What does a Computer Systems Analyst do?

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Day to day that includes work like troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning and Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.

What skills should a Computer Systems Analyst put on a resume?

O*NET rates Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Systems Analysis among the most important skills for this occupation. Name the ones that are genuinely yours and show where you used them. A resume that lists skills you do not have is weaker than one that lists fewer.

What software should a Computer Systems Analyst list?

Software recorded for this occupation includes 3M Post-it App, Access management software, AcmeStudio, Active directory software, and Ada. Applicant tracking systems match on the exact product name, so write the tool as the posting writes it rather than describing it in general terms.

What other job titles cover Computer Systems Analyst work?

O*NET records 40 titles for this occupation, including Business Systems Analyst, Programmer Analyst, Systems Analyst, and Applications Analyst. Searching only your own job title hides most of the openings you could apply to.

What qualifications does a Computer Systems Analyst need?

In O*NET's survey of people doing this job, 51% reported their level of education as "Associate's Degree". That is what current postholders reported, not a requirement any single employer sets.

Will this resume pass an ATS for a Computer Systems Analyst role?

No tool outside an employer can tell you how that employer's system is configured, including ours. What you can control is that the resume parses cleanly, names the work in the words the posting uses, and does not claim anything you cannot back up.

Computer Systems Analyst resume example

A resume for a Computer Systems Analyst needs to show the work itself: analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Day to day that means work like this: troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning; provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems both read for the tasks and tools this role actually involves, so the strongest resume names them in your own experience rather than describing the job in the abstract. Below are the tasks O*NET records for this occupation, the software and tools it uses, the titles it is advertised under, and the skills worth naming if they are genuinely yours.

Also advertised as

The same job is posted under many titles. Searching only your own job title hides most of the openings you could apply to.

Business Systems Analyst
Programmer Analyst
Systems Analyst
Applications Analyst
Computer Analyst
Computer Systems Consultant
Information Systems Analyst
ISA
IT Analyst
Information Technology Analyst
IT Systems Analyst
Information Technology Systems Analyst
ADP Planner
EDI Analyst
ERP Consultant
ERP Specialist
IS Auditor
IS Consultant

O*NET records 40 titles for this occupation in total.

What people in this job call themselves

Titles reported by people actually doing this work, which is often not the title on the job posting.

Computer Systems Analyst
Information Systems Analyst (ISA)
IT Analyst (Information Technology Analyst)
IT Systems Analyst (Information Technology Systems Analyst)

What this work actually involves

Tasks recorded for this occupation, in O*NET's words. If your experience covers one of these, it belongs on your resume in your own words.

Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.

22 tasks are recorded in total; these are the most central.

Example bullets for this role

Built from this occupation's own tasks. The brackets stay empty on purpose: we will not invent a number for you, and a fabricated metric is the fastest way to lose an interview you had already won.

Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning, for [who or what it served], at [what volume].
Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems, for [who or what it served], at [what volume].
Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems, for [who or what it served], at [what volume].
Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems, for [who or what it served], at [what volume].

Software used in this role

Recorded for this occupation by O*NET. An applicant tracking system matches the exact product name, so write the tool the way the posting writes it.

3M Post-it App
Access management software
AcmeStudio
Active directory software
Ada
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe ActionScript
Adobe ColdFusion
Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Flex
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
ADP Workforce Now
Advanced business application programming ABAP

311 software entries are recorded in total.

Tools and equipment

The physical equipment this occupation is recorded as using. Worth naming when a posting asks for it by name.

Desktop computers
Mainframe computers
Notebook computers
Personal digital assistants PDA

Skills an ATS reads for

Worth naming only if they are genuinely yours. Keyword overlap is one input to a resume's score, not a verdict.

requirements analysis
SQL
process mapping
stakeholder management
UML
user stories
Jira
Python
SAP
ServiceNow

What this job rates as most important

O*NET rates every skill for importance to this occupation. These are the highest rated, in order.

01Speaking
02Reading Comprehension
03Active Listening
04Critical Thinking
05Systems Analysis
06Systems Evaluation
07Active Learning
08Judgment and Decision Making
09Complex Problem Solving
10Monitoring

Knowledge areas

The subject knowledge this occupation draws on, rated by importance.

Computers and Electronics
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Mathematics
Administration and Management

What qualifications people in this job have

From O*NET's survey of people doing this work. This is what postholders reported, not a requirement any single employer sets.

51%Associate's Degree
42%Bachelor's Degree
5%Some College Courses

What level this role is pitched at

O*NET places this occupation in “Medium Preparation Needed”. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Common questions

What does a Computer Systems Analyst do?: Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Day to day that includes work like troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning and Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
What skills should a Computer Systems Analyst put on a resume?: O*NET rates Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Systems Analysis among the most important skills for this occupation. Name the ones that are genuinely yours and show where you used them. A resume that lists skills you do not have is weaker than one that lists fewer.
What software should a Computer Systems Analyst list?: Software recorded for this occupation includes 3M Post-it App, Access management software, AcmeStudio, Active directory software, and Ada. Applicant tracking systems match on the exact product name, so write the tool as the posting writes it rather than describing it in general terms.
What other job titles cover Computer Systems Analyst work?: O*NET records 40 titles for this occupation, including Business Systems Analyst, Programmer Analyst, Systems Analyst, and Applications Analyst. Searching only your own job title hides most of the openings you could apply to.
What qualifications does a Computer Systems Analyst need?: In O*NET's survey of people doing this job, 51% reported their level of education as "Associate's Degree". That is what current postholders reported, not a requirement any single employer sets.
Will this resume pass an ATS for a Computer Systems Analyst role?: No tool outside an employer can tell you how that employer's system is configured, including ours. What you can control is that the resume parses cleanly, names the work in the words the posting uses, and does not claim anything you cannot back up.

Related roles

Occupations O*NET records as closest to this one, and worth looking at if this search is not moving.

What this page cannot tell you

No tool outside an employer can tell you how that employer’s ATS is configured, including ours.
This page makes no claim about pay, demand or how many people hold this job. O*NET does not publish that here and we will not estimate it.
Keyword overlap is one input to a resume’s score, not a verdict on you. A resume that names skills you do not have is worse than one that names fewer.

If this is the job you are aiming at, the guide to tailoring a resume covers how to aim one posting properly, and building and exporting a resume here is free.

Occupation data from the O*NET 29.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. SpartanResume is not endorsed by USDOL/ETA.