do you have strong critical thinking skills and analytical abilities

Daring Leadership Institute: a groundbreaking partnership that amplifies Brené Brown's empirically based, courage-building curriculum with BetterUp’s human transformation platform.

What is Coaching?

Types of Coaching

Discover your perfect match : Take our 5-minute assessment and let us pair you with one of our top Coaches tailored just for you.

Find your coach

We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Join us and create impactful change.

Read the buzz about BetterUp.

Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.

For Business

For Individuals

Critical thinking is the one skillset you can't afford not to master

Jump to section

What is critical thinking?

5 characteristics of critical thinking, what are critical thinking skills, and why are they important, 6 key critical thinking skills, critical thinking example in real-life, 13 ways to start thinking critically.

Whether you’re aiming to improve your performance at work or simply trying to live a more fulfilling life , you’ll need a variety of hard and soft skills to move the needle. Some skills come naturally to some people, while others need to develop them actively.

One of these skills is critical thinking. But critical thinking itself is made up of several types of skills that contribute to solving problems more effectively.

Let’s explore the different types of critical thinking skills and how you can start improving them to level up your career.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts objectively and form a judgment. It is a form of emotional intelligence .

Someone with critical thinking skills can think clearly and rationally when the situation demands it. It allows them to perform problem-solving and decision-making more effectively. 

As a result, you can look further than what you see at face value. You’re able to analyze what you see from a situation and gain some insight that goes further than what’s obvious to anyone from the outside.

Critical thinking also requires being able to understand the logical connection between two or more ideas or concepts. For example, a team working on a company’s pricing strategy needs to think critically about several concepts. 

Both the marketing and sales teams must work together. They need to analyze how to maximize sales. But they need to do so while also meeting profit goals. It’s important to understand the logical connection between sales strategy and marketing logistics. It’s the only way to get a good outcome.

Critical thinking is different from creative thinking . Creative thinking is the ability to generate brand new, innovative ideas. On the other hand, critical thinking requires you to carefully and logically analyze what information is given to you. Both are important to maximize results in any given situation.

What defines critical thinking? How does it affect the decision-making process? Here are five characteristics that make up the ability to think critically.

1. Dispositions

Critical thinkers have specific traits that allow them to think the way they do. Some people are predisposed to these traits, while others need to develop them actively.

Some of these dispositions include:

• Open-mindedness
• Respecting evidence and reasoning
• Being able to consider different perspectives and points of view: in other words, having cognitive flexibility
• Not being stuck in one position
• Clarity and precision

2. Argument

Good critical thinkers need to make solid arguments. 

An argument is making a statement aided by supporting evidence. It’s important to use well thought-out arguments when you’re in a constructive conflict . When analyzing a situation critically, you’ll need to make several arguments in your own mind to come to a judgment. 

3. Reasoning

In addition to arguments, critical thinking also requires inferring conclusions. From the facts and arguments presented to you, you need to use reasoning skills to come to a logical conclusion. 

This conclusion will determine the best course of action to take.

4. Criteria

Critical thinking is sometimes a matter of discerning truth from fiction. Not all facts presented to you may have the same level of truth. Certain conditions need to be met for something to be considered believable, and a critical thinker needs to be able to understand that.

5. Metacognition

Metacognition is the ability to think about your own thinking. Critical thinkers should be able to analyze their thoughts so that they can judge whether or not they’ve thought everything through. This helps them come up with better hypotheses.

The critical thinking skills definition is: soft skills that help you in the critical thinking process. Developing these skills can improve your ability to think critically.

Critical thinking skills are considered one of many durable skills in the workplace . Many of these are soft skills that are also useful in other situations.

According to research by America Succeeds, critical thinking is in the top five most requested durable skills in job postings. Those top five durable skills get requested 2.6x more often than the top five hard skills. This goes to show that soft skills like critical thinking skills are in demand in the workplace.

Critical thinking skills are important for several reasons. These include helping you work independently and solve problems . Not all positions require ongoing critical thinking. But, those skills definitely matter to anyone who wants to uplevel their career. And even the most easygoing positions require at least some level of critical thinking skills.

For example, working as an accountant can be straightforward in most cases. But it may require critical thinking skills. For instance, what if certain expenses aren’t easily distributed in simple categories? Without critical thinking skills, an accountant will struggle to work independently and solve problems on their own.

Critical thinking abilities also matter in everyday life. Having a foundation for critical thinking can help you analyze several possible solutions for problems that pop up in the home. It can also help you:

• Analyze different viewpoints
• Come up with the best solution for complex problems
• Become a better learner

The key critical thinking skills are identifying biases, inference, research, identification, curiosity, and judging relevance.

Let’s explore these six critical thinking skills you should learn and why they’re so important to the critical thinking process.

1. Identifying biases

This critical thinking skill is necessary for metacognition, which is the fifth characteristic of critical thinking. It involves knowing when others have a cognitive bias and when you have one yourself.

Biases can influence how someone understands the facts presented to them. But when you’re aware of those biases, you can question yourself on those biases and consider other points of view.

Identifying biases is especially important for people who make hiring decisions. That’s because biases against groups of minorities can lead to inequalities in the workplace when not identified. 

For example, imagine a hiring manager comparing two resumes. Their gut feeling could guide them to discount one of the resumes due to a bias against the opposite gender. But let’s say this hiring manager realizes they have this bias. They can then question themselves on whether or not this bias is influencing their judgment. 

2. Inference

Inference is the ability to draw conclusions based on the information you have. Without inference, it can be difficult to take action once you’ve analyzed the facts presented to you. Processing information is key to coming up with a reasoned judgment.

For example, let’s go back to the accountant struggling to assign the correct category to a business expense. They can analyze other similar situations and infer the most logical category based on that information.

3. Research

Before you analyze facts and infer a conclusion, you need to find out what those facts are. Researching skills allow you to discover facts and figures to make an argument.

Not all situations will have the required information available to you. Researching skills are necessary to dig into a situation and gather the information you need to think critically.

Some situations don’t require further research. For example, a first responder who arrives on the scene of an automobile accident won’t perform further research. They’ll have to analyze what they see in front of them and decide which injuries are the most urgent to care for. 

On the other hand, someone performing a market analysis will need to research competitors and gather information before coming up with an opinion. 

4. Identification

Identification is different from inference and research. It involves being able to identify a problem but also what’s influencing that problem.

In short, identification is necessary for someone to realize that they need to think critically about something. Without proper identification skills, it will be difficult for someone to know when it’s time to analyze a situation. 

For example, let’s say you’re entering numbers in a spreadsheet. The numbers aren’t coming out as they usually do. Without identification skills, you could easily keep going without realizing there’s an issue. But when you identify what’s going on, you can see that something is broken in the spreadsheet’s formula.

Only once you identify the fact that the formula is broken can you start analyzing what’s going on to solve the issue.

5. Curiosity

Don’t be afraid to question everything and explore what you’re curious about. That’s because intellectual curiosity is a valuable skill, especially when it comes to critical thinking.

One way to practice curiosity is to adopt a beginner’s mindset . When you come into every situation with the mindset of a beginner, you’re able to keep an open mind. You’ll be able to perceive things you may not have noticed when keeping your mind closed.

6. Judging relevance

Not all information is equally pertinent. In order to make a critical judgment, it’s important to be able to judge the relevance of the information you have.

Take, for instance, basic online researching skills. You have access to a plethora of information on virtually every topic imaginable. But performing online research requires you to constantly judge the relevance of what you see. 

Without judging relevance, you’d spend too much time on details that don’t matter as much for the final desired outcome. But when you’re able to discern what’s most pertinent, you can give that information more weight as you’re thinking critically.

So what would critical thinking skills look like in a real-life situation?

Let’s imagine you’re working in software quality assurance (QA) as a team lead. But every time your team needs to enter bug regression, everyone gets bottlenecked because you must manually populate the spreadsheet used for the regression. While you do this task, your team cannot be productive without you.

This process happens once a week and easily wastes half an hour for each team member.

First, you must identify what’s going on. The team gets bottlenecked because only you, as the team lead, can access the information required to fill in the regression spreadsheet.

Next, you can research information. You can inquire to higher-ups about the reason why only you have access to this information. You can also speak to other teams about what potential solutions they’ve come up with to solve this problem.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to analyze the information and judge relevance. Some teams have solutions that don’t apply to you, so that information isn’t relevant anymore. 

Figure out if there are any personal biases before you analyze your information. 

For example, it’s possible that you don’t get along with one of the other team leads. As a result, you could discount the information they’ve given you. But by identifying this bias, you can look past your personal opinion of this person and see how valuable their solution is.

Based on what you’ve analyzed, it’s time to brainstorm and come up with a solution. You realize that creating a simple, automated script will save your team’s time. And it will do so without consuming too many resources from the engineering department.

Next, present your solution to your manager. Explain how you came to this conclusion. 

Now, let’s say your spreadsheet automation solution is approved. It’s important to go back and analyze what happens after implementing the solution. But only do this once the spreadsheet has been in place for long enough to gather plenty of information. 

Here’s an example. You could realize that the solution did solve the bottleneck. But, the script also slows down the spreadsheet and makes it difficult to work with. This would require you to go back to the drawing board and start the process all over again.

Want to start improving your own critical thinking skill sets? Here’s how you can improve critical thinking skills using 13 techniques:

• Play games that require critical thinking skills
• Ask more questions, even basic ones
• Question your assumptions
• Develop your technical skills so that you can identify problems more easily
• Find ways to solve more problems (at work and at home)
• Become aware of your mental processes, like the availability heuristic
• Think for yourself: don’t adopt other people’s opinions without questioning them first
• Seek out diversity of thought
• Start developing foresight
• Try active listening
• Weigh the consequences of different actions before you act
• Seek a mentor who can help you develop these skills
• Get professional coaching

How to improve your critical thinking skills 

Critical thinking skills aren’t always easy to develop. But it’s much easier to start thinking critically when you have someone to work with. Try a custom BetterUp demo to see how a coach can help you develop your critical thinking skills today.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

How to develop critical thinking skills

How intrapersonal skills shape teams, plus 5 ways to build them, the most critical skills for leaders are fundamentally human, what’s convergent thinking how to be a better problem-solver, 12 verbal communication skills for everyday life, the new skill set needed to succeed in the hybrid workplace, what business acumen is and 9 ways to develop it, entrepreneurial mindset: what is it & how to think like an entrepreneur, what are metacognitive skills examples in everyday life, what is lateral thinking 7 techniques to encourage creative ideas, 9 cognitive skill examples and how to improve them, 8 brainstorming techniques to harness the power of teamwork, how to pitch ideas: 8 tips to captivate any audience, what are analytical skills examples and how to level up, how divergent thinking can drive your creativity, how the minto pyramid principle can enhance your communication skills, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

• Platform overview
• Integrations
• Powered by AI
• BetterUp Lead™
• BetterUp Manage™
• BetterUp Care®
• Sales Performance
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Case studies
• ROI of BetterUp
• What is coaching?
• About Coaching
• Find your Coach
• Career Coaching
• Communication Coaching
• Personal Coaching
• News and Press
• Leadership Team
• Become a BetterUp Coach
• BetterUp Briefing
• Center for Purpose & Performance
• Leadership Training
• Business Coaching
• Contact Support
• Contact Sales
• Privacy Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Trust & Security
• Cookie Preferences

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• Resume and Cover Letter
• How Do You Describe...

How Do You Describe Analytical Skills on a Resume?

11 min read · Updated on August 15, 2024

How do you say you have analytical skills on a resume?

As the economy becomes ever more complex, employers are increasingly prioritizing employees who know how to resolve problems and overcome challenges. To succeed in your job search, you need to demonstrate those abilities in a way that helps you stand out from the competition. One of the best ways to accomplish that goal is to include analytical skills in your resume that highlight your problem-solving abilities.

In this article, we'll show you how to describe analytical skills on your resume and explain why they're so important for making the right impression on today's employers. 

What are analytical skills?

Analytical skills include all those abilities that enable you to investigate a problem and find the ideal solution in a timely, efficient manner. These skills are used whenever you're identifying patterns, brainstorming for ideas, interpreting data, integrating information, or making decisions based on multiple factors.

If you're unsure which analytical skills you possess, take a detailed look at your accomplishments and your methods for getting the best results. You might have more of these abilities than you think. Here are just a few of the many analytical skills you may possess:

Related reading : 7 Best Problem-Solving Skills for Your Resume + Examples

A creative eye can spot trends in data that others may not see. Creativity is also useful for problem-solving when the obvious solution is not always the best solution. Creative thinkers often find effective solutions to big problems. Creative skills include:

Brainstorming

Collaboration

Optimization

Predictive modeling

Restructuring

Strategic planning

Integration

Critical thinking 

Critical thinking involves the ability to evaluate information and make decisions based on your findings of fact. The ability to use critical thinking is vital for employees who are tasked with solving problems for their employers. Critical thinking skills include:

Process management

Benchmarking

Big data analytics

Case analysis

Causal relationships

Comparative analysis

Correlation

Deductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning

Diagnostics

Data interpretation

Troubleshooting

Communication

Of course, you also need to communicate solutions to your colleagues so that ideas can be shared and implemented. Effective communicators know how to discuss patterns, conclusions, and recommendations. They're also able to lead and collaborate with co-workers to find the best possible solution for any challenge. Analytical communication skills include:

Active listening

Verbal communication

Written communication

Effective presentation

Related reading : 11 Best Communication Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

Data analysis

Data analysis is the ability to evaluate information to identify patterns and dependencies. It's a skill that enables you to examine a large volume of data and identify trends, recognize broader concepts, and present conclusions for top decision-makers. Data analysis skills include:

Observation

Business analysis

SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)

Cost analysis

Credit analysis

Financial analysis

Industry research

Policy analysis

Predictive analytics

Process analysis

Qualitative analysis

ROI analysis

Why are analytical skills important on your resume?

Companies are always looking for employees who have the analytical skills they need to find new solutions to problems and challenges. Those problems solvers can be vital for leading teams down new paths that bolster efficiency, productivity, and profitability. By highlighting key analytical skills on your resume, you can make the right impression on employers who need experienced problem-solvers for their teams.

The ability to see trends, draw conclusions, and communicate options is a must in finance, data science, medicine, marketing, law, and many other industries.

