By Gladys Mae
Gladys is the Associate Director of Admissions & Student Services with over 10 years of experience at the International Career Institute.
As intuitive thinkers, we all let our emotions guide our decision-making processes to a degree. However, some people are distinctively more analytical in their approach to problem-solving in everyday life. While also having the capability to follow their intuition, analytical thinkers generally rely on data, numbers, facts, and knowledge as reasoning strategies to work through problems. If you are an individual who uses information to get things right and who doesn’t jump to conclusions, you may be an analytical thinker who would thrive in a career where that mode of reasoning is needed and valued.
An analytical thinker is a person driven by curiosity to get to the bottom of things and solve a problem or find an answer. Analytical thinkers don’t assume anything about the problem at hand; instead, they begin by questioning everything about the issue. Here are some other qualities and characteristics associated with analytical thinkers:
Analytical thinkers can also be curious, modest, and observant. Some, but not all of these qualities may be found in a person with an analytical nature.
As with many other types of personalities, analytical thinkers have an array of skills they employ daily. Some of those skills include the following:
The analytical thinker’s breadth and versatility of skills are the primary reason why employers look for this personality type. Analytical skills are highly transferable, making the analytical thinker an ideal fit for a variety of career fields.
Analytical skills can be applied to a range of careers, from computing to coding to science. The following career fields are ones particularly suited to analytical thinkers.
In the modern world of data collection, analytical thinkers are in high demand in marketing and e-business fields. Company success often rides on employees who can efficiently and effectively analyze the vast amounts of data and information in the digital age. Visualization, creativity, and having a growth mindset — the desire to embrace new technologies and upgrade skills — are key to the analytical thinker’s success in these careers.
The modern world requires individuals to explain and relay critical information to the general public. Analytical thinkers are perfect for this type of role, often found in public relations and media careers. PR positions typically involve the ability to identify and solve complex problems, then find logical solutions that are based on research. Careful communication of vital facts to an audience to help them understand concepts is an inherent skill of the analytical thinker and the main purpose of media and public relations campaigns.
Career fields such as medicine and law need analytical thinkers because of their skills in organization, attention to detail, and data mining. Paralegal secretaries spend much of their time researching legal cases and matters, preparing and revising legal documents, and writing contracts. These responsibilities require multitasking skills, including working with massive amounts of information while staying on top of clients’ cases.
Analytical thinkers can make excellent medical secretaries as well. This position involves the need for high levels of organisation and individuals who thrive in environments dominated by procedural, methodical work. Precision and accuracy are a must in healthcare, and analytical thinkers are dominant in those areas.
Are you an analytical thinker? If so, your skillset is in high demand in many career fields. Put your talent to work for you and your next employer by enrolling in one of ICI’s distance education programs. With ICI, you will gain experience, a diploma, and a path to a rewarding career that suits your personality.