Looking for data analyst roles or similar W Mids
Discussion
It looks like redundancy might be on the cards, so I need to start looking at what my options are.
The job papers/websites aren't throwing up very much, and the current industry I work in isn't recruiting at all nationally, so I'd be interested in any suggestions as to what employers might be interested in the following skill set:
Software/IT skills include:
MS Access - intermediate - database design, queries, forms, basic macros and modules
MS Excel - intermediate - incl Vlookup and pivot tables
GIS - data import, manipulation and analysis via most GIS software packages.
Business Objects - query/report design
Oracle Discoverer - query/report design
SQL - basic understanding, I can read SQL scripts and edit them, but I've never had to write my own SQL scripts as yet from scratch.
Other software used includes Word and Minitab (rusty), plus various other specialist database and analytical software.
I learnt Basic and Pascal at school/university, but never had to use these skills in the workplace. I have a good understanding of HTML.
Other data collation/analysis skills include:
Statistical analysis - I have a good understanding of stats techniques but the closest to a formal qualification I have is a postgrad exam result of 78% from a red-brick uni (which can be backed up on paper). I was working towards RSS professional exams a few years ago but family commitments intervened.
Data integrity - this is a real bugbear for me and something I have a good eye for. I have very strong skills in data auditing and database integrity.
Dataset cross-over/merging - I have good skills in manually forcing datasets to "talk to each other" through the construction of unique keys and complex queries. I also have some experience of software that does that e.g. ClearCore
I am used to working with a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative data sets, from diverse sources, usually together.
Other skills/qualifications include:
Report writing - I have very strong report writing skills, originally for an academic audience, but in the last few years I have been writing for a lay audience, usually producing work for briefing management.
Presentations and meetings - I have good formal and informal presentation skills, including formal lecturing. I can also chair meetings.
I have had training as a professional witness and have some court experience.
I am a fast learner and fast worker, with very strong research skills.
I have horizon scanning and strategic/futures analysis skills.
I have strong lateral thinking skills.
I have strong mapping skills, and have experience of working from open source aerial photography.
I have a full, clean driving license.
I have experience of managing small teams.
I can work unsupervised for long periods of time, including site working in remote locations.
Other skills include risk assessment, COSHH and biological lab techniques.
Previous experience includes fashion import, social care, academic applied ecology and forestry.
I have a 2:1 degree from a red-brick university, plus an M.Sc. and further professional qualifications.
Unfortunately due to childcare commitments, I am restricted to the West Mids/Warwickshire area, and normal office hours only (or slightly earlier).
I'd really appreciate any suggestions for job titles or employers to try looking for. If I don't exactly fit any job specs that you'd otherwise suggest, then advice on what qualifications/experience I'd need to obtain would also be be very useful.
The job papers/websites aren't throwing up very much, and the current industry I work in isn't recruiting at all nationally, so I'd be interested in any suggestions as to what employers might be interested in the following skill set:
Software/IT skills include:
MS Access - intermediate - database design, queries, forms, basic macros and modules
MS Excel - intermediate - incl Vlookup and pivot tables
GIS - data import, manipulation and analysis via most GIS software packages.
Business Objects - query/report design
Oracle Discoverer - query/report design
SQL - basic understanding, I can read SQL scripts and edit them, but I've never had to write my own SQL scripts as yet from scratch.
Other software used includes Word and Minitab (rusty), plus various other specialist database and analytical software.
I learnt Basic and Pascal at school/university, but never had to use these skills in the workplace. I have a good understanding of HTML.
Other data collation/analysis skills include:
Statistical analysis - I have a good understanding of stats techniques but the closest to a formal qualification I have is a postgrad exam result of 78% from a red-brick uni (which can be backed up on paper). I was working towards RSS professional exams a few years ago but family commitments intervened.
Data integrity - this is a real bugbear for me and something I have a good eye for. I have very strong skills in data auditing and database integrity.
Dataset cross-over/merging - I have good skills in manually forcing datasets to "talk to each other" through the construction of unique keys and complex queries. I also have some experience of software that does that e.g. ClearCore
I am used to working with a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative data sets, from diverse sources, usually together.
Other skills/qualifications include:
Report writing - I have very strong report writing skills, originally for an academic audience, but in the last few years I have been writing for a lay audience, usually producing work for briefing management.
Presentations and meetings - I have good formal and informal presentation skills, including formal lecturing. I can also chair meetings.
I have had training as a professional witness and have some court experience.
I am a fast learner and fast worker, with very strong research skills.
I have horizon scanning and strategic/futures analysis skills.
I have strong lateral thinking skills.
I have strong mapping skills, and have experience of working from open source aerial photography.
I have a full, clean driving license.
I have experience of managing small teams.
I can work unsupervised for long periods of time, including site working in remote locations.
Other skills include risk assessment, COSHH and biological lab techniques.