That's why it's crucial to showcase your analytical skills in your resume for any potential hiring manager. It's not enough to simply say that you have “analytical” or “critical thinking” skills in a cover letter. To properly illustrate those capabilities, you need to use your resume to demonstrate those essential skills.

How to demonstrate analytical skills on your resume

The keyword here is to figure out how to use your resume narrative to illustrate those analytical skills. Many resumes will use words and phrases like “critical thinker,” “communicator,” or “solution-oriented,” but just listing those skills won't be enough to impress employers. To do that, you'll need to show how you've utilized those skills to create value for past employers. You can do that by:

Giving examples of situations in your job where those skills lead to a solution

Describing a specific process that you utilized

Listing major achievements enabled by your analytical skills

Including specific training courses related to analytical skills

Using synonyms to avoid repeating the words “analyzed,” “analysis,” and “analytical skills”

Where do I list analytical skills on the resume?

The resume summary section.

The summary is a good place to introduce a skill that has served you repeatedly throughout your career. If you've assisted clients in analyzing their workflow, have often been called upon to find unique solutions, or are a manager known for leading teams through difficult situations, this is the place to introduce that in a section that serves as your initial pitch to any employer. For example:

Solutions-driven market analyst with 6+ years of experience advising businesses on trends and product strategies. Lead partner for Consulting Company X. Extensive experience with digital transformation, data analysis, and identifying insights that lead to innovative solutions. Created and implemented an online strategy that revolutionized a client's market outreach and increased their market share by 20%.

Related reading : Resume Profile Explained (with Examples)

The work experience section

Your professional work history section is another great place to list analytical skills that have contributed to demonstrable successes. Here, you have the opportunity to use stats, percentages, and dollar amounts to show how your ability to assess and solve problems increased revenue, advanced market share, enabled team success, or provided other significant benefits to the company.

In the work history section, you're less likely to use the terms that define analytical skills and more likely to describe them indirectly by showing the success they've brought. 

Make use of the STAR (Situation–Task–Action–Result) model when selecting accomplishments to list in your work history. 

Situation: The employer wanted to achieve a target. 

Task: You were tasked with devising solutions to meet this target.

Action: What steps you took to perform the task.

Result: How your actions benefited the company.

Related reading : How to Create an Effective STAR Method Resume (With Examples)

When phrasing the accomplishment in your work history, follow the ATM model: Action verb // Task // Metric . Here's an example:

Analyzed $80k/month marketing spend // to optimize reach ; // increased conversion by 15% MoM and d ecreased cost per acquisition by 20%

Take a look at the following example. This resume shows how this person's strong data analysis and market research skills helped advance his company into a new market; how their process analysis skills helped optimize their inventory system; and how their communication skills helped them train and manage staff. The words “invented” and “generated” help to illustrate the candidate's creativity.

WORK HISTORY

Project Manager

Artus Springs - Phoenix, AZ

01/2017 - 02/2020

Developed a market entry strategy for the Northwest market, leading to $1.3 million in new market revenue in the first 2 years of operations

Increased stock turnover by 30% and KPIs by 15% by overhauling the inventory management process

Successfully managed a 5-member leadership team

Organized and led events with 40 suppliers

Recruited and trained a diverse team composed of 100+ brand ambassadors

Invented cross-category marketing solutions, bringing +12% market advertising penetration

Related reading: 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

The skills section

Because analytical skills are often listed in job descriptions, hiring managers will look for them in the skills section. ATS systems will also scan the skills section to filter for resumes with relevant skills. So, if the job listing to which you are applying clearly lists specific analytical skills that you have, make sure they are listed in your skills section as well. 

The key here is to list skills that specifically relate to the job and industry. Remember, it's crucial to tailor each resume to a specific job offer. That includes the skills section. Always look for keywords in the job description that relate to analytical skills. Is it a management position? If so, then communication skills are a must.

Also, be prepared to discuss those skills in an interview. Before you add any skill to your list, make sure that you can back it up with a story of how you used it to accomplish something of value for your employer.

You should also focus on word choices that are as specific as possible. If the job description calls for “communication”, you should definitely include that skill. But is there a specific area of communication in which you excel? Are you experienced in team presentations, persuasive speaking, team management, or other specific types of communication?

Related reading : 100 + Keywords, Verbs and Action Words for Your Resume

Remember there are both soft skills and hard skills that qualify as analytical skills. “Data analysis” can be trained, but “market prediction” is a skill developed with experience. When considering which analytical skills you possess, consider both categories.

Here are some example skills for a Research Assistant resume:

SPECIAL SKILLS

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Quantitative analysis

Strategic thinking

Data management systems

A special achievements section

An achievements section may not be needed for every resume, but there are times when it's helpful to include one. For example, an accomplishments section can be useful if you have impressive achievements outside of the workplace, such as community organizing, volunteering, or hobbies with impressive, relatable skills. 

If you're in a senior executive position in your career, it can be helpful to add a Career Highlights section at the top of your resume, showcasing the many accomplishments you've achieved throughout your career.

On the other hand, if you're just beginning your career journey but have significant achievements in school or your community, an accomplishments section can be a great place to list them.

If you're looking to use this section to highlight your analytical skills, focus on accomplishments with demonstrable results. We've provided some examples below to help you get started.

Example #1: outside the workplace

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Raised $10,000 for lymphoma research through community fundraisers

Created annual “Feed the Homeless” events within my community, raising $1,500 avg.

Led Girl Scout Troops on hikes of the full length of the Appalachian Trail in 2018-2022

Example #2: career highlights

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Led a team of 15 employees in a local call center location for more than 5 years

Created and implemented a new training program, which resulted in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction

Managed an international customer service team of 25+ employees

Implemented Lean Management directives at company X, which cut overall operating costs by 35%

Example #3: recent graduate

EXTRACURRICULARS

Tutored SAT and ACT, improving their test scores by 40% for the average student.

Tutored 4 students in linear algebra, helping them improve by two grades on average.

Organized debate club travel logistics for away meets.

Analytical skills in your education section

If you have a degree, advanced training, or other qualification that could help demonstrate analytical skills, make sure you list it in your education section. Majors in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or statistics demonstrate analytical skills. If you're a recent graduate, include relevant minors. If the job is specifically looking for particular skills and you've taken seminars or have received certifications for new skills, be sure to highlight them under education.

Davis University, Bachelor of Science

Major in Computer Science

Minor in Statistics

Teaching assistant Sept 2019 - May 2020

Analytical skills in your resume can help you stand out to employers

Analytical skills are in high demand. Knowing how to effectively highlight those analytical skills on your resume can help to differentiate you from the competition and make a great first impression on employers. By using the tips and examples in this guide, you can ensure that your resume showcases those critical skills in a way that helps employers to understand the type of value you can provide as a new hire.

TopResume understands that talking about your own skills and achievements can be a difficult challenge. Reach out to our expert team of resume writers to help build your resume that successfully highlights analytical skills on your resume.  

This article was originally written by Robert Lyons. It has been updated by Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

What's an ATS-Friendly Resume? And How to Write One | TopResume  

How to Write a Chronological Resume (Tips + Examples) | TopResume  

Resume Objective Examples That Get You Hired | TopResume

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

Enhancing Your Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

Oct 11, 2023 | Research FAQs

A Comprehensive Guide to Critical Thinking And Analytical Skills

Critical thinking is a foundational skill that plays a pivotal role in the academic journey of tertiary institution students and is highly sought after in the professional world. It is the ability to assess, analyse, and synthesise information in a systematic and rational manner to make well-informed decisions. In today’s complex and data-driven world, honing your critical thinking and analytical skills is not just an option but a necessity for success.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the process of actively and objectively evaluating information, concepts, situations, or problems in order to make reasoned judgments. It involves careful analysis, logical reasoning, and a willingness to question assumptions. A critical thinker is someone who can approach problems with an open mind, assess various perspectives, and arrive at well-informed conclusions. Here are some key steps one can take to help with critical thinking.

Key Steps To Improve Your Critical and Analytical Thinking

Develop information literacy.

Information literacy is the foundation of critical thinking. To improve your critical thinking skills, become proficient in finding, evaluating, and using information effectively. Utilise academic databases, libraries, and credible online sources. For example, when researching a topic for a term paper, explore multiple sources, critically assess their reliability, and cross-reference information to validate facts.

Information literacy forms the bedrock of effective critical thinking. To truly excel in this area, it’s essential to become proficient at not just finding information, but also evaluating its quality and relevance, and then applying it effectively to your academic pursuits and beyond. One way to do this is by harnessing the vast resources available through academic databases, libraries, and credible online sources.

For instance, when tasked with researching a topic for a term paper, don’t simply settle for the first source you find. Instead, cast a wide net, exploring multiple sources, each from a different angle. But don’t stop at that; critically assess the reliability of each source. Cross-reference information across various references to validate facts and ensure the accuracy of your findings. This process of information literacy is akin to building a sturdy foundation for a house – it’s what all your critical thinking skills will rest upon.

Enhance Problem-Solving Abilities

Critical thinking is closely linked to problem-solving. Practice dissecting complex problems into smaller, manageable components. Utilise tools like root cause analysis to identify underlying issues. For instance, in a case study about a company’s declining sales, analyse the possible causes, such as market trends, competition, or internal factors, to arrive at a holistic solution.

The link between critical thinking and problem-solving is undeniable. It’s crucial to practice breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components. Much like a detective dissecting a complex case, you need to utilise tools like root cause analysis to identify the underlying issues. For example, imagine you’re presented with a case study about a company experiencing a significant decline in sales.

Here, your critical thinking skills come into play. Analyse the possible causes, which could range from shifting market trends and fierce competition to internal factors within the company. To arrive at a holistic solution, you must weigh each factor’s significance and potential interplay. Developing your problem-solving skills in this way helps you approach intricate issues methodically, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Effective Communication Skills

Strong analytical skills are only valuable if you can communicate your findings clearly and persuasively. To do this, refine your written and verbal communication skills. Craft compelling arguments, support them with evidence, and structure your thoughts logically. When presenting your research, consider your audience and tailor your message accordingly.

Strong analytical skills are worth their weight in gold, but their true value is unlocked only when you can convey your findings clearly and persuasively. This requires honing your written and verbal communication skills. Craft compelling arguments that are not just based on your analysis but also supported by a wealth of evidence. Your thoughts should be structured logically, allowing your audience to follow your reasoning effortlessly.

When it comes to presenting your research, remember that communication is about more than just conveying information; it’s also about ensuring your message resonates with your audience. Tailor your message accordingly, considering the knowledge and interests of those you are addressing. Effective communication acts as the bridge that connects your analytical prowess with real-world impact.

Critical Reading and Note-Taking

Critical thinking begins with critical reading. When reviewing academic texts or research papers, actively engage with the material. Take notes, highlight key points, and question the author’s assumptions and arguments. For example, while reading a scientific paper, analyse the methodology, data, and conclusions to assess the study’s validity.

Critical thinking is a process that begins with critical reading. When you’re sifting through academic texts or research papers, it’s not enough to passively consume information. Actively engage with the material. Take notes, highlighting key points and jotting down questions that arise. Challenge the author’s assumptions and arguments – this is where your critical thinking shines.

For example, imagine you’re reading a scientific paper. Don’t simply accept the presented data and conclusions at face value. Instead, delve into the methodology employed. Analyse the data with a discerning eye, considering factors that may impact its validity. By critically assessing the information you encounter, you refine your ability to discern between robust research and less reliable sources.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities to learn and improve. This mindset fosters resilience and a willingness to adapt, both of which are essential for analytical thinking.

A growth mindset is a powerful ally in your journey towards becoming a proficient critical thinker. It centres around the belief that abilities and intelligence aren’t fixed traits but can be cultivated through dedication and hard work. Embrace challenges with enthusiasm and view failures as opportunities for learning and growth. This mindset fosters resilience, ensuring you bounce back from setbacks with renewed determination. The willingness to adapt and learn from mistakes is an essential facet of analytical thinking. Cultivating a growth mindset helps you approach problems with the confidence that, with effort, you can surmount any obstacle, and with each challenge you conquer, your critical thinking abilities grow stronger.

Data Analysis and Statistics

In today’s data-driven world, proficiency in data analysis and statistics is a valuable asset. Learn to interpret data, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions. For instance, when conducting research on consumer behaviour, use statistical tools to analyse survey results and draw insights that inform decision-making.

In today’s data-driven landscape, proficiency in data analysis and statistics is a prized asset. The ability to interpret data, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions is integral to informed decision-making.

Consider, for example, a scenario where you’re conducting research on consumer behaviour. To extract valuable insights that can inform decision-making, you need to use statistical tools to analyse survey results. This analysis allows you to pinpoint trends, correlations, and patterns within the data. By translating raw data into actionable insights, you contribute not only to your academic endeavours but also to the broader world of decision-makers relying on data-driven strategies.

Ethical Considerations

Critical thinking involves ethical reasoning. Examine the ethical implications of your decisions and actions. Consider the consequences of various choices and strive to make morally responsible decisions. In a business ethics course, for example, analyse case studies involving ethical dilemmas and propose ethical solutions.

Critical thinking isn’t solely about rational analysis; it also encompasses ethical reasoning. As you navigate your academic journey and beyond, it’s crucial to examine the ethical implications of your decisions and actions. Consider the consequences of various choices, striving to make morally responsible decisions. In a business ethics course, for instance, you might be tasked with analysing case studies involving ethical dilemmas. Here, your critical thinking skills are indispensable. You must assess each situation from various angles, weighing the potential ethical ramifications of each course of action. In such contexts, critical thinking empowers you to propose ethical solutions that align with your ethical principles.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Critical thinking benefits from a multidisciplinary approach. Draw from various fields of study to gain diverse perspectives and insights. For instance, when researching climate change, incorporate knowledge from environmental science, economics, and sociology to form a comprehensive understanding.

Critical thinking thrives when it embraces a multidisciplinary approach. Drawing from various fields of study allows you to gain diverse perspectives and insights that enrich your analytical thinking. Imagine you’re researching a complex issue like climate change. Instead of confining yourself to a single discipline, you’d incorporate knowledge from environmental science, economics, and sociology to form a comprehensive understanding. This multidisciplinary perspective equips you with a broader knowledge base and a more holistic view of complex issues, enabling you to dissect and analyse them from various angles.

