Become a Business Analyst
How to Start a Business Analyst Career: A guidebook to help you explore the business analyst profession and find entry-level business analyst jobs
Price: $24.95. Available. Immediate download (84 8 1/2″ x 11″ pages) in PDF format with purchase through PayPal.
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For the Kindle via Amazon - $9.95
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More about How to Start a Business Analyst Career
It’s difficult to find an entry-level business analyst position. How to Start a Business Analyst Career will help you build a personalized road map for finding your first business analyst position, accelerating your transition into the BA role without the hefty investment in formal training programs. How to Start a Business Analyst Career will help you answer the following types of questions.
What is the business analyst role like?
I’ll help you envision your future career as a business analyst so you can try it on for size. In the eBook, we’ll
- Explore what the job is like day-to-day;
- Hear stories from others who’ve successfully transitioned into a business analyst career; and
- Answer frequently asked questions about what it’s like to be a BA.
Do I need business analyst training?
The answer is different for everyone, but before you invest potentially thousands of dollars in costly training programs, I’ll help you assess what you already know with an overview of the following:
- Business analysis fundamentals;
- Primary software development methodologies you’ll face as a new BA; and
- Tools, technologies, and techniques BAs use day-to-day.
I suggest authoritative resources (books and online media) to help you fill any knowledge gaps before investing in costly business analyst training courses.
How do I qualify for an entry-level business analyst position?
You qualify yourself to be a business analyst by accumulating BA experiences. I’ll help you find opportunities in your current situation or identify the relevant experiences you’ve already had. I’ll also help you find entry-level positions by:
- Networking with technology professionals;
- Exploring transition jobs to help you build “BA” jobs listed under different titles.
How do I create a business analyst resume?
Many candidates use their resume as a catalog of their professional experiences. This is a non-starter if you are new to the profession without much experience. I’ll help you update your resume to leverage what I’ve learned from new business analysts who recently found their first BA jobs. I’ll help you refocus your resume to highlight the fundamentals of business analysis and the business analyst experiences you’ve accumulated.
How do I succeed at a business analyst interview?
Mastering the interview is the final step to landing your dream job. This eBook will help you:
- Build resume to trigger interview questions about your best career experiences;
- Prepare stories that uniquely qualify you for entry-level business analyst positions; and
- Understand the perspectives of potential hiring managers and other interviewers.
Consider the How to Start a Business Analyst Career eBook your guide, from deciding to take the first step through to landing your first position. Accelerate your transition into a business analyst career by following the paths of others who have successfully become business analysts.
Testimonials for How to Start a BA Career
“I wish I had this book last year when I was seeking information out about how to become a business analyst.”
-Douglas Hill, Senior Business Analyst and Bridging-the-Gap contributor
“How to Start a Business Analyst Career does a good job of connecting the dots. It addressed many of the questions, issues, and concerns I had about the business analysis field. Very comprehensive and informative.”
-David Maynard, starting a new career as a business analyst
“I just picked up the How to Start As a BA and can’t tell you how it has helped in a short amount of time.”
-Paul Akerind, PMP
“As the Chief “Evangelist” Officer for IIBA, I often have people come up to me after a presentation and share their excitement that they now have a formal name for the role they have often performed for years within their organizations – Business Analysts. But how do they take that knowledge and use it to enhance their positions further within their companies? IIBA® and the BABOK® have formalized the BA profession and given its practitioners a structure in which to evaluate and improve their practice of business analysis. Laura Brandau, in her book in How to Start a Business Analyst Career takes that information and builds on it to provide both new and seasoned BAs with a roadmap to take their career to the next level. There is no one path to becoming a Business Analyst. Laura’s book helps you leverage what you have and succeed in this fast growing profession.”
-Kathleen Barret, CEO, International Institute of Business Analysis®
“Laura Brandau provides a thought-provoking introduction into the reality of today’s business analyst. The potential or new business analyst will obtain an initial framework for future growth in this field.”
-Pat Ferdinandi, Business Architect, author of A Requirements Pattern: Succeeding in the Internet Economy(Addison-Wesley Information Technology Series)
How to Start a Business Analyst Career is a very thorough and well-thought handbook on what it takes to break into a career in business analysis. The definition of the role and description of what to expect as a BA are spot on. The networking piece is a particular gem. I don’t think you’ll get that in most books of this kind, but networking and use of online resources is an invaluable part of obtaining and nurturing a career in business analysis and she’s got covered both nicely.
