June **, ****

Dear Hiring Manager,

Thank you for considering my application for Data Analyst position. I am confident that my 10 years of work experience with focus on implementing complex data-driven solutions has prepared me for success. I received my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and have worked as an experienced data analyst with two largest financial companies in Canada, where my focus was on aggregating and cleaning massive amount of data and information from various internal and external unstructured data sources to discover patterns necessary to build predictive models for pricing, senior management and marketing teams. My previous roles required high level of expertise in variety of tools and technologies such as SQL, SAS, Access, Excel and VBA programming, which I had been utilizing on daily basis to evaluate, research, analyze and visualize large datasets. I have accurately and securely maintained large datasets involving detailed client data and have effectively responded to ad-hoc requests from management and other teams. I have been widely involved in monitoring historical data to forecast trends in financial reserves and helped in developing the underlying pricing assumptions in pricing models. I have designed and developed automated applications to facilitate the financial data analysis processes as well as to produce detailed client statistics, and customized surveys and reports. In dealing with sensitive and confidential data, I have always ensured that the business unit’s processes are in place to manage operational risks and protect client’s privacy.

I have also received formal training in Business Analysis and Project Management as a member of the Marketing project team, and I have participated in variety of Marketing and System initiated projects where I evaluated the results in both qualitative and quantitative metrics. I provided in-depth analysis, business requirements, test cases, and have conducted user acceptance testing, and identified associated risks for these projects. I have been involved in many projects such as administrative system migrations, data quality enhancement and data clean-up projects on Mainframe. I used various statistical software to analyze project results and personally presented the results to senior management in form of summary reports and actionable recommendations. I maintained, enhanced and ran programs to report on project related data on daily basis. I also documented methodologies and created and maintained operator’s guides for new and existing processes.

More recently, I have expanded my knowledge on Python, R, and Tableau through certification. I have researched and evaluated emerging technologies and market trends to assist in new product development and support the operational activities for pricing and marketing teams. I like to challenge the conventional and traditional ways of thinking and explore new opportunities as they arise. I think creatively and learn actively and try the best analytical and big data techniques to extract impactful and actionable insight from data. When dealing with large structured data, my investigative instinct and critical thinking approach has always allowed me to draw the big picture and connect the dots to evaluate the outcomes. I love to continuously promote data driven decision making culture, stay innovative and stay ahead of curve while working with both technical and non-technical cross functional team members. I always have received great performance reviews from my managers; specifically, my last manager had appraised my abilities in taking on the lead on several challenging projects. He also had appreciated my strong time management skills, ethical values, adaptability, and my dedication in putting the extra effort to get things done in a professional manner. In addition, most of my managers and colleagues have referred to me as the ‘go to person’ during crisis. This proves my resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. I would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my experience and passion for data with you. Bahareh Ghassemi

Bahareh Ghassemi

2186 San Rafael Ave, Santa Clara

CA 95051

(408) 429 - 3777

ac5zdh@r.postjobfree.com

DECEMBER 2016 – PRESENT

Skills Summary

• Excellent Data Management Skills, evident through 10 years of experience in delivering complex reports and surveys which required gathering, mining and analysis of large amount of data. Designed, developed, validated and documented data analysis tools for routine reporting purposes. Obtained 8 years of hands-on experience in sourcing, cleaning, manipulating and analyzing large volumes of data on ad hoc basis

• Database and Application Development Skills, proven by obtaining formal education and certificates as well as extensive experience in software development in databases to build central system tools for monitoring historical data trends. Armed with 8 years of experience in implementing and managing complex data sources using MS Access, SAS, and SQL

• Great Knowledge of Statistical Analysis Techniques, acquired through 4 years of post-secondary education in Mathematics/Statistics. In addition, obtained quantitative research skills and experience by applying knowledge to various corporate and industry data development tasks such as annual recreation of mortality tables and redesign of the pricing models

