The Importance of Soft Skills and Curiosity in Hiring a Business Analyst

In this discussion we talk about hiring business analysts from the hiring manager perspective. It may also be useful for business analyst applicants to understand what hiring managers are looking for. Our guest on this episode of Business Analysis Live is Yulia Kosarenko, who has a YouTube channel called Why Change.

We start by discussing the importance of the job description. It’s important to articulate details about what the candidate will be doing in the job. We discuss communication skills for BAs, emphasizing the ability to listen actively, ask effective questions, and convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. We also chat about the importance of being able to adapt communication style to different stakeholders, including technical and non-technical team members. The conversation then moves on to the topic of job interviews and how to prepare for them. Yulia shares some tips on how to research the company and position, as well as how to practice and refine your responses to common interview questions. We also discuss the importance of being authentic and honest during the interview process, and the value of showing enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company and role. Later in the conversation, we discuss the importance of professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. We mention the benefits of attending conferences, webinars, and other industry events, as well as participating in local IIBA chapters. Yulia notes that certification is also a useful way to demonstrate knowledge and experience in business analysis, but emphasizes that it is not a guarantee of competence or fit for a particular role. We wrap up by discussing the importance of the business analysis mindset, which includes traits such as curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a focus on continuous improvement. While technical skills and experience are important, it is often these soft skills and mindset that differentiate top-performing BAs. As always, we answer questions from our viewers during the livestream. RESOURCES: 20% discount code for the Job Interview Clinic (with BA extras: yulia-spring-20) https://courses.why-change.com/ How to Screen Business Analyst Resumes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtFf3RQ7Z2w&t=0s Writing a Business Analyst Resume - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4YoyxUviow&t=0s Business Analysis Live is hosted by: - Susan Moore, Community Engagement Manager at IIBA - Scott Bennett, Manager, Business Analysis at IIBA

Do you have questions about this topic or have an idea for a different topic? Ask us a question at live@iiba.org or leave us a voice message on our podcast homepage.

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association serving the field of business analysis.  As the global thought leader and voice of the business analysis community, IIBA actively supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain global standards for the ongoing development of the practice and certifications.  Learn more at https://www.iiba.org/ 

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