Business Analyst Career Resources

As an independent consultant, I’m always in “job hunt” mode. As a result, I’ve been able to stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the business analyst job market and what IT recruiters and hiring managers are looking for.

The following list of links are my suggestions on key posts on the topic of finding a business analyst job and evaluating your business analyst career.

Become a business analyst

• Tips for finding business analyst volunteer work – most professionals become business analysts by accumulating relevant work experience. Check out this updated list of organizations looking for volunteers to hold business analyst responsibilities
• Looking to break into business analysis? - Doug Hill, a 10-year IT veteran, recently turned business analyst, shares what he learned about becoming a BA.
• How to Start a Business Analyst Career (eBook) – get advice from several professionals who made the change in this comprehensive eBook about starting a business analyst career.
• How to Become a BA Consultant – read the comments for a running dialog of tips on becoming a business consultant

On BA job titles

• How to handle job titles in a business analyst resume – a guide to ensuring how you list your career experience does not get your resume thrown to the side by IT recruiters.
• Job post trends: use of business analyst, product owner, and project manager as a position title – business analyst jobs are not always easy to find. Check out some interesting trends in position titles for job openings.
• What’s the difference between a business analyst and a systems analyst? – interesting perspectives on how we define the roles and use the titles.

Evaluating your BA career

• Thoughts on the business analyst and technology leadership job markets from an IT recruiter – an interview with David Gillies, a recruiter who gets business analysis, on what employers are looking for in leaders.
• Find your passion and decide what to do with your life – a book review to help you find your target career.
• The power of writing - writing about your career experiences can help you stay ahead of the game.
• Surviving the down economy: 10 tips for keeping your current job - a list of ideas for kick-starting your contributions to your current job to ensure you keep it.
• How to increase your chances of finding a business analyst job in this tough market – Adriana Beal shares successful job seeking tips that she uses to find a new position every 4-6 months as an independent consultant

Business analyst roles

In your job search, it’s important to be aware of the varied roles of the business analyst.

• The case for business analysts over combining BA with other roles – check in to see if you are stretch yourself too thin by taking on too many responsibilities.
• Is your role displaced by agile? Think again. – if your organization is transitioning to agile, check out this post for tips on managing the change and continuing to add value.
• A project manager’s view into the business analyst role – David Wright shares an excerpt from his book Cascade suggesting how a project manager should engage a business analyst.
• What’s the business analyst’s role in IT strategy? – check in to see if you are leveraging your BA competencies to their full capacity within your organization.
• The complexity of business analyst roles – our role is varied, but at it’s core is the concept of “liaison”. Explore Nathan Caswell’s thoughts on the subject.

The CBAP from the IIBA

Becoming a Certified Business Analyst Professional is one way to show you are serious about business analysis.

• Exploring the CBAP designation – basic introduction to what the CBAP is, how to value the certification, and how to qualify.
• Preparing for the CBAP through a study group - Linda Erzah shares her study group experience and lists thoughts on running beneficial study groups