-Jonathan Babcock, Business Analyst and BA Blogger
I found your book very comprehensive. It is a kind of book from which no one can walk away without learning. You push the reader to investigate if this field is his/her passion, and not just something they can dabble in. You help the reader introspect if this new profession is going to play on their core strengths. I found the book extremely helpful in defining a career for myself.
-Disha Trivedi
For those of you who are looking to begin a BA career, I highly recommend Laura’s e-book How to start a Business Analyst Career. I took her advice and I made a call to a nonprofit organization in my city to be matched to opportunities where I could apply and hone my BA skills. Fortunately, I was given an opportunity very quickly, and have been working to document processes in the form of a training guide for this nonprofit. I love the work and I love the people. But more importantly, the e-book spelled out what I needed to do to put myself on the right path to landing a BA job.
Thanks, Laura!
-Kimberly Heath, via LinkedIn
How to Start a Business Analyst Career: A guidebook to help you explore the business analyst profession and find entry-level business analyst jobs
Price: $24.95.Available.
Immediate download (84 pages) in PDF format with purchase through PayPal.
In print (paperback) via Amazon - $29.95
For the Kindle via Amazon - $9.95
For the Nook via Barnes & Noble - $9.95
{ 47 comments }
“How to Start a Business Analyst Career” is a must-read guidebook for anyone interested in developing a career as a business analyst. Full of extremely valuable advice for new BAs and job seekers, this eBook explains in practical and actionable terms how to transition to a business analyst role, find a business analysis job, and plan one’s future growth. Highly recommended.
Hi Laura,
I have been in IT industry for last 10 years. At this point in my career, I have a clear vision about my future career path. I am passionate about becoming a ‘BUSINESS ANALYST’.
In your blog you mentioned that, “I’ll help you refocus your resume to highlight the fundamentals of business analysis and the business analyst experiences you’ve accumulated”.
Can you please help me with this. I am fortunate that I came accross your website while struggling to present myself as a BA. Your help is really appreciated.
Thanks.
Ranjani Girish
Thank you for your question about the eBook. I posted to a friend’s blog about how to create a career changing resume: http://www.beyond.jobs/how-to-write-a-career-changing-resume/
If, after reading the article, you still have questions, feel free to contact me directly using the “contact” form: http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/contact-laura-brandau/
I do address this topic in detail in the book from the perspective of a business analyst, providing a step-by-step way of thinking about your experiences, gathering together your experiences, and then pulling them together in a resume.
Hello Laura
It is sad that I must ask when will you have the book ready. I like to thumb my way through the book, catching up on reading whenever I have free time. A PDF format would not work for me. Can you let me know when a book will be coming out ?
Hi Duc,
I’m exploring printing options but do not currently have definitive plans to offer the book in print. Would you be able to print the PDF?
Laura
This book is Excellent. I am lucky to find this book when I am in the direction to be a full time BA.
Bharat
Sydney
hello laura,
Do you have a pdf version of the book ” How to start a career as a BA”.
A pdf will certainly be convenient for to refer to.
Thanks
Hi Preethi,
The eBook is delivered in PDF format. If you purchase the book you will be able to download a PDF.
Thank you,
Laura
Hello Laura,
I am truly impressed by this site where people are sharing information and guiding others.
I need some advice regarding working as a BA.
brief introduction of me as follows -
I have a BCA degree and PG in MBA.
I have covered subjetcs like programming, database design, project management etc.
Well my Goal is to become BA.
So now I want entry level job for Business Analyst.
Could you highlight some jobs for entry level BA?
I hope you understood what my specific goals are,
But I dont have work experience. Finding it real tough to enter the BA sector or even the IT sector.
I would really like some advice as to how should I go?
What would be the first step towards BA to get a job considering my background?
It would be my pleasure if you mention any job description for entry level Business Analyst (BA).
I know currently there will be no openings for BA as a fresher,
So, is there an alternative path? Kindly feel free to advice. I would really appreciate everyone’s opinion.
If any query you have please feel free to ask, cause I want to be a BA any how…
Thanks a lot.
Your indeed thoughts are honored.
Murli.
Hi Murlimohan,
Thank you for your comment and questions. I am glad you have found the site helpful.
