And How You Can Maximise Your Chances?
If you’ve been working in health economics for a year or two and are now looking for your next step, maybe a new job, or a promotion, you’ve likely asked yourself: What are hiring managers really looking for right now?
Most analyst-level roles are aimed at professionals with around one to three years of relevant work experience. These are typically early-career positions for those who have already taken their first steps in the field. The majority of applicants at this level hold an MSc in Health Economics or a closely related discipline.
I’ve reviewed dozens of recent analyst-level job descriptions on EuropeanHealthEconomics.com, and the answer is clear. While job titles and company names vary, the same themes come up again and again.
1. Data Analysis: Still the Core of the Role
First and foremost, data analysis sits at the centre of nearly every analyst-level role. Pharma and consulting companies want people who can confidently work with healthcare data, including claims databases, electronic health records, clinical trial outputs, or survey results. You’ll be expected to pull that data apart, spot patterns, and then translate those patterns into something useful for decision-making.
It’s not just about technical skills, although those do matter. What hiring teams really want is someone who can think critically and deliver something accurate and meaningful, on time, in a fast-moving environment.
2. Health Economic Modelling Is a Standard Expectation
From scratch or adapting existing models
Health economic modelling skills are another constant. Whether it’s building a cost-effectiveness model from scratch, localising an existing model for a specific country, or updating assumptions in a budget impact tool, this work is part of the analyst’s daily rhythm.
If you’re comfortable with Excel-based models and you understand the structure and logic of health economic evaluations, you’re already on the right track. But increasingly, some teams are also expecting familiarity with R or Python, especially if you’re working with larger datasets or moving toward real-world evidence projects.
3. Literature Reviews: Often Underestimated, Always Needed
A quiet but essential part of HEOR
Systematic literature reviews might not sound glamorous, but they’re a backbone of evidence generation in health economics and outcomes research. Even in these AI times, many analyst roles still involve designing search strategies, screening abstracts, extracting data, and summarising findings.
If you know your way around PubMed or EMBASE, and you’re familiar with PRISMA guidelines or Cochrane methods, that’s a strength worth showing clearly on your CV.
4. Communication and Collaboration Matter More Than You Think
It’s not just about what you find—it’s how you share it
Something that comes up more often than you might expect is the ability to work well with people outside of your immediate team. Analysts often sit at the intersection of different departments such as market access, medical, regulatory, and commercial. You’ll be expected to contribute to group projects, share findings, and sometimes even help prepare materials for clients or external stakeholders.
This means employers are paying attention to how well you can communicate. Can you explain your methods and results clearly? Can you adapt your message depending on who you’re speaking to? It’s not about being polished. It’s about being clear, accurate, and easy to work with.
5. Tools and Software: What’s Showing Up in Job Ads
You don’t need to know everything but show what you do know
Technical skills do matter, and certain ones are mentioned often. Excel is a given, but R, SAS, Python, and SQL come up repeatedly, especially in roles involving real-world evidence. You don’t need to master them all. But if your work has included even one of these tools, make that obvious.
If you’ve worked with visualisation platforms like Tableau or Qlik, include that too. Employers appreciate people who can not only run the analysis but also help make the results understandable and actionable.
Focus on What Matters Most
If you’re wondering where to focus your time and how to present yourself when applying for your next analyst-level health economics role, keep your attention on the core areas: working with real-world data, building and adapting models, conducting literature reviews, collaborating across teams, and communicating clearly.
Build from your strengths, and be honest about where you’re still growing. Hiring teams aren’t expecting perfection. They’re looking for someone they can trust to get the job done, and done well.
If you’re curious about what else hiring managers are asking for in today’s job ads, or you want to explore new roles that match your skills, keep an eye on the latest listings on EuropeanHealthEconomics.com and remember to sign up for the weekly Bulletin d Info sur les Emplois. And if you found this useful, feel free to pass it along to a colleague who might be ready for their next move too.
