Hire Business Analysts
Companies hire Business Analysts to act as a bridge between business problems and technology solutions. Independently of the sector, the role of Business Analysts is critical in identifying business needs and determining solutions to business problems. By understanding both business operations and technology, experienced Business Analysts can guide companies through technological changes smoothly and more efficiently.
Business Analyst candidates must possess the right experience and skill set to improve the business process efficiency, reduce losses, and ensure that the digital and technological solutions meet business requirements. The ideal Business Analyst must be proficient in technical data analysis and forecasting and use their soft skills to make informed decisions and drive strategic planning.
Technical Skills Companies Hiring Look For On Business Analysts’ CV
The technical skills companies seek when they hire Business Analysts will vary depending on the organisation’s industry, the company goals, the existing business processes and the skills of the other members of the team. Expand each point below to unveil the top technical skills essential when hiring Business Analysts:
Familiarity with Business Process Modelling (BPM) tools and techniques is essential for documenting, analyzing, and improving business processes. Some examples of BPM tools Business Analysts use are Bizagi, Lucidchart, or VisioLook. Look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to map out, analyse, and optimise business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Business Analysts are expected to be proficient in SQL for database querying, Excel for data manipulation and visualisation, and statistical software, such as SPSS or SAS, for more complex analyses. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how their data analysis contributed to decision-making and problem-solving in past roles.
The process of defining, documenting, and maintaining the requirements of a project or system is a fundamental part of the role of a business analyst. Hiring managers value extensive experience in requirements management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, or similar. Business Analysts must prove their ability to elicit, analyse, and communicate requirements effectively across diverse groups for successful project outcomes.
Companies hiring Business Analysts look for technical writing experience and strong documentation skills for creating clear and concise reports, requirements documents, functional specifications and process maps. This skill is especially important for cross-team collaboration.
A strong understanding of Agile frameworks and the ability to work in Scrum teams are two highly valuable skills for iterative project management; that’s why some hiring managers ask for certification or experience in Agile and Scrum practices. For most companies, it’s enough that Business Analysts can demonstrate their experience working collaboratively in Agile sprints, participating in stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
Soft Skills To Look When You Hire Business Analysts
While technical skills and experience are important, soft skills are equally essential for Business Analysts to significantly impact an organisation’s ability to drive change and innovation. Look out for these crucial skills on a candidate’s CV for a role in Business Analysis:
Ability to identify problems, creatively think through potential solutions, and decide on the best course of action. Look for candidates who can anticipate the unforeseen challenges of a project and find innovative and practical solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for liaising between stakeholders and technical teams. Strong communication skills help Business Analysts bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding across all project phases.
Business Analysts with these qualities should be able to understand and balance the diverse needs and expectations of various stakeholders, from project sponsors to end users.
The business landscape is constantly evolving. Hire Business Analysts that adapt easily to change, quickly adjust strategies, embrace new technologies, and shift project priorities without losing focus on the project’s end goals.
Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and translate business needs into technical requirements. Look for candidates who can translate intricate business needs into clear, actionable technical requirements that drive successful project outcomes.
Should Your Company Hire a Degree-Qualified Business Analyst?
It’s quite common for companies hiring Business Analysts to list a bachelor’s degree as a requirement in their job ads, even if it’s not strictly necessary for performing the role. Degrees in fields such as Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field are often seen as beneficial because they offer theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills that can be valuable in analysing business processes, understanding technical requirements, and communicating effectively with stakeholders.
However, the importance of a degree can vary depending on the company, the complexity of the role, and the industry. In some cases, practical experience, proven skills, and professional certifications, such as those from the British Computer Society (BCS), The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the Project Management Institute (PMI), or Agile certifications, can be equally or more important than a formal degree. Many Digital companies prioritise practical experience and specific skills over academic qualifications, especially in rapidly evolving fields like technology and digital marketing.
As in other roles in Digital, there’s a growing recognition of the value of diverse career paths, and some companies are placing less emphasis on formal education requirements in favour of skills, practical experience, and the ability to learn and adapt.
Challenges Employers Face When Recruiting Business Analysts
Companies hiring Business Analysts seek individuals who possess diverse tech and business skills and fit within the company’s culture and strategic vision. Here’s an exploration of the top challenges:
Business Analysts face the challenge of balancing technical skills with business understanding to communicate effectively with both technical developers and non-technical stakeholders and ensure that IT solutions meet business needs.
The successful candidate must be a cultural fit and be able to communicate with technical teams and business stakeholders. Business Analysts who resonate with a company’s values and work style are more likely to foster effective collaboration, drive positive change, and maintain strong relationships across departments.
Experienced candidates bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record, whereas those with less experience often bring fresh perspectives, adaptability, and a keen willingness to learn and grow.
Companies need adaptable Business Analysts who can thrive in rapidly changing business environments.
Finding Business Analysts with experience or understanding of specific industries can be difficult, particularly for niche markets.
How We Can Help You Recruit Business Analysts
Recruiting the right candidate for a Business Analyst role is crucial for organisations to drive strategic change and innovation. Working with a specialist digital recruitment agency like Adria Solutions can help you overcome challenges related to hiring for a Business Analyst role in several ways:
When you partner with us, you gain access to our extensive candidate network of candidates with expertise in business analytics. Our team can identify candidates who tick all the boxes and attract those who aren’t actively looking for jobs but are open to the right opportunity.
20+ years of experience recruiting in the digital space means we deeply understand the skills, qualifications, and experience required for business analyst roles. We can share with you our valuable insights and guide you on the current market trends, salary expectations, and the availability of talent.
Let us handle the recruitment hassles. We can carry out an initial screening and shortlisting of candidates based on your specific criteria, saving time and effort and speeding up the hiring process.
Make faster hiring decisions and reduce the risk of losing valuable candidates to your competitors thanks to our tailored recruitment solutions. From initial sourcing and screening to coordinating interviews and facilitating the offer negotiation stage, we take away the stress of recruitment.
Attract and retain top talent by offering competitive compensation packages and benefits, thanks to our insights into the current jobs market conditions, salary benchmarking, and industry best practices.
We maintain confidentiality throughout the hiring process. Our clients find this particularly helpful when undertaking sensitive digital transformation initiatives.
The information on this page is correct at the time of publication. However, as technology evolves so rapidly, the requirements of this role may change. For tailored hiring advice unique to your circumstances, please speak to our expert team of IT, Digital and Marketing recruiters.
