5 Tips to Help You Become a Senior Business Analyst

Business Analyst within others IT roles

Are you interested in a senior business analyst position but aren’t sure how to land the job or what skills you need to have to be successful in the role? The senior analyst role is one of the most common entry-level positions for those who want to begin a career as a business analyst. If you are ready to advance your career and become a business analyst, here are five tips that will help you succeed as a senior business analyst.

Build and maintain a strong network

As a business analyst, you will have to collaborate with other team members and professionals in order to complete your work. It’s important that you build and maintain a strong network of people who can refer you for jobs or provide advice when necessary. When looking for someone to connect with, don’t just focus on those who are at the same level as you. Make sure that the person you reach out to has more experience than you and is one step ahead of where you want to be in your career path. Try to understand what they do and how they got where they are today. This will help give you insight into what skills you need to develop in order to get into their position. Additionally, if this person recommends that you reach out for an opportunity and it doesn’t work out, it will be easier for them to say “I know someone else who would be great for this role,” which could then lead to another opportunity down the line.

Gain advanced analytics skills

A senior business analyst needs to be able to use advanced analytics skills. This means they should have experience with advanced analysis methods like using algorithms, producing models, and interpreting statistical analysis. The senior business analyst should also understand how to apply various methodologies and techniques when designing a project plan. The ability to apply forecasting and scenario modeling is also necessary for this position.

Invest in training and certification

Investing in training and certification is one of the most valuable things you can do to prepare for a senior business analyst position. This investment will set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. There are many certifications that a senior business analyst can earn, such as those offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) or the Institute of Business Analysts (IBA). Earning these credentials will demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in this field. Many employers require employees to hold at least two business analysis designations before being considered for promotion to manager.

Be an effective communicator

Communicating effectively is a skill that you need to possess in order to be an effective senior business analyst. Senior analysts need to be able to clearly and concisely analyze data and produce reports for their organization. They also need to know how to present their findings in a way that is easy for their audience to understand and act on. In addition, it’s important that senior analysts are able to communicate with the different groups within their organization, including top management and marketing teams. They also need to be able to communicate well with customers both before and after the project has been completed. Senior analysts should also have strong oral communication skills because they will often be representing the company at conferences or public presentations.

Take on leadership opportunities

The most important factor in landing a senior role is your leadership ability. You will need to be able to lead people and projects, so you might as well practice doing it now. When you're a junior analyst, take on as many leadership opportunities as possible. Mentor new analysts and go above and beyond for the company to show your dedication. As long as you're demonstrating leadership skills, you'll have access to more opportunities in the future.

Business Analysis Core Concepts

Conclusion

You’ve been in the workforce for a while now. You’ve got some experience under your belt. You know a lot about all things business and you know how to present information in a way that’s meaningful and actionable. So you’ve got the skills and knowledge. The next step is to take a good look at what’s out there and make a plan for your career. It’s time to start thinking about what it takes to become a senior business analyst. And there are five steps to do just that: build and maintain a strong network; gain advanced analytics skills; invest in training and certification; be an effective communicator; and take on leadership opportunities. Now you can start on your new career path!

Reference:

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5-tips-to-help-you-become-a-senior-business-analyst_us_5a5c5dbbe4b0c7e2bb2d3d2e