An intelligence analyst can work in a wide variety of settings in private and public agencies. However, their most common work field is in government agencies. They analyze a multitude of sources of intelligence to determine threats and opportunities for businesses and governments.
When we talk about intelligence, we refer to relevant information involving threats to businesses’ or nations’ interests, properties, or people. This could be information about individuals trying to use weapons of mass destruction or anything that harms the integrity of citizens and politicians.
In businesses, intelligence analysts don’t only cover the negative issues they find in intelligence documents. They also identify opportunities that benefit the business interests and help stakeholders make more informed decisions.
It is crucial for intelligence analysts to be able to work under pressure. That’s why you should mention in your resume your time management skills and resilience. This is a role that requires a strong sense of adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Another important thing you should include in your resume is any relevant certification you have. Some of the most relevant ones are Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Certified Law Enforcement Analysts (CLEA), and Intelligence Analyst Certified (IAC).
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An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting delicate information, so it’s important to be discrete. Additionally, being multilingual is a plus, so you should not forget to mention any languages you know on your resume. This is because you must be able to communicate with networks in different regions. In fact, it’s important to be familiar with that region’s culture.
Intelligence analysts must draw fact-driven conclusions. To do this, they must analyze relevant documents to assess threats and communicate them to their managers. That’s why it is essential to mention your threat assessment skills on your resume.
An entry-level intelligence analyst works under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. They assess documents to identify potential threats and notify upper managers or supervisors. This is a role that requires collaboration, so you should mention your ability to work with others in your resume. This will help recruiters know that you can collaborate with a team to achieve common goals.
As an entry-level intelligence analyst, you are most likely going to work under supervision, so it’s crucial to have excellent reporting skills. You must be able to use reporting software and drive informed conclusions in those reports. This is an important fact you should mention in your resume.
If you’re worried about not having enough professional experience in the intelligence analysis field, you can also include volunteering experience. This is still very valuable and will help you showcase your potential despite your lack of career experience. Remember that you can also include projects in which you used relevant skills.
The senior intelligence analyst is an experienced professional who conducts research and analyzes information to determine threats. They also use data analytics to predict potential hazards for the nation or enterprise. Considering this is a senior-level position, you must highlight your educational background in your resume. Some senior intelligence analysts have a master’s degree in politics or related fields.
Senior intelligence analysts are trained to mitigate risks and resolve conflicts, even when they are threatened by physical hazards. You must have excellent conflict management skills in this role, so it’s crucial to mention this in your resume.
As a senior intelligence analyst, you must be able to develop and execute strategies to identify and mitigate threats. Therefore, it is crucial to have strategic direction skills. This is something you should highlight in your resume to make a good impression on potential employers.
As a hiring manager who has recruited intelligence analysts at top companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and the CIA, I've seen countless resumes for this role. The best ones share a few key characteristics that make them stand out. In this article, I'll share some tips on how to craft a strong intelligence analyst resume, with specific examples you can use as inspiration.
Analytical skills are the foundation of an intelligence analyst's job. Make sure to showcase these skills throughout your resume, especially in your work experience section. Here are some examples:
Avoid simply listing 'analytical skills' as a bullet point without providing concrete examples of how you've applied those skills in your work.
While a resume summary is optional, it can be a valuable addition for Intelligence Analysts. This section allows you to provide context about your career goals and highlight key qualifications that may not be immediately apparent from your work history. It's especially useful if you're changing careers or have a diverse background that doesn't directly align with the Intelligence Analyst role.
However, avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on your needs rather than the employer's. Instead, craft a compelling summary that showcases your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Keep it concise, typically no more than 3-4 sentences or bullet points.
The work experience section is the most important part of your resume as an intelligence analyst. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills and knowledge to real-world situations. Use these tips to make your work experience section stand out.
Intelligence analysts must have excellent communication skills, to the point of being able to communicate in foreign languages. This role requires you to network in different regions to create strategic alliances. That’s why it is crucial to demonstrate a high level of effective communication on your resume.
To achieve that, consider using strong action verbs to validate your professional experience. These action verbs provide a sense of responsibility and help you illustrate your duties and accomplishments in previous work experiences. Take a look at our selection of action verbs for intelligence analysts.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Your intelligence analyst resume should prioritize your technical skills. You must demonstrate your ability to assess intelligence documents to identify threats. That’s why it is important to include skills like intelligence collection and intelligence analysis. Yet, since this work often requires you to work on the field, you must also have skills like counterterrorism and weapons handling.
For intelligence analysts working in the business field, your potential employer might focus on intelligence analysis and related competencies. If you need more inspiration for skills to include in your resume, consider using our selection of skills for this role.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Intelligence Analyst job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
