Data Analyst Resume Keywords for ATS
Data analyst roles are screened heavily on tools and technical methods. The ATS looks for the specific languages and platforms in the posting — SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau — so name them explicitly and pair each with the business impact your analysis delivered.
ATS keywords for a Data Analyst Resume
Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.
Core skills
Tools & software
Soft skills
Certifications & qualifications
How to get a Data Analyst Resume past the ATS
- Name every tool from the posting by name — "SQL, Python, Power BI" — never substitute a category like "BI tools".
- Show the query and visualisation layer separately: a SQL skill and a Tableau/Power BI skill are matched as different keywords.
- Quantify the decision your analysis drove (revenue, cost saved, conversion lift), not just the volume of data handled.
- Include statistical methods named in the role — "A/B testing", "regression", "forecasting" — if you have used them.
- Add a plain-text "Technical Skills" line; ATS parsers read it more reliably than icon-based skill ratings.
Before & after: Data Analyst Resume bullets
Before: Built reports for the marketing team.
After: Built 12 self-serve Power BI dashboards from SQL data sources for the marketing team, cutting ad-hoc reporting requests by 60%.
Before: Analysed customer data to find insights.
After: Analysed 2M+ customer records in SQL and Python, identifying a churn driver that informed a retention campaign worth £180k in saved revenue.
Data Analyst Resume keywords — FAQ
What keywords should a Data Analyst put on their Resume?
A Data Analyst Resume should include core skills such as data analysis, data visualisation, SQL, statistical analysis, dashboard development, ETL, and name specific tools like SQL, Python, Excel, Tableau, Power BI. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.
How do I make my Data Analyst Resume ATS-friendly?
Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Name every tool from the posting by name — "SQL, Python, Power BI" — never substitute a category like "BI tools".
What skills do employers look for in a Data Analyst?
Beyond technical skills, employers screen for analytical thinking, attention to detail, communication, storytelling with data. Relevant qualifications include Google Data Analytics Certificate, Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), Tableau Desktop Specialist.