Power BI Resume Example
A career as a power BI developer typically involves developing BI reports and designing data models. A strong resume for power BI developer applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your power BI developer applications.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other power BI developer applicants. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning power BI resume.
Main sections of a power BI developer resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a power BI developer resume being no different.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant power BI developer experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for power BI developer applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior power BI developer roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header with Contact Details
A power BI resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Kennedy Reed
kennedy.reed@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
linkedin․com/in/kennedy–reed123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for power BI developer roles.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for power BI developer roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for power BI developer jobs below.
Good example:
Highly skilled Power BI Developer with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and extensive experience as a Business Intelligence Developer. Proficient in designing, developing, and deploying interactive and insightful dashboards and reports using Power BI. Strong background in data modeling, ETL processes, and database management. Adept at translating business requirements into actionable analytics solutions to drive data-driven decision-making. Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of delivering high-quality BI solutions
Bad example:
Worked with data and computers, making things look nice and understandable. Have done some stuff with data and reports. Know a bit about turning business needs into things people can use. Good at solving problems and have done some good work with data things
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Employment History
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a power BI developer. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Business Intelligence Developer, January 2022 - Present
DataVision Analytics, Minneapolis
- Developed and implemented a data warehouse solution, enhancing data accessibility and reporting efficiency by 40%
- Designed and deployed interactive dashboards that improved decision-making processes, leading to a 25% increase in operational efficiency
- Automated ETL processes, reducing data processing time by 50% and minimizing manual errors, improving data accuracy
Bad example:
Business Intelligence Developer, January 2022 - Present
DataVision Analytics, Minneapolis
- Worked on various data projects to improve company processes and support business goals
- Contributed to the development of data solutions for better reporting and analysis
- Assisted in creating tools to enhance data handling and decision-making capabilities
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to power BI developer roles.
A power BI developer role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your data modeling or etl processes.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, 2017 - 2020
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for power BI developer jobs. These could be etl processes, team collaboration skills or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for power BI developer positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
How to include hard skills on your power BI resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a power BI developer. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in power BI developer roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a power BI resume below.
- Dax programming
- Sql querying
- Data modeling
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to power BI developer roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a power BI developer resume.
- Data analysis proficiency
- Problem-solving ability
- Effective communication skills
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to power BI developer jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a power BI resume:
- Microsoft Certified: DA-100, 2022
- PL-300 Certification, 2022
- MCSA: BI Reporting, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a power BI developer resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Voluntary Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for power BI developer roles beyond your main employment history. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard power BI resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a power BI resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Design
- Implement
- Develop
- Analyze
- Transform
- Visualize
- Optimize
- Integrate
- Automate
- Collaborate
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example of a power BI resume
The power BI resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
•
kennedy.reed@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/kennedy–reed123
Experienced Power BI Developer with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a demonstrated history of working as a Business Intelligence Analyst. Skilled in designing and developing interactive dashboards, data modeling, DAX, and transforming complex data into actionable insights. Proficient in SQL, ETL processes, and data visualization techniques, with a strong analytical mindset and a proven track record of delivering data-driven solutions that support business decision-making
Business Intelligence Analyst
2020
-2022
DataMinds Analytics (Aurora)
- Developed and implemented a data visualization dashboard, increasing report accessibility and reducing analysis time by 40%
- Identified key market trends and insights, leading to a strategic pivot that increased annual revenue by 25%
- Automated data processing workflows, resulting in a 50% reduction in manual reporting tasks and improved data accuracy
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
2017
-2020
University of Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky)
Dax programming
Sql querying
Data modeling
Data analysis proficiency
Problem-solving ability
Effective communication skills
Microsoft Certified: DA-100
PL-300 Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a power BI resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Keep your power BI resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Add key skills throughout your resume that match the job description, along with a dedicated 'skills' section.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Use strong action words to demonstrate the impact you've made in each power BI developer role (e.g. 'analyze', 'transform', 'visualize').
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
- Don't use an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't fill up your power BI resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When you're writing your power BI resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for a power BI resume
Alongside your power BI resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the power BI developer job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional power BI resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your power BI developer application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Power BI Developer Specialist
- Expert Power BI Solutions Developer
- Senior Power BI Developer Expert
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning power BI resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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