Paul Jenkins

Ever since the day Digital spreadsheets came into existence (About mid to late 80’s), I have been interested in their possibilities. Since my time as a Quality Auditor/Controller/Inspector in previous jobs (Mid 90’s), I have been continuously dabbling with Excel, learning new Excel Skills and techniques, as and when possible. 

Whilst I was working in a Fancy Dress Industry, I was recognised for my capabilities with Excel and was regularly sought after, by my superiors, for Excel Advice. Usually resulting in myself building Spreadsheets built from scratch and improving existing files, to achieve the goals desired. My job role with this company went through various titles. The last being “Data Analyst”.

During my time with this company (Approx. 15yrs), I furthered those skills on Excel, resulting in a VBA macro, which reduced a warehouse task by about 3 hours. When I and the team I worked with  were made redundant at the end of July 2024, I took to learning more on Excel, learning the benefits of Power Query to improve my skills, it was on LinkedIn I discovered PowerBI and it’s potential in data handling.

I took a course on PowerBI, which turned out, didn’t include the PL-300 certificate. I was re-employed by the company who bought the business that made me redundant as an “Online Market Analyst”, but still Studying PowerBI, when possible. Only to be laid off after two months, as they were changing to a new system and felt my skills were no longer needed.

I was accepted into completed a ‘Data Analyst’ course by iO-Sphere Ltd, learning and receiving on-hand experience using PowerBI, SQL, Python, Pandas, etc.

continue learning, using the Microsoft website and Linkedin to keep learning about and further my excel knowledge. , I also plan to learn other related skills like 

Being mostly self-taught in Excel, it shows I am not just looking to kill time, but to learn about data handling/analysing and other skills/requirements needed. Ultimately with prospects of a full time job-role I can enjoy.

Proficient in Excel (Boolean, advanced formulas, data validation, pivot tables):

I have always had the ability to use Excel to analyse information. Teaching myself enhanced Excel Skills and techniques in my spare time, since the days of Microsoft Office 3.11. 

I have created numerous Excel spreadsheets in previous job roles, which involved applying checks, where needed, to ensure data entered is of the type required (I.e. Text, date, number, formula, word length, etc). 

My previous roles as a Data/marketplace analyst, was for a Fancy Dress Company (FDC). An online retail company, which involved vast amounts of data to create listings on eBay and Amazon. This would involve assuring data consistency with various files and products advertised, then investigating conflicting data sources and rectifying any faults. This was a critical role, as Amazon listings would be in the format of ‘One barcode, One Product, Multiple Suppliers’. 

I am also familiar with the Excel features Power Query, Power Pivot and VBA. I dabbled a bit in VBA whilst in FDC, resulting in a Macro-enabled spreadsheet on Excel, making a specific warehouse process easier and less complicated. I offered this alternative to the management, who agreed to try it. It was successful and reduced the process by 1-2 hours. I was regularly called upon to create/amend files as required.

Formulae and Boolean logic are my strong point, and I have worked with pivot tables. 

I continually look for opportunities to increase my knowledge and skills in order to benefit myself and those who require my skills.

School: Ynysawdre Comprehensive School (Jan '84) Bridgend, Mid Glam., United Kingdom CERTIFICATIONS: Data & Analytics Experience Accelerator, IO-Sphere Ltd Oct '25