Applying for business analyst jobs can be challenging, but rewarding. It's a highly skilled position, and is financially rewarded as such. Whilst most applicants are aware of the importance of a CV, many don't place as much emphasis on the cover letter. This is actually an error, as the cover letter is the first chance to make a good impression. What, then, should be included in a business analyst job cover letter?
Business analyst cover letter tips.
Formatting.
It's important that a cover letter is presented professionally:
- use a letter format, like one of our free downloadable cover letter templates
- include all your contact details (including e-mail and telephone numbers)
- you can use to be used if they help to save space
- be concise
- make sure that the styling of the letter matches your CV - this indicates attention to detail
Cover letter content.
The purpose of a cover letter is for you to professionally and concisely explain why you are suitable for the role, and what you can bring to the working environment. Therefore, you should include within the letter:
- details of your most recent role
- the main tasks that you were entrusted with
- what you managed to achieve
- your highest level of educational achievement (usually a degree, but in some cases HNDs or A-Levels may be relevant) as well as any marketing qualifications you've obtained
As with any cover letter, a potential business analyst should highlight their skill sets to the employer. Relevant skills to this role include:
- the organisation of data
- utilising proprietary and industry standard software tools
- the ability to organise disparate data
- presenting and communicating with a variety of different departments
- overcoming challenges and troubleshooting
How to sell yourself.
The most effective way to do this is for the applicant to demonstrate genuine achievements in previous roles. Employers want to feel secure in hiring someone and knowing that they will do a good job, so it's important for you to provide detailed, genuine examples of work you've carried out. It's also important to avoid waffling, as being too vague tends to indicate that the you are actually making things up!
What should be avoided?
As noted above, all cover letters should be kept as concise as possible. It's also important to avoid voicing opinions, ie 'I believe I am hard-working...' etc. It's important to present only verifiable facts that will stand up to employer queries. A business analyst is a relatively senior position, and employers will definitely seek out references to verify that the claims the applicant has made are legitimate.
