Almost every business uses business intelligence (BI) these days, as it can help senior executives make better business decisions through analysing data sets and software programmes.
Business intelligence is a process that is driven by technology. So those working in business intelligence jobs need to be proficient in a mix of hard skills such as computer programming and soft skills.
As specialists in data recruitment, Agile Recruit is well versed in helping candidates achieve successful careers in business intelligence and knows the relevant skills needed for BI.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five essential business intelligence skills that recruiters most often look for
#1 SQL Programming
Structured Query Language, more commonly known as SQL, is a programming language used to manage data, making it useful for business intelligence. If you are looking for a career in business intelligence, the more computer programming languages you know, the better, but SQL is a good start for beginners as it is the most commonly used (at the moment).
#2 Data Analysis
The key skill for anyone working in business intelligence is correctly analysing data and software programmes. Therefore, people looking to work in the field of BI need to have strong analytic skills to be able to make sense of large amounts of data. They must also be able to see connections within the data and make meaning out of any presented data.
#3 Industry Knowledge
When it comes to having a successful career in business intelligence, it helps if you have some knowledge of the industry you will be working in: for example, if you are working for a retail company, you need to know the current trends in the retail industry. The more you understand about the sector you are working in, the better you will be able to understand the data you are analysing and offer useful solutions to managers.
#4 Problem Solving
Business Intelligence tasks do not stop at analysing data; you should also be able to offer managers solutions based on the data analysis. Therefore, if you have good problem-solving skills, you will be easily available to come up with clear suggestions to help the company make better business decisions.
#5 Good Communication Skills
The skills we have described above are all hard skills, but soft skills will come in useful as well – and communication is the most important of these. BI developers need to describe where they have pulled the data from, how it has been analysed, and what solutions they have come up with after this analysis. This involves communicating sometimes very complex technical information to professionals who don’t have a background in BI, so communicating clearly and effectively is key.
There are also many other related skills which will vary based on the job you are applying for, and these include:
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Coaching
- Coding
- Coping with pressures around deadlines
- Critical thinking
- Data Architecture
- Data control
- Data management
- Data processing
- Data visualisation
- Debugging
- Insightful
- Leadership
- Monitoring business trends
- Multitasking
- Organisational skills
- Project management
- Software knowledge
The list is pretty much endless!
If you want to add to your data visualisation team, or you are looking for your next data visualisation job, please get in touch with the team at Agile Recruit. You can telephone our Manchester Office at 0161 416 6633 or Milton Keynes at 0203 800 1222. You can also email us at info@agilerecruit.com if you prefer.