In terms of your specific query regarding what kinds of positions to pursue when your long-term goal is to become a BA, I would suggest finding an entry-level job in an area related to technology or where you are working on technology projects. This might be customer service for a software company, tech support, project coordinator, software tester. Once you are in a position like this, you’ll be able to build BA experiences. The book walks you through how to take just about any entry-level position and leverage the opportunity to gain BA experience which would then qualify you for BA jobs.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please feel free to get in contact with me directly on the contact page: http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/contact-laura-brandau/
Best,
Laura
Hi,
I found your website very helpful. I am a new immigrant in ontario,canada i graduated 2yrs ago with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and i worked as a Customer Account manager in a Financial firm for almost 2yrs. I was responsible for credit control and customer satisfaction. Now that i am in ontario i want to pursue a career in Business analysis, should i go for the certification first or do i try to get a job as an analyst which is so difficult without a canadian experience.
Please advice.
Jay
Hi Jay,
Thank you for your comment. It sounds like you have some good career experience but no specific business analyst experience. In order to qualify for an entry-level business analyst position, you may need to find a role that is closer to the IT or business change projects you’d like to work on as a BA. I’d recommend defining a few target positions in demand in your local market that would be transitional steps toward business analysis. Once you find a position, you can begin to explore ways to accumulate business analyst experiences. Of course, along the way you want to invest in your professional development through reading and, possibly, training.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in contact with me directly by using the form on the “Contact Laura” page.
Best,
Laura
Hi Laura,
I downloaded your ebook a few days ago and I wanted to commend you on your excellent work! It’s such a pleasure to read, not like the rest of the books I’ve been reading recently. I’m trying to make the move from technical writing to business analysis, and so far I have been appalled at the lack of structure and style in so-called professional Business Analysis texts. It is such a relief to see a business analysis text so clearly written, so well organised and so engaging. I urge you to keep writing: the larger and more authoritative the text the better — it would be such a service to business analysis students everywhere!
Thanks so much for all your hard work — I know it’s going to prove invaluable in my future plans!
Cheers,
Nicole
Laura,
I did break down and buy the book several days ago. Its beginning to look like I’m going to have to print it off to get the full benefit of it. If this issue keeps coming up you could re-publish it with one of those optional print publishing websites. The one time I did by an e-book with that option I got a lovely professional looking paper copy.
I missed the “how to re-frame your” resume in the book. That is why I am going to print it off. Re-framing my resume is part of what is killing my job hunt.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your purchase and suggestion. I am looking into self-publishing options and am starting in on the reformatting process that’s required to do so. There’s a bit of work and upfront investment into getting the book published, which is why I chose to test the viability of this product through an eBook first. And of course the price point will be a bit higher to accommodate the additional costs. I will be keeping both options available to serve as many people as possible.
Laura
Hi Laura,
I am interested in buying the book since I am currently in the QA field and would like to move towards BA role. I am hoping that I can be able to transform my current resume. I have received many feedbacks when I applied for BA role that I have QA experience and no BA. Could you please let me know whether buy purchasing the PDF version I will be able to print the e-Book.
Thanks,
Njoud, Thank you for your interest! Yes, the PDF file is printable.
Laura,
I take full responsibility for this, but I never made the time to look up and see the train was leaving the station. Had my head down as a bit of a perfectionist, and my employer had me working 10-12 hrs per day managing (or really just trying to make sure the balls stayed in the air) too many areas with little support and missing out on the last 15 years of development into potentially an asset like yourself and many others this alliance of BA’s.
So, unfortunately after avoiding 5 years of restructuring RIF’s and layoffs, this last sudden loss of retail customer business provided a struggling foreign owned and highly competitive specialty distribution business with a way to pull more control into the central corporate office absorb my salary and benefits.
Questions
* For a BS Science degreed guy with 25 years in supply chain, sales support management, SME in our cost-wholesale-retail profability, and extensive knowledge in the “vendor/mfg-broker-retailer” relationship structure in a specialty industry, along with MS Access design skills yet little VB programming skill, is it too late to become reputable and gear up to absorb Agile/Six Sigma/SAP details to the point of demonstrating marketability as a BA?
* If not, then….
