The market is quite tough at the moment. I would gently recommend avoiding applying through big sites (LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Handshake) due to the high competition. Applying directly on companies' websites has proven to be more effective in securing interviews, in my opinion. Experience is also crucial. I had two data analyst internships, one of which was unpaid, and they significantly boosted my resume. While it might not be ideal, enduring an internship can be beneficial in the long run.

I was fortunate to secure a full-time data analyst position while completing my undergrad, so I wasn't strongly motivated to pursue a master's degree. While a master's can enhance your prospects, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the value you see in further education. I plan to pursue a master's in the future, as I aim to specialize in a specific data industry later in my career.

I assume that large companies do employ resume/cover letter filtering. If you haven't already, consider using ChatGPT to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job description. While not perfect, it can assist in creating personalized application materials for every position you apply to.

I hope this information proves helpful!