How To Write a Business Analyst Resume (With Sample)

As the nature of business becomes more complex, they rely on business analysts to use data and research to help them make informed business decisions. Given the nature of this role, it's essential you know how to demonstrate your qualifications on your resume. In turn, understanding how to write a business analyst resume can significantly improve your job application success rates. In this article, we discuss what a business analyst is, outline how to make one, highlight some tips for a great resume, and provide a template and sample for guidance.

What is a business analyst?

Business analysts use research and data analysis to determine how businesses can improve their systems and processes for more profitability. They evaluate businesses, identify issues in their systems, and research the most effective ways to combat them. The daily tasks of a business analyst include analyzing business structures, suggesting improvements to align a business' processes with its goals, providing periodic reports to management, pitching new technology systems to company executives, and organizing workshops on the use of new technology. Business analysts can work independently, with consulting firms, or as in-house analysts for large organizations.

Related: How To Become a Business Analyst in 3 Easy Steps

The work environment of a business analyst varies according to their employer. Consultants usually travel to the client's office and work there for the duration of the project. In-house analysts monitor business functions and ensure any new technology is functioning properly. Business analysts use various technical skills, including statistical analysis, programming, and data mining. Similarly, soft skills like observation, effective communication, leadership, and analytical skills are essential for their role. Most employers require business analysts to have a bachelor's degree and years of relevant experience. Business analysts earn a national average salary of $73,142 per year.

Related:

• What Is a Business Analyst?

• Business Analyst vs. Business Systems Analyst: Differences and Similarities

How to make a business analyst resume

Here are some steps you can follow to write a business analyst resume:

1. Include your personal details

Including your personal details on your resume header is essential for a good resume. It helps the hiring manager know who owns the resume and how to communicate important information with them. For a resume, relevant personal details include your name, mobile number, and email address. You can also include your mailing address, but this can be redundant, especially in recent times when most application processes are online.

2. Write your resume introduction

Resume introductions highlight vital parts of a resume and save the hiring manager time searching for them. This is important for your resume as hiring managers rarely spend more than a few minutes on each resume. The types of resume introductions include professional summaries, statements of qualifications, and career objectives. Whichever type you use, ensure it's brief and in a professional tone.

Related: How To Prepare for a Job Interview

3. Describe your academic background

Your academic background contains all formal education and training that's to the role. The first step in describing your academic background is writing the institution's name, location, and study period. Then, under these details, write the name of your degree. You can also include additional information about your CGPA or relevant subjects you took.

4. Discuss your work experiences

These are details about previous roles you've held that involved the same or similar duties. This is the major part of your resume and what employers are likely to spend the most time reviewing. Start with your employer's name, city and province, and period of employment. Next, you can include your job title. If your role has an uncommon title, you can include the closest common equivalent in a bracket. Lastly, use a bulleted list for your work description section. Here you can provide details about your activities under that employer and any work achievements.

5. Highlight relevant skills

Skills are professional abilities or knowledge that help you perform your duties effectively. Most hiring managers include skills they expect from a candidate in their job descriptions. First, you can read through it to decide on which skills to prioritize. Then, you can either highlight your skills in other sections like work experiences or create a separate section for them. The latter option is ideal for professionals with multiple technical skills.

Related: 10 Skills Business Analysts Need for Workplace Success

6. Consider additional sections

There are various additional sections you can use, depending on your qualifications and the company you want. These sections are optional but help make your resume more impressive. For example, business analysts with the necessary qualifications can benefit from additional sections like multiple languages, certifications, relevant software, or programming languages.

Related: How To Become a Business Analyst in 3 Easy Steps

Tips for an effective resume for business analysts

Here are some tips you can follow for an effective resume for business analysts:

Quantify your achievements

Quantifying your achievements involves using measurable terms to describe your impact on an organization. Examples of measurable terms are figures, percentages, and averages. Quantifying your achievements helps make your resume more convincing and impressive. This is especially important for business analysts whose contributions to business profitability aren't always obvious.

