Business Analyst resume example & writing guide

Business analysts study data and recommend improvements to drive business success. When applying for this role, your resume should convince an employer that you have the skills and experience to deliver value for their organization. Use our resume example and guide to persuade an employer that you’re the right business analyst for the job.

This resume guide and example will show you how to write a business analyst resume. We’ll discuss:

• What information to include on your resume

• How to describe your qualifications

• The best skills to include for a business analyst position

• Advice on choosing the right resume format

What should your business analyst resume include?

Your business analyst resume should explain how you’ve used data-driven insights to make an impact in other positions. It should include the measurable outcomes of your analysis, such as revenue increases or operational efficiencies. A strong resume will show employers your ability to deliver profitable results for businesses.

Your resume should contain the following elements:

• A resume header with your contact information

• A resume summary 

• An employment history section

• An education section

• A resume skills section

How can you create a professional summary?

Get a hiring manager’s attention with a compelling professional summary at the top of your resume. In a few sentences, describe why you’re the perfect candidate for the business analyst role. Mention some unique qualifications you have, such as specialized skills or a record of business improvements.

You can also use this space to draw attention to your hard skills, like we’ve shown in the example resume. This bulleted list makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly learn about your technical proficiencies and business acumen. Highlight skills that align with the employer’s requirements, such as business intelligence or data mining.

How should you describe your work experience as a business analyst?

Employers want to hire business analysts who have implemented successful improvements for other companies. In your employment history section, emphasize the outcomes of your work using measurable data and conclusive evidence.

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. For each job, list your title, employer’s name, and employment dates. Underneath this information, describe your core duties and accomplishments in the role.

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to show your impact, such as “managed,” “directed,” “optimized,” or “streamlined.” Incorporate data, numbers, and statistics when possible.

Here’s an example of a good bullet point for a business analyst resume:

• Analyzed supply chain workflows to recommend process improvements, resulting in a cost savings of $250,000

Include a fitting business analyst resume education and certifications section

If a hiring manager is impressed with your work experience, they’ll check your education section to make sure you meet the requirements for the role. Include a section to describe your educational background, including your degree and any relevant certifications you’ve earned.

Follow these tips to write your education section:

• Stick to the basics. Provide the essential details about your education, including the name of your degree and the school you attended.

• Provide information in reverse order. If you have multiple degrees, such as a master’s and a bachelor’s degree, list the highest one first. Your formal education should also come before any certifications.

• List relevant certifications. Include the names of certifications you’ve earned, such as the Professional in Business Analysis credential. List the certifying organization as well.

Which key skills are relevant for a business analyst resume?

When hiring business analysts, employers look for professionals with the ability to link business and technology. In your skills section, include technical proficiencies that will be useful in the role, such as SQL, Tableau, and Agile project management.

Make sure the skills you mention are relevant to the job description. Include skills-related keywords throughout your resume, including the summary, experience, and skills sections. Not only will keywords help you pass an applicant tracking system (ATS), but they can also show an employer you have the right skills for the job. (For more information about mastering the ATS, check out our article on resume ATS optimization.)

Some skills to highlight on your business analyst resume include:

• Programming languages

• Cost-benefit analysis

• Business development

• Process mapping

• Database management

• Stakeholder engagement

• Project management software

How to select the most impactful business analyst resume template

A well-formatted resume can bring more attention to your technical skills and business experience. Choose a modern resume format with clear sections for your work history, education, and skills. Use professional fonts, white space, and bullet points to make it easy for a hiring manager to read.

Unless you have over 10 years of relevant experience, keep your resume to one page. If you have an extensive work history, follow our resume example and create a section called “Additional Experience” for jobs older than 15 years. You can leave off employment dates in this section to prevent age-related bias.

If you want to create a modern, optimized resume quickly, use our resume builder to find the right layout in seconds. You can also get inspiration by browsing over 100 resume examples we have available in our library.

Copyable business analyst resume example

Key takeaways for writing a business analyst resume

1. Focus your business analyst resume on the successful results you’ve produced in other jobs, like cost savings or process improvements.

2. Provide quantifiable data and specific examples to show your impact as a business analyst.

3. Review the job description to include keywords related to your business experience, technical skills, and other qualifications.