Geographic information systems analyst CV example

How to write a CV for a geographic information systems analyst

If you feel a little overwhelmed by your job search and the subsequent CV writing process, don’t worry – it’s completely normal. However, there’s no need to suffer. The following sections explain how to write a CV and answer your most pressing questions. Carefully run through the expert advice to wow the hiring manager. It’s time to explore:

• How to add contact details to your geographic information systems analyst CV
• Geographic information systems analyst CV personal statement
• Geographic information systems analyst CV work experience
• Geographic information systems analyst CV skills
• Geographic information systems analyst CV education

How to add contact details to your geographic information systems analyst CV

If you’ve sent out dozens of applications but aren’t having any luck, you might have forgotten to add your current contact details. While it might seem obvious, it’s easy to forget when applying for your next job. We suggest noting your information in a slightly larger or bolder font for maximum readability, somewhere at the top of the page. Remember to include:

• Full name – first name and surname
• Location – including county and postcode
• Phone number – the best one to reach you on
• Email address – keep it professional

Example of contact section for a geographic information systems analyst CV

Geographic information systems analyst CV personal statement

Want to stand out against the other applicants? Create a persuasive and punchy personal statement summarising your top talents, achievements, and qualifications. It’s often the first thing an employer reads when opening your CV, so a brilliant opportunity to catch their attention and reel them in. However, you only have three to four sentences to make a splash. Not sure what to include? Use our foolproof formula below.

Sentence one sets the scene and introduces who you are, including years of experience and career focus. Sentence two is your showstopper – casually drop in a sensational statistic to prove you can hit the ground running. Finally, sentences three and four spotlight your unique skills and areas of expertise. For instance, you might have “knowledge of networks like Civils, FTTP, and PIA” or “experience using ESRI ArcGIS OSmaps products”.

As for the statistic, this is something tangible that explains what you can achieve. You might have “automated mapping systems, saving the company £500,000 annually on third-party agencies” or “managed a team of 15 employees”. Numbers are far more impressive than simply claiming you can do something, so be as specific as possible.

Here are a few additional pointers for personal statement writing:

• Stick to the word count – 50 to 100 words is ideal
• Write in the third person to sound more professional
• Only include your highest achievements and qualifications
• Keep the tone friendly and formal
• Use a healthy smattering of keywords – you can find these hard and soft skills in the job advertisement

Example of personal statement for a geographic information systems analyst CV

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Geographic information systems analyst CV work experience

Hiring managers love the employment history section because it provides a fascinating insight into your core strengths, accomplishments, and work ethic. It’s your chance to blow the competition out of the water and spotlight why you’re the best person for the job. Our top advice? Take your time and ensure all information reflects the job advertisement.

Start from your current or most recent role and jot down three to six responsibilities for each. We suggest adding more detail for relevant positions that match the keywords and phrases in the post. Run through:

• Job title
• Employment start and end dates
• Company name
• Company location
• List of duties
• Workplace achievements

Like the personal statement, lean on facts and figures to wow the hiring manager. Without this information, the reader doesn’t have anything substantial to make a decision on. Let’s say you “managed equipment and software upgrades” – can you expand on this? Perhaps, you “performed over 50 upgrades” or “saved the company £25,000 in third-party repair costs”. Concrete evidence is reassuring and boosts your chances of cinching a coveted interview spot.

Additionally, avoid repetition and obvious duties. For example, if you’ve mentioned “coordinating data analysis” underneath one position, talk about “performing spatial data analysis” in another. Obvious duties include “answering telephone calls”, “photocopying”, and “working with a team” – if you can’t do these as a given, you shouldn’t be applying for the role!

Lastly, sprinkle in plenty of positive adjectives and action verbs. You might be “diligent”, “resourceful”, and “logical”. Action verbs are powerful alternatives to “responsible for”. Our favourites of GIS analysts include “engineered”, “consolidated”, and “standardised”.

Example of work experience for a geographic information systems analyst CV

Geographic information systems analyst CV skills

CV skills can make or break a job application. Without them, the reader can’t quickly assess your suitability – time-strapped decision-makers might even use this as an excuse to move on to the next candidate. Plus, the only way to please ATS software is by noting a collection of glittering keywords and phrases. We advise including up to 12 skills in total, split equally between hard and soft skills.

So, what’s the difference between hard and soft skills? Hard skills are technical and learnt on the job or via formal education. Examples include “experience with ESRI, ArcGIS, or QGIS”, “designing topographical maps”, and “migrating data”. On the other hand, soft skills are personality-based and much harder to learn, therefore priceless to employers – think “attention to detail”, “deductive reasoning”, and “critical thinking”.

Our best advice? Don’t sacrifice one for the other. The most skilled applicants won’t get very far with a bad attitude. Similarly, it doesn’t matter how friendly you are if you don’t have the practical tools to do the job.

Need a little help? Check out the below lists:

Geographic information systems analyst CV education

A comprehensive education section provides the building blocks for experience and proves you have the fundamental knowledge to succeed. Qualifications can help you stand out when the competition is tight, so mention school, college and university degrees, extracurricular training, and memberships to governing bodies. Basically, anything that portrays you as a brainiac.

As always, only provide in-depth detail about your most relevant qualifications. You don’t need to list every GCSE individually, especially if you’ve completed an undergraduate or master’s degree. Plus, don’t include poor grades that undermine your talent. While you should never lie, you don’t have to spotlight this information either!

How do you become a geographic information systems analyst? You’ll need to complete a university degree in a related subject, such as Environmental Science, Geography, or Geospatial Analysis. As part of your studies, you’ll undertake several internships and placements to develop your practical skills.

When summarising your education, cover these details:

• Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
• Study start and end dates
• Subject title
• Qualification level – e.g. undergraduate or master’s degree
• Qualification result

Example of education for a geographic information systems analyst CV