Previous experience includes fashion import, social care, academic applied ecology and forestry.
I have a 2:1 degree from a red-brick university, plus an M.Sc. and further professional qualifications.
Unfortunately due to childcare commitments, I am restricted to the West Mids/Warwickshire area, and normal office hours only (or slightly earlier).
I'd really appreciate any suggestions for job titles or employers to try looking for. If I don't exactly fit any job specs that you'd otherwise suggest, then advice on what qualifications/experience I'd need to obtain would also be be very useful.
dave-therave said:
Not wanting to sound like I'm picking fault but would you really class pivot tables and vlookups as intermediate excel knowledge?
If I read intermediate Excel knowledge then I'd assume knowledge of writing VBA.
It would be classed as such in my current workplace/field, but this is why I'm throwing this open. I have thought that VBA may be something that I'd need to learn, so thanks for the feedback.If I read intermediate Excel knowledge then I'd assume knowledge of writing VBA.
RobbieL said:
Blimey that reads like my c.v (apart from the degree).
Fancy going into business! I'm at the same crossroads as yourself wondering where to go next or what to do.
Keep us posted as to how you get on chap.
I have wondered if business analysis or business intelligence is something that I could look into. Are there any specific software packages, qualifications etc that would be advantageous? Fancy going into business! I'm at the same crossroads as yourself wondering where to go next or what to do.
Keep us posted as to how you get on chap.
I'm really struggling with re-doing my CV for a generic audience.
I currently have this as my personal statement, but it just seems a bit lame, particularly as it isn't really focused on how I can benefit an employer:
"I am a versatile and highly analytical individual with strong problem-solving skills. I enjoy strategic planning and analysis, as well as working with databases. Due to the current austerity measures, I am looking to move into the private sector whilst continuing to work in an analytical role."
The difficulty is that I love my job and wouldn't leave it voluntarily. Secondly, I only changed careers 4 years ago, so pretending that I want to move makes me sound like a poor risk.
I mean don't get me wrong, I will move and I don't want to keep chopping and changing, but what do you do when your employer has already lost 15% of their income even before the October spending review?
Actually, if anyone is willing to critique my CV as a whole please let me know.
I currently have this as my personal statement, but it just seems a bit lame, particularly as it isn't really focused on how I can benefit an employer:
"I am a versatile and highly analytical individual with strong problem-solving skills. I enjoy strategic planning and analysis, as well as working with databases. Due to the current austerity measures, I am looking to move into the private sector whilst continuing to work in an analytical role."
The difficulty is that I love my job and wouldn't leave it voluntarily. Secondly, I only changed careers 4 years ago, so pretending that I want to move makes me sound like a poor risk.
I mean don't get me wrong, I will move and I don't want to keep chopping and changing, but what do you do when your employer has already lost 15% of their income even before the October spending review?
Actually, if anyone is willing to critique my CV as a whole please let me know.
Edited by oldbanger on Thursday 30th September 21:41
Have you considered the financial services industry? With your skills you could find a role as a data analyst. My first role at HBOS was working in Credit Risk, providing support to the modelling team. If you have a maths/stats/science/engineering degree then you could look at Credit Risk Analyst or Decision Science Modeller.
Take a look at the "jobsinrisk" or "jobsincredit" web sites. They usually have a decent selection of roles around the UK. Roles are not biased towards London (at least in retail banking).
Feel free to PM me for advice. I currently work for a leading UK retail bank building credit risk models.
Good luck
Take a look at the "jobsinrisk" or "jobsincredit" web sites. They usually have a decent selection of roles around the UK. Roles are not biased towards London (at least in retail banking).
Feel free to PM me for advice. I currently work for a leading UK retail bank building credit risk models.
Good luck
I thought I'd update this thread. I've kept my current job for the time being (until the next slash and burn session, probably due within 18 months). I had 3 interviews but no job offers. The last interview was particularly frustrating as the only reason I know I was unsuccessful was by contacting the employer direct as the recruitment agent wouldn't return my calls, even after I provided detailed interview feedback to him. Unfortunately the employer said they couldn't tell me anything because they'd already told it to the agent so I have no idea what I could have done differently to secure the role, and it was a bit of a change of direction from my current line of work (though still data analysis).
So I'm still looking, but I can have a bit of a breather for a bit.
So I'm still looking, but I can have a bit of a breather for a bit.
OK so I survived the pre-christmas cull, but find that redundancy is again on the cards, already. Whilst I intend to try to stick it out, upper management are getting so desperate to reduce headcount that logic doesn't really apply any more.
Any Data Analyst, Market Intelligence or Management Information roles going spare in the West Mids? I don't have a MI background, but I do have pretty much the same skillset.
Any Data Analyst, Market Intelligence or Management Information roles going spare in the West Mids? I don't have a MI background, but I do have pretty much the same skillset.
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