• Keen Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills, demonstrated through 8 years of work experience in designing, developing and implementing data solutions to respond to internal requests, industry surveys and ad hoc studies along with 2 years of experience in investigative analysis on existing pension plans to study similarity in data, detect anomalies and recognize patterns. Able to break down problems into smaller components and identify successful solutions while evaluating the associated risks and outcome of the solutions

• Excellent Technical, Interpersonal Communication & Negotiation Skills, evident in 2 years of experience negotiating Pension Plan prices and influencing the thinking and vision of account executives as well as 8 years of experience in capturing business requirements, translating them into software specifications, and user acceptance testing sessions with system representatives. Equipped with 8 years of experience in explaining complex analysis and insights into simple actionable items for senior management and marketing team

• Excellent Time Management Skills, demonstrated by meeting tight deadlines with accurate results in a fast-paced, results driven & growing environment while tackling multiple responsibilities; improved through scheduling & tracking timelines for project team members

• Extensive Leadership Experience skills, illustrated in volunteer work experience and improved through various project involvements within the team and the business unit. Acquired 4 years of experience presenting results to the senior management team while considering everyone’s individual differences and personal styles. Enhanced by leading a migrating group where training and mentoring other employees was required

Computer Proficiency

• Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel/Access, Word, PowerPoint, Project

• Database, SQL language, relational databases, dimensional modeling and database design, MS-Access, Exposure to Raiser’s Edge, Exposure to Crystal Reports

• Programming Languages, JCL, Visual Basic, HTML/JS, FoxPro, Java, Python

• Data Analysis, Statistical & Mathematical Software, R programming, SAS, SAS macros, MATLAB, Maple

• Data Visualization, Tableau

• Miscellaneous, SharePoint, Mainframe, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Lotus Notes, Siebel Work Experience

Took time off for family reasons

Bahareh Ghassemi

2186 San Rafael Ave, Santa Clara

CA 95051

(408) 429 - 3777

ac5zdh@r.postjobfree.com

NOVEMBER 2012 – NOVEMBER 2016

DECEMBER 2011 – OCTOBER 2012

SEPTEMBER 2007 – NOVEMBER 2011

JULY 2005 – AUGUST 2007

Sun Life Financial (Client Solutions Centre)

Data Analyst

Toronto, Canada

• Collected, consolidated and analyzed operational, campaign and project related data. Summarized the results clearly and concisely and provided timely distribution of the reports.

• Simplified complex business metrics and systems in a clear way as to make them understandable for both technical and non-technical audiences. Collaborated with internal and external partners to ensure effective use of reporting.

• Designed, developed, documented and tested automated applications to support new analytics and reporting needs in the business unit. Maintained data collection processes, report library and data dictionary for reports and continuously gathered improvement ideas for reporting purposes and presented to management on regular basis.

• Supported a high performing ‘manage to metrics’ environment for all operational teams including Rollover, Service, Innovations, and Campaigns to consistently meet or exceed identified productivity and sales targets.

• Developed, maintained, documented and tested applications and tools used by different teams in the business unit and provided training to individuals requesting assistance in using the developed toolsets more effectively.

• Ensured accuracy, efficiency and quality of deliverables. Developed in depth knowledge of Group Benefit and Group Retirement Solutions workflow and metrics to provide recommendations to management on direction of the business unit’s production and reporting toolset.

• As a member of the project team, participated in the technical design, development, testing and creation of operational user documentation and processes.

• Performed calculations and developed forecasts to formulate responses and recommendations to specific queries from managers and project teams.

• Continuously tracked sales team’s workload and compared individuals’ daily performance against forecasted plan sales figures and trends. Took time off for family reasons

Manulife Financial (Individual Life Insurance Pricing & Marketing) Experience Analyst

Waterloo, Canada

• Maintained, enhanced and ran the sales management information system programs in MS Access and exported complex reports in MS Excel on monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Frequently compared sales to forecasted business plans on multiple metrics and presented reports and explained anomalies to senior management.

• Participated in design, development and implementation of a migrating system tool for monitoring historical claims and lapse trends. Coached and mentored members of the team on the business logic.

