At the center of business analytics is the business intelligence analyst, also known as the business intelligence developer, who turns unprocessed data into useful insights.
But it’s more than simply numbers and charts on a spreadsheet—it’s about seeing patterns, forecasting results, and assisting in data-driven decision-making.
You’re in the right place if you’ve ever thought of working as a business intelligence analyst.
You can follow this post to learn how to become a business intelligence analyst in 2024. We’ll talk about the necessary experience, abilities, and role.
We will also discuss how to make the most of the job market, including how to prepare for interviews, assess job offers, and construct a professional portfolio in addition to obtaining real-world experience.
Who is a business intelligence Analyst?
BI analysts are skilled at extracting meaning from massive amounts of data.
They can guide businesses towards new prospects and support decision-making thanks to their great communication and data storytelling abilities.
Technically speaking, business intelligence analysts frequently manipulate data using SQL and visualize it using tools like Tableau or Power BI.
They also have a thorough understanding of the business domain in which they operate.
Even though data analysis is the core of the work, a BI analyst also needs to be very organized and have excellent communication skills.
When business intelligence analysts can assist executive decision-makers, they are most valuable to a company.
What does a business intelligence analyst do?
The duties and obligations might differ from business to business, particularly between start-ups and established enterprises.
On the other hand, we can categorize a BI analyst’s key duties into five broad areas:
1. Data analysis and interpretation
Data analysis and interpretation are a BI analyst’s main responsibilities. They sort through enormous databases to find patterns, trends, and oddities.
An analysis is about insights, not simply numbers. Business intelligence analysts need to interpret their analysis and offer effective recommendations, whether dealing with sales data, consumer behavior, or market trends.
2. Generating reports and dashboards
A business intelligence analyst’s job is to quickly communicate their results through the creation of reports and dashboards.
This goes beyond only providing data; it also involves crafting a narrative that influences tactical choices.
3. Working together and communicating with interested parties
The foundation of a BI analyst’s duties is effective communication.
To comprehend business needs and convert them into data solutions, they must work in conjunction with a variety of stakeholders, including managers, IT specialists, and executives.
They have to ensure that insights are understood by decision-makers throughout the company by bridging the gap between intricate technical concepts and their real-world implications.
4. Ongoing observation and improvement
This position involves a lot of ongoing performance monitoring of data solutions to find opportunities for optimization and enhancement.
Bid and information analysis professionals need to develop dynamic systems that adapt to the demands of the company, not just static reports.
5. Ensuring compliance and data security
BI analysts play a critical role in making sure data is secure and conforms with industry requirements in light of the growing awareness and concern over data security.
They frequently have to put procedures and safeguards in place to protect sensitive data.
How to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst
To become a business intelligence analyst, take the following actions:
1. Obtain a degree
To become a business intelligence analyst, one must first finish a four-year bachelor’s degree program.
Computer science, data science, statistics, business administration, economics, and related subjects are popular majors for business intelligence analysts.
The role of a business intelligence analyst benefits from coursework in statistics, technology, and data analysis, regardless of the degree you select.
2. Finish your internship
Many bachelor’s degree programs give students the chance to finish an internship in business or a related discipline like accounting.
If you’re interested in working as a business intelligence analyst, completing an internship program can help you build your professional network and obtain the necessary work experience to be considered for the role.
3. Consider professional certifications
You can think about getting one of the many professional certifications available to demonstrate your expertise in fields linked to business information analyst work.
A few certificates you might want to think about are the Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) certification, the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert in Business Intelligence certification, the Computer Programming and Language certification, and the Business Administration certification.
To be eligible for a business intelligence analyst position, certain firms might demand that candidates hold a certain certification.
4. Take into account getting a graduate degree
A lot of business intelligence analysts decide to go back to school and become Master of Business Administration (MBA) holders or enroll in another master’s program.
Business intelligence analysts may find greater employment options and higher income levels with a master’s degree.
For business intelligence analyst roles, some employers will even take a master’s degree in place of more relevant job experience.
SEE ALSO: 11 Best Fully Funded Masters Programs 2024
5. Acquire additional pertinent experience as needed
If a career as a business intelligence analyst interests you, you should check the job requirements to see if candidates must have a specific amount of relevant work experience to be considered for the post.
Candidates with relevant expertise in management, business, or information technology (IT) are often given preference by employers when hiring business intelligence analysts. Internship programs and entry-level jobs in your field, such as data analyst or business analyst, may help you obtain the experience required for the position of a business intelligence analyst.
6. Look for jobs as business intelligence analysts.
You are prepared to start looking for open positions to apply for once you have acquired the training, experience, and certifications required to be qualified for the position of business intelligence analyst.
To learn more about the abilities and credentials the company is seeking, carefully read the job description for each position you are considering applying for.
Another option is to inquire about potential openings for a business intelligence analyst role at your present company.
7. Write a cover letter and apply
After locating the business intelligence analyst jobs you’re interested in applying for, use the details about the abilities and qualifications the employer is looking for in candidates to craft a position-specific resume.
You may do this by consulting the job descriptions.
When summarising your experience and skills, you can utilize an online resume maker to assist you in focusing on the job description’s keywords.
After finishing your resume, you can apply for the position you’re interested in by going back to the original job posting.
If a business intelligence analyst position is open at your present firm, you can submit your most recent resume to be considered for a promotion.
FAQs
What is the average salary of a Business Intelligence Analyst?
Typically, business intelligence analysts hold full-time, paid jobs.
A business intelligence analyst’s pay is determined by several factors, including their area of expertise, degree of education, and services rendered.
Business intelligence analysts make between $31,000 and $182,000 a year, with the national average income being $91,074.
Bonuses and other forms of supplemental remuneration may also affect a business intelligence analyst’s income.
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Conclusion
A combination of hard and soft abilities will be needed in 2024 to work as a corporate intelligence analyst.
For business intelligence analysts to effectively help decision-makers, they must possess great communication, cooperation, and business understanding.
Business intelligence analysts need to have analytical abilities in addition to technical ones like SQL, the ability to visualize data using Power BI or Tableau, and some programming knowledge to spot trends and insights that affect business strategy rapidly.