How to Write a Best Business Analyst Resume

Business analyst professionals have a wide scope of responsibilities that involves analyzing business risks and providing solutions for the growth of a company. 

A Business analyst looking for jobs in the BA field is expected to create a resume that will leave recruiters with no choice but to hire him or her. Creating a unique business analyst resume will help translate your role as a business analyst professional in a way that recruiter or HR personnel will understand. The role of a business analyst might appear very complex for just anyone to understand but cramming these roles in a well-structured manner on your resume will not only enlighten the recruiter reading it but it will also show the recruiter the magic powers you possess as a BA analyst. Recruiters are curious to know what you’re best at and what values you’re offering if they hire you. 

In your business analyst career journey, one thing you need to understand as a business analyst professional is the fact that you play an important role in the progress of your company or any organization that hires you. If you understand this, it will motivate you to write a well-formatted resume that will stand out. 

This guide will help you learn how to write a business analyst resume that will land you several job interviews. It will show you the best ways to include your business analysis skills and experience in the field on a business analyst resume.

What is the Role of a Business Analyst?

Business analysts are problem solvers. They are dedicated to ensuring that problems associated with a company’s performance are well analyzed while effective changes are also introduced. Business analysts collect huge data and translate it into useful information that helps the growth of an organization. 

As a professional with business analysis certification, you are expected to analyze data and create business models using unique business analysis technical tools.

How to Write a Best Business Analyst Resume

It is very important to follow the right format when creating your business analyst resume simply because your role as a BA professional is complex and you have to find the best way to show it on the resume. It is one of the basic things you will learn when you enroll for business analyst certification. That said, I have decided to offer you that for free in this guide. So, ensure you keep reading.

Different types of resumes can be used as a guide when applying for jobs in the business and finance world. For example, a “combination resume” fits business analyst professionals with a lot of experience in the business world while a “reverse-chronological resume” fits business analyst professionals with little or no experience in the field. There’s also the “functional resume” that works for professionals in other fields but that won’t cut it if you are building a BA resume. 

Here are steps you need to follow when writing a business analyst resume;

1. Use a Proper Business Analyst Resume Format:

As discussed earlier, the key to an eye-catching BA resume starts with the use of a proper formatting technique. Explaining the details of your complex role as a BA professional might take a lot of space on your resume, hence making it text-heavy. This will discourage any recruiter which is why your exceptional business analyst career roles have to be clearly stated in a condensed style.

One good thing that will make your resume stand out and look unique is the act of using “bold, italics and caps” for important words or sections on the resume. This is known as “character formatting” which will add meaning to your resume. 

Ensure that whoever is reviewing your resume for a job position has access to scan the document easily. This is made possible through white spacing and page adjustment. Including your career achievements can serve as speed bumps that will help catch the attention of the reader by pointing out what you’ve achieved as a business analyst and what you can offer the organization. 

Finally, your business analyst resume should include different sections such as header, summary, work history, technical skills, and educational achievements.

2. Create a Business Analyst Resume Header Section:

When you open a resume page, the first thing you will see is the resume header. This is a section that contains your name and contact information such as phone number, email address, and contact address. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Ensure this information is 100% correct.

Examples:

JEFF C. SHARPFinancial Business Analyst832-489-8353Houston, Texas[email protected]in: www.linkedin.com/jeffsharpfinancialBA

ESTHER E. WILSONAgile Business Analyst904-344-4249Hastings, Florida[email protected]in: www.linkedin.com/estherwilsonagileBA

It is important to also customize your email address and your job title because it will make your resume different from the loads of resume, you’ll be competing with. 

3. Create a Business Analyst Resume Summary Section:

A resume summary is a major part of any resume. This section describes your objectives as a business analyst which comes at the beginning of the resume page. It’s like your “sales pitch” that helps capture the interest of your recruiter.

You might be wondering what a resume summary section sells?! Well, it sells your business analyst career skills and qualification in the field. 

Example:

SUMMARY Strategic and result-driven Financial Business Analyst with seven years of broad-based experience in business operations and the financial management industry. Recognized as a creative thinker with strong analytical skills adept at conceptualizing business development solutions. Equipped with excellent communication skills and possesses a strong work ethic with a commendable record of accomplishment in the business analysis world.

4. Create a Business Analyst Resume Experience Section:

The experience section consists of your work history over the years. It is the backbone of your resume but ensures you include experience or achievements that are relevant to the role you are applying for. Don’t include layman terms that a recruiter reviewing your resume will not flow with. Instead, ensure the use of keywords that will make a potential employer understand your role better. 

Business analysts work in different industries, not just business and finance. You can find business analysts in tech companies or the agriculture industry offering business solutions. So, as a business analyst preparing a resume for different positions in different industries, you have to “show a range of skills” on your resume which indicates that your business analysis skills are transferable. 

Furthermore, you need to show your results of past achievements to convince a recruiter you’re the right man for the job. For instance;

• Effort in offering constant customer satisfaction
• Effort in reducing order cancellation and refunds
• Effort in increasing products sales and market supplies

These and many more are effective ways of showing your past results.

Finally, ensure you point out your specializations in the resume. You can decide to explore different industries in your business analyst career journey. But when applying for jobs, it is important to tailor the resume to a specialized role depending on the company or organization. 

5. Include Skills and Education Section:

You have to pay attention to the skills and education section of your resume as a business analyst. The skills section should showcase your soft and technical skills while the education section should show you educational background history. 

Examples of these skills are analytical skills, business process re-engineering, organizational skills, public speaking, risk analysis, and management, etc. 

Basic Tips of Writing the Best Business Analyst Resume

Here are basics tips you need to know when writing a business analyst resume;

• It is important to showcase your business analysis skills on the resume.
• Including your business analyst experience in the field is very crucial.
• Including context when describing your role as a BA professional is key.
• You must understand how to list your technical skills with bullet points.
• You should showcase your career achievements in the form of skilled work.
• You have to pick soft and technical skills that are relevant to your role.
• You should list the professional impacts you’ve made in your past job.

Improving Your Resume with Business Analyst Certification

It is important to acquire different types of business analyst certification if you are planning to land a lucrative BA position in top organizations. These several business analyst certification programs can cost a lot of money and even take some time to complete. However, you are not under any pressure to do it if you are not ready for the commitment and sacrifice. 

There are also comprehensive business analyst training courses you can learn online to improve your BA skills but here are some of the BA certifications;

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)
• Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)

Each of these business analysis career certifications can be a game-changer in your search for that dream job. Ensure you check online to learn more about it.

Conclusion

You are expected to translate your business analyst career certifications and achievements into a one-page resume that will impress a recruiter. The best possible way you can do this is by following the steps discussed in this guide.

In a situation whereby the business analysis position you are applying for is a bit different from your previous role, you are expected to tailor your resume to the requirements of the new role. You can try a resume builder online or work with free templates available on different platforms to help build yours.