Automatically Apply For Jobs With Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Policy Analyst skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted Experts

Stephen A. Matthews Ph.D.,

Elizabeth Sasser

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical policy analyst skills. We ranked the top skills for policy analysts based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.6% of policy analyst resumes contained public policy as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a policy analyst needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 policy analyst skills for your resume and career

1. Public Policy

Public Policy is refers to a public course of action created and seen-through by a government or government organization in response to a public issue, such homelessness, discrimination, poverty, other forms of bigotry, and public health issues like pandemics. The process of coming up with, and designing a public policy can alone often take quite a while, especially as governments may take quite a lot of time to notice public issues in the first place.

Here's how policy analysts use public policy:

Write blog posts on economic policy, topics ranging from the government shutdown to emerging markets Develop semester-long economic public policy project
Developed and analyzed public policy proposals relevant to early childhood development and engaged the organization's network in targeted advocacy campaigns.

2. Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is a method of identifying or determining a possible policy basis or conclusion that can solve a particular issue or problem. It includes monitoring, assessing, and evaluating policies intended to improve the quality and development of a project. After analyzing the data collected, such as the cause of the problem, they need to choose is the most effective and efficient solution.

Here's how policy analysts use policy analysis:

Provided legislative research and policy analysis for 40+ State Senators which contributed to legislative bill drafting and addressing of constituent inquiries.
Provided policy analysis on proposed governance and funding reforms to higher education and advised on strategy issues to Cabinet Ministers.

3. Policy Issues

Policy issues are key issues that influence the economic, social, and political life of a place where conflicts arise over the direction of government policy. Often the policy issues are general, dealing with broad approaches to problems, such as whether the federal government should increase spending on national defense or whether social security should be privatized in some fashion.

Here's how policy analysts use policy issues:

Provided analysis, conducted research and gave oral and written responses on regulatory and policy issues relevant to nonproliferation controls.
Recommended actions on relevant policy issues and suggested legislative and political strategies to attain projected policy outcomes.

4. Public Health

Here's how policy analysts use public health:

Establish partnerships with diverse community and governmental stakeholders to advance public health policies and agendas set forth by the executive administration.
Tracked legislation and conducted policy analyses on proposed legislation that affect public health.

5. Health Policy

Health policy is a medical term used to define the decisions and plans to be applied on a certain group of people to achieve specific health goals. Health policies can also be used to prevent a group of people from any medical danger.

Here's how policy analysts use health policy:

Conducted health policy research on Medicare Advantage, physician owned specialty hospital moratorium.
Advocated at the state and national level for health policy including: Medicaid; Medicare; and the Older Americans Act.

6. PowerPoint

Here's how policy analysts use powerpoint:

Created monthly PowerPoint presentations illustrating business performance and goals to project future trends.
Created, presented and annually updated PowerPoint presentations on the current state of public schools across Brooklyn for 18 Community Boards.

Choose from 10+ customizable policy analyst resume templates

Build a professional policy analyst resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your policy analyst resume.

7. Policy Development

A pоlісу dеvеlорmеnt is thе process оf dесіdіng what tо achieve, what tо be dоnе tо асhіеvе іt, how to асhіеvе it efficiently and economically, who should do іt, еtс It аіmѕ tо develop policies gеnеrаllу tо hеlр buѕіnеѕѕеѕ run еffісіеntlу іn achieving thеіr оbjесtіvеѕ and tо соmрlу wіth the lеgаl and social еnvіrоnmеnt in whісh they ореrаtе.

Here's how policy analysts use policy development:

Researched international and domestic climate policy developments and assisted in preparing client reports, policy analyses, and publications and presentations.
Led drafting and policy development for congressional inquiry responses and briefing memorandum for DHS Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

Public Policy

Policy Analysis

Policy Issues

Public Health

Health Policy

PowerPoint

8. Data Analysis

Here's how policy analysts use data analysis:

Performed data analysis to facilitate improvement in Pathology department call-order and lab result inquiries from neighboring rural hospitals.
Provided conference logistics, facilitation, and analysis support as well as database programming and data analysis.

9. Project Management

Here's how policy analysts use project management:

Provided project management to support Quality and Improvement Initiative, inclusive of launching an internal Quality Council.
Developed and implemented departmental project management database providing departmental oversight and reports to the Secretary.

10. Medicaid

Here's how policy analysts use medicaid:

Collaborate with elected and appointed Medicaid personnel to develop metrics to use in evaluating the North Carolina Medicaid managed care program.
Initiated, designed, crafted and facilitated the promulgation of District rules and regulations correlating to federal Medicaid policy.

11. Policy Research

Policy research can be defined as the process of conducting research or analysing a fundamental social problem to provide policymakers with rational, action-oriented recommendations to resolve the problem. Largely, there are two categories of policy research: Policy Evaluation - determines the impact of specific policies, programs, or procedures. Assessment is also introduced after implementing the policies to evaluate success or course correct, if necessary. Policy Analysis - It incorporates a 'best alternative of comparison' of various procedures, policies, and strategies.