• Documented methodologies and created operator’s guides for new and existing procedures and trained the end users; created specification and test plan documents for system enhancement projects.

• Participated in variety of Marketing initiated projects. Provided in-depth analysis, business requirements, designed test cases, conducted user acceptance testing, and identified associated risks. Checked integrity of data, troubleshot complex production issues and mentored members of the team on different product features during the post implementation phase. Scheduled and tracked the timeline for the project team members.

• Designed, created and modified Visual Basic programs, MS Access queries along with complex excel spreadsheets to automatically extract, debug and process data. Added functionalities to export processed data to PDF, Excel and Text based on business users’ required file format. Tested these programs to ensure the integrity of the results and verified reconciliations.

• Assisted actuaries to make periodic detailed reviews of claims and lapses, as well as forecast future business plans, develop new assumptions for use in Pricing and Valuation models, and create recommendations for new and existing products. Manulife Financial (Group Savings & Retirement Solutions) Pricing Analyst

Waterloo, Canada

• Along with reporting to actuaries and senior management, was responsible for working with field force and other departments in head office.

• Widely involved in pricing of cases ranged from hundred thousand to multi-million dollars. Analyzed and priced hundreds of group retirement plans and made recommendations on the final offers. SEPTEMBER 2001 – JULY 2005

• Priced the largest client (one billion dollars) of the business unit under strict timeline, which required rebuilding a unique and customized pricing model. Re-evaluated the fixed & variable costs, and underlying lapse and growth assumptions in the model to service the client based on their average employee behaviour and requirements. Ran hundreds of embedded value scenarios by tweaking the pricing model inputs for best and worse cases.

• Analyzed competitive case specific feedback and enhanced the pricing strategies to meet the clients’ needs. Ensured developing a competitive price which maintained the business unit’s financial integrity.

• Negotiated the pricing of various retirement plans with the account executives in person, via phone or through emails. Offered innovative solutions to provide an attractive overall pension package.

• Developed timely & actionable information to support the actuarial functions of retirement product developments for larger clients.

• Worked with Marketing and Information Systems departments to develop strategy initiatives & explored solutions on case specific basis.

• Tracked and reported case level pricing decisions; improved case level pricing processes & maintained pricing spreadsheets & pricing logs.

• Performed statistical analysis on the existing plans to ensure the profitability and financial integrity of the business in a timely and effective manner; prepared and presented the reports on these plans.

• Designed and developed an access application using VBA Macros in Excel to facilitate data entry tasks in an efficient and timely manner.

• Reported new business Management Information System sales and monthly embedded values to the corporate and the senior management. Analyzed and summarized new sales on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. Maintained sole responsibility to make sure that reports were accurate and were presented in an efficient manner. Education

University of Waterloo – Faculty of Mathematics

Bachelor of Mathematics - Honours Actuarial Science Exams & Certificates

• Complete Python Bootcamp: Go from zero to hero in Python 3

• Tableau 10 A-Z: Hands-On Tableau Training for Data Science

• SAS Programming 1: Essentials (Toronto, Canada)

• SAS Programming 2: Data Manipulation Techniques (Toronto, Canada)

• Business Analysis Essentials Certificate, McMaster University (Waterloo, Canada)

• Effective Business Writing Certificate, University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Canada)

• Introduction to Business Analysis, University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Canada)

• Introduction to SQL, University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Canada)

• MS Access – Advance, Conestoga College (Waterloo, Canada)

• Requirements Development, Documentation, and Management Certificate, McMaster University (Waterloo, Canada)

• Completed Society of Actuaries Exam 1 and Exam 2 (Waterloo, Canada) Volunteer Work Experience

• Membership Coordinator of Bay Area Spooglers (Spouses of Google Employees)

• Amnesty International Toronto Organization

• Kitchener Downtown Community Health Center

• House of Friendship of Kitchener

• United Way of Kitchener/Waterloo and area

• Habitat for Humanity of Kitchener

Contact this candidate