* Rank the priority of the tool specific skill sets most needed or most called upon by the BA and to what extent these skills are necessary. (Assuming that this person already has MS office proficiency in Project, Excel, Access, Word, Visio)
Probably will ask for your book under the tree this year. Been on the hunt for 3 months now with little interest…Thanks
Hi Laura,
I am Sachin. I have 3 years of experience as a Business Analyst. I have been working in a IT company and have carried out all the responsibilities that a typical BA should do i.e. client interaction, requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, Use Case & UML Modeling, SRS creation, RTM, team communication etc. I have been working on different applications like eCommrece, mobile apps, custom application development and have working experience in different technologies/methodologies like .Net, PHP, SQL, Oracle, SDLC, CMMi, JAD, Protoyping etc.
Now that I have 3 years of experience, I am looking for a domain specific job viz. finnance or banking or insurance. It’s been long time I have been searching for such a domain specific job. The jobs are there, the posting are there on portals, but all they need is domain experience which I do not have. Could you please guide me on this? What is that now I should be doing to step up this ladder?
To update you, looking at the great comments by readers of your eBook, I have a plan to purchase your book. However, to make a quick switch for domain specific job, I need your advise. Expecting your reply.
Thanks,
Sachin
Business Analyst
“…Author: Aarti Devyani
Comment:
Hi Laura,
I have 3 years of IT experience in Retail and Manufacturing domain(EAI-Middleware).
The roles and responsibilities of BA sounds interesting and really challenging.
Not sure if this is the right time to start looking for a job as a BA or should i wait for some more time.
Thanks
Aarti…”
Laura,
I got an e-mail on this comment but it either has disappeared or is not being displayed for some reason.
Aarti,
Sorry [a little]
I would like to invite you over to the linkedin.com group on this topic [which Laura started and owns] to explore your question further. I will say that depending on exactly what you have been doing in I.T. for the last three years will effect how difficult a transition you may have. If you have been exposed to creating functional requirements and liked it you are a much better candidate for “BA-hood”
Dave,
If you don’t already have an response that is useful then re-post your question on the linkedin.com group and we can take another wack at it.
Tom Miller
An aspiring I.T. Business Analyst
Thanks, Tom for pulling me out of the weeds! Great suggestions on using the LinkedIn group – that is exactly what it is there for. Here is the link: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2012413&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
I had responded to Aarti’s comment personally and removed it as it was not specifically relevant to the book. I think I must have missed Dave’s questions in the flurry of pre-holiday activity.
Dave, to address your question. I would never say it’s too late for anything. You seem like a spunky guy and I’m sure you can do what you put your mind to. With the BA roles in such flux, there is no one answer to your question. The way to answer it is to define your target position and begin looking at job postings that fit it. The job requirements will answer your question.
Laura
Hi Laura,
I’m not sure you can answer this fully but maybe someone else has asked a similar question. I have been in sales now for about 15 years, mostly in the financial industry. I am thinking of changing careers and the business analyst route seems interesting to me. From what I hear there is the interaction part with people along with communication skills and the liaison aspect between departments. My question is, is there a way to be a BA without having to be real technical in terms of learning programs etc but the liaison part. I’m tired of sales and the commission aspect, not knowing if there will be another paycheck etc. Can a sales person who is used to be out and about all day become a BA or is this too extreme?
Also, is the CBAP worth it?
Thanks so much,
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Anything is possible! The question is do you have the passion to make the change? And your sales experience will definitely provide you with the interpersonal skills necessary to be a great BA. I’m going to post a more detailed answer via a separate blog post as part of the Help a BA! series. Check back for it in the next couple of weeks.
Laura
Jessica,
While Laura sends this over into the “Help a BA!” series you might want to consider the question of what kind of sales have you been doing? A huge amount of BAing is all about services. Have you been selling services?
The CBAP exam is only available after 7500 hours of well documented BA-type work. You can take a prep course for it as part of your exploration to see if you want to be a BA. I think Laura’s book is a cheaper, just as useful, choice for someone who is thinking about if they want to be a BA.
Tom
Hi Jessica,
I have done Master’s in Computer Science.I am very passionate to work as a BA, can you please tell me if this qualification can get me an Entry level BA job.
Rachel
A Masters in Computer Science could cover a wide variety of topics. Specifically what did you study/focus on? Compilers?
Anyway, it probably doesn’t unless it had a lot of business courses in it.
But with only a little work on learning more about business and about BAing you might be come the apple of some companies “i”.
Tom
ps. please hire me as soon as you get your job
Hi Laura,
I am a software engineer currently having a role of technical developer. My total experience is of 2.5 years. Currently in my technical role I undertsand the requirements and provide estimations..along with the technical development. Is it possible for me to move my career from technical to BA role keeping in view my current role?
