Guide to Writing an Entry Level Business Analyst Resume

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published June 10, 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Business analysts observe work environments and make suggestions about how to improve efficiency and simplify processes. An entry-level resume for an analyst position relies heavily on skills and academic achievements, focusing on the ability to learn and desire to achieve. Understanding how to present yourself as a qualified candidate for an entry-level role can help you begin your career and gain the experience you require to grow professionally. In this article, we explain what an entry level business analyst resume is, explore useful industry skills, supply a reference template, and provide detailed resume examples.

What is an entry level business analyst resume?

An entry level business analyst resume is a job application document that focuses primarily on education and a willingness to learn. As an entry-level professional, employers usually expect post-secondary education. Depending on the role, the analyst may require a bachelor's or a master's degree. Analysts gather data about a business and use the information to assess the office's various processes and systems. These professionals use software to analyze quantifiable data and gather intangible information by engaging in the workplace. The ultimate goal of an analyst is to improve efficiency and solidify office processes that maximize productivity.

Business analyst skills

Business analysts require a range of skills that enable them to effectively identify issues within a company. Because some matters are interpersonal while others are technical, having both hard and soft skills is important. Among the helpful strengths are:

Communication talent

A business analyst liaises between employees, department heads, and executives. To communicate issues or present solutions effectively, the analyst relies on written and verbal communication. Understanding how to express yourself in different situations by choosing an appropriate tone is helpful for business analysts.

Interpersonal abilities

When an analyst performs an office assessment, it involves engaging with a wide range of professionals. Often, the process involves interviewing employees to determine issues with processes or satisfaction. If you can present as trustworthy, it helps people feel safe confiding, thereby facilitating the assessment. Analysts also bring systems issues to the attention of executives, something that requires tact. Interpersonal communication is common for business analysts, and handling it effectively can help them remain content in the role over the long term.

Business knowledge

Understanding basic business processes is essential to analyzing the overall function of a company. To determine whether there is a delay or a bottleneck in a system, the analyst requires basic knowledge of the industry and its standards of practice. From knowing the basics of quarterly reports to the difference between liquid and non-liquid assets, an analyst requires a solid business education as a foundation.

Analytical thinking

The process of identifying and clearly defining issues, then extracting essential information to identify a solution is analytic thinking. In a business role, this involves carefully assessing the company from a variety of aspects. The process requires objectivity while remaining able to think critically and act on an issue in a timely manner.

Innovation and strategy

Business analysts both identify a concern and find ways to repair it, improving on the original process. This involves the ability to extract and organize data clearly, then put it in context. The analyst develops tests to verify the issue, strategize for potential repairs, and creates models. Executives use this feedback to inform changes in the business procedures or systems.

How to write a business analyst resume

Every business analyst's resume is unique, but an entry-level document has some specific requirements. The main focus is to prioritize your potential and eagerness to work because this highlights what you can offer the prospective employer. The following steps can guide you through the process:

1. Choose a prominent header

The first thing the hiring manager sees on your resume is the header. This section contains your name, job title, and personal information. Identifying a sufficiently bold format is important to distinguish yourself while maintaining a professional tone. In your header, ensure that all the information is current. This section is your first opportunity to establish a brand, so if you plan to integrate colour, the header's borders give you the chance to make yourself more apparent visually.

2. Identify the ideal introduction

Your resume introduction, or objective statement, is the part of your resume where you indicate your intentions. In this section, you introduce yourself, state the position you are applying for, and explain briefly why you are an ideal candidate. Many call this section the elevator pitch because it gives the chance to pitch yourself as a candidate. Its purpose is to encourage the reader to continue perusing your resume.

3. Detail your academic credentials

If you apply for an entry-level position, it's common to prioritize your academic credentials ahead of your work experience. Most positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree, especially if the company wants to train someone new to replace someone retiring. If the position doesn't include shadowing, then most roles expect a master's degree, usually in business administration or management. Indicate your degree, when you earned it, the issuing institution, and your grades if you graduated with honours.

4. Highlight any work experience

Employers who hire entry-level business analysts understand that you likely have more education than work experience. It's worth noting that the entry-level qualifier applies to the specific role. Most employers want to hire someone with a proven record of work experience. It shows dedication and a strong work ethic, while also providing a reference for your professional competency. Even if the work doesn't relate to the analyst position directly, list the position and any relevant duties you performed. Aim to identify ways where the experience overlaps with analyst functions to show that you learn from experience.

5. Detail relevant skills

A business analyst requires many skills to perform the position, even at an entry level. When you apply for jobs with less experience, it can help to highlight your ability to learn and adapt. Provide examples, such as certifications or awards, to show your ability to improve. Consult the job advertisement to determine the skills the employer seeks. Identify those that match your skill set and elaborate on how you can use them to contribute to the business. Use bullet points to maintain readability.

Template of a business analyst resume

The following is a template for a business analyst resume that you can use as a guideline, personalizing it with your experience:

[Full name]
[Mobile number]
[Email address]

Objective summary

[Paragraph outlining your interest in the entry-level position as a business analyst]

Experience

[Bullet points to list your work experience, beginning with the most recent]
[List any relevant skills you gained during your time in the role]

Education

[Name of degree or certification], [Graduating year]
[Name of the educational institution]
[City and province]

Skills

[applicable skill]
[applicable skill]

Example of an analyst's resume

The following is an example of an entry-level resume for a business analyst position for you to use as a reference for your application documents:

Jira Eldora
Winnipeg, Manitoba
987-009-1818
j.eldora@email.ca

Objective
Dependable and eager business graduate seeking an analyst position where I can use my skills to contribute value to the workplace. As a determined learner who is fluent in industry-leading analytics software, I am interested in a position where I can learn from experienced professionals and grow my skills. Committed to helping businesses optimize their operations, I plan to use my business degree, with a marketing specialization, to secure long-term employment with the opportunity to grow my career.

Qualifications

Fluent in all major programming languages
Graduated from business school with honours
Specialized in market analytics
Interned at a prominent data management company

Digital Retail Optimizer 2018-2022
Sales Specialists Ltd.
Winnipeg, Ontario

Managed up to 50 client files simultaneously
Received inbound calls and established contracts with businesses
Provided analytics services to improve web traffic
During my four years, I improved overall client revenue by 22%