Start 2020 with a New Career in Business Analysis

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business analysis careers opportunities are expected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This means that many individuals will be starting a career in business analysis this year. Will you be one of them?  

 

Signs You’re Ready to Begin a New Career in Business Analysis

If you’ve been pondering beginning a career in business analysis, you are not alone. Here are a few signs that indicate it’s time to make this change:

• You have a passion for business analytics 
• You feel perpetually bored with your current job, despite having made changes to decrease monotony
• You are not learning new skills or being offered regular training and learning opportunities
• Your earning potential is restricted
• You are constantly seeking new job opportunities
• You don’t feel fulfilled.

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you owe it to yourself to explore the steps you’d need to take to start a career in business analysis. 

How to Become a Business Analyst in 2020

 1) Build strong analytical skills
Every business analyst must possess outstanding analytical skills. “Analytical skills are the livelihood of the business analyst,” stated 5 Essential Skills of a Business Analyst.² “Even the greenest BA must have some level of analytical ability to take up the role.” Exceptional analytical skills will likely give you an advantage over other BA job applicants and help you bypass entry-level business analyst positions.  

There are several ways to gain analytical skills. A few include consistently looking for underlying causes of problems, being more observant in general, and playing brain games such as Sudoku and chess. Also, simply reading more can strengthen your analytical skills.

2) Apply for business analyst jobs with alternative job titles
If you already have the educational background needed to land a job in business analysis (i.e., you have a degree in finance, accounting, business administration, etc.), there’s nothing holding you back from applying for jobs in the industry. But when looking for BA jobs, keep in mind that a business analyst is not always referred to as “business analyst.” Alternative titles for this job role include (but are not limited to):

• IT Project Coordinator
• Functional Analyst
• Information Technology Manager
• Systems Architect
• Process Analyst
• Agile Analyst
• Compliance Manager

By familiarizing yourself with alternative job titles for “business analyst,” you’ll ensure you don’t overlook a job that would put you on the fast track to establishing yourself as a business analyst. 

3) Get a business analysis certification
One of the most effective ways to shorten the time it takes to start a new career in business analysis is to earn a business analysis certification. Certification can be very helpful for prospective BAs because it proves their skills to employers and is especially important for candidates with little experience in business analysis. If you’re not sure which BA certification to choose, you can’t go wrong with the IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™ (ECBA™). 

4) Join a business analysis membership association
“Connecting with fellow BAs is important because sometimes you just need to speak with someone else who understands and knows what you do and can provide invaluable support in your career journey. That’s where you need a more focused audience to tap into – whether in person or online.” The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a great place to start. With over 30,000 global members and hundreds of local chapters, you can leverage the exclusive member benefits designed to advance you career and connect with like-minded people. With BA-related events, webinars, and more, you can find what you are looking for as you take the next step in your business analysis career. Learn more about association membership.

 

 

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References:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm

2. Projectmanagement.com. 5 essential skills of a business analyst. https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-post/24006/5-Essential-Skills-of-a-Business-Analyst.