The skill stack
SQL first and by a distance. Then a BI tool such as Looker, Tableau or Power BI. Python or R for anything beyond reporting. Spreadsheet fluency is assumed rather than listed.
The portfolio that works
One analysis of a public dataset, written up as a short document: the question, the method, the finding, the caveat. Reviewers care far more about the caveat than the chart.
The interview
Expect a SQL exercise and a case discussion where you explain a finding to a non-technical stakeholder. The second is where most candidates are separated.
Common questions
What SQL level do analyst jobs need?
Joins, aggregation, window functions and CTEs. Query optimisation is a bonus at junior level and expected at senior.
Do I need Python for data analyst roles?
For reporting-focused roles, often not. For anything involving modelling or automation, yes.