The Business Analyst Resume Guide for 2024
Here are our most important resume guidelines we recommend all job seekers follow for a significantly better shot at getting invited for an interview.
Here’s what we’re going to cover in this guide:
- How to properly format your resume for success in 2024
- How to talk about your work experience and personal projects
- How to create a competitive skills section
- How to customize your resume for each job you apply to
Formatting a Business Analyst Resume
Reverse chronological structure: Recent experience first
Reverse chronological resume is the most popular which almost all job seekers should be using. This format means listing out the most recent and relevant things first. It starts with the most recent timeline and you work your way backward, e.g. the latest job position comes first in your work experience section, not the oldest. Structuring your resume this way makes your career timeline more established.
Business Analyst Resume Length
Stick to 1 page.
Most Business Specialists have found that their best shot at landing an offer is by having a one or two-page resume. This includes a collection of sections that cover relevant past experiences. Your resume should be no longer than three pages. The risk of going beyond two pages is including irrelevant content that could distract from your qualifications.
Avoid Common Business Analyst Resume Format Mistakes
1) Resumes must include as much content as possible.
2) Uniform and labeled section headers
When it comes to creating an ATS-optimized resume, it’s good to know how it will be read by the software. Like most human readers, the ATS will read from left to right and top to bottom.
3) Minimal white-space
9 Expert Business Resumes Examples To Use For Business Related Jobs(Including Writing Tips)
Key Sections for a Business Analyst Resume
A Tailored Resume Summary
In a competitive field like Business Analyst, hiring managers sometimes review hundreds of applications for a single position. Writing a resume that stands out is difficult, so solve that problem by including a compelling introduction for your resume. Begin your resume with a resume objective, which is a 2–3 sentence paragraph about your job-relevant skills and career goals.
Business Analyst with 4 years of extensive experience in business process improvement and test scripts. Proven ability to optimize client services and help execute and analyze data-driven decisions. Applying for the position of Senior Business Analyst to lead team projects and coordinate activities with consulting services.
Experienced Business Analyst with 4 years of experience in User-Interface design, Data Analysis, and Business Analysis. Proven skills in crafting solutions to complex business problems and translating them into actionable requirements. Applying for the position of Strategic Business Analyst at Company A to lead the effort in driving data-driven solutions to business challenges.
Experienced Business Analyst with ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects at once. Talented in the field of Scrum, QA, and lean management. Dedicated to providing detailed and thorough reports, and ensuring client satisfaction. Currently a Business Analyst at Company A, applying for a similar position at Company B.
You can read more about how to create a resume summary with artificial intelligence here.
Your Relevant Professional Experience
Employers will want to know what you’ve done in your previous job position to get insight into your skills and expertise. Knowing what you’re familiar with will help them make a decision and to see if you’re more of a good fit compared to the other applicants.
However, you should also be including any positive results you’ve accomplished.
Business Certifications
Emphasize your credentials. Include mention of all Important Skills for Business Jobs, International Qualification Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA), Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA), Professional in Business Analysis (PBA), Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering Foundation Level (CPRE-FL), Professional Business Analyst Certificate, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or other Business methods or processes.
Skills for a Business Analyst Resume
We suggest adding the categorized skills section at the end of your resume. Be sure to include those that are specifically mentioned in the job ad; these are the most important “keywords” that will help rank your resume highly when it is scanned by an automated applicant tracking system during its first round of review.
Hard skills usually include transferable abilities with software, tools and or other professional resources. But don’t forget to include soft skills like teamwork and communication skills, which are necessary to coordinate with an agency, designers, marketing people, business owners and clients.
Here are more key hard and soft skills that look great on a Business Analyst resume:
Hard skills to consider
- Business programs: Microsoft excel, SQL, Tableau, Python, R, User-Interface, Project Management, Data Analysis, Software development, Test scripts, Sdlc
- Industry credentials: International Qualification Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA), Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA), Professional in Business Analysis (PBA), Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering Foundation Level (CPRE-FL), Professional Business Analyst Certificate, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
Soft skills to consider
- Negotiation
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Active Listening
- Interpersonal Skills
- Work Ethic
Business Resume Content
Using Metrics to Quantify Experiences
Don’t simply fill your resume with lists of your Business Analyst job responsibilities. To impress the hiring manager, put your experience in context with specific examples and hard numbers that prove you’re an accomplished Business Specialist.
Describe how you accomplished something from your previous corporate role. Showcasing the achievements that took place as a result of your contribution will keep the reader engaged. It’s also effective in creating a strong impression and demonstrating your level of ability by highlighting the impact you’ve made.
Without any evidence, it’s hard to trust everything that someone might say. Be factual and take an objective approach. Numbers, figures, and statistics are your best friend. These will make your statements and points a lot more credible.
Optimizing Resume Content with Business Keywords
How to tailor your resume to a job. Many hiring managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter applications based on resume keywords they write in their job ads. The more Business Analyst–related keywords you can use, the higher the chances your resume gets past the ATS and onto the hiring manager’s shortlist of applications.
The ATS keyword research process doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it’s a straightforward process if you’re doing it with Rezi. Our AI Keyword Targeting feature allows you to upload a job description and instantly see which keywords should be included in your resume's content.
Instantly Generate Business Analyst Resume Content
Job seekers can now use AI to create the perfect application with minimal effort. How long does it take to make a resume writes tailored content instantly and prevents writer’s block completely. It’s that simple yet highly effective in helping you get more job offers and interviews faster.
All you need to do is enter a few details such as:
- Name
- Industry
- Experience level
Learn more about Rezi AI Resume Writer here
Include a Business Analyst Cover Letter
Many job seekers today overlook the importance of a cover letter. The significant impact it can leave on your recruiters will play its part in the decisive moment for whether you’re going to get hired or not.
To put it simply, cover letters can be your gateway to improving your overall job application and a higher chance of getting the job.
Unless your resume is absolutely perfect with no flaws, why settle for less? A cover letter can greatly increase your odds of getting hired for the company you want to work for, even if it’s a competitive job posting.
Learn more about Rezi AI Cover Letter Builder here