Here's how policy analysts use policy research:

Conduct policy research and analysis for the candidate for primary election for State Representative.
Conducted legal and policy research and analysis on local government functioning issues.

12. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how policy analysts use oversight:

Maintain oversight and auditing of all certified organizations and individuals statewide, ensuring regulatory compliance and issue sanctions for violations.
Provide technical and user interface design support and program oversight support for a customer database redesign effort.

13. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how policy analysts use dod:

Facilitated and instructed several continuity courses/workshops from the Emergency Management Institute as well as the DoD.
Develop and compose policy based on expertise of DoD Certificate Policy and Certificate Practice Statements.

14. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how policy analysts use data collection:

Refined data collection and claims processing systems during the transition to a centralized delivery model and web-based application.
Managed the development and improvement of new and existing data collections applications with technical teams.

15. Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is the non-financial assistance provided by local or international specialists. The purpose of technical assistance is to maximize the project's implementation and quality of the final product. Technical assistance consists of sharing information, the transmission of working knowledge, and other transfer of technical data which would aid the administration, management team and help build the project. The technical assistance focuses on particular needs identified by the beneficiary country and is delivered in the form of missions.

Here's how policy analysts use technical assistance:

Provide technical assistance to professionals about civil protection orders, domestic violence and child maltreatment co-occurrence, and developing community collaborations.
Research analysis for national policies and strategic technical assistance and training modules to high level state and workforce management executives.

5 Policy Analyst Resume Examples

Build a professional policy analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your policy analyst resume.

Create My Resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Policy Analysts find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Policy Analyst resumes?

Stephen A. Matthews Ph.D.

Liberal Arts Professor of Sociology, Anthropology, Demography and Geography Director, Graduate Program in Demography Faculty Director, Graduate Programs in Applied Demography Editor, Spatial Demography Associate Editor, Mathematical Population Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Our program is too broad and complex to answer this in any meaningful way (see my opening paragraph). I hope our Ph.D. graduates have both soft skills (e.g., people skills, communication (writing/speaking), team science/work skills, critical thinking skills) as well as the technical skills (e.g., data analysis, data visualization, data ethics, IRB experience, etc.). As mentioned, I also hope they are flexible and adaptive vis-a-vis other perspectives (interdisciplinary outlook).

What soft skills should all Policy Analysts possess?

Elizabeth Sasser

Teaching Assistant Professor, Interim Director of Experiential Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Employers tell us that they value teamwork, strong written and verbal communication skills, and sound time management skills. Our Public Policy Department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helps students hone these soft skills through an experiential education course where students work with a non-profit or government client on a real-world policy problem. In this class, students also sharpen their professional etiquette, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for pursuing a career in public policy.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Policy Analysts?

Elizabeth Sasser

Teaching Assistant Professor, Interim Director of Experiential Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Strong quantitative analysis and writing skills are two of the most important skills a public policy analyst needs. Quantitative analysis might include the ability to use statistical techniques to draw accurate inferences from a sample of data. Strong writing skills are necessary because policymakers don't have a lot of time to read through lengthy, dense reports, so public policy analysts must write clearly and concisely. They need to be able to distill today's complex problems in a way that clarifies how to think through and address a challenge.

What Policy Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Carolyn Arcand

Senior Lecturer and Program Director, Master in Public Policy & Master of Public Administration, University of New Hampshire

The ability to think critically, problem-solve, design and complete rigorous research projects, and communicate results in a variety of ways, to a variety of audiences, are key skills for policy analysts. Having the ability to discuss your research and analysis work in clear, non-technical terms is and will continue to be particularly important.

What type of skills will young Policy Analysts need?

Kenneth Wong

Walter and Leonore Annenberg Professor of Education Policy, Professor of International and Public Affairs, Brown University

Graduates who enter the job market in 2020 will need a greater sense of adaptability, in addition to solid analytical skills, such as communication, understanding of how policies work, and statistical skills. They are expected to meet their performance goals in work settings under uncertain circumstances. For example, their PowerPoint presentation will need to be flexible when connectivity can be interrupted with no advanced warning. They will not be able to rely primarily on in-person interaction to learn about workplace culture. Finally, due to budgetary constraints and organizational efficiency, recent graduates may be expected to take on additional tasks to meet organizational goals.

Do you want to know more?

List of policy analyst skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a policy analyst resume and required skills for a policy analyst to have include:

Public Policy
Policy Analysis
Policy Issues
Public Health
Health Policy
PowerPoint
Policy Development
Data Analysis
Project Management
Medicaid
Policy Research
Oversight
DOD
Data Collection
Technical Assistance
Medicare

Excellent Interpersonal
External Stakeholders
Government Agencies
Policy Design
Social Work
SAS
Subject Matter Experts
Federal Agencies
State Agencies
Mental Health
Research Projects
Fact Sheets
Policy Briefs
Policy Changes
National Security
CMS

Policy Recommendations
Statistical Analysis
Literature Reviews
SharePoint
Public Safety
Policy Proposals
DHS
Strategic Plan
Government Officials
Blog Posts
Research Findings
Federal Regulations
State Laws
Position Papers
Legislative Process

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs