Recipe for the Perfect Business Analysis Resume
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Finding the right job starts with creating the right resume as resumes are the primary tool job seekers need to secure an interview. If you’re looking for a business analysis job, make it your mission to cook up a great resume.
How Important Are Resumes in the Age of LinkedIn?
Most professionals understand that resumes are required to apply for a job, but they don’t always understand their importance and the value of creating one that is outstanding. After all, employers can simply look at a business analysis professional’s LinkedIn profile and get all the information they need, right? Recruiters and hiring managers can glean much information from LinkedIn, but nothing is a replacement for a quality resume. An article by LinkedIn stated:
“Use your resume and profile in tandem with one another. Your resume should be completed first, and your LinkedIn profile should only be an echo of your resume.”
Resumes are as important today as they have ever been. Business analysis professionals should put their all into creating a polished, professional resume that will grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. Read on to find out how to write a winning resume.
Your Recipe for the Perfect Business Analysis Resume
The right formula, or recipe, will give you a resume hiring managers will pay attention to. Thankfully, the recipe for the perfect business analysis resume is simple: identify sections, choose a template, fill in the sections, review the resume, customize and optimize for individual apps, and do additional outreach, per this article by MSSQL Tips.
Let’s take a closer look at each resume ingredient:
Identify resume sections
There are several sections that should always be included in your resume. They include but are not limited to contact information and profile URLs; tag line; skills summary; experience; career/project highlights; awards; certifications/education/training; publications/articles/public speaking; associations/user groups/groups/conferences; and volunteer activities/community service.
Choose a template
Get real-time feedback and suggestions from Recruiters and other hiring professionals who partner with Business Analysts on their job search. They can often provide you with a resume template and can certainly give insights into how to take your resume up a notch!
Fill in resume sections
Once you have designated resume sections and have chosen a resume template, fill the sections in with pertinent information. It can be extremely beneficial to have a professional resume writer help you with this step, although it’s certainly possible to fill the sections in yourself if writing is a strength of yours.
Review the resume
You should always review your resume multiple times before you submit it. You’ll likely want to make small tweaks and edits the first couple of times you read over it. It is wise to have a friend or coworker double check your resume, as well.
Customize and optimize
Customizing and optimizing your resume per application is an important step as it can help your resume stand out. “If you’re not taking the time to review your resume against each job you’re applying for…Not only will you be missing a huge opportunity to market yourself effectively for that particular role, but you may be missing a chance to ensure the applicant tracking system…ranks your resume higher on the list of applications,” explained the article by MSSQL Tips mentioned earlier.
Do additional outreach
Last but not least, do additional outreach. This looks like reaching out to whomever oversees hiring for the role you are applying to. This step can make a big difference in your resume getting seen. Here is a here’s another great MSSQLTip article with specific scripts/best practice to help guide you when reaching out.
These ingredients will produce a resume that is clear, concise, and interesting, and can get you much closer to landing the job you want. Want more tips on hiring, onboarding, employee engagement and retention? Check out the Apex Systems Management Tips YouTube playlist here! Management Tips
Join our Webinar
For more tips and insights please join our upcoming webinar on Navigating the Business Analysis Job Market in 2023 Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023 | 4:00 PM ET hosted by IIBA and top recruiters from Apex Systems.
About The Authors:
Cate Murray is responsible for managing the nationally based talent acquisition strategies of the Apex Systems PMO and Business Analysis Practice and holds her PMP certification from PMI.
Erica Woods is the Director of Contractor Programs and Philanthropy at Apex Systems. Her focus is on overseeing programs, teams, communication channels, and other resources that support and add value to their IT Contractor Community of 16,000+. Erica also oversees corporate philanthropy efforts and acts as a technical community evangelist for various STEM programs/nonprofits.
