What tools/software do you have experience using in each phase of a data analysis project—from cleaning/preparing data to data exploration to the final presentation?
Data analysts should have experience with various tools as they work with the data and build their analyses. The Morningstar hiring managers will understand that an analyst may use one tool for multiple phases. They also want to learn if your tools are the same ones their data analytics team uses. This indicates that you will come up to speed quickly and begin contributing to the organization's objectives.
"Throughout my career as a data analyst, I have been fortunate to have opportunities to strengthen my skills using many tools. In the data cleaning or preparation phase, in most cases, I have used Microsoft Excel, and depending on the complexities of the datasets, Microsoft Access if the need arises. I have also used these tools for the data exploration phase. In this phase, I have used several other tools to extract learnings from the data, including statistical programs such as SAS and SPSS and analytical tools such as Tableau and Cognos Analytics. I have also used Tableau and Power BI to present my findings through data visualizations in a dashboard format. In addition, Excel and PowerPoint are some of the more basic tools I will use to build presentations for Morningstar internal clients."
If you have experience with the popular tools used in analyzing data, do not hesitate to share it. Highlight your expertise with a particular tool that Morningstar's data team uses to demonstrate your fit with the organization. You can find this out during your pre-interview research and by speaking with current and former Morningstar data analytics team members. If you have used multiple tools for a particular phase throughout your career, communicate that because it showcases your breadth of experiences.
