No matter where you post a job, whether it's on your company website, Indeed, LinkedIn, or Facebook, you need a carefully crafted job description to attract the most qualified candidates.
A business analyst job description should also include details about the job responsibilities, requirements, and skills required, in addition to job description prerequisites such as an equal employment opportunity statement and job benefits. The full details of the job description are often compiled in a one-page document that can be used to attract candidates during the hiring process, define the role, and establish the level of responsibility within the company.
Business Analyst Goals
Regardless of industry, a business analyst's overall goal is to review and analyze current and proposed business operations. Often, these professionals review financial statements, key performance indicators (KPIs), and other key metrics, and consider options for improvement. Business analysts evaluate the overall effectiveness of the business and its departments and devise solutions to problems.
Business Analyst Responsibilities
The job description should clearly state the business analyst's primary responsibilities, as well as any secondary responsibilities. Typical primary responsibilities of a business analyst include:
Identify and communicate with key stakeholders. Use data analytics tools to collect, review and analyze business and industry data including KPIs, financial reports and other key metrics. Liaise with different business departments and groups. Evaluate process improvement options including business process modeling. Maintain various project, process and operational documentation. Collaborate with project managers and cross-functional teams.
Business Analyst Skills and Qualifications
Business analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree in business administration, business analysis, management information systems, or a related field. Business analysts who specialize in certain industries, such as engineering, technology, finance, or healthcare, may have a degree related to those fields. Some employers prefer to hire analysts with an MBA.
The key skills required for a business analyst are:
Ability to effectively communicate and influence key stakeholders to support proposed strategies, process improvements and operational decisions; Resourceful and creative problem-solving skills; Experience in testing and mapping various business processes and protocols; Knowledge of industry technology systems for data collection; Excellent communication and leadership skills
Additional information to include in the job description
You can also include salary information in your business analyst job description. In fact, some states and cities have wage transparency laws that require job advertisements to include salary rates. If you have employees in these areas, or you're hiring for a remote position that may have applicants from jurisdictions with wage transparency laws, you should include salary information.
It's also helpful to include information about job benefits and company background information. Finally, don't forget to include any equal employment opportunity information required by law.