Entry Level Business Analyst Resume Example & Writing Guide

A great resume is the first dataset you need to enter the world of business analysis. It’s no small feat to grab an entry-level business analyst position and a resume that’s not backed by strong reasoning won’t do it. A persuasive resume backed by hard facts will chart a direct course toward an interview.

What qualities does an entry-level business analyst resume need? A clear message and strong data to back it up, just like any business analysis.

First impressions can make or break, but good business analysts know that they need to put thought into what that first impression will say. Jumping to conclusions when you first view a new set of data can lead you down the wrong path, but a recruiter won’t necessarily take the time to let your resume information sink in. A resume for an entry-level business analyst has to provide all the data needed to push your candidacy to the interview stage.

Resume guide for an entry-level business analyst resume

Go straight to the data source with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples cover over 500 professions, and our resume builder makes creating a compelling resume easier than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding entry-level business analyst resume example will cover the following:

• The structure for writing an entry-level business analyst resume
• Choosing a resume format for an entry-level business analyst
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries to your advantage
• Adding business analyst experience when you are looking for your first job
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the market for entry-level business analysts looks like and what salary you can expect

How to write an entry-level business analyst resume

Writing a resume for a business analyst position when you haven’t had one may seem puzzling, so let’s start at the beginning. The first step in writing an entry-level business analyst resume is understanding the structure. Your resume should contain the following sections:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Business analysts are valued for their well-developed opinions based on fact. An entry-level business analyst resume should reflect the opinion that you are the right person for the job. That means understanding exactly what the job entails and persuading the recruiter that your skills and attributes fit the bill.

Although this may be your first foray into the world of business analysis, you should still apply these principles:

• Focus on achievements, not responsibilities. Even if you are fresh out of college, you have accomplished something. Internships count, so include those in your work history.
• Know your audience. Target each employer with an entry-level business analyst resume that addresses their needs specifically. A job hunt using the scattershot approach and a generic resume is unlikely to get the results you want.
• Be intentional with your design. You present your analyses in tidy, colorful graphs, not in jumbles of tiny numbers on a spreadsheet. Take the same care with the presentation of your resume.
• Use your skill to optimize your chances. Analyze the job listing and include important keywords and phrases within your resume. Your understanding of algorithms will help you leap the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) hurdle (more on that below).

Choosing the right resume format for an entry-level business analyst

A resume for any entry-level position is a tad different from that of a more experienced worker, so while the best format for most resumes is reverse chronological order, this may not be the case for an entry-level business analyst position. 

That’s because this structure provides the most space for the employment history section, but your experience may be limited and your greatest achievements have occurred within an academic setting. In that case, a functional or hybrid format may be the optimal choice since these styles offer more flexibility to expand your education and skills sections while minimizing your work history. 

Embedded in our resume builder are templates in all of these formats and you can also see finished versions among our resume examples.

Since clarity and presentation are key aspects of your job, consider using one of our professional style resume layouts.

Include your contact information

Information rules in your line of work and none is more important when you are looking for an entry-level business analyst job than the information that allows a recruiter to contact your to schedule an interview.

Your header is the place to list the following:

• Full name and title. List your first and last name. It may seem odd to list a title when you are entering the job market fresh, but this allows the recruiter, who is probably looking to fill several different roles, to know the position you seek.
• Professional email address. That cute email you used with your college friends must stay among your friends. Create a clean format like [email protected].
• Phone number. List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location. List only your city and state. Adding a street address is outmoded and can be a safety concern. This is also the spot to note if you are willing to move for the job.
• Social media. If you have a LinkedIn profile or portfolio of your work that are current, include those as well.

Don’t include:

• Personal details. Any data such as marital status, social security number, passport number, etc., that can both be used to steal your identity and/or is unrelated to your suitability to the job.

Make use of a summary

Before jumping into the details of data reportage, it’s best to provide a summary, which serves to provide the highlights of your findings and preview what is to come. If you don’t grab the audience’s attention now, your hard work may be overlooked.

A resume summary example for an entry-level business analyst serves the same purpose: letting the employer know you’re an analytical thinker with room to grow in this entry-level position  and that you plan to back up your assertion with data throughout your resume.

A summary needs strong action words and descriptions that enliven what otherwise could be a dull recitation of accomplishments. Try using “evaluated unique data set” instead of repeatedly typing “analyzed data” or “orchestrated study on hotel occupancy” instead of “led project on hotel occupancy.”

These 3-4 lines should synthesize your skills and achievements to date instead of repeating a bullet item from your employment history. Describe your professional style or qualities with a phrase such as “highly motivated and focused.” If describing yourself is difficult, ask a friend or colleague for three words that best describe you.

You can find an adaptable entry-level business analyst resume example summary below:

Outline your entry-level business analyst work experience: strength in numbers

The ad says “entry-level” so how do you write a resume for a business analyst with no experience? The first piece of advice we have here is this: recruiters know you’re just starting out because they are looking at resumes for an entry-level position. 

Employers aren’t expecting career veterans to apply for entry-level work. Instead, they want to see that you have basic analytical skills and know how to behave in a work environment. However, you may have more experience than you realize. 

