Business Analyst Job Search Tips & Best Practices

This article will explore the process of applying for jobs in business analytics. It will also offer some tips to help with the job search, as well as some best practices to keep in mind when looking for employment.

Tips & Best Practices for the Business Analyst Job Search

Searching for a job can be a stressful process. There are so many variables to consider, and so much work involved in not only finding good positions but in submitting each application. The following are some tips to help along the way:

Look in the right places 

Job sites remain the most-used resource by those hunting for employment. In addition, more specialized industry-specific sites also offer a range of job listings for Business Analysts. However, approximately three-quarters of job listings aren’t advertised at all. Many employers instead rely on their existing network to find viable candidates or search through resume databases offered by specific job sites. In order to have the best chance of being noticed by recruiters, it’s essential for job hunters to upload their resumes to several job search sites and to use keywords in their resumes.

Have a strong resume & cover letter on hand

The resume and cover letter are often the most important components that help a Business Analyst be noticed among hundreds of applicants. For this reason, it’s important to ensure they both are as strong as possible. Although each job is unique and will require a tailored resume and cover letter, having a basic template on hand during the application process can be a convenient, time-saving option. 

Strong Business Analyst resumes are typically one page long and often include:

• Contact information at the top, in the heading
• Relevant work experiences in business analytics, with the most recent or relevant listed first
• Education
• Awards and honors
• Specialized skills and training, such as experience working with Excel, SQL, or Tableau
• Certifications or publications 

In addition to the resume, having a basic cover letter ready to customize is also prudent for those on the job hunt. Cover letters are usually under one page in length and provide a more detailed discussion of some of the information presented on the resume. While the cover letter will vary significantly depending on the job, most business analytics cover letters include:

• A heading with contact information, which matches the heading in the resume
• A strong introductory paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention
• Most recent or relevant professional responsibilities
• Education or qualifications
• A call to action in the final paragraph, inviting future correspondences

Have a portfolio of work readily available

A professional portfolio containing work samples is another important component of the Business Analytics job search. Because it can be a time-consuming process to compile a strong portfolio, it’s a good idea to start before applying to jobs. 

It’s common for Business Analysts to create online portfolios rather than hard copies. This ensures that access can be easily given to recruiters simply by sending a link. It also makes it easy to add, edit, or rearrange content as needed.

Although there is no one “right” way to compile a portfolio, most strong Business Analyst portfolios contain the following:

• An introduction or “About Me” section. This is where the Business Analyst can briefly introduce themself and explain their interest in business analytics. Typically, this section is a small paragraph at the beginning of the portfolio. 
• Work samples. Business Analysts generally select two or three work samples, or project samples, to include in their portfolio. Each one included should showcase industry-relevant skills that are of value to the employer. In addition to including samples, it’s important also to provide context to help illustrate how these samples contributed to the organization. The more specific the context, the better, especially if it can explain how the sample was used to improve the organization’s outcomes or fix a particular problem.
• A section detailing the applicant’s relevant training, skills, and work experiences. Although the recruiter will have a copy of the applicant’s resume that includes professional training, the portfolio can be used to emphasize any skills that they bring to the table that would benefit the company to which they are applying. For example, spreadsheet expertise, experience visualizing data, or working with programming languages like Python would all be relevant to include in this section.

Network

Connecting with other Business Analysts provides a great opportunity to learn more about what they do, as well as to establish professional connections. Attending conferences, meetings, or other networking events can open many professional doors for those new to business analytics. Networking can take a variety of other forms as well, both formal and informal. It can involve reaching out to former professors or instructors to inquire about their experiences working in business. It can also be as casual as asking friends or family with a background in business analytics to share what it’s like to work in this field. In addition, many online groups are available specifically for business analytics-related topics. 

Have an online presence

Employers and recruiters often use LinkedIn to search for qualified Business Analysts. For those on the job search, it’s important to keep an active LinkedIn presence with an updated profile. Recruiters sometimes use LinkedIn to reach out to strong candidates. LinkedIn provides a platform for showcasing professional work and connections, as well as skills and training. Because employers can see applicants’ profiles while they are on the job hunt, it’s essential to only discuss professional matters on LinkedIn. 

Be proactive but patient

Even in a strong job market, finding a job as a Business Analyst takes time, perseverance, and patience. Remaining confident during the process is essential to not feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. It’s important for applicants who have devoted the time and energy to crafting a strong resume, cover letter, and portfolio to stand by their work, maintain their online presence, and continue to network until they receive an interview or job offer.

Evaluate job offers

Once a Business Analyst has attracted the attention of an employer and impressed them with their resume, cover letter, portfolio, and interview, they may receive a formal job offer. At this time, the applicant will have to evaluate the offer. This may require additional research, but it is well worth the effort. 

Before accepting a job offer, a Business Analyst should decide if the salary and benefits being proposed are above, below, or right on the average pay rates for business analytics in that field. The applicant may ask for additional compensation and cite reputable websites such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics to offer a point of reference. If relocation is required, the cost of living in the city of employment should be factored into this calculation. 

Another important consideration is whether the organization’s work environment is a good match for the applicant. Are employees who work for this organization satisfied? Do they seem to have a good work/life balance? In addition, the Business Analyst should also decide whether the position is a step forward for them professionally before making any final decisions.

Begin Learning Business Analytics by Signing up for Hands-on Classes

Business analytics is currently an in-demand profession around the U.S. For those who are interested in breaking into this field, a variety of courses are available in business analytics and related disciplines. Noble Desktop’s Business Analyst Certificate is a great learning option for any aspiring Business Analyst. Relevant skills and tools such as data analysis, Excel, Tableau, and SQL are covered in this 63-hour program. Those enrolled in this intensive course can elect to study online or in person in Manhattan. 

Noble also offers a Data Analytics Certificate that provides hands-on instruction in core skills for aspiring Business Analysts or Data Analysts, such as statistical analysis, data visualization, and business intelligence. 

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.