A program analyst is an IT (Information Technology) professional who supervises computer systems. They conduct in-depth research on these systems to identify issues in their operations. They also suggest changes for budgetary and functionality improvements. Program analysts work closely with program managers.
This is a crucial occupation in the IT department to ensure computer systems work smoothly and reduce costs from failures. Program analysts must also collect data regarding computer systems’ performance. Then, they will create reports to share with stakeholders and managers.
Program analysts also play a huge role in IT compliance quality control. They make sure computer systems follow governmental and security compliance. This includes FCC orders, adhering to federal regulations, and eligibility designations.
Some program analysts demonstrate their skills with professional certifications. Having a certificate or license isn’t mandatory for a program analyst. However, they add value to your career. These are some of the most relevant certifications in the industry:
Jump to a resource:
Get advice on each section of your resume:
A program analyst evaluates an organization’s computer systems and IT processes. Their responsibility is to analyze them in order to find improvement opportunities, trends, and issues in the computer systems. They will also train and support other IT colleagues to ensure they follow security, legal, and corporate compliance.
To become a program analyst, you should have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field. However, some companies would hire self-trained specialists with equivalent experience. You can also enrich your resume with professional certifications.
Program analyst certifications can significantly increase your value in the market. You should include the most relevant ones in your resume. Certifications such as Project Management in IT Security and Certified Project director will make you seem like a qualified specialist in creating strategies and budget plans for computer systems.
Program analysts must have a deep understanding of computer analytics. They will conduct research, identify trends, and recover data from computer systems. That’s why you should emphasize your data science skills in your program analyst resume.
A management and program analyst is an advisor who oversees the effectiveness of corporate hardware and software. They spot problems in the platforms and advise stakeholders on how to proceed. You will also create budget plans for improving operations. Your role also includes fact-checking techniques and creating reports to inform business owners about enhancing opportunities.
To become a management and program analyst you should ideally have a background in accounting, business administration, or computer science. You must have a bachelor’s degree in any of those fields to qualify as a management and program analyst.
As a management and program analyst, you must be proficient at data analytics, and what better way to demonstrate it than using metrics to explain your achievements? Show how you increased computer systems productivity with your recommendations or the way you identified trends by using computer data.
Management and program analysis is highly related to research and fact-checking. You should have attention to detail and be precise when it comes to finding issues in computer systems. Some recruiters may be looking for someone with a great eye for details. That’s why you should emphasize your fact-checking skills in your management and program analyst resume.
As a career coach and hiring manager, I've reviewed countless resumes for Program Analyst positions at top companies like Deloitte, Accenture, and Booz Allen Hamilton. Based on my experience, I've compiled a list of essential tips to help you craft a compelling resume that will catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers in this field. By following these recommendations, you can showcase your skills, experience, and potential in a way that sets you apart from other candidates.
Program Analysts need to have strong analytical skills to excel in their roles. Make sure to emphasize your ability to:
For example, instead of simply stating 'Analyzed data,' you could write:
Analyzed a dataset of 50,000+ customer records using SQL and Tableau, identifying key trends and segments that led to a 15% increase in targeted marketing campaign ROI.
A resume summary for a Program Analyst is an optional section that provides a brief overview of your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. While not required, it can be beneficial if you have extensive experience or are changing careers. Avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer an employer.
When crafting your summary, tailor it to the specific Program Analyst position you're targeting. Highlight your expertise in program management, data analysis, and problem-solving. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact. Keep it concise, typically no more than 3-4 sentences.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your skills to make an impact for your previous employers. For program analyst roles, it's crucial to highlight experiences related to managing and evaluating programs, as well as any technical skills you've developed.
In this section, we'll break down key steps to take when writing about your professional experiences on your program analyst resume.
A program analyst must have excellent communication skills. They’ll frequently meet with stakeholders who don’t always understand the technical side of computer systems. They want to know about metrics and their impact on their business, so you must communicate insights properly. That means you have to be precise, accurate, and concise, and what better way to demonstrate that than your resume?
When describing your duties in previous roles, you should use action words that are descriptive and precise. We understand it can be challenging at first, and we end up using vague and general action verbs on our resume, but don’t worry; we have you covered. Below, you will see some action verbs that you can use on your program analyst resume.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
The skills section is where you can really showcase your value as a program analyst. Potential employers are more interested in what you can do than your educational background. That’s why you should emphasize your technical skills. You should highlight skills such as data analytics, SQL, and network protocol management.
Try to research several job posts to identify what recruiters are looking for. This will also help you pass the ATS filters. Skills by themselves don’t always clearly explain your abilities, so you can create a bulleted list to describe your competencies.
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 Program 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.
