How To Become a Business Analyst in a Few Easy Steps

Business analysts are in high demand these days. With the ever-changing business landscape, companies are looking for professionals who can help them make sense of data and figure out what to do with it in strategic ways. It’s a field that’s growing rapidly and can pay well — the average salary for a business analyst is $80,768.¹

But how do you get started? Companies are increasingly emphasizing skills over degrees, so you don’t necessarily need a business or tech degree to get hired. Instead, there are a few easy steps you can take to become a business analyst.

What Do Business Analysts Do?

Business analysts are responsible for assessing and improving the performance of a company by studying data and trends. As a result, they play a critical role in helping companies achieve their strategic goals. They look at complex business problems and come up with innovative solutions.

Portra/Getty

Typically, business analysts work with different teams within an organization to identify areas where improvement is needed and develop plans to address these issues. So, they use tech and communication skills to accomplish their overall goal of making the business run more efficiently.

Skills You Need To Become a Business Analyst

In order to be successful as a business analyst, you need to have strong analytical skills and be able to think strategically. You also need to be capable of communicating effectively and working collaboratively with other team members.

With this in mind, here are some of the skills aspiring business analysts need to develop:

Strong analytical skills: You need to quickly make sense of data and figure out what’s important.
Excellent problem-solving skills: Since you’ll be dealing with complex problems, you need to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions.
Strong communication skills: You need to be able to explain complex concepts in a way that others can understand, and you need to be able to build relationships with stakeholders.
Good organizational skills: You’ll be dealing with a lot of information, so you need to be able to keep track of it all and stay organized.

How To Become a Business Analyst in a Few Steps

When it comes to careers, many people think they need to have a degree related to the field in order to be successful. However, this isn’t always the case. For instance, top companies like Google and Apple have dropped college degree requirements for many positions.²

While a related degree can give you a leg up, you can gain the necessary skills and experience in other ways. Here are a few steps you can take to become a business analyst without prior experience:

Taking a free online course is a great first step. That’s because it’s a way to verify that you want to enter the field without spending money or much time.
After that, earn a business analytics certification to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed and gain hands-on experience.
Then put together a portfolio that illustrates your project management skills through projects you completed in your certification program.
Consider volunteering for a non-profit or small business to help build out your portfolio with real-world projects.
Finally, build your network by attending industry events and meetups and connecting with other professionals online.

These steps can help you transition into a career as a business analyst. And, of course, the business world is constantly changing. So, you’ll want to keep up with the latest trends and developments after you get hired.

Are There Remote Job Possibilities for Business Analysts?

Yes, there are. In fact, many businesses are looking for business analysts with the skills to work remotely. That means it can be a great field for self-motivated individuals who want to balance work and home life. So, how do you find a remote job for a business analyst?

Start by checking out postings on job boards. You can also go directly to company websites to search for open positions. Then, apply for the jobs that interest you and seem like good fits. Keep in mind that not all businesses offer remote work options. However, by doing your research and networking with professionals in the field, you have a better chance of landing a job that offers the option.

The Outlook for Starting a Career in Business Analysis

It’s a good time to consider entering the field because demand is estimated to grow 11% by 2029.³ So, there is a lot of opportunity for people motivated to learn the skills. With the right combination of training and networking, a career as a business analyst could be in your future.

To get started, consider taking an online course and then completing a certification program. They can help you develop the necessary skills and build your portfolio.