Business Analyst Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Business Analyst resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Business analysts are tasked with understanding the needs of their organization’s customers and end users, then translating those needs into solutions that will drive business forward. They work across multiple departments to gather requirements, define scope, and create roadmaps that will guide product development. And they’re often the glue that holds cross-functional teams together, breaking down silos and helping people collaborate toward a common goal.
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level or just looking for a fresh challenge, writing a great business analyst resume is your first step toward securing a job that will allow you to do what you love every day. Here are some tips and an example to help you write yours.
How to Write a Business Analyst Resume
Here’s how to write a business analyst resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The best way to make your resume stand out is to use specific examples and numbers. So rather than saying you “analyzed data,” you could say you “analyzed data to identify opportunities for cost savings of $1 million over 18-month period.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and the results of your work.
Related: What Is a Business Analyst? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job as a business analyst, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system is designed to scan your resume for specific keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common business analyst keywords as a starting point to help you identify the skills and experience that are most relevant to the role:
- Business Analysis
- Requirements Gathering
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Business Requirements
- Agile Methodologies
- Requirements Analysis
- Requirements Engineering
- Data Analysis
- Jira
- SQL
- Agile Project Management
- Software Project Management
- Business Process
- Scrum
- Microsoft Power BI
- Project Management
- Business Process Improvement
- Tableau
- Business Intelligence (BI)
- Business Process
- Integration
- Business Process Design
- Business Process Mapping
- Business Process Re-engineering
- Requirements Management
- Business Architecture
- Six Sigma
- Finance
- Business Strategy
- Functional Testing
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a business analyst, you rely on specific programs, systems, and methods to do your job. That’s why it’s essential to list your technical skills prominently on your resume. By doing so, you’ll show that you’re a valuable candidate who is familiar with the essential tools and systems used in your field.
Recruiters are looking for business analysts who are proficient in specific programs, such as Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, and Oracle. They also want to see that you have experience with specific systems and methodologies, such as Six Sigma and Agile. So be sure to list all of your relevant technical skills prominently on your resume.
Related: How Much Does a Business Analyst Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
When formatting your resume, you should use left-aligned text, a standard font type and size, and limited use of bolding, italics, and all-caps. You should also try to use no more than 2 lines per bullet point and have a separate skills section. Finally, make sure your formatting is consistent throughout the document.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but it is important to keep it concise and to the point. A one-page resume is ideal for recent graduates or those with less than five to eight years of professional experience. If you have more experience than that, you can make a two-page resume, but be selective about the information you include. In general, you want to be succinct and get your point across quickly.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Consider a Summary
When you’re applying for a job, it’s important to make your resume stand out. One way to do that is by using a resume summary statement. This is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume that explains who you are, what you do, and what your best skills are. This can be a great way to show recruiters that you have the skills they’re looking for, and it can help to make your resume more concise and easy to read.
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