Logical Fallacies and Cognitive Biases

Recognising and avoiding logical fallacies and cognitive biases is crucial for sound critical thinking. Study common fallacies such as ad hominem attacks and slippery slope arguments. In debates or discussions, be vigilant in identifying and countering these errors in reasoning.

An essential facet of critical thinking is recognising and avoiding logical fallacies and cognitive biases. These mental traps can lead to flawed reasoning and erroneous conclusions. To guard against them, dedicate time to study common fallacies, such as ad hominem attacks and slippery slope arguments.

Then, in debates or discussions, be vigilant in identifying and countering these errors in reasoning. For instance, when someone presents a hasty generalisation, use your knowledge of logical fallacies to point out the flawed reasoning and encourage a more rational discussion. By mastering this skill, you bolster the integrity of your critical thinking process.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, critical thinking improves with practice. Engage in critical thinking exercises, join debate clubs, participate in group discussions, and tackle challenging puzzles or brainteasers. Consistent practice sharpens your analytical abilities over time.

Lastly, it’s important to recognise that like any skill, critical thinking improves with practice. Engaging in regular critical thinking exercises, such as puzzles or brainteasers, can be immensely beneficial. Joining debate clubs or participating in group discussions provides opportunities to challenge your thinking and refine your analytical abilities. Consistent practice sharpens your capacity to analyse situations, dissect complex problems, and arrive at well-founded conclusions. Over time, these practices transform your analytical abilities from a skill you consciously apply to an intrinsic part of your thought process, enriching your academic and professional endeavours.

Key Critical Thinking Actions

• Information Quality Assessment: Always scrutinise the quality and reliability of your information sources. Utilise academic databases, peer-reviewed journals, and reputable websites.
• Collaborative Learning: Collaborate with peers to foster critical discussions and gain diverse viewpoints. Group projects and brainstorming sessions can stimulate critical thinking.
• Mind Mapping: Use mind maps or concept maps to visually organise complex information and relationships. This technique aids in understanding and analysing intricate concepts.
• Seek Feedback: Encourage constructive feedback on your arguments and thought processes. Others’ insights can help you refine your critical thinking skills.
• Deductive and Inductive Reasoning: Understand the difference between deductive (from general to specific) and inductive (from specific to general) reasoning and apply them appropriately in your analyses.

In today’s fast-paced and data-driven academic environment, cultivating critical thinking and analytical skills is not just advantageous but imperative. These skills empower you to assess information objectively, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions. By following the key tips outlined in this guide, you can embark on a journey of continuous improvement in your critical thinking abilities.

Remember that critical thinking is a skill that evolves over time with practice and dedication. Embrace challenges, seek diverse perspectives, and remain open to learning. As you advance in your academic and professional journey, your honed critical thinking and analytical skills will set you apart as a well-rounded and adaptable thinker.

Useful Resources

Way With Words – Offers professional transcription services that can be immensely helpful for academic research. Accurate transcriptions of interviews, lectures, and discussions can serve as valuable resources for critical analysis and research projects.

The Critical Thinking Community – Provides a wealth of resources, including articles, books, and teaching strategies, to help you develop your critical thinking skills .

Coursera – Coursera offers a wide range of online courses and specialisations on critical thinking and analytical skills, delivered by top universities and institutions. These courses can supplement your academic journey and provide practical exercises to enhance your abilities.

Engagement Questions

As you embark on your journey to enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills, consider the following questions:

• How can you incorporate critical thinking exercises into your daily routine?
• What role does ethical reasoning play in your decision-making process?
• In what ways can you apply your analytical skills to real-world problems in your field of study?

• Business Essentials
• Leadership & Management
• Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• Finance & Accounting
• Business in Society
• For Organizations
• Support Portal
• Media Coverage
• Founding Donors
• Leadership Team

• Harvard Business School →
• HBS Online →
• Business Insights →

Business Insights

Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

• Career Development
• Communication
• Decision-Making
• Earning Your MBA
• Negotiation
• News & Events
• Productivity
• Staff Spotlight
• Student Profiles
• Work-Life Balance
• AI Essentials for Business
• Alternative Investments
• Business Analytics
• Business Strategy
• Business and Climate Change
• Creating Brand Value
• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Disruptive Strategy
• Economics for Managers
• Entrepreneurial Marketing
• Entrepreneurship Essentials
• Financial Accounting
• Global Business
• Launching Tech Ventures
• Leadership Principles
• Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
• Leading Change and Organizational Renewal
• Leading with Finance
• Management Essentials
• Negotiation Mastery
• Organizational Leadership
• Power and Influence for Positive Impact
• Strategy Execution
• Sustainable Business Strategy
• Sustainable Investing
• Winning with Digital Platforms

4 Ways to Improve Your Analytical Skills

• 07 Jan 2021

Data is ubiquitous. It’s collected at every purchase made, flight taken, ad clicked, and social media post liked—which means it’s never been more crucial to understand how to analyze it.

“Never before has so much data about so many different things been collected and stored every second of every day,” says Harvard Business School Professor Jan Hammond in the online course Business Analytics .

The volume of data you encounter can be overwhelming and raise several questions: Can I trust the data’s source? Is it structured in a way that makes sense? What story does it tell, and what actions does it prompt?

Data literacy and analytical skills can enable you to answer these questions and not only make sense of raw data, but use it to drive impactful change at your organization.

Here’s a look at what it means to be data literate and four ways to improve your analytical skills.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is Data Literacy?

Data literacy is the ability to analyze, interpret, and question data. A dataset is made up of numerous data points that, when viewed together, tell a story.

Before conducting an analysis, it’s important to ensure your data’s quality and structure is in accordance with your organization’s needs.

“In order to transform data into actionable information, you first need to evaluate its quality,” says Professor Dustin Tingley in the Harvard Online course Data Science Principles . “But evaluating the quality of your data is just the first step. You’ll also need to structure your data. Without structure, it’s nearly impossible to extract any information.”

When you’re able to look at quality data, structure it, and analyze it, trends emerge. The next step is to reflect on your analysis and take action.

Tingley shares several questions to ask yourself once you’ve analyzed your dataset: “Did all the steps I took make sense? If so, how should I respond to my analysis? If not, what should I go back and improve?”

For example, you may track users who click a button to download an e-book from your website.

After ensuring your data’s quality and structuring it in a way that makes sense, you begin your analysis and find that a user’s age is positively correlated with their likelihood to click. What story does this trend tell? What does it say about your users, product offering, and business strategy?

To answer these questions, you need strong analytical skills, which you can develop in several ways.

Related: Business Analytics: What It Is & Why It’s Important

How to Improve Your Analytical Skills

Analysis is an important skill to have in any industry because it enables you to support decisions with data, learn more about your customers, and predict future trends.

Key analytical skills for business include:

• Visualizing data
• Determining the relationship between two or more variables
• Forming and testing hypotheses
• Performing regressions using statistical programs, such as Microsoft Excel
• Deriving actionable conclusions from data analysis

If you want to provide meaningful conclusions and data-based recommendations to your team, here are four ways to bolster your analytical skills.

Related: How to Learn Business Analytics Without A Business Background

1. Consider Opposing Viewpoints

While engaging with opposing viewpoints can help you expand your perspective, combat bias, and show your fellow employees their opinions are valued, it can also be a useful way to practice analytical skills.

When analyzing data, it’s crucial to consider all possible interpretations and avoid getting stuck in one way of thinking.

For instance, revisit the example of tracking users who click a button on your site to download an e-book. The data shows that the user’s age is positively correlated with their likelihood to click the button; as age increases, downloads increase, too. At first glance, you may interpret this trend to mean that a user chooses to download the e-book because of their age.

This conclusion, however, doesn’t take into consideration the vast number of variables that change with age. For instance, perhaps the real reason your older users are more likely to download the e-book is their higher level of responsibility at work, higher average income, or higher likelihood of being parents.

This example illustrates the need to consider multiple interpretations of data, and specifically shows the difference between correlation (the trending of two or more variables in the same direction) and causation (when a trend in one variable causes a trend to occur in one or more other variables).

“Data science is built on a foundation of critical thinking,” Tingley says in Data Science Principles . “From the first step of determining the quality of a data source to determining the accuracy of an algorithm, critical thinking is at the heart of every decision data scientists—and those who work with them—make.”

To practice this skill, challenge yourself to question your assumptions and ask others for their opinions. The more you actively engage with different viewpoints, the less likely you are to get stuck in a one-track mindset when analyzing data.

2. Play Games or Brain Teasers

If you’re looking to sharpen your skills on a daily basis, there are many simple, enjoyable ways to do so.

Games, puzzles, and stories that require visualizing relationships between variables, examining situations from multiple angles, and drawing conclusions from known data points can help you build the skills necessary to analyze data.

Some fun ways to practice analytical thinking include:

• Crossword puzzles
• Mystery novels
• Logic puzzles
• Strategic board games or card games

These options can supplement your analytics coursework and on-the-job experience. Some of them also allow you to spend time with friends or family. Try engaging with one each day to hone your analytical mindset.

Related: 3 Examples of Business Analytics in Action

3. Take an Online Analytics Course

Whether you want to learn the basics, brush up on your skills, or expand your knowledge, taking an analytics course is an effective way to improve. A course can enable you to focus on the content you want to learn, engage with the material presented by a professional in the field, and network and interact with others in the data analytics space.

For a beginner, courses like Harvard Online's Data Science Principles can provide a foundation in the language of data. A more advanced course, like Harvard Online's Data Science for Business , may be a fit if you’re looking to explore specific facets of analytics, such as forecasting and machine learning. If you’re interested in hands-on applications of analytical formulas, a course like HBS Online's Business Analytics could be right for you. The key is to understand what skills you hope to gain, then find a course that best fits your needs.

If you’re balancing a full-time job with your analytics education, an online format may be a good choice . It offers the flexibility to engage with course content whenever and wherever is most convenient for you.

An online course may also present the opportunity to network and build relationships with other professionals devoted to strengthening their analytical skills. A community of like-minded learners can prove to be an invaluable resource as you learn and advance your career.

Related: Is An Online Business Analytics Course Worth It?

4. Engage With Data

Once you have a solid understanding of data science concepts and formulas, the next step is to practice. Like any skill, analytical skills improve the more you use them.

Mock datasets—which you can find online or create yourself—present a low-risk option for putting your skills to the test. Import the data into Microsoft Excel, then explore: make mistakes, try that formula you’re unsure of, and ask big questions of your dataset. By testing out different analyses, you can gain confidence in your knowledge.

Once you’re comfortable, engage with your organization’s data. Because these datasets have inherent meaning to your business's financial health, growth, and strategic direction, analyzing them can produce evidence and insights that support your decisions and drive change at your organization.

Investing in Your Data Literacy

As data continues to be one of businesses’ most valuable resources, taking the time and effort to build and bolster your analytical skill set is vital.

“Much more data are going to be available; we’re only seeing the beginning now,” Hammond says in a previous article . “If you don’t use the data, you’re going to fall behind. People that have those capabilities—as well as an understanding of business contexts—are going to be the ones that will add the most value and have the greatest impact.”

Are you interested in furthering your data literacy? Download our Beginner’s Guide to Data & Analytics to learn how you can leverage the power of data for professional and organizational success.

About the Author

• Product overview
• All features
• Latest feature release
• App integrations
• project icon Project management
• goal icon Goals and reporting
• asana-intelligence icon Asana AI
• workflow icon Workflows and automation
• portfolio icon Resource management
• my-task icon Admin and security
• list icon Personal
• premium icon Starter
• briefcase icon Advanced
• Goal management
• Organizational planning
• Project intake
• Resource planning
• Product launches
• View all use cases arrow-right icon

• Help Center
• Asana Academy
• Certifications
• Work management hub
• Customer stories
• Get support
• Developer support
• Customer Success
• Project plans
• Team goals & objectives
• Team continuity
• Meeting agenda
• View all templates arrow-right icon
• Collaboration |
• How to build your critical thinking ski ...

How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps (with examples)

Critical thinking is, well, critical. By developing critical thinking skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.

Critical thinking comes from asking the right questions to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have strong critical thinking skills. In this article, we’ll help you build a foundation for critical thinking so you can absorb, analyze, and make informed decisions. 

See Asana in action

Drive clarity and impact at scale by connecting work and workflows to company-wide goals.

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution. 

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex cognitive process:

Michael Scriven , an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action."

Robert Ennis , professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do."

Diane Halpern , a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."

8 essential critical thinking skills to develop

Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:

Identify patterns and trends in the data

Break down complex issues into manageable components

Recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence

Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .

Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:

Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints

Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered

Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback

Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information

Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.

3. Problem-solving

Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields like project management and entrepreneurship.

Key aspects of problem-solving include:

Clearly defining the problem

Gathering relevant information

Brainstorming potential solutions

Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution

Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary

Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts, and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment

Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:

Objectively gathering and analyzing information

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence

Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions

Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning

Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions, and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous learning and improvement.

Key aspects of reflective thinking include:

Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases

Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources

Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions

Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes

Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event, considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication

Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork, leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical thinking include:

Clearly expressing complex ideas

Active listening and comprehension

Adapting communication styles to different audiences

Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments

Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team, addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research

Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning. Effective research involves:

Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information

Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources

Synthesizing information from multiple sources

Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge

Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before publishing an article on a controversial topic.

8. Decision-making

Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Key aspects of decision-making include:

Defining clear criteria for evaluation

Gathering and analyzing relevant information

Considering short-term and long-term consequences

Managing uncertainty and risk

Balancing logic and intuition

Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

How to develop critical thinking skills in 7 steps

Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7 step critical thinking process

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. 

The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias. 

If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option between different choices. Check out our article on 7 steps to creating a decision matrix .

1. Identify the problem or question

Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few different perspectives and asking questions like: 

What’s happening? 

Why is this happening? 

What assumptions am I making? 

At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem? 

A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer? Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details helps you later on in the process. 

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up with the best solution, you need to dig deeper. 

During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.

Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant. 

Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process. 

To determine data relevance, ask yourself:

How reliable is this information? 

How significant is this information? 

Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field? 

4. Consider alternative points of view

One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making. 

We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary. 

Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:

Am I making any assumptions about this information? 

Are there additional variables I haven’t considered? 

Have I evaluated the information from every perspective? 

Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate the most objective conclusion. 

Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the different variables at play so you can make an informed decision. 

6. Develop and communication solutions

Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another solution. 

This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical thinking abilities within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the process

The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time? 

By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially teaching critical thinking skills to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration. This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable approach to problem-solving.

Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you made and what the outcome was.

Decision-making tools for agile businesses

In this ebook, learn how to equip employees to make better decisions—so your business can pivot, adapt, and tackle challenges more effectively than your competition.

Critical thinking examples in the workplace

Imagine you work in user experience design (UX). Your team is focused on pricing and packaging and ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the different services your company offers. Here’s how to apply the critical thinking process in the workplace in seven steps: 

Step 1: Start by identifying the problem

Your current pricing page isn’t performing as well as you want. You’ve heard from customers that your services aren’t clear, and that the page doesn’t answer the questions they have. This page is really important for your company, since it’s where your customers sign up for your service. You and your team have a few theories about why your current page isn’t performing well, but you decide to apply the critical thinking process to ensure you come to the best decision for the page. 

Gather information about how the problem started

Part of identifying the problem includes understanding how the problem started. The pricing and packaging page is important—so when your team initially designed the page, they certainly put a lot of thought into it. Before you begin researching how to improve the page, ask yourself: 

Why did you design the pricing page the way you did? 

Which stakeholders need to be involved in the decision making process? 

Where are users getting stuck on the page?

Are any features currently working?

Step 2: Then gather information and research

In addition to understanding the history of the pricing and packaging page, it’s important to understand what works well. Part of this research means taking a look at what your competitor’s pricing pages look like. 

Ask yourself: 

How have our competitors set up their pricing pages?

Are there any pricing page best practices? 

How does color, positioning, and animation impact navigation? 

Are there any standard page layouts customers expect to see? 

Step 3: Organize and analyze information

You’ve gathered all of the information you need—now you need to organize and analyze it. What trends, if any, are you noticing? Is there any particularly relevant or important information that you have to consider? 

Step 4: Consider alternative viewpoints to reduce bias

In the case of critical thinking, it’s important to address and set bias aside as much as possible. Ask yourself: 

Is there anything I’m missing? 

Have I connected with the right stakeholders? 

Are there any other viewpoints I should consider? 

Step 5: Determine the most logical solution for your team

You now have all of the information you need to design the best pricing page. Depending on the complexity of the design, you may want to design a few options to present to a small group of customers or A/B test on the live website.

Step 6: Communicate your solution to stakeholders

Critical thinking skills can help you in every element of your life, but in the workplace, you must also involve key project stakeholders . Stakeholders help you determine next steps, like whether you’ll A/B test the page first. Depending on the complexity of the issue, consider hosting a meeting or sharing a status report to get everyone on the same page. 

Step 7: Reflect on the results

No process is complete without evaluating the results. Once the new page has been live for some time, evaluate whether it did better than the previous page. What worked? What didn’t? This also helps you make better critical decisions later on.

Tools and techniques to improve critical thinking skills

Understanding how to improve critical thinking skills has become a cornerstone of personal and professional growth in the 21st century. Recognizing the importance of critical thinking, experts across various disciplines have contributed valuable insights and methodologies. Here are some notable contributions from experts and institutions in the field:

Mind mapping: A visual approach to critical thinking skills

Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize and structure information. It's particularly useful for synthesizing complex ideas and identifying connections between different concepts. The benefits of mind mapping include:

Enhancing creativity by encouraging non-linear thinking

Improving memory and retention of information

Facilitating brainstorming and idea generation

Providing a clear overview of complex topics

To create a mind map:

Start with a central idea or concept.

Branch out with related sub topics or ideas.

Use colors, symbols, and images to enhance visual appeal and memorability.

Draw connections between related ideas across different branches.

Mind mapping can be particularly effective in project planning , content creation, and studying complex subjects.

The Socratic Method: Deepening critical thinking skills

The Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This technique is widely used in higher education to teach critical thinking. Key aspects of the Socratic Method include:

Asking open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection

Challenging assumptions and preconceived notions

Exploring the implications and consequences of ideas

Fostering intellectual curiosity and continuous inquiry

The Socratic Method can be applied in various settings:

In education, to encourage students to think deeply about subject matter

In business, it is important to challenge team members to consider multiple points of view.

In personal development, to examine one's own beliefs and decisions

Example: A high school teacher might use the Socratic Method to guide students through a complex ethical dilemma, asking questions like "What principles are at stake here?" and "How might this decision affect different stakeholders?"

SWOT analysis: Comprehensive critical thinking skills

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is a strategic planning tool that can be applied to critical thinking. It helps in evaluating situations from multiple angles, promoting a more thorough understanding of complex issues. The components of SWOT analysis are:

Strengths: internal positive attributes or assets

Weaknesses: internal negative attributes or limitations

Opportunities: External factors that could be beneficial

Threats: External factors that could be harmful

To conduct a SWOT analysis:

Clearly define the subject of analysis (e.g., a project, organization, or decision).

Brainstorm and list items for each category.

Analyze the interactions between different factors.

Use the analysis to inform strategy or decision-making.

Example: A startup might use SWOT analysis to evaluate its position before seeking investment, identifying its innovative technology as a strength, limited capital as a weakness, growing market demand as an opportunity, and established competitors as a threat.

Critical thinking resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking : Based in California, this organization offers a wide range of resources, including books, articles, and workshops on critical thinking.

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking : This council provides guidelines and standards for critical thinking instruction and assessment.

University of Louisville : Their Critical Thinking Initiative offers various resources and tools that teach people how to develop critical thinking skills.

The New York Times Learning Network provides lesson plans and activities to help develop critical thinking skills through current events and news analysis.

Critical thinking frameworks and tools

Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework : Developed by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, this framework provides a comprehensive approach to developing critical thinking skills.

Bloom's Taxonomy : While not exclusively for critical thinking, this classification system is widely used in education to promote higher-order thinking skills.

The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) : This assessment tool measures the disposition to engage in problems and make decisions using critical thinking.

The Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test : Developed by Robert Ennis, this test assesses a person's ability to appraise an argument and to formulate a written argument.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into regular practice, individuals can learn how to improve critical thinking skills, which leads to more effective problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.

The power of critical thinking skills

Critical thinking skills take time to build, but with effort and patience you can apply an unbiased, analytical mind to any situation. Critical thinking makes up one of many soft skills that makes you an effective team member, manager, and worker. If you’re looking to hone your skills further, read our article on the 25 project management skills you need to succeed .

FAQ: Critical thinking skills

What is being a critical thinker?

Being a critical thinker means possessing strong critical thinking skills that allow you to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments. It involves developing analytical skills and the capacity for critical thought. A critical thinker questions assumptions, considers multiple perspectives, and bases decisions on evidence rather than emotions or biases.

What are the 5 C's of critical thinking?

The 5 C's of critical thinking are the core skill sets that make you a better critical thinker:

Curiosity: Asking questions and seeking new information

Creativity: Generating innovative solutions and ideas

Clarity: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and precisely

Consistency: Maintaining logical coherence in arguments and reasoning

Commitment: Dedicating oneself to ongoing learning and improvement

These skills directly improve critical thinking and strengthen overall cognitive abilities. Understanding and practicing these 5 C's is a fundamental aspect of how to develop critical thinking skills effectively.

How do you demonstrate critical thinking?

Demonstrating critical thinking involves applying your skill set in various situations. This includes analyzing problems, evaluating information sources, considering multiple perspectives, and using evidence-based reasoning. Many employers highlight these qualities in job descriptions, as they value employees who can apply critical thought to workplace challenges.

What is a real-life example of critical thinking?

A real-life critical thinking example could be making a major purchase decision, such as buying a car. Here's how you might apply critical thinking skills:

Research: Gather information about different car models, prices, and features

Analysis: Compare and contrast options based on your needs and budget

Evaluation: Assess the reliability of information sources (e.g., consumer reports, user reviews)

Questioning: Ask car dealers probing questions about warranties, maintenance costs, and resale value

Consideration of alternatives: Explore options like leasing or public transportation

Decision-making: Weigh pros and cons to make an informed choice

Reflection: After the purchase, evaluate your decision-making process for future improvement

This critical thinking example demonstrates how critical thought can be applied to everyday situations.

Related resources

110+ icebreaker questions for team building

How Asana’s digital team used work management to refresh our brand

How to streamline compliance management software with Asana

10 tips to improve nonverbal communication

Top 20 Analysis Skills for Resume – How to Highlight with Examples

• Resume Format
• November 6, 2024
• Resume Skills

Analysis Skills for Resume : In today’s competitive job market, possessing strong analysis skills can set you apart from other candidates. Employers are increasingly seeking individuals who can interpret data, draw meaningful conclusions, and make informed decisions. Highlighting these skills on your resume is crucial for showcasing your ability to contribute to an organization’s success.

This article delves into the top 20 analysis skills that can elevate your resume and make a lasting impression on hiring managers. From critical thinking and problem-solving to data interpretation and trend analysis, we will explore each skill in detail.

Additionally, we’ll provide practical examples to help you effectively demonstrate these abilities in your resume. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to present your analysis skills in a way that captures attention and drives interest, ultimately leading to more interview opportunities.

What are Analysis Skills

Analysis skills involve the ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. These skills enable individuals to assess situations critically, solve problems effectively, and make informed decisions. Strong analysis skills are essential in various fields, enhancing strategic thinking and fostering innovation by uncovering insights that drive progress.

Why Analysis Skills Important

Analysis skills are crucial in today’s fast-paced world, enabling individuals to make informed decisions based on data and evidence. These skills empower people to dissect complex information, identify patterns, and derive meaningful insights. Here’s why analysis skills are essential:

• Informed Decision-Making : Strong analytical skills allow individuals to evaluate options critically, leading to better choices in both personal and professional contexts.
• Problem-Solving : Analysis helps break down problems into manageable parts, making it easier to identify root causes and develop effective solutions.
• Enhanced Creativity : By analyzing existing ideas and trends, individuals can innovate and create new concepts that address current challenges.
• Effective Communication : Analytical thinkers can present data and findings clearly, making it easier to convey complex information to others.
• Career Advancement : Many employers seek candidates with strong analytical skills, as they are vital for roles in management, finance, marketing, and technology.
• Adaptability : In a rapidly changing environment, analysis skills enable individuals to assess new information quickly and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Risk Management : By analyzing potential risks and benefits, individuals can make calculated decisions that minimize negative outcomes.

In summary, analysis skills are not just a valuable asset; they are essential for navigating the complexities of modern life, driving success, and fostering innovation. Developing these skills can lead to personal growth and professional opportunities.

List of 20 Analysis Skills for Resume

• Data Interpretation
• Statistical Analysis
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Research Skills
• Trend Analysis
• Data Visualization
• Quantitative Analysis
• Qualitative Analysis
• Risk Assessment
• Market Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• SWOT Analysis
• Root Cause Analysis
• Performance Metrics Evaluation
• Forecasting
• Survey Analysis
• Business Intelligence
• Data Mining
• Process Improvement

Top Required Analysis Skills for Resume

• Critical Thinking Ability to evaluate information objectively and make reasoned judgments. This skill involves analyzing facts, identifying biases, and considering alternative perspectives to arrive at well-informed conclusions, essential for problem-solving and decision-making in complex situations.
• Data Interpretation Proficiency in understanding and extracting meaningful insights from data sets. This skill involves recognizing patterns, trends, and anomalies, enabling informed decisions based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis, crucial for strategic planning.
• Statistical Analysis Expertise in applying statistical methods to analyze data. This includes using techniques like regression, hypothesis testing, and variance analysis to interpret results accurately, providing a solid foundation for data-driven decision-making.
• Research Skills Ability to conduct thorough research using various sources. This skill encompasses gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing information from academic journals, databases, and online resources, ensuring comprehensive understanding and supporting evidence for conclusions.
• Problem-Solving Capacity to identify issues and develop effective solutions. This skill involves analyzing problems, brainstorming potential solutions, and implementing strategies to overcome obstacles, essential for driving progress and innovation in any project.
• Attention to Detail Meticulousness in reviewing information and processes. This skill ensures accuracy and thoroughness in analysis, minimizing errors and enhancing the quality of work, which is vital in data-driven environments.
• Quantitative Analysis Skill in analyzing numerical data to derive insights. This involves using mathematical models and statistical techniques to interpret complex data sets, aiding in forecasting and strategic decision-making.
• Qualitative Analysis Ability to assess non-numerical data, such as interviews or surveys. This skill focuses on understanding underlying themes and patterns, providing context and depth to data interpretation, essential for comprehensive analysis.
• Trend Analysis Expertise in identifying and evaluating trends over time. This skill involves monitoring changes in data patterns, helping organizations anticipate market shifts and make proactive decisions based on emerging trends.
• SWOT Analysis Proficiency in assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This strategic planning tool helps organizations evaluate their position in the market and identify areas for improvement and growth.
• Market Research Ability to gather and analyze information about market conditions. This skill involves understanding consumer behavior, preferences, and competitive landscapes to inform marketing strategies and product development.
• Forecasting Skill in predicting future trends based on historical data. This involves using statistical models and analysis to project outcomes, aiding in resource allocation and strategic planning.
• Data Visualization Proficiency in presenting data visually using charts and graphs. This skill enhances comprehension and communication of complex information, making it easier for stakeholders to grasp insights and make informed decisions.
• Financial Analysis Ability to evaluate financial data to assess performance. This skill involves analyzing income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to provide insights into profitability, liquidity, and financial health.
• Risk Assessment Skill in identifying and evaluating potential risks. This involves analyzing factors that could negatively impact projects or organizations, enabling proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure stability.
• Competitor Analysis Proficiency in assessing competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. This skill involves gathering intelligence on market players to inform strategic positioning and identify opportunities for differentiation.
• Root Cause Analysis Ability to identify the underlying causes of problems. This skill involves systematically investigating issues to determine their origins, facilitating effective solutions and preventing recurrence.
• Scenario Planning Skill in envisioning and analyzing potential future scenarios. This involves assessing various possibilities and their implications, enabling organizations to prepare for uncertainties and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Data Mining Proficiency in extracting valuable information from large data sets. This skill involves using algorithms and statistical techniques to discover patterns and relationships, informing strategic decisions and enhancing business intelligence.
• Collaboration Ability to work effectively with teams to analyze data. This skill involves sharing insights, discussing findings, and leveraging diverse perspectives to enhance analysis and drive collective decision-making.

