Include these keywords in your CV to pass Applicant Tracking Systems and increase your chances of getting seen by recruiters.
Data & Analytics
Which keywords should a Data Analyst CV include?
Use the exact words from the job advert first: applicant tracking systems match terms, not meanings. For Data Analyst roles the essential ones are the core skills in the advert. Put them in your profile, skills list and experience bullets, written as they appear in the advert, and only where they are true for you, in an ATS-friendly CV template.
Weave keywords into your achievement statements rather than listing them separately.
2
Match the Job Description
Use the exact phrasing from the job posting when it matches your experience.
3
Include Variations
Use both acronyms and full terms: "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)"
4
Prioritise Relevance
Only include keywords that genuinely reflect your skills and experience.
Data Analyst CV FAQs
Include "SQL" prominently along with specific skills like "complex queries", "joins", "stored procedures", and "query optimisation". Mention specific databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server) if you have experience with them.
Yes, include both. Excel remains essential (mention "VLOOKUP", "pivot tables", "Power Query"), while Python shows advanced capability. Include libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and visualisation tools like Matplotlib or Seaborn.
Tableau and Power BI are the most sought-after. Include whichever you know, plus mention "data visualisation", "dashboards", and "reporting". If you know both, list both prominently.
Very important. Include "statistical analysis", "regression", "hypothesis testing", and "A/B testing" if applicable. These differentiate you from basic Excel users and show analytical depth.