How to Write a Business Analyst Resume that Stands Out

Business analysts collect and analyze data, recognize companies’ changing needs, and find ways for businesses to improve their practices. Additionally, business analysts work with stakeholders and users to manage business projects and processes.

 

There are several types of business analyst positions, including business systems analysts, information technology business analysts, business data analysts, senior business analysts, and more. No matter what position you’re applying for, here are some ideas to get you started on your business analyst resume.

For any resume you’re writing, you’ll want to include a skills section with both hard and soft skills. Some common soft skills necessary for a business analyst job include:

• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Project management
• Interpersonal skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving

On the other hand, some hard skills to add to your resume include:

• Data analysis skills
• Understanding of programming languages
• Software development
• Implementing process improvement initiatives
• Familiarity with Agile and Waterfall methodologies
• Facilitated user acceptance testing (UAT)
• Preparing workflow diagrams
• Business process and administration tasks
• Knowledge of database and SQL Server
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

While writing your skills section, make sure to tailor your skills to match the keywords found in the job description. For example, if the hiring manager is looking for a candidate that is familiar with Agile and Waterfall methodologies, then make sure to include this in your skills section, if applicable.

To ensure your resume format stands out and is easy for potential employers to read, knowing what resume sections to add is important. Most resumes include a header, resume summary or resume objective, a skills section, a work history section, an education section and any additional sections needed for certifications, achievements, or notable awards.

 

To ensure your resume stands out against other applicants, focusing on your most relevant skills, job experience, and certifications is important. If you have skills that don’t translate to the job you’re applying for, then don’t have to include them on your resume. Additionally, make sure to include terminology that makes sense for the job position.

If you’re not sure how to format your resume, then check out some business analyst resume examples or resume templates to get started. Or, check out some of these formatting tips below to learn about the different resume sections.

 

 

In your resume header section, include your full name, job title, and contact information, including your phone number, email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure you leave an email address that’s appropriate for a professional resume.

 

 

In your business analyst resume summary or resume objective, give a brief overview of your career and skills, telling employers why you’re the best applicant for the job. Highlight your most notable achievements and showcase any awards or certifications that make you stand out against the rest.

 

 

The skills section should include brief bullet points that highlight your best soft and hard business analyst skills. As stated above, it’s important to tailor your resume skills to the skills and business requirements that the employer is looking for, as listed on the job application.

 

 

Use a reverse-chronological format, and list your most recent job first and work backwards to older jobs you’ve had. Include your job title, your place of work, years of experience, and some basic job responsibilities you held for that position.

 

 

For the education section of your resume, include the name of the college or university you attended, along with any degrees earned while attending. If you didn’t go to college, then you could add the name of your high school and the year of graduation. Additionally, you can include your college or high school GPA, if applicable.

 

 

If you’ve earned any recognition or awards during your time as a business analyst, then make sure to include these on your resume. If you have any job-related certifications in important areas such as project management, they’re also useful to include in your resume.