How to Highlight Analysis Skills on Resume

Highlighting your Analysis Skills on a resume is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. Employers seek candidates who can interpret data, draw insights, and make informed decisions. Here’s how to effectively showcase your Analysis Skills:

• Tailor Your Resume : Customize your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description that relate to Analysis Skills to align your experience with the employer’s needs.
• Use Action Verbs : Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “analyzed,” “evaluated,” or “interpreted.” This emphasizes your proactive approach to utilizing your Analysis Skills.
• Quantify Achievements : Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, “Analyzed sales data to identify trends, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue.” This demonstrates the impact of your Analysis Skills.
• Include Relevant Experience : Highlight specific roles or projects where you utilized your Analysis Skills. Describe your responsibilities and the tools or methodologies you employed, such as statistical software or data visualization techniques.
• Showcase Education and Certifications : If you have completed courses or certifications related to data analysis, include them in your education section. This reinforces your commitment to developing your Analysis Skills.
• Add a Skills Section : Create a dedicated skills section that lists your Analysis Skills. Be specific, mentioning tools like Excel, SQL, or Python, as well as soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Provide Context in Cover Letters : Use your cover letter to elaborate on your Analysis Skills. Share a brief story or example that illustrates how your analysis led to a successful outcome.

By following these tips, you can effectively highlight your Analysis Skills and increase your chances of landing your desired job.

Sample Analysis Skills for Resume

[your name].

[Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [LinkedIn Profile URL]

Detail-oriented analyst with strong analytical skills and a proven track record of leveraging data to drive business decisions. Seeking to contribute expertise in data analysis and problem-solving to [Company Name] as a [Job Title].

• Data Analysis
• Statistical Modeling
• SQL & Database Management
• Excel Advanced Functions
• Business Intelligence Tools (Tableau, Power BI)
• Problem-Solving
• Report Generation

Professional Experience

Data Analyst [Company Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – Present

• Conducted comprehensive data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and insights, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency.
• Developed and maintained dashboards using Tableau to visualize key performance indicators for stakeholders.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define data requirements and ensure accurate reporting.
• Utilized SQL to extract and manipulate large datasets, improving data accuracy and accessibility.

Junior Data Analyst [Company Name], [City, State] [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

• Assisted in the analysis of market trends and customer behavior, contributing to a 10% increase in customer retention rates.
• Created detailed reports and presentations for management, summarizing findings and recommendations.
• Supported the development of data collection processes to enhance data quality and reliability.
• Conducted A/B testing to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategies, leading to a 20% improvement in campaign performance.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science [University Name], [City, State] [Month, Year]

Certifications

• Certified Data Analyst (CDA)
• Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate
• Tableau Desktop Specialist
• Sales Data Analysis Project : Analyzed sales data to identify underperforming products, leading to strategic adjustments that increased sales by 25%.
• Customer Segmentation Analysis : Developed a customer segmentation model that improved targeted marketing efforts, resulting in a 30% increase in conversion rates.

Available upon request.

How to Develop Analysis Skills for Resume

Developing analysis skills is essential for standing out in today’s competitive job market. These skills not only enhance your problem-solving abilities but also make your resume more attractive to potential employers. Here are some effective ways to develop analysis skills for your resume:

• Engage in Critical Thinking Exercises : Participate in activities that challenge your reasoning and decision-making abilities, such as puzzles or strategic games.
• Take Online Courses : Enroll in courses focused on data analysis, statistics, or critical thinking to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Practice Data Interpretation : Analyze charts, graphs, and reports to improve your ability to draw conclusions from data.
• Work on Real-World Projects : Volunteer for projects that require analytical thinking, allowing you to apply your skills in practical situations.
• Seek Feedback : Regularly ask for feedback on your analysis skills from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement.
• Document Your Progress : Keep a record of your analytical achievements and experiences to showcase on your resume.

By consistently applying these strategies, you can effectively develop analysis skills that will enhance your resume and boost your career prospects.

Also Read : How to Add Skills Section in Resume

FAQs about Analysis Skills

What are analysis skills and why are they important for a resume.

Analysis skills refer to the ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions based on evidence. They are crucial for employers as they demonstrate problem-solving capabilities, critical thinking, and the ability to derive actionable insights, making candidates more appealing in competitive job markets.

How can I showcase my Analysis Skills on my resume?

To effectively showcase your analysis skills, include specific examples of projects or tasks where you utilized these skills. Use quantifiable achievements, such as improved efficiency or increased sales, and incorporate relevant keywords like “data analysis,” “problem-solving,” and “critical thinking” to catch the employer’s attention.

Which industries value Analysis Skills on a resume?

Analysis skills are highly valued across various industries, including finance, marketing, healthcare, and technology. Employers in these fields seek candidates who can analyze trends, assess risks, and make data-driven decisions, making strong analysis skills a key asset for job seekers in these sectors.

How can I improve my Analysis Skills for my resume?

To enhance your analysis skills, consider taking online courses, attending workshops, or engaging in practical projects that require data interpretation. Regularly practicing problem-solving exercises and learning analytical software can also strengthen your abilities, making you a more attractive candidate on your resume.

Are there specific keywords related to Analysis Skills that I should include in my resume?

Yes, incorporating keywords like “data analysis,” “statistical analysis,” “critical thinking,” “problem-solving,” and “data visualization” can help your resume stand out. Tailoring these keywords to match the job description will demonstrate your relevant skills and improve your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems.

Resume Tips

Choose the right format.

Select a resume format that best showcases your skills and experience. Common formats include chronological, functional, and combination resumes.

Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.

Focus on Key Sections

Include essential sections such as contact information, professional summary or objective, work experience, education, skills, and relevant certifications.

Use Clear and Concise Language

Be concise and use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in each job role.

Quantify Achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Emphasize transferable skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Prioritize Readability

Ensure your resume is easy to read by using a clean and professional font, adequate white space, and bullet points for listing information.

Proofread Carefully

Avoid spelling and grammar errors by proofreading your resume multiple times or asking a trusted friend or colleague to review it.

Keep it Updated

Regularly update your resume with new experiences, skills, and accomplishments to reflect your most current qualifications.

Seek Feedback

Consider seeking feedback from career advisors, mentors, or professionals in your industry to improve your resume further.

Related Posts

Top 20 Manufacturing Skills for Resume – How to Highlight with Examples

• October 31, 2024

Top 20 Teacher Aide Skills for Resume – How to Highlight with Examples

• November 3, 2024

Top 20 Mom Skills for Resume – Samples & How to Highlight

Top 20 Inventory Management Skills for Resume – How to Highlight with Examples

• November 8, 2024

List of Top 20 Human Resource Skills for Resume – Samples & Examples

• October 27, 2024

Top 20 Personal Trainer Skills for Resume – How to Highlight Them

• November 1, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

• LEARNING SKILLS
• Study Skills
• Critical Thinking

Search SkillsYouNeed:

Learning Skills:

• A - Z List of Learning Skills
• What is Learning?
• Learning Approaches
• Learning Styles
• 8 Types of Learning Styles
• Understanding Your Preferences to Aid Learning
• Lifelong Learning
• Decisions to Make Before Applying to University
• Top Tips for Surviving Student Life
• Living Online: Education and Learning
• 8 Ways to Embrace Technology-Based Learning Approaches

Critical Thinking Skills

• Critical Thinking and Fake News
• Understanding and Addressing Conspiracy Theories
• Critical Analysis
• Top Tips for Study
• Staying Motivated When Studying
• Student Budgeting and Economic Skills
• Getting Organised for Study
• Finding Time to Study
• Sources of Information
• Assessing Internet Information
• Using Apps to Support Study
• What is Theory?
• Styles of Writing
• Effective Reading
• Critical Reading
• Note-Taking from Reading
• Note-Taking for Verbal Exchanges
• Planning an Essay
• How to Write an Essay
• The Do’s and Don’ts of Essay Writing
• How to Write a Report
• Academic Referencing
• Assignment Finishing Touches
• Reflecting on Marked Work
• 6 Skills You Learn in School That You Use in Real Life
• Top 10 Tips on How to Study While Working
• Exam Skills
• Writing a Dissertation or Thesis
• Research Methods
• Teaching, Coaching, Mentoring and Counselling
• Employability Skills for Graduates

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and start improving your life in just 5 minutes a day.

You'll get our 5 free 'One Minute Life Skills' and our weekly newsletter.

We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.  Critical thinking has been the subject of much debate and thought since the time of early Greek philosophers such as Plato and Socrates and has continued to be a subject of discussion into the modern age, for example the ability to recognise fake news .

Critical thinking might be described as the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.

In essence, critical thinking requires you to use your ability to reason. It is about being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information.

Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and assumptions rather than accepting them at face value. They will always seek to determine whether the ideas, arguments and findings represent the entire picture and are open to finding that they do not.

Critical thinkers will identify, analyse and solve problems systematically rather than by intuition or instinct.

Someone with critical thinking skills can:

Understand the links between ideas.

Determine the importance and relevance of arguments and ideas.

Recognise, build and appraise arguments.

Identify inconsistencies and errors in reasoning.

Approach problems in a consistent and systematic way.

Reflect on the justification of their own assumptions, beliefs and values.

Critical thinking is thinking about things in certain ways so as to arrive at the best possible solution in the circumstances that the thinker is aware of. In more everyday language, it is a way of thinking about whatever is presently occupying your mind so that you come to the best possible conclusion.

Critical Thinking is:

A way of thinking about particular things at a particular time; it is not the accumulation of facts and knowledge or something that you can learn once and then use in that form forever, such as the nine times table you learn and use in school.

The Skills We Need for Critical Thinking

The skills that we need in order to be able to think critically are varied and include observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, inference, explanation, problem solving, and decision making.

Specifically we need to be able to:

Think about a topic or issue in an objective and critical way.

Identify the different arguments there are in relation to a particular issue.

Evaluate a point of view to determine how strong or valid it is.

Recognise any weaknesses or negative points that there are in the evidence or argument.

Notice what implications there might be behind a statement or argument.

Provide structured reasoning and support for an argument that we wish to make.

The Critical Thinking Process

You should be aware that none of us think critically all the time.

Sometimes we think in almost any way but critically, for example when our self-control is affected by anger, grief or joy or when we are feeling just plain ‘bloody minded’.

On the other hand, the good news is that, since our critical thinking ability varies according to our current mindset, most of the time we can learn to improve our critical thinking ability by developing certain routine activities and applying them to all problems that present themselves.

Once you understand the theory of critical thinking, improving your critical thinking skills takes persistence and practice.

Try this simple exercise to help you to start thinking critically.

Think of something that someone has recently told you. Then ask yourself the following questions:

Who said it?

Someone you know? Someone in a position of authority or power? Does it matter who told you this?

What did they say?

Did they give facts or opinions? Did they provide all the facts? Did they leave anything out?

Where did they say it?

Was it in public or in private? Did other people have a chance to respond an provide an alternative account?

When did they say it?

Was it before, during or after an important event? Is timing important?

Why did they say it?

Did they explain the reasoning behind their opinion? Were they trying to make someone look good or bad?

How did they say it?

Were they happy or sad, angry or indifferent? Did they write it or say it? Could you understand what was said?

What are you Aiming to Achieve?

One of the most important aspects of critical thinking is to decide what you are aiming to achieve and then make a decision based on a range of possibilities.

Once you have clarified that aim for yourself you should use it as the starting point in all future situations requiring thought and, possibly, further decision making. Where needed, make your workmates, family or those around you aware of your intention to pursue this goal. You must then discipline yourself to keep on track until changing circumstances mean you have to revisit the start of the decision making process.

However, there are things that get in the way of simple decision making. We all carry with us a range of likes and dislikes, learnt behaviours and personal preferences developed throughout our lives; they are the hallmarks of being human. A major contribution to ensuring we think critically is to be aware of these personal characteristics, preferences and biases and make allowance for them when considering possible next steps, whether they are at the pre-action consideration stage or as part of a rethink caused by unexpected or unforeseen impediments to continued progress.

The more clearly we are aware of ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, the more likely our critical thinking will be productive.

The Benefit of Foresight

Perhaps the most important element of thinking critically is foresight.

Almost all decisions we make and implement don’t prove disastrous if we find reasons to abandon them. However, our decision making will be infinitely better and more likely to lead to success if, when we reach a tentative conclusion, we pause and consider the impact on the people and activities around us.

The elements needing consideration are generally numerous and varied. In many cases, consideration of one element from a different perspective will reveal potential dangers in pursuing our decision.

For instance, moving a business activity to a new location may improve potential output considerably but it may also lead to the loss of skilled workers if the distance moved is too great. Which of these is the more important consideration? Is there some way of lessening the conflict?

These are the sort of problems that may arise from incomplete critical thinking, a demonstration perhaps of the critical importance of good critical thinking.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide for Students

Develop the skills you need to make the most of your time as a student.

Our eBooks are ideal for students at all stages of education, school, college and university. They are full of easy-to-follow practical information that will help you to learn more effectively and get better grades.

In Summary:

Critical thinking is aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes in any situation. In order to achieve this it must involve gathering and evaluating information from as many different sources possible.

Critical thinking requires a clear, often uncomfortable, assessment of your personal strengths, weaknesses and preferences and their possible impact on decisions you may make.

Critical thinking requires the development and use of foresight as far as this is possible. As Doris Day sang, “the future’s not ours to see”.

Implementing the decisions made arising from critical thinking must take into account an assessment of possible outcomes and ways of avoiding potentially negative outcomes, or at least lessening their impact.

• Critical thinking involves reviewing the results of the application of decisions made and implementing change where possible.

It might be thought that we are overextending our demands on critical thinking in expecting that it can help to construct focused meaning rather than examining the information given and the knowledge we have acquired to see if we can, if necessary, construct a meaning that will be acceptable and useful.

