How to Become a Business Analyst
Offering a thorough analysis in order to see shortcomings in the business operations can help bring inefficiencies and issues to the attention of management. But how do you become a Business Analyst?
Routes in to Business Analysis
As with most careers there are several routes in to Business Analysis, here we look at a few of the most common:
1. Through a University degree
Most Business Analysts will hold a university degree of some sort, but very few will have “Business Analyst” degrees, or have left university and gone straight in to Business Analysis. However, as demand for Business Analysts increases the more people are becoming aware of it as a career option earlier on in their education. With that in mind, several related subjects now include BA modules and Business Analyst degrees are becoming more common.
2. Move careers within your area of expertise
Probably the most common route in to Business Analysis is to transfer from a career in a related field. Business Analysis relies heavily on a solid understanding of Business acumen and IT so many Business Analysts are thrust in to the position from one of these areas.
This route can often require years of experience in your field prior to the conversion or additional training in business analyst methodologies or tools. Find out more about Business Analyst Training here.
Ways to improve your chances of becoming a Business Analyst
Get a degree
As mentioned earlier, most Business Analysts come from a university education in a relevant field (typically Business Studies or Computer Science) so if you are still in education or the very early stages of your career than this could be an option for you.
Get experience
If you already have a degree and are looking to commence a career in Business Analysis, getting any experience you can is a great addition to your CV. BA training is also a great way to show your commitment to your chosen career path. This could be through voluntary work, university placements or junior paid positions.
Industry Specific Training
For those coming from industry experience and migrating across to a Business Analyst role, as mentioned above, Business Analyst training is an excellent option. Training can either be for personal strengths, i.e. to hone up your key soft skills or consolidate your existing BA knowledge, or resulting in qualifications to demonstrate your knowledge of Business Analysis methodologies and tools and your dedication to transferring to a BA career to a potential employer.
Most employers are looking for a balance between the education and Business Analysis experience so it is important to highlight both of these in your Business Analyst CV and Cover Letter.
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