Consider these situations:

• Internships. These temporary situations count as valuable work experience
• Volunteer work (especially any that is related to business analysis). Just because you didn’t get paid doesn’t mean a company wasn’t depending on you. In fact, volunteer work can impress because it shows your dedication to the field and/or to helping others.
• Part-time jobs. Employers hiring for entry-level positions want to know that you are reliable, organized and know how to conduct yourself in a work environment.

List each experience including the dates you worked there, the name of the company, its location and your title. Then, using bulleted lists, illustrate your accomplishments at each position. Begin each item with a strong action and include any data or details to flesh out your claim.

Don’t make the mistake of trying too hard to elongate this section, but don’t sell yourself short either by writing items that are too basic such as:

• Organized market reports
• Created graphs for business analyst
• Discussed data analysis with hotel team lead

Instead, punch these up with details:

• Created and enhanced system for filing and accessing market reports
• Under the direction of business analyst, developed graphs of tourism market data analysis
• Presented data analysis to team responsible for major hotel client

Take a look at the entry-level business analyst employment history resume sample below:

Include the relevant skills that make you a great entry-level business analyst

The question to answer in the resume skills section is “What is the employer looking for that you contain within your professional toolbox?” No one expects an entry-level business analyst to be an expert in most aspects of this complex job.

Focus your skills list on the foundational skills you developed during your education.  These learned skills are also known as hard skills. These include data analysis (of course), business intelligence tools such as SAP BusinessObjects, IBM Cognos, or Microsoft Power BI, process modeling or Agile methodologies. 

Soft skills, or the work attributes and interpersonal abilities you have, are key for entry-level employees. It’s much more difficult to teach time management or communication than it is to train an employee on a new application. Examples of soft skills employers value: problem-solving, critical thinking, negotiation, communication, adaptability and time management.

A resume skills section should contain a blend of these two types of skills. Again, take into account the job listing and choose skills your employer nas specified. This serves to help you pass through the ATS and shows the recruiter you have what they need.

If you’re stuck, look to our resume builder, which offers several pre-written key skills and allows you to include your proficiency level. 

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our entry-level business analyst resume template. 

While it is certain a recruiter will glance at your skills section, it is also important to infuse the rest of your resume with the entry-level business analyst skills you have chosen to highlight.  If you simply state “excellent communication” without illustrating that anywhere else, your prospective employer will get only a partial picture of your value.

Circle back to your employment history and summary sections to make sure you have illustrated the skills you list. For example:

• Created interactive dashboard using SAP BusinessObjects
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify business needs and document requirements
• Assisted in the implementation of Python scripts to automate data extraction
• Under guidance of business analyst, applied advanced problem-solving techniques to analyze complex business processes

Detail your education & relevant entry-level business analyst certifications 

As a recent graduate or career-changer, the resume education section may take precedence over your employment history, so feel free to move this section up or choose a format that emphasizes your education. 

Most people seeking a business analyst role have a computer science, statistics, business or related degree. List that and any other degrees you have earned here.

If you’re a recent graduate with a 4.0 GPA, go ahead and include it, but once you have entered the profession, you should eliminate this information since it’s your work achievements that count. Software or business certifications such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis should also be included here.

Computer science majors often complete many projects to earn their degree. You may consider adding a “Projects” section that details any data analysis, coding or statistics project directly related to business analysis.

Pick the right resume layout and design for an entry-level data analyst resume

It may be tempting to make a vibrant first impression with a colorful, graphically busy resume, but think about the charts and graphs you create to present your data analyses. What is your priority? Clarity of message. That’s the goal of your resume as well.

An entry-level business analyst resume needs to tread the line between eye-catching design and ease of use. Yes, your presentation skills are important, but if they overwhelm your message, you’ve defeated your own purpose. Clever resume designs such as a pie chart of success may entice one employer, but they are likely to turn others off. To give yourself the greatest chance of getting the interview, stick with a more classic look, such as one of our simple resume templates. 

Entry-level job-seekers especially need to show that they can make the shift from an academic atmosphere, or a different career, to a more buttoned-up business environment. To project a professional image, keep it uncluttered with a focus on your content by using adequate margins and an easy-to-read font. 

Just want to make your life easier? Start with one of our expertly- designed resume templates. We know you know how to code and format, but these customizable templates will get your job search started without delay and allow you to use more of your precious time on what really counts—your resume’s content.

Entry-level business analyst text-only resume example

Entry-level business analyst job market and outlook

Business and data analysis are growing fields, so getting your foot in the door now is a great career move. In fact, the demand for data scientists is expected to skyrocket by 35% over the next decade. The need for management analysts is also projected to grow—by 10%, a faster than average clip.

What type of salary you can expect in entry-level business analysis

An entry-level business analyst can expect to earn in the range of $79,000 and $85,000 per year. That doesn’t include performance bonuses. Some salary variation depends on the location of the company and the industry. 

Key takeaways for building an entry-level business analyst resume

1. Although you are looking for an entry-level business analyst position, you have more work experience than you realize.
2. Leverage your data analysis skills to help guide your placement and choice of keywords and phrases to avoid the ATS filter.
3. Employers filling entry-level positions value soft skills and the foundational skills necessary for data analysis, so infuse them throughout your resume.
4. Use the online resume builder to make your life easier and the job application process faster!