After all, almost no information we have available to us, either externally or internally, carries any guarantee of its life or appropriateness.  Neat step-by-step instructions may provide some sort of trellis on which our basic understanding of critical thinking can blossom but it doesn’t and cannot provide any assurance of certainty, utility or longevity.

Continue to: Critical Thinking and Fake News Critical Reading

See also: Analytical Skills Understanding and Addressing Conspiracy Theories Introduction to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

• About us

Analytical thinking skills: definition, examples & ways to improve

Analytical skills are required in every industry. They help employees investigate a problem and find an efficient solution for companies’ success. In this article, we’ll explore why analytical skills matter, how to highlight them in various scenarios, and improve.

What’s analytical thinking?

Analytical thinking involves the research and analysis of complex issues for developing new ideas or finding solutions. Analytical skills are critical for work and listed as required in many job descriptions.

When do we use our analytical skills at work?

We need analytical skills for working with data and brainstorming ideas, solutions, and making decisions based on factors and options.

When we use critical thinking at work, we follow several steps before we create an idea or find a solution. The result of analytical thinking is usually followed by gathering and analyzing information.

Why are analytical thinking skills important?

Analytical skills are crucial because they allow you to solve problems and make decisions. These abilities are in demand by many employers in various industries.

Nowadays job applicants are measured both by hard and soft skills. Analytical skills are soft skills you can use in any industry. They show the level of professionalism, so you can highlight them if you want to get a job.

Companies value employees’ analytical skills because they help them achieve corporate goals and stay competitive on the market. Understanding problems and analyzing the situation are vital for every business.

Many jobs require using analytical thinking, including programming, customer service, teaching, marketing, and others. Some positions may require industry-specific hard skills, too. Still, analytical skills can be transferred to every industry. If you have strong analytical skills, you can apply for many vacancies.

5 must-have analytical skills

Many valuable analytical skills are worth including on your resume. Here are five must-have skills.

Creative thinking

Creative thinking relates to problem-solving and is a key skill for many jobs. To analyze information you need to be creative to notice hidden spots or trends not everyone can see. Creative thinkers can find a non-trivial solution that is more valuable than the obvious one. Creative people think outside the box to work out an effective solution or brainstorm ideas.

If you are a creative thinker, you will be able to:

• Optimize processes and operations.
• Collaborate for brainstorming with others.
• Solve complex problems in a non-trivial way.
• Think strategically.
• Integrate massive volumes of information into existing solutions.

Conducting an in-depth research is an integral part of analytical thinking. To solve a problem, you need to learn more about it. In simple words, you need to gather information before analyzing it.

This part of the analytical thinking process can involve various types of research and depends on the source of data. You can do online research, gathering information by comparing competitives, reviewing official documents, or interviewing experts, etc. It’s also valuable to know what kind of data is required for problem-solving.

To conduct a research, you need to be able to:

• Investigate the topic based on different data sources.
• Work with metrics.
• Prioritize data sources.
• Pay attention to the accuracy of the collected data.

Data analysis

Data analysis is one of the most crucial parts of analytical thinking. To solve a problem, you need to be able to analyze the information for identifying trends in a large volume of raw data. It is not enough to just read the information; you need to understand which information is worth highlighting for decision-making.

Using analytical thinking, you may need to be able to conduct some of the types of data analysis below:

• Quantitative/qualitative analysis
• Business analysis
• Industry or competitor analysis
• ROI analysis
• Process/Operational analysis
• Financial analysis

Problem-solving

After you collect and analyze the information, you need to identify the problem. Once it’s identified, you can find a reasonable solution. How? With your problem-solving skills, you need to be able to sort the data to find a rational and effective solution.

Sometimes you may need to identify small problems that cause a more significant way. Problem-solving skills will help you detect them and prevent a bigger one.

Communication

It’s useful to be able to research, analyze, and solve problems, but it means nothing if you lack compelling communication skills. Working with a team, you need to express your idea as clearly as you can. An effective communicator will not only solve the problem but will also save time.

How to show analytical skills?

Now you understand which of the analytical skills you possess, you need to know how to highlight them to do your best at getting a job or growing your career.

Mention on your resume

Including analytical skills on your resume, you will make it more attractive for employers. You can include them in the following sections:

• Professional history

Tell in the job interview

When telling about your working experience, be as specific as you can. Give detailed responses and show how analytical skills improved or solved your former employer’s issues. You may also be offered to do a pre-employment test to show your analytical skills.

Use at the workplace

Once you get a job, don’t stop using analytical skills. Be proactive in solving problems. Don’t be afraid of being a volunteer to participate in problem-solving and decision-making. It will be a great opportunity to highlight the analytical skills you possess.

7 ways to improve analytical skills

Like other skills, analytical thinking skills are natural but not inborn. To land a job you want or succeed in professional growth, you need to improve analytical skills. Use these tips we’ve worked out for students and employees who are interested in developing analytical skills.

1. Play brain games

If you want to improve analytical skills, you play brain games like chess, Sudoku, puzzles, and others. They can help you train thinking critically. Playing 15-20 minutes a day can stimulate your brain function and strengthen analytical skills.

Brain games are fun and make your pastime more productive. Instead of watching TV all evening, play a brain game alone or with your family. The best part is that you can play them online wherever you are.

LogicLike is an excellent brain training app with access to 3500 tasks in your smartphone for free. This is a unique platform with a systematized complex that makes up the best collection of brain games up to date. At any point, you can run a memory test or IQ quiz to check the progress and focus on improving your thinking skills.

LogicLike’s games include:

• Logic games
• 3D-thinking: spatial games
• True or false
• Smart counting
• Scaling and transfusion
• Chess problems for rookies
• Games in tables: honeycombs, Sudoku, kakuro

• Flexible mind and confidence Training on LogicLike, you develop logical reasoning, savvy and self-confidence!
• Good foundation for career growth We teach to deal with information efficiently and develop logic!
• Great for any age LogicLike is fun and helpful activity for kids and adults!

2. Take an online course on a new topic

After graduating from university, we may become passive about learning new things. Once we get a job and know what we are good at, we stop learning and may relax for some time.

Indeed, education plays an important part in professional growth. You should try to expand your knowledge to stay competitive in the job market.

You can take up an online course on the topic you are not good at. For example, not many employers are advanced users of MS Word. If you have time for education, it’s time to challenge yourself with a new topic. You will not only get new knowledge but also improve your analytical skills, including data research and analysis.

3. Solve math problems

Mathematics involves logic and solving a problem step-by-step. Since all math problems are based on logic, solving them will sharpen your analytical skills.

Practice various forms of math problems that will build your problem-solving abilities. You can visit additional math classes at college or university. Reasoning with others will also develop your communication skills. If you prefer doing it online, you can download an app with math games on your smartphone.

More than 150,000 users all over the world keep their brain toned thanks to Logiclike.

4. Participate in debates

Debates are one of the best activities that improve analytical skills, ranging from research to communication. If you are unfamiliar with this activity, you should try it. You can join your local debate club or organize a debate evening with your friends.

Why is it useful for analytical skills?

Taking part in a debate, you become more sociable because you meet new people and discuss various topics. To be well-prepared for debates, you need to research the topic, ask questions, and be ready with substantial arguments.

Debates are an efficient way to challenge yourself and improve your analytical skills.

5. Join online communities

Online communities are a good place to find like-minded people to discuss any issue you are interested in. Researching and reasoning together with other community members will encourage your analytical skills.

Don’t be shy when you need to ask or express your point of view. Anyway, you are there for getting new knowledge or sharing your ideas with others.

6. Develop curiosity by asking questions

Asking questions is the inborn talent we use from childhood. Indeed, questions are a good tool for developing curiosity. Curious people are more motivated and creative.

When you are interested in any topic, don’t be afraid of asking questions. Ask anyone who is an expert in the field of knowledge are you are interested in. Finally, the more questions you ask, the more answers and information you get.

After all, curiosity encourages us to ask questions. Don’t leave them unanswered!

7. Never make quick and crash decisions

To be an efficient problem-solver, you need to take time to think about the problem. Thinking about things and considering multiple factors and options are good habits if you want to develop analytical things.

Useful tips to have at hand:

• Analyze different scenarios of the solution you find to solve the problem. Think of their pros and cons.
• Consider the solution from multiple sides before you choose the best option.
• Don’t choose the easiest solution that lays on the surface. If you think more, you may find another solution that is more efficient.

Key takeaways:

• Analytical skills are soft skills required in many industry fields.
• Among the must-have analytical skills are creative thinking, research, data analysis, problem-solving, and communication.
• You can highlight your analytical skills on your resume, on the job, and at the workplace.
• You need to improve your analytical skills. You can play brain games, take an online course on a new topic, solve math problems, join a debate club, or online communities.

More than 550,000 parents from all over the world are already improving thinking skills with their kids.

10 Examples: What Are Analytical Skills?

By Status.net Editorial Team on June 17, 2023 — 10 minutes to read

Analytical skills are cognitive abilities that allow you to process, evaluate, and interpret complex information. These skills allow you to make data-driven decisions and solve problems effectively. In today’s fast-paced and data-driven world, having strong analytical skills is essential to excel in both personal and professional endeavors.

There are several components to analytical skills, such as critical thinking, data and information analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making. These components work in tandem to help you analyze various factors, uncover patterns or trends, and draw logical conclusions based on available data.

Here are some examples of analytical skills:

• Critical thinking: The ability to objectively evaluate information and form a reasoned judgment.
• Data analysis: The process of collecting, organizing, interpreting, and presenting data.
• Problem-solving: The capacity to identify issues, analyze potential solutions, and implement the most effective course of action.
• Decision-making: The process of choosing the most appropriate option among various alternatives based on relevant information.
• Research: The skill to gather information on a specific topic, interpret it and draw conclusions.

To showcase your analytical skills in a job application, emphasize instances where you have used these abilities to achieve positive results. Include metrics or specific examples that demonstrate the impact of your actions.

1. Critical thinking: “Analyzed complex data sets and objectively evaluated information to form a reasoned judgment, resulting in a 10% increase in sales revenue.”

2. Data analysis: “Utilized advanced data analysis techniques to collect, organize, interpret, and present data, resulting in a 20% reduction in operating costs.”

3. Problem-solving: “Identified issues in the production process, analyzed potential solutions, and implemented the most effective course of action, resulting in a 15% increase in productivity.”

4. Decision-making: “Made informed decisions by choosing the most appropriate option among various alternatives based on relevant information, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction.”

5. Research: “Conducted extensive research on market trends and customer preferences, interpreted the data, and drew conclusions that informed the development of new products, resulting in a 30% increase in sales.”

Related: Top Transferable Skills Every Company Wants

Analytical Skills Examples

Research and data analysis.

In your research and data analysis efforts, you can showcase your analytical skills by gathering relevant information, processing it, and drawing conclusions from the findings. For example:

• Conducting market research to identify trends and patterns
• Analyzing data to determine effectiveness of an advertising campaign
• Utilizing statistical software to evaluate data and make predictions

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves analyzing information, considering alternative viewpoints, and making informed decisions. Examples of using critical thinking skills include:

• Evaluating the pros and cons before making a decision
• Recognizing potential pitfalls or inconsistencies in a plan
• Identifying and questioning assumptions in an argument

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving requires identifying issues, generating potential solutions, and selecting the most appropriate course of action. Some examples of problem-solving skills in action are:

• Troubleshooting technical issues by systematically examining components
• Resolving customer complaints by finding mutually beneficial solutions
• Implementing new processes to increase efficiency and reduce errors

Communication

Effective communication is a vital analytical skill, as it enables you to convey your findings and ideas to others. Through clear and concise presentations, you can demonstrate your ability to:

• Summarize complex data in easy-to-understand formats
• Explain your thought process while reaching a decision
• Collaborate with team members to formulate plans and solve problems

Analytical Skills Examples for Different Industries

Analytical skills in marketing: resume paragraph example.

“I possess strong analytical skills that allow me to understand consumer behavior and trends. I have experience utilizing statistical analysis to identify patterns in customer preferences and target campaigns effectively. This knowledge has allowed me to segment audiences, set priorities, and optimize marketing strategies, resulting in increased ROI and customer engagement.”

Analytical Skills in Finance: Resume Paragraph Example

“With my financial analytical skills, I am able to manage budgets, analyze balance sheets, and forecast revenue growth. I have experience utilizing financial models to assess investment opportunities, evaluate profitability, and perform risk assessments. This skill set has enabled me to make informed decisions that impact my organization’s financial health, resulting in increased profitability and stability.”

Analytical Skills in Sales: Resume Paragraph Example

“My analytical skills allow me to interpret sales data, identify trends, and forecast future demand. I have experience planning targeted sales strategies, allocating resources efficiently, and increasing overall productivity in the industry, resulting in increased sales revenue.”

Analytical Skills in Website Management: Resume Paragraph Example

“I possess strong analytical skills that allow me to analyze user behavior and site performance to optimize the user experience. I have experience tracking website metrics and probabilities to identify areas for improvement, drive more traffic, and engage users more effectively.”

Analytical Skills in Science and Research: Resume Paragraph Example

“I possess essential analytical skills for designing experiments, interpreting data, and drawing informed conclusions. I have experience critically analyzing research findings and challenging existing models to drive innovation and advancements in my field.”

Demonstrating Analytical Skills

To showcase your analytical skills in your resume, include them in the Skills section as bullet points. Be specific, mentioning the particular analytical abilities you excel in. For instance:

• Data analysis
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving

Next, incorporate your analytical skills within your Work Experience section. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. Here’s an example:

• “Analyzed market trends to increase sales by 20% in Q3”

Cover Letter

Your cover letter offers an opportunity to provide context and examples of how you’ve utilized your analytical skills in the past. Choose a specific experience or project to discuss, and demonstrate how your skills contributed to its success. For example:

“In my previous role as a Market Analyst at X Company, I employed my data analysis skills to identify business growth opportunities. I assessed customer feedback and sales data, allowing us to better target our marketing efforts and resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.”

