How to Become a Malaysian Data Analyst | 5 Easiest Steps

Summary

The demand for data analysts in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, is surging due to digital transformation and business shifts online. To become a data analyst, understand job requirements, acquire essential skills like SQL, work on real-world data projects, build a portfolio showcasing your work, and consider collaborating with professional recruiters for better exposure and job matching. This career offers promising opportunities across various company sizes and can help businesses make informed decisions from data insights.

Takeaways

• 📊 Data analysts are in high demand in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, as companies need insights from large data sets after digital transformation.
• 💼 The role of a data analyst varies across industries, from finance to HR and social media, requiring specialized knowledge and skills.
• 🧑‍💻 Job seekers should use sites like JobStreet to find data analyst jobs, also searching under related terms like 'business analysts' and 'business intelligence analysts'.
• 🛠️ It's important to pick up relevant skills, starting with SQL, which is essential for most data analyst roles.
• 📚 Practical experience is crucial; working on real-world data projects, especially those with industry relevance, helps apply learned skills.
• 🌐 Industry data can be found on platforms like Data.gov.my and Kaggle, even if localized data is unavailable.
• 🖥️ Building a portfolio is key to showcasing technical abilities to potential employers, increasing visibility and job prospects.
• 📱 Sharing your portfolio on social media can help with networking and receiving job referrals.
• 🤝 Collaborating with professional recruiters like Hiredly can increase your chances of landing a job by reaching the right employers and improving your resume.
• 💡 Data analysts are needed across different types of companies, including startups, SMEs, and MNCs, to help make sense of accumulated data.

Q & A

Why are data analysts in high demand in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia?

Data analysts are in high demand in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, due to the digital transformation and the shift of businesses online during the pandemic, which has resulted in a large amount of data that companies need to analyze for insights.

What are some specific roles that fall under the umbrella of a data analyst?

Specific roles under the data analyst umbrella include finance data analysts, HR analysts, and social media analysts. Finance data analysts focus on financial data and forecasting models, HR analysts build dashboards to track staff movements and turnover rates, and social media analysts analyze metrics from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

What is the primary task of a data analyst?

The primary task of a data analyst is to analyze data and extract insights that help companies make decisions.

What is a pro-tip for job seekers looking for data analyst roles?

A pro-tip for job seekers is to not only search for 'data analysts' but also use keywords like 'business analysts' and 'business intelligence analysts' to find jobs that might have been missed.

Why is SQL considered an essential skill for aspiring data analysts?

SQL is considered an essential skill for data analysts because every data-related job requires knowledge of SQL unless the company is not using a database.

What is the significance of working on real-world data sets for those looking to become data analysts?

Working on real-world data sets is significant because it allows aspiring data analysts to practice and apply their skills to projects that have a tangible impact, which is more impressive and relevant than theoretical exercises.

Where can one find industry data sets to work on for practice?

Industry data sets can be found on platforms like Statistics, Data.gov.my, and the Department of Statistics. For those who cannot find a suitable data set for their industry, they can look for open data from other countries or use Kaggle.com and adjust the data to suit the Malaysian market.

Why is building a portfolio important for data analysts?

Building a portfolio is important for data analysts because it allows employers to see tangible evidence of their skills in action, which is crucial for tech jobs. It also increases the chances of being discovered by others in the industry once indexed by search engines.

What is the benefit of working with a professional recruiter when job hunting as a data analyst?

Working with a professional recruiter can increase exposure and help match skills with the right employers. They understand the job market well and can help polish resumes to reach the right people, increasing the success rate of job applications.

What is the role of a recruitment platform like Hiredly in the job search process for data analysts?

Hiredly is a recruitment platform that focuses on junior to mid-management jobs and can help increase exposure for job seekers by submitting resumes to the right employers. They understand the Malaysian job market and can show job seekers' resumes and portfolios to potential employers.

How can job seekers in data analysis increase their exposure and network with others in the industry?

Job seekers can increase their exposure and network with others in the industry by sharing their portfolio on social media, which can lead to referrals and connections with professionals in the field.