How to show your Analytical Skills for job interviews
2022-02-25T12:33:00Z
The Workplace
Introduction
You are looking for a new job but, everywhere you look "Analytical Skills" is a requirement. What exactly does that mean? And how do you know if you have those skills? In this blog we will discuss everything you need to know about Analytical Skills and how you can demonstrate them when applying for a job.
What are analytical skills?
Having analytical skills simply means that you can look at a problem from multiple angles in order to find the best solution. People who have analytical skills are also able to quickly distinguish between critical issues and secondary issues and prioritize effectively.
Think of analytical ability as very similar to critical thinking skills. Someone who is good at critical thinking does not just take everything for granted, but asks questions to get to the heart of the matter.
"Is that true? What do you mean? Why? And how does that work?" These kinds of questions help you better understand an issue so that you can then give an even better answer or solution to the problem.
Why are analytical skills important?
In today's work environment there are more complex issues to deal with than ever before, and it can be overwhelming to deal with all of the information and decision points that come your way. Being able to quickly categorize and prioritize information in your head and make connections easily, you will be better able to map out your tasks independently and carry them out quickly. This is an especially important skillset in, for example, technical and medical professions.
Do I have analytical skills?
Analytical thinking may be an abstract concept if you've never looked into it before. The list of common traits for analytical thinkers below will help you determine whether you have analytical skills. Do these characteristics seem like you?
- You quickly see the core or essence of an issue
- You can clearly distinguish between primary and secondary priorities
- You can foresee the (possible) consequences of your choices
- You can quickly make connections
- You don't judge without looking at the issue from multiple sides
- You ask a lot of questions and are a "good listener"
- You like to weigh all of your options and can sometimes be called "indecisive" by your peers
