Career

How To Break Into Business Analysis When Job Market is Down

Tips for career switchers and recent graduates

Photo by Ono Kosuki

It’s not easy to break into a career in the employers’ market. When employers can afford to be choosy and there are many applicants for every position, a junior job hunter or someone changing careers will find it especially difficult to get their foot in the door.

If you are finding yourself in this position while looking for a business analysis job, read on for my suggestions for an alternative approach.

One of the problems of lean times and economic slowdown periods is that project budgets are the first to go. Digital transformations get postponed, new systems purchases pushed out, and enhancements minimized as budgets are slashed, hiring freezes, and everyone is talking about “finding efficiencies”.

By its nature, a business analyst position is project-dependent. Many business analysts work either exclusively or for the majority of their time on projects.

New BA positions get created in preparation for large projects.

A multi-year project may call for full-time vacancies and a year-long project for some contract openings.