Business analyst
Also called: BA, Functional analyst
Turns business needs into clear requirements, processes and reports that teams can act on.
What the work is
Business analysts bridge the business and the technical teams. They study how a process works today, talk to users about what they need, write clear requirements, and help teams build and test the solution. In IT services and product companies they work closely with developers; in banks and operations teams they improve processes and reporting.
It is a popular first role for graduates with good communication and analytical skills, and it leads to product management, consulting and project leadership.
A typical week
- Interview users and map current processes
- Write requirements and user stories
- Analyse data to support decisions
- Help test and roll out new systems
It suits people who
- Like understanding how things work
- Communicate well with different people
- Are organised and analytical
Your path to get there
School (Class 8-10)
- Any stream; Maths and English help
Class 11-12
- BBA, B.Com, B.Tech, BCA or Economics
College or fresher
- Learn Excel, SQL basics, process mapping and requirement writing
- Do an internship in an IT, bank or operations team
- Consider ECBA certification
Working or switching
- Domain experts (bank staff, operations, testers) move into BA roles in their field
- Developers and testers move in with business skills
- Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
- Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
- Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
- Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.
Exams and certifications
| Name | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| IIBA ECBA and CCBA ↗ | Business analysis certification | Any time |
| CAT, XAT, CMAT | MBA admissions | Once a year |
Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.
Job market
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Who hires
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