It is only within the last decade that the Business Analyst has become recognised as a profession by both businesses and educational institutions. Furthermore, it’s only in recent years that predominant Australian universities have developed specialised degrees that teach the theory necessary to excel in this career path.

As such, there has been a rise in its popularity amongst students with a variety of interests. From students with backgrounds in IT to economics to finance, the Business Analyst has become an exciting role and career to pursue!

Last month, I heard from the Head of Business Analysis from DX Solutions, Siva Thaivarayan, as he shared his expertise and shed much-needed light on the vital characteristics of a successful Business Analyst.

So for all the apprising Business Analysts (BA) out there, check out the below non-negotiable personal attributes that your perspective employers are looking for:

Seeks Clarity: A true BA will not only be searching for the answers, but desperately wants to how and why a solution works.
Problem Solving Skills: In order to seek the aforementioned clarity, a BA must have superior problem solving skills and genuinely enjoys the thrill of cracking a puzzle.
Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills: A savvy Business Analyst loves talking! They love to captivate their audience and dazzle them with their ideas. This involves communicating technical concepts in an engaging and interesting manner to different members of an organisation.
‘Never Say Die’ Attitude: A successful BA is has an extremely resilient nature and thrives under pressure. Ultimately, they have the ability to think quickly on their feet, and enjoy finding innovative ways to overcome unexpected obstacles.
Master of Technical Business Analyst Skills: As the career path has evolved, so have the necessary job-specific technical skills, such as knowledge of UML to represent requirements with Use Case, as well as adopting Agile working systems. It is vital that an aspiring BA is working towards becoming an expert in all the necessary technical skills!
So remember, when you’re preparing for your BA interview, it is essential that you take the time to make solid links between your work and study history and the aforementioned points. Good luck!

The business market is a competitive one. To gain advantage over your fellow graduates, have a chat with one of our mentors today about placement programms and our current opportunities.