SQL is the single most reliable analytics skill in the market. You can ignore the latest framework debate, but you cannot ignore SQL. The good news: the 20% you need to know is small and stable.
The seven things to learn first
SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, JOIN, window functions, and CTEs. Those seven concepts cover the vast majority of analyst SQL.
The pattern that unlocks everything
Most analyst questions decompose into: filter rows, aggregate by some grain, then join the result back. Practice that shape until it feels automatic.
Where to practice
SQLZoo and Mode Analytics SQL Tutorial cover the basics. Then move to real datasets — analyst job interviews almost always use one.
The bottom line
Spend two focused weeks on SQL fundamentals and you will outpace 80% of bootcamp graduates on technical interviews.
