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So I consider myself to be pretty decent at using Excel. I am by far not an expert but I can do basic formulas such as v-lookups, pivot tables, charts & graphs, add, subtract, averages, and formatting cells etc... Basically I know enough to get by at least that's what I thought. On the other hand, there are things that I am not well versed in such as creating complex financial models from scratch, IF/AND statements, and using macros. If there was something I didn't know in Excel I would always look it up online or watch YouTube videos.
It appears to me B schools don't really teach Excel these days. Even when I was doing my MBA I didn't have a specific class dedicated to Excel. From speaking with HR and hiring managers this appears to be the #1 downfall with potential candidates. Most don't know how to fully use Excel. For instance, my previous job made me feel pretty stupid because I was expected to create complex financial models from scratch (something that was not indicated during the interview) and I felt this really held me back. I even took an Excel class but it didn't help me in modeling. I think it's one of those things you have to learn on the job. Unfortunately, my former employer didn't have the patience or encouraged me to better myself in that area of Excel.
With that being said, how versed are you in using Excel? What do companies expect from their employees with regards to Excel knowledge?
Sounds like you know enough of Excel. Are you falling short on getting job offers due to lack of Excel expertise? I know enough excel to survive, but I've never had my feet put to the fire over my expertise or knowledge with the application. Oh, and for the record, most people only learn how to master this stuff while on the job when they have an opportunity to actually use it with real work related situations.
What do companies expect from their employees with regards to Excel knowledge?
Wouldn't that depend on the job?
If one of the job responsibilities is to provide data analysis or developing "complex financial models from scratch", I would think that an ability to do this in Excel or an equivalent app is expected.
Sounds like you know enough of Excel. Are you falling short on getting job offers due to lack of Excel expertise? I know enough excel to survive, but I've never had my feet put to the fire over my expertise or knowledge with the application. Oh, and for the record, most people only learn how to master this stuff while on the job when they have an opportunity to actually use it with real work related situations.
I think so. The last job interview I had they asked me if I'm intermediate in excel. I explained what I could do so I don't know if that makes me intermediate.
Regardless I didn't get the job and I don't know if it was due to them thinking I'm not intermediate with excel.
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It depends on the position. Your level, which might be considered 6 on a scale of 1-10, would be fine for most of the people that report to me. There are a couple of others, though, that are more analytical and require not only those more expert skills in Excel but also ability to use business intelligence software such as Jaspersoft and Tableau. If these are not being taught in colleges people need to take outside or online classes. We ask some pretty specific questions and may even require a work sample project to evaluate applicants, and then have a probationary period so there is little chance of getting by without really knowing what you are doing.
So I consider myself to be pretty decent at using Excel. I am by far not an expert but I can do basic formulas such as v-lookups, pivot tables, charts & graphs, add, subtract, averages, and formatting cells etc... Basically I know enough to get by at least that's what I thought. On the other hand, there are things that I am not well versed in such as creating complex financial models from scratch, IF/AND statements, and using macros. If there was something I didn't know in Excel I would always look it up online or watch YouTube videos.
It appears to me B schools don't really teach Excel these days. Even when I was doing my MBA I didn't have a specific class dedicated to Excel. From speaking with HR and hiring managers this appears to be the #1 downfall with potential candidates. Most don't know how to fully use Excel. For instance, my previous job made me feel pretty stupid because I was expected to create complex financial models from scratch (something that was not indicated during the interview) and I felt this really held me back. I even took an Excel class but it didn't help me in modeling. I think it's one of those things you have to learn on the job. Unfortunately, my former employer didn't have the patience or encouraged me to better myself in that area of Excel.
With that being said, how versed are you in using Excel? What do companies expect from their employees with regards to Excel knowledge?
Sounds like you need a financial valuation class or modeling class. Your Excel skills are fine you just have to put things together. BTW the B-school I attended did teach financial/business modeling.
I would wonder why anyone would need to develop complex financial models from scratch. Why not start with something that already exists and modify it? I have a "library" of excel and power point files I have built up over time that I always have access to.
Sounds like you need a financial valuation class or modeling class. Your Excel skills are fine you just have to put things together. BTW the B-school I attended did teach financial/business modeling.
I think you are correct. I'm actually looking online for classes that teach financial evaluation and or modeling.
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