Your Business Analysis Cover Letter
Are you applying for more jobs than you actually need to?
People don’t realize how important the Business Analysis Resume cover letter or cover email is to your job application. Many don’t even realize how important the whole resume is! I have looked through many resumes and cover letters, and have been astounded at how people throw away great opportunities by not presenting themselves well on paper.
If you spend a little time writing a proper business analysis resume cover letter for each job application, you will most likely end up saving a lot of time by applying for a lot less jobs. Follow these very simple but powerful cover letter writing tips and you are set for a much more fruitful and productive job hunting experience.
So, let’s start with the first tip for getting this important document right!
Tip 1: Tailor your cover letter to each job you apply for
Don’t ignore this tip! It is important that you write or tweak your cover letter for the specific job you are applying for. This means you will address the person who is advertising the role by name (if you know it); you will use the same wording as what has been used in the job advertisement; and, you will mention the specific job title and reference exactly as it appears in the job advertisement.
Tip 2: Make it as easy as possible for the recruiter
Write the specific role title (as advertised) with its reference number and the date you saw the advertisement in the title of your cover letter or cover email. Do the exact same thing in the first sentence of your cover letter. These two simple things will make it easy for the recruiter to know exactly which role you are applying for.
Tip 3: Keep it short, sharp and focused
Don’t write more than one paragraph summarizing your profile and relevant experience to the recruiter. Again, use the same terminology as what has been used in the job advertisement. This terminology is what is familiar to the recruiter, and by doing this you will ensure that he can easily see and understand your skills. Remember, a recruiter advertises thousands of jobs each week and often they don’t know all the relevant terminology for each profession. In the case of Business Analysis, this is no exception. To them a “Systems Analyst”, “Business Systems Analyst”, “IT Analyst” or “Business Analyst” may seem like interchangeable terms. So if to the recruiter has described the role as for a “business systems analyst”, you must use this term in your application too.
Tip 4: Start your profile from the top
You must write your professional profile in a way which tells the recruiter the most important things about you, first. Establish your key strengths, and then drill down to the detail. State in your profile paragraph what qualification you have, how many years’ experience you have in that type of role, and which industries you have worked in. See the sample cover letter for an example of how this is done all in one sentence. Now the recruiter already knows whether you would be suitable for the role, just by reading the first sentence of your profile.
Tip 5: Drilling down more
After your clear and powerful first sentence make sure you keep the recruiter interested! The recruiter is searching for ‘key words’ that match the job advertisement. Use those key words in your next sentence. If they are looking for a Business Analyst with requirements gathering and workshop facilitation experience, then make sure you note those skills next. Again, look at the example cover letter to see how this can be done. The most important tip here is to use as many of the job advertisement’s key words in the next 2-4 sentences.
Tip 6: Close on a positive, confident note
You have managed to get the recruiter to read this far, which means they will most likely be interested in talking to you. Start your closing sentence by saying that you have attached or included your resume for their reference. Ensure that you then add a line saying that you believe the opportunity matches your skills and experience very well. This last closing paragraph should be 1 or 2 lines tops!
Tip 7: Make it easy for the recruiter
Ensure you include your contact phone number and email address in the signature of your resume cover letter. Again, your focus should be on making it as easy as possible for the recruiter to know who you are, why your skills and experience match the role, and how to get hold of you.
DOWNLOAD YOUR EXAMPLE BUSINESS ANALYST RESUME COVER LETTER HERE.