Job Interview

During the job interview, be prepared to provide concrete examples of how you’ve applied your analytical skills. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to describe a particular scenario in which you demonstrated your abilities:

• Situation : Explain the context or challenge you faced
• Task : Describe the goal you were trying to achieve
• Action : Express the specific steps you took, emphasizing your analytical skills
• Result : Share the positive outcome achieved

For example:

“In my last position as a Financial Analyst, I was tasked with identifying cost-saving measures for our department. I meticulously reviewed budget reports and discovered discrepancies in vendor billing. By negotiating new contracts, we managed to save the company $50,000 annually.”

Developing and Enhancing Analytical Skills

Improving critical and analytical thinking.

To improve your critical and analytical thinking skills, start by questioning assumptions and evaluating the source of information. Expand your knowledge base by reading diverse materials and participating in discussions with individuals who have different perspectives. Utilize activities such as puzzles, brainteasers, and strategy games to challenge your brain further. Also, think critically about your own beliefs and decisions to foster self-awareness, humility, and open-mindedness.

Problem-Solving Techniques

Effective problem-solving techniques include breaking down complex issues into smaller, more manageable components and analyzing each independently. This approach allows you to systematically address challenges step-by-step. Additionally, brainstorm various potential solutions, considering both conventional and unconventional ideas. After identifying possible options, evaluate the pros and cons of each, and select the most viable ones to implement.

Related: Top Problem-Solving Skills for Today’s Job Market

The Role of Soft and Hard Skills

As you develop your analytical skills, it’s important to understand the roles of both soft and hard skills. Soft skills pertain to your interpersonal, communication, and collaborative abilities, which contribute to your overall effectiveness in the workplace. On the other hand, hard skills or technical skills refer to the specific capabilities you possess, such as programming, data analysis, or expertise in a particular software.

A well-rounded professional should have a combination of both soft and hard skills. To effectively analyze data, interpret findings, and solve complex problems, you need not only the technical expertise but also the communication and relationship-building skills to work with others.

In the context of analytical skills, examples of soft skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. These abilities allow you to see beyond the numbers, identify patterns, and anticipate how changes in one area may affect another. Additionally, communication and collaboration skills are key for working in a team setting, understanding different perspectives, and finding the best solution. Related: What Are Soft Skills? (and How to Showcase Them)

Examples of hard skills related to analytical skills include data processing, statistical analysis, and experience with analytical tools like Excel or SQL. These technical abilities enable you to gather, process, and analyze data more efficiently and accurately, helping you produce valuable insights for your team and organization. Related: Technical Skills Examples for Resume and List of 21 Important Technical Skills (with Examples)

To showcase your analytical skills in a job application, consider mentioning specific instances where you applied your analytical abilities, such as solving a complex issue or improving a process through data-driven insights. Provide examples that demonstrate your proficiency in relevant technical tools or software.

The Importance of Analytical Skills in the Workplace

As an employee, your ability to process and interpret information allows you to make well-informed decisions, spot trends, and tackle complex problems.

One of the key aspects of analytical skills is decision-making . In any job, your ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner will contribute to your success. By breaking down complex information and identifying patterns, you can draw from a rich pool of knowledge and make confident choices that benefit both your team and your organization.

As you hone your analytical skills, you’ll understand more effectively how to process the deluge of information present in today’s work environment. Whether you’re dealing with data, reports, or research, your ability to extract meaningful insights will allow you to add value to projects and deliver results that have a tangible impact.

Related: Effective Decision Making Process: 7 Steps with Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common examples of analytical skills.

Some common examples of analytical skills include: problem-solving, critical thinking, data analysis, decision-making, systems thinking, research, attention to detail, and forecasting. These skills allow you to effectively gather, interpret, and apply information to understand complex situations and make well-informed decisions.

How do you demonstrate analytical skills in a job interview?

During a job interview, you can demonstrate your analytical skills by:

• Sharing specific examples of how you used analytical skills to solve a problem or make a decision in your past work experiences.
• Highlighting projects or tasks where you had to analyze data, identify patterns, and derive conclusions.
• Discussing tools and techniques you have used for data analysis, such as spreadsheets, statistical software, or analytical frameworks.
• Explaining your thought process in real-time when answering situational or problem-solving interview questions.

What are the key differences between analytical skills and critical thinking?

Analytical skills involve techniques for gathering, organizing, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from data and information, while critical thinking is a broader skill that includes the ability to question assumptions, evaluate arguments, and make informed judgments based on evidence and sound reasoning.

How do analytical skills benefit workplace performance?

Analytical skills can improve workplace performance by:

• Enhancing decision-making processes, leading to more informed and effective choices.
• Identifying patterns and trends in data that can inform future planning or strategies.
• Improving troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities, helping to resolve issues more efficiently.
• Increasing innovation and creativity by encouraging systematic exploration of ideas and synthesis of new insights.

Which professions require strong analytical skills?

Professions that often require strong analytical skills include: data analysts, finance professionals, business analysts, marketers, economists, scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, and project managers. However, analytical skills can be valuable assets in virtually any industry and role, as they are crucial for problem-solving and effective decision-making.

What are some effective ways to develop and enhance analytical skills?

To develop and enhance your analytical skills, consider the following:

• Engaging in activities that require data analysis, such as working on projects, participating in clubs or organizations, or volunteering in relevant fields.
• Taking courses or attending workshops on subjects like statistics, logic, data visualization, and related topics.
• Practicing problem-solving techniques, such as breaking down complex issues into smaller components or using models and frameworks to guide your thinking.
• Seeking feedback on your work and learning from experience, as well as observing and learning from professionals with strong analytical skills.
• Analytical Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples
• Problem Solving Skills: 25 Performance Review Phrases Examples
• List of 21 Important Technical Skills (with Examples)
• 31 Technical Skills Self Evaluation Comments Examples
• 37 Analytical Skills Self Evaluation Comments Examples
• 50 Example Phrases: Technical Skills Examples for Resume

How Critical Thinking Helps Us Personally: 11 Incredible Ways

Critical thinking is a valuable skill that enhances personal development by fostering open-mindedness, intellectual engagement, and a reflective approach to information. It empowers individuals to analyze situations logically, recognize biases, and make well-informed decisions. By cultivating critical thinking, one can improve self-reflection, understand personal strengths and limitations, and develop creative problem-solving abilities. This skill is not only beneficial for personal growth but also essential in navigating the complexities of modern life, leading to a more informed, responsible, and fulfilling existence.

Sanju Pradeepa

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to think critically is more important than ever for your personal growth and success. As you navigate complex challenges and information overload, honing your critical thinking skills can be a game-changer. This essential cognitive ability enables you to analyze situations objectively, make better decisions, and solve problems more effectively. By developing your critical thinking, you’ll not only enhance your professional capabilities but also improve various aspects of your personal life.

In this article, we’ll explore the key reasons why critical thinking is crucial for your personal growth and how it can positively impact your daily experiences and long-term goals.

Table of Contents

Why is critical thinking essential for personal growth.

Critical thinking is a cornerstone of personal development, empowering you to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and purpose. By honing this vital skill, you unlock numerous benefits to your overall growth and success.

Enhanced Decision-Making: When you cultivate critical thinking, you equip yourself with the tools to make more informed and rational decisions. By analyzing situations from multiple angles and considering potential outcomes, you’re better positioned to choose paths that align with your goals and values . This improved decision-making ability extends to both personal and professional spheres, leading to more fulfilling experiences and outcomes.

Improved Problem-Solving Skills: Critical thinking sharpens your problem-solving abilities, enabling you to tackle challenges more effectively. You’ll learn to break down complex issues into manageable components, identify root causes, and develop innovative solutions. This skill is invaluable in overcoming obstacles and adapting to new situations, fostering resilience and personal growth.

Deeper Self-Awareness: Engaging in critical thinking encourages introspection and reflection. As you question your own assumptions and biases, you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions , and motivations. This heightened self-awareness is crucial for personal growth, as it allows you to recognize areas for improvement and make conscious efforts to evolve.

Perception and Critical Thinking: 2 Thinking Influences

How critical thinking helps us personally.

Critical thinking is a valuable skill that benefits us on a personal level in numerous ways. It enhances our decision-making capabilities by allowing us to evaluate information and arguments critically, leading to more informed and rational choices. By fostering open-mindedness and a reflective approach to information, critical thinking helps us avoid oversimplification and recognize our own biases, which is crucial for personal development and growth .

Moreover, it encourages intellectual engagement and perseverance in understanding complex issues, which can contribute to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. The ability to engage in nuanced thinking rather than falling into reductionistic either/or patterns also aids in navigating the complexities of personal relationships and societal dynamics. Ultimately, critical thinking empowers us to take responsibility for our actions and beliefs, leading to a more self-aware and authentic existence.

1. Critical Thinking Helps Us Identify Our Core Values

Critical thinking is a powerful tool for personal growth, particularly when it comes to understanding and defining our core values. By employing analytical skills and questioning our beliefs, we can gain deeper insights into what truly matters to us.

Examining Our Beliefs: When we think critically about our values, we challenge assumptions and question the origins of our beliefs. This process allows us to distinguish between values we’ve adopted from others and those that genuinely resonate with us. By scrutinizing our thoughts and actions, we can identify inconsistencies between our proclaimed values and our behavior, leading to greater self-awareness and authenticity.

Prioritizing What Matters: Critical thinking enables us to evaluate the importance of different values in our lives. We can weigh various principles’ pros and cons and determine which aligns most closely with our goals and aspirations. This process of prioritization helps us make more informed decisions and live a life that’s true to our deepest convictions.

Adapting to Change : Our values may evolve as we grow and experience new things. Critical thinking allows us to reassess our beliefs in light of new information and experiences. By remaining open-minded and willing to question our long-held values, we can adapt and grow, ensuring that our core principles continue to serve us well throughout our lives.

2. Critical Thinking Helps Us Make Better Decisions

Critical thinking is an invaluable skill that empowers us to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and confidence. By honing our ability to analyze situations objectively and consider multiple perspectives, we can significantly improve our decision-making process.

In today’s information-rich world, we’re bombarded with data from various sources. Critical thinking enables us to:

• Distinguish between reliable and unreliable information
• Identify potential biases in presented facts
• Recognize logical fallacies in arguments

By applying these skills, we can make more informed choices based on accurate and relevant information.

Critical thinking encourages us to thoroughly examine the potential outcomes of our decisions. This involves:

• Identifying all possible alternatives
• Considering short-term and long-term consequences
• Evaluating risks and benefits objectively

This systematic approach helps us avoid impulsive decisions and make choices that align with our goals and values.

Our minds are prone to various cognitive biases that can cloud judgment. Critical thinking helps us recognize and mitigate these biases, leading to more rational and balanced decision-making. By questioning our assumptions and seeking alternative viewpoints, we can make choices that are less influenced by personal prejudices or societal pressures.

3. Critical Thinking Allows Us to Evaluate Arguments Objectively

In today’s information-rich world, the ability to evaluate arguments objectively is crucial. Critical thinking equips you with the tools to dissect and analyze various claims, helping you separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions.

Identifying Logical Fallacies: Critical thinking skills enable you to spot common logical fallacies in arguments. You’ll recognize tactics like ad hominem attacks, false dichotomies, and hasty generalizations. This awareness prevents you from being swayed by flawed reasoning and helps you focus on the merits of an argument.

Assessing Evidence and Sources: With critical thinking, you develop a keen eye for evaluating the quality and reliability of evidence. You’ll learn to question the credibility of sources, look for potential biases, and consider the context in which information is presented. This skill is invaluable in an era of fake news and misinformation.

Considering Multiple Perspectives: Critical thinkers excel at examining issues from various angles. You’ll cultivate the habit of seeking out diverse viewpoints and considering alternative explanations. This approach leads to a more comprehensive understanding of complex topics and helps you avoid snap judgments based on limited information.

By honing your critical thinking skills, you’ll become a more discerning consumer of information, capable of navigating the complexities of modern discourse with confidence and clarity.

50 Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Examples

4. critical thinking helps us identify biases and assumptions.

Recognizing Personal Biases: self-Critical thinking empowers you to recognize and challenge your own biases. By questioning your beliefs and assumptions, you can uncover hidden prejudices that may be influencing your decisions. This awareness is crucial for personal growth, as it allows you to make more objective and fair judgments.

Spotting Biases in Information Sources: In today’s information-rich world, it’s essential to evaluate the credibility of sources. Critical thinking equips you with the tools to identify biases in media, advertising, and even scientific studies. By analyzing the motivations behind information presentation, you can make more informed choices and avoid being misled.

Challenging societal assumptions: Critical thinking encourages you to question long-held societal assumptions. This skill helps you break free from limiting beliefs and cultural norms that may be holding you back. By examining these assumptions, you can forge your path and make decisions that align with your true values and goals.

Improving Decision-Making: By identifying biases and assumptions, critical thinking enhances your decision-making process. You’ll be better equipped to weigh evidence, consider alternative perspectives, and anticipate potential consequences. This leads to more thoughtful and well-reasoned choices in both personal and professional spheres.

The Relationship Between Assumptions and Critical Thinking

5. critical thinking encourages curiosity and open-mindedness.

Cultivating a Questioning Mindset: Critical thinking fosters an inquisitive approach to life. As you develop this skill, you’ll find yourself asking more questions and seeking deeper understanding. This curiosity extends beyond surface-level information, pushing you to explore diverse perspectives and challenge assumptions. By consistently questioning the status quo, you open doors to new ideas and possibilities.

Embracing Intellectual Humility : Critical thinkers recognize that their knowledge is not absolute. This awareness cultivates intellectual humility , making you more receptive to alternative viewpoints. You’ll become more willing to admit when you’re wrong and eager to learn from others. This open-mindedness is crucial for personal growth, as it allows you to continuously expand your knowledge and refine your beliefs.

Overcoming Cognitive Biases : As you hone your critical thinking skills, you’ll become more adept at identifying and overcoming cognitive biases. These mental shortcuts can limit your perspective and lead to flawed decision-making. By actively seeking out diverse information sources and considering multiple angles, you’ll broaden your worldview and make more informed choices. This process of challenging your own biases fosters personal growth and intellectual development.

Bias and Critical Thinking: The Intricate Relationship

6. critical thinking allows us to spot logical fallacies.

