10 non-technical books every Data Science aspirant should read
Ever wondered what is stopping you from landing an interview for a post in the Analytics Industry. Every person aspiring to get into the Analytics world has the same technical knowledge as you do. These ten non-technical books every aspiring Analytics candidate should read.
It is no doubt that Data is the new oil, and more Data Analysts are going to be required to help make sense of the data. If you have decided to work in the analytics industry, you have taken the first step to this fantastic field. However, like you, many others want to grab the attention of Analytics recruiters.
An HR professional, unfortunately, shortlists your Resume. It means they will be scanning your profiles based on the Job Description provided by their Analytical teams.
Now you get where I am going?
Our efforts should make us stand out from Analytical teams and look lucrative for those people shortlisting your profiles. Keeping this in mind, I have worked on ten books every aspiring analytics candidate should read to fight the clutter.
1/ Start with Why?
Before you get into Analytics, you need to have a strong reason. Recruiters can smell the desperation as soon as they lay their hands on your resume or when they first talk to you. Exactly why you need to have a strong reason to get into the Analytics world. It cannot be as unreasonable as the following reasons.
“I want more money.”
“It is a trending field.”
alternatively, “I do not like my current field.”
You need to get creative. Think from the recruiters perspective; they have probably heard the same reason from multiple people.
2/ Strengths Finder 2.0
I have taken this test myself, and it has changed the way I look at my career. Once you have figured out, you need to prepare yourself to identify your strengths. It is like doing to war; you would not go to the battlefield without knowing your key strengths.
Strengths Finder 2.0 helps you do just that. Prepare your mind and gives you the confidence to use your strengths while writing your resume. You can also provide a solid answer when recruiters ask about your strengths. It will boost your confidence during interviews.
3/ Small Data
I am yet to read this book, but I know the power of this book. It provides you with knowledge about how small data can be informative and actionable. The human mind can comprehend such information easily, which interesting to get results out of small data. Post-reading this book, you can bring out interesting perspectives which many might not know.
4/ Business Model Generation
Being in the Analytics field, it goes without saying that you need to know what Business Models exist and how you can tailor your analysis to fit the Business Model. Each report you create will only make sense if you can explain how to save cost, increase revenue, improve customer experience and showcase value proposition.
5/ Business Model You
When moving into the Analytics industry, you will slowly find out that selling what work you did to other companies will become important. As much as you solve Business problems, you have to know yourself well. Also, it would help if you were clear about what tasks you can take up in this vast industry. In short, you cannot be generic. This book helps to understand yourself and portray your strengths in a magnified manner. You will be surprised to find many things you can say about yourself, which you did not know earlier.
6/ Value Proposition Design
Every customer you are going to work with will expect you to solve the Business problem you solve. However, to create a wow experience for them, you need to spin up a story that helps your client more than what they have asked you to do. This way, customers have a better brand recall when they work with you. If the clients are happy, you will most likely set for a proper appraisal and eventually a promotion.
7/ Career Distinction
Not many will dare to read this book because of sheer laziness. However, if you can just read this book and apply most of the guides mentioned in this book, you will be significantly ahead of the clutter and find yourself confident. This book contains many ideas for a senior professional who wants to shift in the Analytics Industry. Although this book is generic, all the principles apply to the Analytics industry.
8/ The Power of Habits
Every session I interact with aspiring Analytics professional, I stress the importance of daily habits. Getting into the Analytics industry is not that easy by just learning theory. It would be best if you practised daily. Imagine working for your first company, can you recall the amount of effort you put in to do the job well. Alternatively, did you practice once you got the hang of it the next day?
Solving problems every day is the only way to increase your knowledge in this field. The more problems you solve, the better you get at critical thinking. The better you are at critical thinking, the better your confidence is boosted.
9/ The 4 Disciplines of Execution
I have high respect for this book. After you have read this book, you will look at any Business from a different perspective. You will see at lag indicators and how leading indicators impact them. You will also find many flaws of vision to execution translation in many companies. Knowing how metrics are used to indicate progress makes you knowledgeable simultaneously. You will have difficulties explaining to people what metrics they should be considered to solve a problem.
10/ The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
I have not done my MBA, and I do not intend to one also. This book acts as a pivotal book for people who have not done an MBA and wanted to make a mark in the Analytics Industry. It contains most of what you need to know about a particular part of the company. It covers various topics such as Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance and others as well. It is not a one time read book. In fact, you should keep referring to this book, depending on which problem you are trying to solve for a client.
Seems like a daunting list?
It is not. To survive in the Analytics industry, you need to be a constant learner and have the ability to read through the enormous amount of whitepapers to solve a problem for your company. These books are non-technical, but they will warm you up and give you the perspective no other aspiring Analytics candidate will have. It will set you apart from all of them and increase your chances to land an interview and who knows even get selected.