a data analyst, you can work in teams with other data engineers or business analysts. You can also work closely with project manager and managers in different roles. But the more specific colleagues and what roles your colleagues have at the workplace are rather determined by what type of employer you have.
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work schedule
At many workplaces, data analyst is a job that is performed full-time during regular working hours from 8 to 17. At the same time, it is a job that in some cases may require you to work overtime or at inconvenient hours to meet deadlines.
There are also data analysts who work part-time or as project employees. Business travel is also uncommon for a data analyst, as the reports you prepare are presented to the company and its management team you work for.
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future prospects
As a result of technological advances, it has become easier for many companies and organizations to collect data, both internal and external data. This has increased the need for data analysis and, therefore, there are more data analyst roles that need to be filled. This makes data analyst a promising career, with good job opportunities and different paths to more responsible roles. The job itself can involve many different tasks and the complexity of the role can vary. This means that those who have gained valuable experience and a lot of knowledge in data analysis have good chances to advance in their careers. It is also possible to specialize in data analysis, focusing on different areas, which can be a way to move forward in your career.
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benefits of finding a job as a data analyst via randstad
There are many advantages to finding an open job as a data analyst through Randstad:
- various development and career opportunities
- an experienced contact person who can help you when needed
- many job vacancies in your area
- full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as a data analyst? A temporary job as a data analyst is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has gone through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.
education and qualifications.
There are different ways to train as a data analyst:
- University and college: With a university or college degree in, for example, statistics, mathematics, or economics, you have a solid educational foundation to work as a data analyst. For those who have the ambition to advance in their career, an academic qualification is always beneficial.
- Vocational university: A YH education has the advantage that it is practically oriented and prepares you for a profession. There is an opportunity to train in data analysis through the vocational university.
- Work experience: With work experience, you can become eligible for a job as a data analyst, whether it is a full-time position or an internship. Data analysis is a job that requires practical skills and experience, where work experience is highly valued.
knowledge and skills.
A data analyst needs the following qualities and skills to become good at their job:
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programming and coding languages
A data analyst handles enormous amounts of data and performs large, complex calculations based on the data. Knowing statistical programming languages is an important way to make yourself more attractive to employers. Python and R are two popular programming languages that can help you become effective in your role.
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presentation tools for data
It is important to be able to present your findings when working with data analysis. With the help of charts and graphs, you should enable your colleagues to understand the information you have obtained from the data. Therefore, it is good to be familiar with different presentation tools such as Excel, Notebook, and Tableau.
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knowledge in mathematics and statistics
A data analyst needs to understand statistical methods and techniques, as well as mathematical concepts, in order to interpret data correctly. Having a basic knowledge of statistics and mathematics is therefore important when choosing analysis tools and analysis models.
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problem-solving skills
In the end, a data analyst's job is about finding solutions to problems, or finding problems that need solutions. Using the information that the data shows, you should identify questions that need to be answered. A high level of problem-solving ability helps you see patterns and trends in the data that reveal problem areas, which later need to be solved. You can also use the data as a basis for finding solutions.
frequently asked questions about working as a data analyst.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as a data analyst.
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what does a data analyst do?
A data analyst collects and studies data to logically explain various processes within the organisation. A data analyst also reports and presents the information obtained to company management. The information is then used as a basis in different decision-making processes.
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is data analyst a good career?
There is a growing need for data analysis in many companies and organizations. This is partly due to the availability of data, which is greater than ever. That is why data analyst is a role needed by many employers and a role with a promising career ahead.
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how do I apply for an open job as data analyst?
It's easy to apply for a job as a data analyst. Search among our available jobs in your area. Then submit your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn
If you need help with your job application you can read all our job tips here!
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