Recognizing Flawed Arguments: Critical thinking equips us with the tools to identify and dissect logical fallacies those sneaky errors in reasoning that can lead us astray. By honing this skill, you’ll become adept at spotting faulty arguments, whether in personal discussions, political debates, or advertising claims. This ability to discern between sound logic and deceptive rhetoric is invaluable in making informed decisions and avoiding manipulation.

Strengthening Your Own Arguments: As you become more proficient in recognizing logical fallacies, you’ll naturally improve your own reasoning skills. This enhanced awareness helps you construct more robust arguments, ensuring that your ideas stand up to scrutiny. You’ll leam to avoid common pitfalls like hasty generalizations, false dichotomies, and ad hominem attacks, making your communication more persuasive and effective.

Developing Intellectual Humility: Recognizing logical fallacies isn’t just about critiquing others; it’s also about examining your own thought processes. This practice fosters intellectual humility as you become more aware of potential flaws in your own reasoning. By acknowledging that even your own arguments may contain fallacies, you open yourself up to continuous learning and personal growth, cultivating a more balanced and nuanced worldview.

Analytical Thinking Examples in Real Life: 5 Examples

7. critical thinking helps us solve problems effectively.

In today’s complex world, problem-solving skills are invaluable. Critical thinking equips us with the tools to tackle challenges head-on and find innovative solutions. By approaching problems analytically, we can break them down into manageable components and address each aspect systematically.

Identifying Root Causes: Critical thinking enables us to dig deeper and uncover the underlying factors contributing to a problem, Rather than addressing surface-level symptoms, we can target the source, leading to more effective and lasting solutions.

Evaluating Multiple Perspectives: When solving problems, considering various viewpoints is crucial. Critical thinking encourages us to examine issues from different angles, helping us identify potential blind spots and develop more comprehensive solutions.

Weighing Pros and Cons: Critical thinkers excel at assessing the advantages and disadvantages of different options. This skill allows us to make informed decisions and choose the most appropriate course of action when faced with complex problems.

Adapting to Changing Circumstances: Problems often evolve, and solutions may need adjustment. Critical thinking fosters adaptability , enabling us to reassess situations, modify approaches, and pivot when necessary. This flexibility is essential for navigating today’s rapidly changing landscape and finding effective solutions to both personal and professional challenges.

8. Critical Thinking Makes Us More Persuasive Communicators

Critical thinking enhances your ability to communicate persuasively, making you a more effective advocate for your ideas and positions. By honing your analytical skills, you can craft more compelling arguments and present information in a way that resonates with your audience.

Structuring Logical Arguments: When you think critically, you naturally organize your thoughts more coherently. This skill translates directly into constructing well-reasoned arguments. You’ll be able to:

•  Identify key points that support your position
•  Anticipate and address potential counterarguments
•  Present evidence in a logical, easy-to-follow sequence

Adapting to Your Audience: Critical thinkers excel at analyzing their audience and tailoring their message accordingly. You’ll become adept at:

•  Recognizing different perspectives and viewpoints 
• Adjusting your language and tone to suit various listeners
•  Emphasizing points that are most likely to resonate with specific groups

Enhancing Credibility: By applying critical thinking to your communication, you’ll boost your credibility. Your audience will perceive you as more trustworthy and knowledgeable because you:

•  Back up claims with solid evidence and reasoning
•  Acknowledge limitations and uncertainties in your arguments
•  Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of complex issues

These skills make you a more persuasive communicator in personal, professional, and public spheres, increasing your influence and ability to effect change.

What Makes a Person a Critical Thinker: 8 Developing Traits

9. critical thinking enables us to set s.m.a.r.t. goals.

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your goal-setting process, particularly when it comes to creating S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives. By applying analytical skills, you can craft goals that are not only well-defined but also strategically aligned with your personal growth aspirations.

Crafting Specific and Measurable Objectives: When you engage in critical thinking, you’re better equipped to pinpoint exactly what you want to achieve. This clarity allows you to create highly specific goals, eliminating vagueness and setting clear benchmarks for success. For instance, instead of setting a general goal to “improve fitness,” you might critically analyze your current situation and decide to “increase cardiovascular endurance by running a 5K in under 30 minutes within three months.”

Assessing Achievability and Relevance: Critical thinking helps you realistically evaluate your capabilities and resources. By objectively analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, and available time, you can set goals that are challenging yet attainable. Moreover, this analytical approach ensures that your goals align with your broader life objectives, maintaining relevance and motivation throughout your journey.

Establishing Time-bound Milestones: Through critical analysis, you can break down long-term goals into manageable, time-bound milestones. This systematic approach not only makes your objectives more achievable but also allows for regular progress assessment and course correction if needed.

10. Critical Thinking Allows Us to Consider Multiple Perspectives

Critical thinking is a powerful tool that enables us to broaden our horizons and embrace diverse viewpoints. By honing this skill, we can step outside our comfort zones and explore ideas from various angles, leading to more well-rounded decision-making and personal growth.

Expanding Our Worldview: When we engage in critical thinking, we naturally seek out different perspectives on a given issue. This process encourages us to:

•  Question our own assumptions and biases
•  Actively listen to others’ opinions and experiences
•  Analyze information from multiple sources

By doing so, we develop a more comprehensive understanding of complex topics and situations. This expanded worldview helps us navigate an increasingly interconnected and diverse society with greater empathy and adaptability.

Enhancing Problem-Solving Abilities: Considering multiple perspectives through critical thinking also significantly improves our problem-solving skills. By examining issues from various angles, we can:

•  Identify creative solutions that may not be immediately apparent
•  Anticipate potential challenges and obstacles
•  Develop more robust and well-rounded strategies

This approach leads to more effective decision-making in both personal and professional contexts, ultimately contributing to our overall growth and success.

11. Critical Thinking Helps Us Achieve Goals and Self-Improvement 

Critical thinking is a powerful tool for personal growth and goal achievement. By honing this skill, you can navigate life’s challenges more effectively and continuously improve yourself.

Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles: When you apply critical thinking to your goals, you’re better equipped to identify potential roadblocks. This analytical approach allows you to anticipate challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. By breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, you can create actionable plans that lead to success.

Enhancing decision-making: Critical thinking empowers you to make more informed decisions. By evaluating multiple perspectives and considering long-term consequences, you can choose paths that align with your values and aspirations. This thoughtful approach reduces the likelihood of impulsive choices that may hinder your progress.

Fostering Continuous Learning: Embracing critical thinking cultivates a growth mindset . You become more open to new ideas and experiences, constantly seeking opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. This curiosity-driven approach to life ensures that you’re always evolving and adapting to new challenges.

Developing Self-Awareness: Through critical self-reflection, you gain deeper insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. This increased self-awareness allows you to tailor your self-improvement efforts more effectively, focusing on areas that will yield the most significant personal growth and goal attainment.

As we have discussed, critical thinking is an essential skill for personal growth and development. In concluding this discussion, I would like to emphasize a few key takeaways:

Critical thinking allows us to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and identify creative solutions. This leads to enhanced problem-solving abilities that benefit all areas of our lives.

When applied to our goals and aspirations, critical thinking empowers us to identify and overcome obstacles, make informed decisions and learn from our experiences. This fosters a growth mindset that propels us forward.

Most importantly, critical thinking cultivates self-awareness. As we think critically about ourselves and our lives, we gain valuable insights that help us improve and evolve into the best versions of ourselves. In developing this essential skill, we arm ourselves with a powerful tool for personal and intellectual growth. As we apply critical thinking to navigate life’s challenges, opportunities for improvement and self-discovery arise that shape who we become. The journey of critical thinking is truly a journey of growth and transformation

• The Power Of Critical Thinking: Enhancing Decision-Making And Problem-Solving . by Ron Young From Forbes Jul 28, 2023
• Critical Thinking: A Model of Intelligence for Solving Real-World Problems by Diane F. Halpern 1,*  and  Dana S. Dunn J Intell.  2021 Jun; 9(2): 22. Published online 2021 Apr 7. doi:  10.3390/jintelligence9020022

Let’s boost your self-growth with Believe in Mind.

Interested in self-reflection tips, learning hacks, and knowing ways to calm down your mind? We offer you the best content which you have been looking for.

Sanju Danthanarayana

Follow Me on

You May Like Also

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Strong Analytical Thinking Skills: Example Usage on Resume, Skill Set and Top Keywords in 2024

Three ways to show your analytical skills on your resume in 2023!

Is your resume ATS-friendly?

Drop your resume here or upload a file to find out if the skills in your resume are readable by an ATS.

In This Guide:

What are analytical thinking skills, why are analytical thinking skills important on your resume.

What traits, skills, and abilities help you demonstrate strong analytical skills on your resume?"?

How to demonstrate strong analytical thinking skills on your resume

Analytical thinking skills are a set of soft skills that help you recognize, collect and process data related to a problem that needs to be solved efficiently. They also help you identify improvement possibilities or predict and prevent disaster.

Great analytical thinking skills usually cover a spectrum of abilities such as Communication, Creativity, Critical thinking, Data analysis, and Research.

To demonstrate what we mean, let’s have a quiz. In WW2, the RAF aimed to reinforce their airplanes so that they have a better chance of survival. They knew which parts of the airplane received the most bullet holes. So, what did they do? Keep reading and you will find out.

Because analytical thinking skills are a set, you will need to demonstrate them indirectly in your resume, highlighting the abilities we mentioned a few lines earlier. HR officers will look for them in the skill section, especially if the job title you are applying for contains the word “analyst”.

In simple words, analytical thinking skills ensure survival and progress. In the corporate world, analytical skills are vital for making an enterprise profitable. Those with analytical skills show the way and lead the path. Decisions and actions are based on those skills and without them, any company is doomed. This is why the most sought-after employees and executives are the ones with a proven record of analytical thinking. To see patterns and trends, to draw logical conclusions, and be able to communicate that within the organization is a must in finances, data science, medicine, marketing, law, and many more well-paid and prestigious positions.

What traits, skills, and abilities help you demonstrate strong analytical skills on your resume?"?

• Observation skills and curiosity : sometimes the data you need to solve a problem is not delivered to your desk. You need not only to see what is in front of you, but what is missing. Remember our RAF planes? Some came back, but some did not.
• Research : once you notice a problem, you will have to look for data. Here you need to be patient, study the problem, and collect all the relevant information and data you can. You need to be creative in finding places where to look for it.
• Data analysis : to analyze data, you need to be able to concentrate and systematize the information. This is where the patterns and dependencies will show up. Your job is to make sense of it and come up with a conclusion.
• Creativity and Critical thinking : to be able to think critically and creatively means to be able to avoid the obvious. Often, critical thinking means exploring even impossible angles to find a solution. A good example that comes to mind is Israel’s 10th man approach, depicted in the movie “Z world war”. The rule states that the 10th member of their council is obligated to doubt anything if all nine others agree on a decision. By the way, do you still think about the RAF planes? Back then they found the solution, avoiding the obvious.
• Communication : once you have a solution, you will need to find a way to communicate it to your colleagues. Here you need to know how to present the information when to present it, how to draw attention and how to inspire.
• Give examples with critical situations on your job that demonstrate those skills
• Describe a specific process or method you use
• Think of major achievements and breakthroughs made possible by your analytical skills
• If you practice brain games and read a lot of books, make sure to include this in the “Interests” section, as these improve analytical skills.
• List specific courses or certificates related to analytical skills

Writing “Strong analytical thinking skills” on your resume is simply not enough. You will need to prove your case, convincing the HR officer that you might be able to think analytically. You have to show examples, achievements and be creative. Remember, the HR officer uses analytical skills as well to find a suitable candidate.

Below you will find relevant examples that will help you start:

Example 1: Show your analytical thinking skills in your experience bullet point

• • Developed a market entry strategy in California, targeting 1 million bottles sold in the first year of operations
• • Increased the store turnover by 20%and the main KPIs by 15% by proficient management of stock and orders
• • Successfully managed and motivated a 5-member team, reducing the staff turnover to 0
• • Successfully managed events with more than 50 suppliers involved and up to 500 participants
• • Recruited, trained and managed multicultural team composed of approximately 100 persons
• • First ever digital content into TV integration increased impressions +2%
• • Invented a cross-category solutions, bringing +3% penetration on Telivus portfolio and +5.7% sales increase

Example taken from our Project Manager resume guide

The applicant demonstrates strong analytical skills by meeting his sales forecast. His analysis of stock and orders allowed him to implement a strategy that resulted in savings for the company. This also shows that he can work with data. The experience in managing events with more participants and at a bigger scale repeatedly shows the candidate’s ability to plan and communicate. The word “Invented” speaks of creativity.

Example 2: Demonstrate analytical skills in your resume summary

Example taken from our Software Engineer resume guide

We can see that the candidate has a major achievement. More importantly, the achievement is for an “optimized” network. Any optimization is a result of analytical skills. Especially useful are achievements confirmed by a third-party organization.

Example 3: Use your achievements to make the point

Example taken from our Resumes of Chernobyl article

This is what counts. We can see that Mr. Legasov “Led the investigation” of the Chernobyl disaster, which is to show that he conducted research and collected data. Then he analyzed the data and using creative and critical thinking he came up with conclusions and solutions. “Pointed to the problems” is the most incredible part of his achievements. Although the party and the whole political situation did not allow for honesty and the spread of information, he put his will and communication skills and work and informed the world about the dangers of RBMK-1000 reactors.

Top related skills to strong analytical skills:

• Public Speaking
• Demonstrate, do not claim: Lead the HR officer through your achievements and results.
• Make them believe in you: List any awards and recognition.
• Be wise with words: Sort and clear sentences. Action and power verbs. Only the essence. You will explain the details later at the interview.

And what happened to those pilots and their planes? An analyst at the RAF concluded that they need to reinforce the parts of the plane where there are no bullet holes. The reason for this was that although hit many times, the planes they studied returned after all. The rest hit in other places, did not.

• Resume Skills

How to Put Cum Laude on Your Resume

Cv (curriculum vitae) format [examples & templates for 2023], email to send resume: how to build yours [+ template], how to create and follow a strategic job search plan in 2024, how to tailor your cv to the job, can you put future jobs on resume.

Find out how you have showcased your skills & optimize your resume

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• AI Resume Review
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• [email protected]
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

Made with love by people who care.

© 2024 . All rights reserved.