Hi Ashley,

Here are a couple of things which I would greatly suggest for you:

• Update you resume: since your most recent job is not in business analysis you should create a functional resume.  What this means is that instead of showcasing your skills and experience under each job you've held you should start with a section which shows your business analysis skills: requirements gathering, interviews, business process flows, functional specifications, etc.
• Read the BABOK: the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) published by the IIBA is a great free resource which contains references to many standard methods, techniques, and activities that a business analyst does.  You will probably find some that you may have already used in the past but may have been called by a different name.  You will also get to learn about many new ones.
• Take a Business Analysis course: Yes I realize that this is an expense but I would greatly advice you to take a course in business analysis (which covers requirements elicitation, requirements management, requirements solutioning, etc.)  This will give you the opportunity to shore up your foundational knowledge as well as to gain some confidence when you realize that you do know many of those techniques.
• Network with other BA: Even though you don't yet have that coveted BA position you should hang out with other BAs as they may be able to give you great advice and, who knows, maybe they can let you know about available jobs with their employers.  So go ahead, and join the local chapter of the IIBA... I hear that the Toronto chapter is a very good one and you'll get many chances to pick up new skills.
• Post your detailed questions in the Forums @ ModernAnaylst.com: As you begin to read the BABOK and other BA resources, if you have questions on a specific technique, method, or topic just post them in the forums and you'll get further guidance.

Wishing you the best!

- Adrian

Hi Chris.

Thank you very much for these words of encouragement.  I have started  to lose hope already and was already thinking that I will forever resign myself to be doing administrative work.  But all the suggestions I got here have given me the confidence boost I needed.  Thank you again.  I will be posting my questions here time again.  Thanks for your patience in replying to them.

Ashley

Hello Newbie.

Wow, you've had your bachelors and masters in IT from the US...I'm sure you will not find it difficult to migrate to the BA career path.  I'd be grateful if I can get some tips from you on what you have done so far towards your goal.  I am just in the process of starting to edit my resume, and boy, am I taking a long time. I feel that my credentials are not yet sufficient to get me a job as a BA.  I still fell I need to upgrade my skills and knowledge on this area.  Would love to share thoughts on this...email or this forum, I guess, would be fine .