7 Tips for Writing a Winning Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume

As a future business analyst, you’ll have the opportunity to highlight ways businesses can improve operations using data. Far from being a dull job, being a business analyst places you in a unique position to suggest changes to how your company runs its processes.

If you want to write an entry-level business analyst resume but don’t know where to get started, keep reading. We’ll go over the top ways that help you craft the perfect entry-level business analyst resume without the guesswork.

Narrow Down Your Domain

A business analyst may perform similar functions in the general sense, but every domain differs. Whether you want to work in banking and finance, eCommerce, or supply chain management, narrowing down your domain helps you find jobs quicker. It also allows you to focus on a particular industry segment instead of the field as a whole.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business analysis, you have theoretical knowledge about quantitative and qualitative domains. Looking back on your experience, remember where you found the material more exciting or engaging and compare it with demand in the job market. Niche is good but getting into the domain you like is better in the long run.

Know Your Software – And Include It

Business analysts use multiple software tools to help them assess and interpret data. They include project management tools, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, sitemaps and wireframes, CRMs, and visualization software. Before you have these in your resume, ensure you know how to use them. Some employers may ask you to demonstrate your understanding of the software you list on your resume.

The internet is an excellent resource if you want to learn how to work on a particular software but don’t have hands-on experience. Nowadays, you can find step-by-step tutorials that break down even the most complicated software into manageable chunks. The more relevant your software knowledge is, the likelier hiring managers will show interest in your resume.

Elaborate on Key Skills

Business analysts have vital skills that they build with experience and training. If you’re new to the field, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the necessary skills to get started. Some of the most important to include in your entry-level business analyst resume are:

• Being a good communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Possessing statistical knowledge
• Having strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Proficiency in understanding complex business compositions and structures
• Fluency in computer and software programs
• Knowing how to use programs such as Excel
• Coding ability
• Having at least an intermediate level of SQL

Identifying and honing your essential skills and knowledge increases the likelihood of finding a great job despite having an entry-level data analyst resume.

Use Relevant Keywords and Technical Jargon

The business analysis domain comes with keywords and technical jargon unique to your environment. You can use your knowledge of these terms to incorporate them into your resume, especially since keywords are what Applicant Tracking Systems highlight when matching a job description.

As with all resumes, use keywords with caution and don’t “stuff” your resume with them. Overusing specific words or adding obscure jargon won’t work in your favor, especially if you’re new to the field. Stick with the terms you know and can elaborate on, and your chances of receiving a call to interview increase.

Get Certified

If you don’t have a data analysis educational background, getting certified by taking an online or onsite course is a great way to boost your resume strength.

Fortunately, the field is diverse and vast enough that you can find many certifications but only focus on the ones you need. For example, some certificates aren’t the best option for a beginner in the field because you’ll need the experience to grasp the elements of the course thoroughly.

However, not having much experience doesn’t mean sticking to beginner courses. Look online for the best data analysis courses for your domain and take note of the ones you aspire to finish. The more complex and rigorous the system is, the more valuable the certification.

Invest in a Boot Camp or Training Course

When you don’t have a background in data analysis, finding the right course to help you kickstart your career is necessary. These courses help you fast-track your career opportunities by condensing the required knowledge into manageable segments. You’ll learn the basics first. As you progress, you’ll also receive the training and experience to understand how the professional environment works before getting the job.

Even if you are a business analysis graduate, if you don’t stay current on the latest trends and software in the industry, you won’t progress as quickly as others. These courses allow you to understand how the business landscape changes and will enable you to approach real-world problems with a fresh perspective regardless of your experience. Once you include these courses in your resume, you’re more likely to attract a hiring manager’s attention.

Perfect Your Resume

Once you have the information and the skills you need to start a career as a business analyst, you still need to document your experience with a resume. How you format your resume, present the information and structure your segments impacts your job prospects.

For example, you face multiple risks if you have a cluttered resume full of structural issues, typos, and irrelevant information. The first is not having your resume clear an Applicant Tracking System effectively. This software may not recognize your format and won’t highlight your resume to recruiters. If you manage to clear the ATS, the recruiter may not continue with your application because of irrelevant information or spelling mistakes.

Once you finish your resume, review it at least twice to ensure it’s error-free and easy to read. Separate the segments that list your skills from the document’s main body, and always use traditional formatting and fonts.

Finding the Best Entry-Level Data Analyst Resume

Now that you know what to add to your entry-level data analyst resume, it’s time to find a format to help you land a good job. Rocket Resume has thousands of templates for all job seekers, including data analysts, regardless of experience level. With its intuitive tools and easy-to-use options, you’ll never have to worry about getting it right and can focus on getting the job.

What’s different about Rocket Resume is that it lets you craft the perfect resume in seconds. No more worrying about a format or whether your CV passes an Applicant Tracking System. All you need to do is answer a few questions and choose the layout that suits your fancy. After you input the information, you’ll have a professional document in minutes, without the hassle of doing it yourself.

If you’re ready to start applying to jobs, ensure your resume template and format work in your favor instead of against it. Even one formatting mistake can decrease your chances of getting a call from a recruiter.

Are you ready to get started on your entry-level data analyst resume?

Start building one today with Rocket Resume and get $20 off when you sign up.