SQL is an essential skill for any data analyst.
So adding it into your portfolio is equally essential.
(Btw if you DON’T have a portfolio, definitely check out this video I made.
But how do you showcase your SQL ability without being too dry? How do you even showcase it at all?
These were questions I had when I was targeting my first data analyst job.
Eventually, I was able to figure it out and over the years I’ve figured out some other nice ways to do it too.
So here are 3 ways to showcase SQL in your data portfolio, all of which I’ve done!
1| Screenshots of a step-by-step analysis
This one is perhaps the most straightforward.
What you’re doing is analyzing some data with SQL queries and turning each of those queries into images.
The goal is to tell a story with your analysis.
The way you present this is just as important as the queries themselves.
I recommend beautifying your code with Carbon or Snappify.
As an example, here’s a slide from a project I did in this fashion a little while back.
The analysis was done in PostgreSQL, but I thew the code and results into Snappify, exported the images, and threw those into Canva to create the background, header text, and footer text.
Do a full analysis in this way for a beautiful look and easy-to-read feel!
2 | Document SQL queries alongside visuals in a BI tool
This project style combines skills.
You’re doing the analysis in SQL and then creating the visuals in a tool like Tableau or Power BI.
Everyone should have at least one project like this in their portfolio.
Document your queries using the tools I mentioned above, and then simply add an image of your BI dashboard.
Of course, always accompany projects in your portfolio with write-ups.
3 | GitHub Repository “Query Log” with example problems and syntax
I’d especially recommend this one for newer or aspiring analysts.
The dual purpose it serves is acting as a personal library of functions you know.
Treat it as a living document.
This was technically my first SQL project but I maintained it for many months after creating it and would refer to it again and again.
It’s essentially a large personal notepad but it can double as a project that shows off your full SQL skillset.
Here’s just a brief screenshot of mine.
I hope those options help!
I know when I was first putting together my portfolio, displaying SQL was a head-scratcher, and it continued to be for many months.
Hopefully, this can clear up some confusion and inspire new ideas!
PS - A quick note on the future of this newsletter.
I started this newsletter back in March of 2023. Almost a year ago!
Since then, I’ve been publishing articles weekly, (though I’ve occasionally missed a week).
Tbh keeping up with this at a weekly cadence has been exhausting.
This is a free newsletter, and I intend to keep it that way, but my model is going to change a bit moving forward, which is partly why I moved back to Substack.
Moving forward, the free tier of this newsletter will only receive occasional posts.
I don’t have a number for this yet, but probably 1 or 2 at most.
However, I’m adding a paid tier at $5 a month.
This tier will continue to receive weekly articles as I’ve been doing for the last 11 months.
Here’s the reasoning, while I am completely committed to this newsletter and intend to keep it going for quite some time, hosting it completely for free on a weekly basis feels sub-optimal to my increasingly busy life.
In short, I’m not quite getting out of it what I’m putting in, so it’s difficult for me to see the value in maintaining it. A paid tier solves this, giving me motivation to stay consistent and provide quality content regularly.
To be clear, there is no pressure to join the paid tier and the free tier will stay.
I will be happily maintaining it, you just won’t see posts as regularly.
If you ARE interested in upgrading to paid to support this newsletter, you can do so at the bottom of this newsletter or by selecting the button at the top-right corner of the page.
And I’d be eternally grateful.
Thanks again, everybody.
That’s it for this week.
See you next time ✌🏻