Hi Monali,
Yes, of course it’s possible. It’s important that you start on a course toward accumulating BA experiences in your current role. There is a whole section in the book on the types of experiences that a technical developer usually has available if they seek them out.
Best,
Laura
Hi Laura
I have read all the comments and you have time and again said that transitioning into a BA role and making a career out of it is possible provided we do our homework of reading, training and constantly upgrading our knowledge and sharpening our skill set and I am thoroughly convinced of buying your e-book – Can we get the PDF format of the book printed on paper ? If yes, I would buy it immediately, as I am focussed on joining the BA bandwagon sooner.
Thanks
Nithya
Thanks, Nithya! Yes, I totally agree with your statements. The PDF you will be able to download is a printable PDF. It is even nicely formatted as 8 1/2 x 11, so you can either print one page per sheet or two and it should work with a standard printer.
Laura
Hi Laura,
I did my MBA in HR and do not have any work experience, and zero technical knowledge. Do you think it is a good idea to make my career as a BA considering my background. Please help me through this
So what do you want to do “in” a Business Analyst role? HR SME?
Hi Laura,
I was much impressed to the blogs that everyone expressing their ideas and interest on your book. I was planned to buy this book asap, as currently i am into a Technical Writing field. My goal was to become a Business Analyst. Kindly let me knw whether, being in a technical writing field will lead me to become a Business Analyst in the future.
I was eagerly waiting for ur response….
Thanks,
Ranganath
Thank you Ranganath, While no job will necessarily lead you to business analysis as this is something you need to do for yourself, technical writing is a common career path into business analysis.
Sumedha, I second Tom’s question. We would need a bit more context as to why you want to be a BA and what you want to do with it. I would suggest you submit this question for consideration by the BA experts via our “Ask a BA” section or joining our LinkedIn group called “Starting a Business Analyst Career” where we can help people in more detail. Thanks!
Laura
Hi,
I am working as a Credit officer for past 4 years in the operations side of a bank. I would like to become a Business Analayst.
I have 8+ years of work experience in different banking sectors. I have a strong knowledge on both retail and lending concepts of bank.
Please assist me what should be my next step? Will i really become an Business analyst?
Dany, I’d start by getting a feel for the business analyst profession to make sure it’s the right career choice and then learning a bit about the fundamentals. Lots of resources here (including the book, of course)!
Laura
Hi Laura,
I have just finished my MBA program with IT concentration..I have zero experience.
I am interested in becoming a Business Analyst. I hate programming to death. DOyou think BA is a right option for me?
Hi Gauri, It sounds like you might be interested in business analysis. Like I told Dany, I’d start by getting a feel for the profession and then learning the fundamentals. Talk to BAs in your local area. The book would also help provide an introduction.
I think I would buy your book. Do you know any books for studying BA which is simple in language and teaches you from the basics?
Thank you for your response.
Ellen Gottesdiener’s Software Requirements Memory Jogger.
All right Thanks~
I am working as System/Network Analyst and have more then 10 years of experience. I want to make a career in BA. Is that a right options considering the experience that I have. How do I prepare to be BA. My current organisation is very small and there is no learning of BA here. Please advice.
Vakile, Start by learning some of the BA fundamentals and see if you can create opportunities to apply them in your organization.
Happy Birthday Laura.
Hi Laura,
Your views and comments are really good and very informative.I also have a question for you regarding my career.
I have a Bachelors degree in Information Technology and I am also currently working with Supply Chain and Warehousing firm for last 9 months.I wish to know
How should I start my BA career?
How Should I get the most out of the job that I am currently pursuing to support my career as a BA ?
or Should I switch to a different career as analyst?
Should I switch to a Software developer profile ?
Can you please help me make my career choice based on what you think.
Thanks
Regards,
Neha
Hi Neha,
The book answers your first two questions in a lot of detail that would be impossible to reproduce in a brief comment. As far as which profile you should switch to, that is not something I can answer for you, it’s something that you should answer for yourself based on your strengths and career goals.
Best,
Laura
If you would like to provide a testimonial for the book or have a question about the book, please contact Laura directly. http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/about-laura-brandenburg/contact-laura/
If you have a question about your career please submit it through the Ask a BA form on our site. http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/ask-a-business-analyst/
Thank you.
Laura
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