Amar Raja’s transition as a Financial Data Analyst at Zoho

Career transitions are becoming increasingly common in today’s dynamic job market, especially when supported by the right skills and training. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Amar Raja, a dedicated IT professional who transitioned into a Data Analyst role at Zoho. His story is a testament to resilience, upskilling, and the power of choosing the right learning path. Let’s explore his journey in the article.

Amar Raja’s Journey: From Finance Enthusiast to Data-Driven Expert

Amar Raja’s professional journey took a transformative turn as he embraced a data-driven future with his new role as a Financial Data Analyst at Zoho.

Q1: Can you tell us about your background and how your data journey began?

Amar Raja: I completed my Master’s from CMS College Coimbatore. Just when I was about to finish my final project, the pandemic hit. Due to the restrictions, all campus recruitment activities were halted, and we had to look for opportunities on our own. I explored various tech domains like blockchain and cybersecurity but finally leaned toward data analytics because of my strong math and logical reasoning skills.

Q2: How did you come across DataMites and why did you choose the Data Analyst course?

Amar Raja: A friend of mine had joined DataMites Institute a month earlier and recommended it. I was self-learning before that, but it was taking too long. I needed structured guidance, and that’s exactly what I found at DataMites. I joined the Data Analyst course during the pandemic and opted for online classes, which ran for around 3-4 months.

Q3: What was your learning experience at DataMites? Which topic interested you the most?

Amar Raja: The course was well-structured. I especially enjoyed the part on R and company packages. Among the many topics, I was first impressed by linear algorithms, which sparked my deeper interest in analytics.

Q4: Can you walk us through your career transition into Zoho?

Amar Raja: After completing my course, I applied for a position at Zoho, but there were no analytics openings at the time. So I joined as a developer in the financial domain. I worked in the automation side of financial products like Zoho Books for two years. Eventually, I transitioned to the Zoho Analytics team, where I currently work as a Financial Analyst using SQL and Python.

Q5: How do you use SQL and Python in your current role? How important are these skills for freshers?

Amar Raja: SQL and Python are vital. In my role, I rate them at 4–5 on a scale of 10 in terms of expertise needed. Understanding the domain is equally important. Once you know the business domain well, creating reports and data solutions becomes much easier. But a strong foundation in SQL and Python makes problem-solving faster and more efficient.

Q6: Does your team use any BI tools like Power BI or Tableau?

Amar Raja: No, we use our in-house BI tool — Zoho Analytics. It’s competitive with Power BI and handles terabytes of data efficiently. It also has built-in ETL capabilities and integrates data from various applications into Zoho Drive.

Q7: What kind of data analyst projects should freshers work on to improve their job readiness?

Amar Raja: Choose a domain first — finance, CRM, healthcare, etc. Once that's decided, pick projects that are tailored to that domain. For finance, for example, focus on invoicing, billing, and customer reporting. Domain-focused projects help demonstrate specialization and speed up hiring.

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Q8: What technical questions are typically asked in interviews for data analyst roles in finance?

Amar Raja: Interviewers test understanding of SQL features like Window functions and multi-dimensional joins — like linking inventory, billing, invoice, and customer datasets. You’ll be asked to map how one connects to another to solve a problem. In Python, you might be asked to build mini projects — games or services — under a time limit of 2–3 hours.

Q9: Any tips for students currently taking the Data Analyst course at DataMites?

Amar Raja: Focus on your chosen path early. Whether it's data analytics, AI, or data engineering — each has its core strengths. For analytics, focus on reporting, Python, and SQL. For AI, dive into algorithms and math. The earlier you identify your focus, the better your outcomes will be.

Q10: What does your typical workday as a Data Analyst look like?

Amar Raja: Every day is like finding a diamond in a forest! It’s about problem-solving. If I understand the domain well, tasks take 4 hours; otherwise, they could stretch to 8–12 hours. Deep domain knowledge combined with technical skills is the key to working efficiently.

Highlights from Amar Raja’s Inspiring Journey into Data Analytics

Amar Raja’s inspiring journey from a commerce graduate to a data analyst at Zoho Corporation highlights how curiosity, the right training, and dedication can unlock a successful career in analytics. Here are the key findings from his journey are listed below:

1. Transition from Commerce to Analytics: Amar Raja, a commerce graduate, successfully transitioned into the field of data analytics, highlighting the versatility of this domain.
2. Career Shift Inspired by Exploration: His interest in financial data analysis developed after researching trending careers, proving that curiosity can lead to new professional directions.
3. DataMites Institute: Amar credits DataMites Institute for equipping him with essential skills and project experience, particularly in Python, Excel, and Power BI.
4. Hands-on Project Exposure: The training included practical projects on stock data analysis, enhancing Amar’s analytical and visualization capabilities.
5. Supportive Learning Environment: With experienced mentors and a structured curriculum, Amar was able to gain confidence and stay motivated throughout the course.
6. Successful Placement at Zoho: After completing the course, Amar secured a role as a Financial Data Analyst at Zoho Corporation in Chennai, underscoring the career potential in analytics.

Amar Raja’s story is proof that persistence, upskilling, and the right guidance can lead to incredible outcomes. From self-learning struggles to a confident Data Analyst at Zoho, his transformation highlights the impact of DataMites training and a domain-first approach in the analytics field. To present a clear picture of the data analyst job market in 2025, we analyzed 5,683 LinkedIn job postings across India. And moreover, Allied Market Research projects the big data and analytics market to grow from $225.3B in 2023 to $665.7B by 2033, at an 11.6% CAGR.

Also refer to the articles:

• Data Analyst Career Scope in Bangalore
• Data Analyst Career Scope in Chennai
• Data Analyst Career Scope in Hyderabad

If you're looking to transition into a data career like Amar, check out the Data Analyst course at DataMites — your gateway to data-driven success.

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When it comes to career-focused learning in today’s fast-paced tech world, DataMites stands tall as the best institute offering industry-aligned courses with global recognition. Whether you're starting your journey or upskilling for your dream role, DataMites delivers an unmatched learning experience through live online classes, job-oriented curriculum, and offline training in various cities .

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From Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning to Python Programming, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity, each course is designed for real-world success. And with robust placement support and career BootCamps, your transformation from learner to professional is just one course away.

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