Prioritize technical skills

One of the most important qualities of a business analyst is their technical skills. When listing your skills, prioritize the technical skills, so the hiring manager doesn't miss them. You can consider creating a separate section for your programming languages and relevant software.

Related: Technical Skills: Definition and Examples

Move your certifications higher

As there are no degrees for business analysts, employers rely on experience and certifications to judge candidates. As such, your certifications are more important for business analysts than other professionals. Make them easier for the hiring manager to locate by placing them higher on the resume.

Use proper formatting

Proper formatting helps your resume look organized and professional. This can be essential for business analysts who usually have a lot of information on their resumes. Formatting includes the font size, style, and alignment.

Related: The Best Fonts for Your Resume

Use simple language

Business analysts deal with many technical terms, but it's important you simplify your resume for the hiring manager. This makes it easier for them to appreciate your work. It also demonstrates effective communication and presentation skills.

Related: 11 Business Analyst Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Template of a resume for business analysts

Here is a template of a resume for business analysts:

[Full name]
[Mobile number], [Email address]
[City and province of residence]
Professional summary

• First bullet point to introduce yourself as a professional. Then, you can include your years of experience or special qualifications.

• Second bullet point to mention relevant qualifications and skills.

• Third bullet point to discuss any workplace achievements, awards, or honours.

• The fourth bullet point is to discuss any notable project or previous employees.

Academic background
[Name of the institution], [City and province]-[Period of study]
Name of degree/program

• CGPA/Degree classification

• Include any relevant courses or academic projects

Selected projects
[Name of role]

• [Name of the project]

Work experience
[Name of employer], [City and province]-[Period of employment]
[Job title]

• Include specific details about your work duties and achievements.

• Quantify your achievements where possible, using figures and percentages.

Skills

• [Relevant skill]

• [Relevant skill]

Sample of a resume for business analysts

You can use this sample of a resume for business analysts as a reference when making yours:

John Fulham
223-443-6657, johnfullham@gmail.com
Toronto, Ontario
Professional summary

• Seasoned business analyst with over five years of experience using research and data analysis to help businesses make profitable decisions

• Expert knowledge of business research and analysis methods, including data mining, data analysis, and user acceptance testing

• Two-time winner of the "Tech Professional of the Year" award

• Trained and supervised three analyst interns looking to start their careers as business analysts

Educational background
Hallow University, Toronto, Ontario-2013-2014
Masters in business administration (MBA)

• Distinction

• Relevant courses include corporate budgeting, market analysis, macroeconomics, and global economic factors

Greeter College, Toronto, Ontario-2009-2013
Computer science (BSc)

• First-class honours (3.7/4.0)

• Relevant courses include programming, computer systems, digital networks, and data science

Work experiences
XYZ Investment Bank, Toronto, Ontario-2018-2021
Business analyst

• Carried out a thorough review of all business processes, including payment systems, information channels, and customer relationship management software

• Recommended new technology systems to improve trading activities, leading to a 6% increase in company revenues

• Collaborated with various department and unit heads to incorporate their business processes into the organization's technological systems

• Provided periodic reports on the state of the organization's business structure and systems to company executives

Great Profits Consultancy Services, Toronto, Ontario-2016-2018
Business analyst

• Introduced new analytics and business management software to help company executives organize their decision-making process

• Implemented a new communication system, leading to a more effective distribution of correspondence within the organization

• Trained and supervised three business analyst interns on core analyst duties within an organization

• Prepared budgets for new technology recommendations and persuaded company executives on the importance of the recommendations

High Water Agency Ltd, Toronto, Ontario-2014-2016
Business analyst

• Conducted in-depth market research and identified factors responsible for a prior decline in revenue, leading to a 7% increase in revenue within six months

• Negotiated with vendors and suppliers for cost-effective technology systems to improve business processes

• Collaborated with the IT department to install new communication and storage systems

• Organized periodic workshops to train employees on the use of newly introduced technological systems

Skills

• Market research

• Programming

• Data mining and analysis

• Effective communication

• Leadership skills

• Teamwork skills

• Analytical skills

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate's experience, academic background, and location.

The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.