How to Start a Business Analyst Career Even if You Have No Experience

If you are looking to start a business analyst career, but don’t yet have any business analyst experience, you might feel caught in a trap. What comes first, the business analyst or the business analyst experience? How do you get your first business analyst job when employers are always looking for specific experience?

Why do so many industry veterans say they just “fell” into business analysis and what can you do to move more easily into a business analyst job role?

I've seen this approach work time and time again, for professionals without experience, even without degrees, and certainly without their business analyst certifications.

That’s the question we are answering in this video.

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[malachulani]

I can so relate. I did not have a job at the time and was on vacation. I was on the lookout for DBA job. I was approached by a company and they were in need of a business analyst. I had no prior experience or any knowledge of the domain. But I said yes, and I've been a business analyst for over 5 years now.

[islandbee]

As someone who has done work as a BA, this is really good advice. After stepping away from doing BA work for some time, this has really helped me what direction I want to go in updating my resume. Even after leaving the field for some time, this video gives me more confidence in that the skills I've gained over those years are still relevant in today's world.

[BeingAnAnalyst]

I love how you are honest - It just happens. It becomes difficult to help those trying to come in. I'm glad you started sharing as you inspiring those at the door.

[HowToBeABusinessAnalyst]

Quality Assurance to Business Analysis - That was my path too many years ago!

[nelclarke]

I've just had the greatest epiphany! I'm currently an Academic Advisor and have been so for the past 2 years. During this time I've taken on the responsibility for creating and reviewing a significant amount of our business processes and detailed working instructions (we use both). I became heavily involved in a major project which continues to this day. I enjoy analysing data, identifying gaps in business processes, creating detailed working instructions... Unfortunately there aren't many job opportunities with my current employer, to move upwards or even sideways. Now I know I've been doing what feels like two jobs for the price of one! I have experience as a Database Support Officer, assisting a DBA, but my qualifications are unrelated (Bachelor of Biomedical Science & Masters of Forensic Science) so I'd hope to be considered based on experience and the willingness to learn new skills.

[-TotallySaneCatLady-]

As a veteran BA, this is actually really good advice. I've been saying for years, most BA's start off as SMEs. Once as an SME of something they find themselves contributing to enhancements of existing software or better yet, part of an implementation team if the organization is moving to new software. Once you've started using Business Analyst common practices (Requirements gathering, User Stories, Use Case, Wireframe Mockups, test cases, etc.) it's easy to then translate those skills into other processes. So then it's not dependent on you being an SME but instead, someone working with a SME as a Business Analyst. I personally did this type of transition first helping with enhancements and then part of the implementation and then I was the one writing Use Cases, Requirements, Wireframes etc. I personally find it often very rewarding being a Business Analyst.

[wizofaffect]

Thank you, I appreciate it, I will start applying as Project Coordinator in order to begin the role of a business analyst.

[ImANightCreature]

Hi Laura, thanks for this video! I've been interning at a company for nearly a year and recently got offered a job at another desk as a junior BA. Your channel has been very useful in helping me understand this role :)

[eprice]

I’ve been an administrative assistant for a few years and I feel My job has become pretty stagnant. I realized that I’ve been asking some of these questions already of “How can we make this better? “ and “How can I make this easier for you?”.I think I was meant to be a business analyst. Thank you for laying it out so easily.

[derekderekderek]

Great video! I started at my company earlier this year (a small AI tech start-up) as an intern after my postgrad, doing market research. I made a good impression with my analytical skills and ability to decode lots of different perspectives, and they offered me a job as Associate BA just six weeks in. Fast forward 6 months and I've been promoted early to a full on Business Analyst amidst all the challenges of covid and working remotely. You're right, sometimes these things 'just happen'!

I was a bit worried I wasn't a 'real' Business Analyst, because there's no senior BA and I'm just making it up as I go along or learning from colleagues who have some BA experience. However all the skills and activities you mentioned in the video are very much part of my role, so hopefully I'm on the right track!

Keep up the great content :)

[Ngocdieu]

Hello, I am a student from Vietnam. I am about to study MIS at university and plan to become a business analyst. At the same time, I also need to learn English. Your video is the first one I chose to start with, and it has helped me a lot. Thank you very much, wish you good health, and hope you will release more great videos.

[rosemerryman]

New to the BA career path and I am trying to gain all the knowledge I can to assist me in my role at work. I was brought on as a SME and am working on many of the things you describe here, just wanting to get a better handle on this new role.

[olgaderevenko]

Well, this week I will try to write the requirements for my most visited web site. A year ago I was asked at my current work to make the business process description. So I've learned how to do this and started. It took some time for me to achieve a good result.

[Kaabstract]

Thanks so much for your video! My background is in Economics, English is my second language which I started to learn 6 years ago. 10 months ago I got an intern opportunity as Junior BA. It's been so hard and I thought I was doing good until my PM told my that my requirement document is a piece of garbage. Listening to you made me feel that this skills will come with more experience and time. Thanks for your video! It made me feel so much better.

[caashokcwa]

I am about to start new career as business analyst. Hope your vids would help me. Subscribed
thank you Madam

[RedBunnyFromMars]

Amazing advice Laura, I'm currently working for an animation studio doing technical work and never in a million years would I think to start analyzing the data I already had at hand. I was thinking about doing experimental testing data crunching outside of work but this idea is so much better. Thank you!

[ThivankaVithanage]

Laura, I turned towards this channel exactly 3 years ago when I was offered a Job as a BA because I took it as a challenge even though I had no hands on experience. I came a long way and now I am in marketing / business role and I lecture at an institute for a BA topic as well. Thank You!

[TravellingNoomad]

Thanks this vedio encourage me to move more close to my new dream role of business analyst, I am currently working as a QA lead, and doing gap analysis for business requirements and functional requirements, creating user stories, client intrection, QA team clarification for functional understanding, hope I can learn more on domains, to go deep into the back roles.

Thanks for the vedio, appreciate.

[tresorlowe]

Thank you for your input, I’m taking an online course for a business analysis. I need to find a job right after completing the class but I was skeptical now thanks to Your video I’m so motivated and confident to find a job.

[ponderingsojourner]

I love this so much. You make BA path, responsibilities so light and easy. I can't stop from smiling while watching this video. :)