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Modern Analyst Forums Careers Career Advice &... Informal BA role- Suggestions

9/6/2017 5:26 AM

	Bella
1 posts

Informal BA role- Suggestions

I have worked as a BA in a small company for the past 8 years. I was the only BA and have worked on multiple small projects in the Social Services domain. I recently quit my job and I'm trying to find another one but I lack the confidence to apply for jobs because the company I worked for did not use formal BA techniques etc. We mainly had government clients and although I have done a lot of what a BA does- requirement elicitation, documentation, UAT, training, user documentation.

Any suggestions on how to bridge the gap and get a job as a BA will be greatly appreciated.

9/6/2017 2:07 PM

	NitWitNick
259 posts

Re: Informal BA role- Suggestions

"I lack the confidence to apply for jobs because the company I worked for did not use formal BA technique" After you being a BA for 8 years, You should not lack any confidence ... Stuff I ran into was different everywhere ... After 30+ years of consulting, I have not run into anything that was the same in each place I went or had Formal BA Techniques. Most places was a Waterfall/Agile combination and whatever you wanted to do to get stuff done by a certain date. Many companies had their own version of BA/PM/Development Templates on how they wanted things done. Some places even took whatever Template you had with you, because they were not organized and could use your help. So, with your 8 years of BA Experience and know how to do work with people to do a project, you can offer them something. Review a new companies Policy's/Procedures and Templates and ask them if they could take any ideas from you ... It won't be strange if your stuff is better than what they have ... Good Luck.

9/10/2017 6:16 PM

	Adrian M.
765 posts

Re: Informal BA role- Suggestions

Hi Bella,

I would say, just apply and go to the interviews and find out what recruiters are looking for. If you go to the interview with the mindset that it's just a mock/practice interview then you would take the pressure off you. It will allow you to test the waters and find out, from the questions asked, what the industry is looking for.

BTW: just curious, why did you quit your current job before finding the new one.

Sincerely,

Adrian

Adrian Marchis
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