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Resume guide · Job Zone 5

Operations Research Analystsresume guide.

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking A strong Operations Research Analysts resume shows mathematics, complex problem solving and active listening, and names the tools you have worked with, such as SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB and IBM SPSS Statistics.

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01Also called

O*NET
Advanced Analytics AssociateAnalytical StrategistDecision AnalystOperations Research Analyst (Ops Research Analyst)Operations Research Scientist (Ops Research Scientist)Optimization AnalystResearcherAnalytics ConsultantBusiness AnalystBusiness Operations Analyst

02Skills employers expect

O*NET

Importance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.

SkillImportanceLevel
MathematicsVery highAdvanced
Complex Problem SolvingVery highAdvanced
Active ListeningVery highAdvanced
Critical ThinkingVery highAdvanced
Reading ComprehensionVery highAdvanced
SpeakingVery highAdvanced
WritingVery highAdvanced
Active LearningHighAdvanced
Judgment and Decision MakingHighAdvanced
Systems AnalysisHighIntermediate

03Knowledge areas

O*NET
  • Mathematics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Production and Processing
  • English Language
  • Design
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Customer and Personal Service

04Common responsibilities

O*NET

Ordered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.

  1. Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
  2. Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
  3. Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
  4. Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
  5. Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
  6. Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
  7. Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.
  8. Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
  9. Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
  10. Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.

05Software and tools

O*NET

114 tools across 38 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.

Analytical or scientific software22
  • SASHotIn demand
  • The MathWorks MATLABHotIn demand
  • IBM SPSS StatisticsHotIn demand
  • StataCorp StataIn demand
  • MathWorks SimulinkIn demand
  • Minitab
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Insightful S-PLUS
  • Rockwell Automation Arena
  • A mathematical programming language AMPL
  • General algebraic modeling system GAMS
  • Claritas PRIZM NE
  • Hyperion Solutions Hyperion Intelligence
  • ILOG OPL-CPLEX Development System
  • Imagine That Extend OR
  • LINDO Systems LINGO
  • Mesquite Software CSIM
  • Mixed integer optimizer MINTO
  • Stanford Business Software MINOS
  • Stanford Business Software SNOPT
  • Telelogic System Architect
+ 17 more
Object or component oriented development software10
  • PythonHotIn demand
  • C++HotIn demand
  • RHotIn demand
  • PerlHotIn demand
  • ScalaHotIn demand
  • Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRSHot
  • SwiftHot
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • Sun Microsystems Java
  • SAP PowerBuilder
+ 5 more
Operating system software10
  • LinuxHotIn demand
  • UNIXHotIn demand
  • Apple macOSHotIn demand
  • Shell scriptHotIn demand
  • BashHotIn demand
  • UNIX ShellHot
  • Oracle Solaris
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
  • Job control language JCL
  • Cisco IOS
+ 5 more
Data base user interface and query software8
+ 3 more
Enterprise resource planning ERP software7
+ 2 more
Business intelligence and data analysis software6
  • TableauHotIn demand
  • Microsoft Power BIHotIn demand
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • MicroStrategy
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
+ 1 more
Development environment software5
  • CHotIn demand
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHotIn demand
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHot
  • National Instruments LabVIEWIn demand
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
Data base management system software4
  • Apache HadoopHotIn demand
  • Teradata DatabaseHot
  • Apache HiveHot
  • Apache Pig
Customer relationship management CRM software3
Electronic mail software3
Geographic information system3
Data base reporting software2
  • SAP Crystal Reports
  • Strategic Reporting Systems ReportSmith
Financial analysis software2
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Business Forecast Systems Forecast Pro
Human resources software2
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Oracle Taleo
Presentation software2
Process mapping and design software2
Word processing software2
Access software1
  • Citrix cloud computing software
Accounting software1
  • Fund accounting software
Application server software1
  • GitHubHotIn demand
Backup or archival software1
  • Veritas NetBackup
Cloud-based data access and sharing software1
  • Google Drive
Cloud-based management software1
  • Splunk EnterpriseHotIn demand
Communications server software1
  • IBM Domino
Computer aided design CAD software1
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAIn demand
Desktop communications software1
  • Eko
Document management software1
Enterprise application integration software1
Enterprise system management software1
  • IBM Power Systems software
Information retrieval or search software1
  • LexisNexis
Map creation software1
  • Microsoft MapPoint
Network monitoring software1
  • Wireshark
Office suite software1
Project management software1
Risk management data and analysis software1
  • iGrafx
Sales and marketing software1
  • Marketo Marketing AutomationHot
Spreadsheet software1
Transaction security and virus protection software1
  • McAfee

06Education and preparation

O*NET
Typical education
Master's Degree
43% of surveyed workers. Others report Bachelor's Degree (33%) and Doctoral Degree (14%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 5 · Extensive preparation
Usually a graduate degree and extensive related experience.

07Putting it on your resume

ResumeXRays guidance
BEE · How to show it

Lead with what you built. For a Job Zone 5 role, hiring managers and parsers both look for outcomes before credentials. Put two or three results at the top of each job entry, with the scale or effect stated plainly.

Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB, IBM SPSS Statistics, Python" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.

Show complex problem solving and active listening, not just mathematics. Complex problem solving and active listening rank close to mathematics for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.

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