Business Analyst Resume Guide & Tips

This article will explore the various components to include in a business analytics resume. It will also provide some tips for creating a strong resume, as well as some sample resumes for Business Analysts to use as models when drafting theirs.

What to Put on a Business Analyst Resume

Summary

Including a summary on a Business Analyst resume is a great way to provide a brief synopsis of what skills and experience a candidate can bring to an organization. Because it’s at the top of a resume directly below contact information, the summary is likely the first thing a hiring manager will read. It’s therefore essential to make a good impression, albeit a brief one. Unlike a resume objective, which describes what a job applicant hopes to achieve in their next position, a summary provides a brief overview of what specifically the candidate expects to contribute to this organization as a Business Analyst. 

When crafting a summary, it’s a good idea to keep the job description close by for reference. It’s also important for the job applicant to recall any skills or experiences they have that are directly relevant to this role, such as certifications, work experience, career achievements, or hard/soft skills. Any specific requirements or phrases used in the job post can be woven into the summary. The more overlap an applicant can illustrate between the job requirements and their own qualifications, the more likely the hiring manager will be to see them as a good fit for the role. 

Ideally, a summary will be one or two sentences. The first sentence often begins with a strong adjective to describe the applicant. Active voice is preferable when writing the summary.

A comprehensive work experience section

Because Business Analysts work in various industries and have different responsibilities, it’s important to remember that a Hiring Manager working in IT may not be familiar with the requirements of working as a Business Analyst in the medical sector. For this reason, it’s essential to create a clear, specific work section in the resume. 

Bullet points that incorporate active verbs are an effective way to showcase prior work experience. The more specific details the applicant can include (briefly), the more effective each bullet will be. Including hard numbers can illustrate the impact the applicant had in their prior workplace, as can quantifying prior experience contributions.

Education

Including post-high-school education on a resume is also important. Bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, certificate study, or other coursework can each be placed in this section. All educational experiences should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recently completed at the top. In addition, the GPA for study can be included if the applicant’s grades were high or if any notable academic awards were achieved.

Hard and soft skills

Showcasing both hard and soft skills on a business analytics resume is a must. Before doing so, it’s important for the applicant to review the job listing and include any skills they possess that overlap with those the organization seeks. Some of the most common skills to include in a Business Analyst resume are:

Hard Skills

• Data mining
• Microsoft Excel
• Database design
• SQL & database querying languages
• Survey & query software
• Programming skills with languages such as Python
• Business intelligence software, such as Microsoft Power BI
• Data visualization with software like Tableau
• Statistical analysis software, like SAS or SPSS

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail
• Conflict resolution
• Collaboration initiative
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Self-motivation to work independently
• Negotiation
• Written and verbal communication 
• Time management
• Patience in seeing projects through from conception to completion

#5: Hobbies and interests

Although it’s not a requirement for a Business Analyst to include a short section detailing extracurricular activities, if there is extra space in the resume, it can be helpful to briefly mention them. In addition, applicants with limited work experience, including hobbies and interests, is particularly helpful in order to convey that they are well-rounded. Just like all other elements of the resume, deciding what to include in this section should depend on which skills may be most beneficial in the job. Information such as volunteer work, awards, or professional organization affiliation can be placed toward the end of the resume.

5 Business Analyst Resume Tips

Tailor the resume to the employer

When applying for jobs as a Business Analyst, each job application will require a unique resume. One common mistake is attempting to use one general resume to fit all positions. Instead, a resume should provide not only an introduction to who the applicant is, but also offer ample support of why the applicant has the necessary training to meet the needs of this specific employer. The more a candidate can show why they can be the solution the organization needs, the better chance they have of being hired.

Don’t include a headshot

Although some job applicants may be tempted to include a headshot with their business analytics resume, it’s best to send only a resume without any accompanying photo. Many companies have anti-discrimination rules in place, and submitting a headshot can break these rules. Instead, it’s best to let the skills included in the resume do all the talking. 

Keep it short

Brevity is a virtue when writing a resume. Most resumes are only one page long. In some instances, such as when a Business Analyst has years of professional experience, a resume may go onto a second or third page. However, it’s imperative to be concise regardless of resume length. Showcasing more recent successes in greater detail than those from a decade ago is one way to keep the resume short and effective.

Incorporate keywords and phrases

It is common for hiring managers to review hundreds of resumes in the search for a candidate to fill a single position. Many of these applicants will have satisfied basic job requirements. In order to stand out from the potentially large group of applicants who meet basic qualifications, it’s important for a prospective Business Analyst to use keywords and phrases throughout their resume. Consulting the job post and extracting words or phrases is a sure way to indicate to hiring managers that the applicant has met these qualifications. 

Have others review the resume

It’s a good idea for a Business Analyst to have someone else review their resume before it is submitted. Those with a business background, such as professional Business Analysts or Data Analysts, can provide specific feedback, insights, and tips, as well as help to spot mistakes or oversights. In addition, asking someone with a background in writing to review the resume is also prudent, as they may be likely to catch any typos or inconsistencies that the applicant has overlooked. 

Start Learning Business Analytics by Enrolling in Hands-on Classes

For those who want to start a career as a Business Analyst, various courses are currently available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students interested in sharpening their business and analytic skills. Noble Desktop’s Business Analyst Certificate is a great learning option for any aspiring Business Analyst. Relevant tools and skills such as data analysis, Excel, Tableau, and SQL are covered in this program. Those enrolled in this intensive course can elect to study online or in person in Manhattan. This class comes with the option of a free retake for learners who wish to revisit course material. 

In addition, a great resource for finding business analytics classes close to home is Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. It can be used to search more than 250 live online and in-person business analytics courses currently available in topics such as SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel for Business, among others.