Research Analyst Resume: Examples and Tips

Research analysts, as the job title implies, focus on researching, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data in a variety of scientific fields. The job requires expertise in handling scientific methods and software, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, or statistics usually a prerequisite.

To create a polished research analyst resume, follow these expert tips and resume examples.

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Research Analyst Resume Example

Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Research Analyst Resume

  1. Summary Describe your experience and expertise in terms of your top skills, such as analytical abilities, written and verbal communication, and critical thinking, leading off with a phrase that emphasizes a key trait (e.g., “Tech-savvy research analyst …”).
  2. Skills Refer to the job description for the skills the job demands, match them with your own, and list them here (e.g., statistical modeling, trend analysis, quality control enhancement), using bullet points.
  3. Work history Showcase any hands-on experience you’ve had in research analysis, or other job roles that use similar skills. Focus on achievements and projects that received recognition, rather than everyday tasks.
  4. Education In addition to your top academic credential (Bachelor of Science in Database Management), add any related advanced training or certifications, such as completion of a Certified Research Analyst (CRA) program.

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Find the Right Template for your Resume

Give your resume an appropriate look for the job, using these free resume templates.

Distinguished

This straightforward design uses color resume fonts for section headings, making it easy to scan. The elegant font and centered presentation of the job seeker’s name helps it stand out.

Fresh

This sleek design uses bold colors and arranges section headings in the left margin to grab recruiters’ attention.

Strong

This design communicates competence through its powerful fonts and block headers, with the two-column layout providing plenty of room to highlight skills and work experiences.

For more professional resume templates, visit our resume templates page.

Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume

  • DO use strong action verbs. When describing your expertise, previous responsibilities, or work achievements, always use proactive verbs such as managed, analyzed, integrated, implemented, oversaw, or maintained, rather than passive language like was responsible for. For example: “Developed requests for records and data files” or “Created basic data visualizations.”
  • DO merge skills with work experiences. Just stating “market research” as a skill is valuable, but giving an example of how you’ve applied this skill in a previous job or activity is more convincing. For example, if you list “administrative and organizational abilities” as a skill, follow it up with a relevant work example such as “Updated research management systems and prepared materials for internal meetings.”
  • DO stick to a straightforward layout for your resume. Even something as seemingly innocuous as changing up the title of a section (e.g., retitling “Work History” as “My Past Jobs”) can confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to scan resumes. It’s always best (and safest) to use a resume template for your resume that has all the correct titling, fonts and non-intrusive design elements.
  • DON’T Let your resume run too long. Hiring managers usually only take seconds to read a resume, so don’t overstuff it with information that doesn’t directly apply to the job you want. Focus on your best, most appropriate skills and work experiences, and use peppy, brief bullet points and phrases instead of long sentences. Aim for a length of two pages at most.
  • DON’T just copy and paste from the job description. Copying and pasting whole statements from the job posting into your resume in order to “prove” you’re the right person for the position is a sure way to raise a red flag with recruiters. While it’s good to pay attention to the job description, it’s better to come up with skills and experiences that are both uniquely yours, and always fulfill those requirements. For example, if the job stresses “strong financial acumen and financial modeling skills,” don’t copy the phrase verbatim into your document. Find job examples and skills that show you’re proficient at financial analysis.
  • DON’T exaggerate or lie in your resume. Even a “white lie” on your resume can lead to severe consequences. Hiring managers are more diligent than ever before when it comes to background checks, and if they find any discrepancies between what you write and what they find out about previous employment, education or skills, it can lead to dismissal or worse. Always stick to the facts and the truth.