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New Post 10/17/2008 3:43 PM
User is offline Stephen Fuller
1 posts
No Ranking


Having trouble landing 1st BA position 

I am having substantial trouble landing that first BA position and, although I've read a thousand threads on the subject, I could truly use some good advice.

I have a BS in physics, a BA certificate from Villanova, and I'm currently stomping through the Masters BA certificate and  PM certificate from Villanova. My primary experience has been in astrophysics research and data mining, plus unviversity level instruction while in graduate school. Because of my having no experience as an analyst, I've been mostly applying to junior analyst or junior pm positions. I was, before the markets were crashing, getting about one phone-screen interview a week from companies but couldn't seel the deal.

One question you could answer is, how much $$$ should I be requiring? From what I know $35,000 is low and $50,000 is high, but that's a huge range, and I think we're on the down slope of the BA hiring cycle and people might be a little stingier.

Is it better to go into consultant firms that hire associate level BAs? Or is it wiser to spread effort around to recuiters and the main job search engines? (I'm trying both right now, but I've limited resources)

Are sites like Employment Crossing worth the cost, has anyone had success there?

All I really need to know is how do I get my foot in someone's door?

Vigilando, agendo, bene consulendo, prospera omnia cedunt!

 

 

 
New Post 10/18/2008 3:43 AM
User is offline Guy Beauchamp
257 posts
www.smart-ba.com
5th Level Poster




Re: Having trouble landing 1st BA position 

Hi Spfuller,

Getting the first role is always the toughest. Having said that I would be interested to know what feedback you were getting on the interviews you had.

Regarding your question about $rates: Given your objective is to get a first role and some BA employment history under your belt, I would suggest that you work for anything bearing in mind 'perceived worth' - i.e. don't offer your services for free as they might be perceived as worthless! But you need to undercut the other candidates in order to sway an employer to take a chance on you.

If you would like to send me your CV I will review from an employer perspective (I have recruited BAs and been a recruiter as well as being a BA). Send it to [email protected] - no charge for this so it may be a worthless exercise!

You might want to consider if you are not already doing these:

  • highlighting your analytical activities even if you were not called a BA
  • Including testimonials from your courses or wherever you have been involved in analysis.
  • Including short examples of the kind of work you can do.

I don't know anything about employment crossing or any other pay for use scheme like it - all I can say is I have never had to use such a pay for service either as recruiter or employee (though I am in the UK).

Guy

 
New Post 2/6/2009 4:20 PM
User is offline BA Trainer
18 posts
9th Level Poster


Re: Having trouble landing 1st BA position 
Modified By BA Trainer  on 2/6/2009 6:20:50 PM)

You definitely need some resume guidance. You have to highlight few major areas of BA skills in your resume to have the recruiters even look at your resume

The secodn step is to learn all the BA skills , methodologies, techniques to be able to crack the interview

 

I have trained a lot of freshers and have also worked on their resume. email me at [email protected]

if you need some professional help

 

Thanks

 

 
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