Learn to Write an Actionable Resume for a Business Analyst

Updated June 17, 20221.6k

Craft an influential business analyst resume that lands interviews with the help of professional ResumeHelp resume templates

How To Write a Resume for a Business Analyst

Key tasks in a business analyst (BA) job include coordinating process improvement by analyzing the services, products, and software, and bridging the gap between business, finances, and IT. The resume for a business analyst role must convey the right soft skills, technical skills, educational history, GPA, and achievements to a potential recruiter to increase your chance of getting hired. This business analyst resume guide will reveal:

Jobs you can apply for as a business analyst
What are the basic requirements for the job?
What are the dos and don'ts of a resume for a business analyst?

Jobs You Can Apply For As Business Analyst

Business analysts, even in entry-level positions, are in high demand due to their skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and communication. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of business analysts will grow by 11% by 2029. This is much higher than the norm for all occupations. Business analysts can work in a variety of industries with different job industries, such as:

Banking: Analysts in this industry are responsible for monitoring banking transactions, examining financial statements, cash flow, project management, generating summary reports, developing financial models, and completing forecasting reports. They may branch into the role of a data analyst.
Insurance: An insurance business analyst position may require you to work with the company’s Information Technology department to monitor, maintain, or update data systems and information.
Retail: Business intelligence is critical in this industry to analyze and provide consultation through historical trends, understanding and measuring the results after implementing improvements.
Health care: Business analysts use their skills in analysis and optimization of data and taking initiatives on IT systems and finances.
Large corporations: They often have in-house business analyst teams that support the various departments within the company.
Business analysis services: Many consulting firms specialize in providing business analysis services to several clients.

Job Requirements To Consider Before Writing Your Business Analyst Resume

A business analyst will be required to understand an organization’s goals and needs, gather and analyze data, and recommend solutions. Following this business analyst resume sample and using the following resume format will put your resume one step ahead.

Header

The best practice for writing your header is to write your name, and include your phone number, city and state of residence, your LinkedIn profile (or similar professional profile link) and contact email address.

Resume summary or objective

In the summary, briefly explain your top skills, such as improving workflow and business PR. Be sure to feature specific achievements that let the hiring manager know how you can be an asset to a team. For a resume objective, be sure to share your career goal and long-term vision.

Skills

To be successful in this role, you need to mention some of the following business analyst skills in a bullet-point format:

Impressive written and oral communication skills
Consultative and interpersonal skills
User acceptance testing and gap analysis
Analysis of stakeholders
Problem-solving
Analytical skills
Attention to detail
Negotiating skills
Knowledge of business systems
Probability and statistics
Knowledge of software such as Jira, Visio, Oracle, and Microsoft Excel
Systems analyst skills such as interpreting an SQL server
Data visualization
Business management skills

Work experience

In your work experience section, you’ll list up to the last 10 years of experience. List 3-5 major achievements for each job. Remember to list your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent job title first.

Education

Your education section rounds out the resume. Here, you’ll indicate your highest education credentials, which can include a diploma, certifications, and other types of additional job-related training you’ve completed.

For more help writing a perfect business analyst resume, use these resume templates in conjunction with our resume builder. This builder can walk you through the resume creation process step by step.

Do’s and Don’ts for a Business Analyst Resume

Do:
- Review your resume or have a trusted person review it to ensure your resume is free of spelling mistakes or other errors.
- Be sure to list any relevant training or education you may have (e.g., specialized courses or certifications that relate to data analysis).
- Your work experience is your asset; be sure to include as much detail as possible.
- Keep it simple. Use bullet points and concise phrases instead of lengthy paragraphs.
Don’t:
- Don't list your age or date of birth, as well as any other information that’s strictly personal.
- Write more content than you need to so you can get your point across. On a resume, it’s best to be as succinct as possible.
- Include work history that’s more than 10 years old unless the job specifically asks for more.

FAQ: Business Analyst Resume

What skills does a business analyst need?

To be successful as a business analyst, you need to have strong:

- Analytical skills: These are essential for a BA because they allow you to understand complex data and see the big picture.
- Problem-solving skills: You must be able to quickly identify patterns and trends in data so that you can recommend effective and creative solutions.
- Communication skills: These are also important because you will need to effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

The best way to develop these skills is through experience and by taking courses in business analysis, problem-solving, and communication. Certifications such as the Certified Business Analyst (CBA) designation from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) can also help you build your skillset.

What are the accomplishments that should be featured in your resume?

Primary business analyst achievements can include identifying problems and potential opportunities within the company, and then developing and implementing solutions. Other accomplishments include:

- Sharing best business practices
- Enhancements of systems
- Professional efficiency
- Optimized sales

What are the advantages of being a business analyst?

Business analysts are in high demand because their skillset can help companies lower business risks, enhance business value, and get products to market faster. Additionally, business analysts often have fast-paced careers due to the growing need for their skills.

Business analysts can quickly assess a company's needs and find solutions that will improve the business. They can see the big picture and identify areas where improvements can be made. This reduces business risk by ensuring that potential problems are identified and corrected before they become an issue.

Additionally, business analysts can help increase a company's profits by recommending changes to processes or products. They also help keep businesses organized by developing comprehensive plans and tracking progress against goals. This enhances the overall value of the business.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.