Business Intelligence Resume Examples & Tips: Complete Guide

The business world is founded on strategic decision-making. What makes the difference between a successful company and a failing one relies on correct and timely decision-making processes. To be able to carry this out, it is essential to have adequate and timely information that supports all the management of the company's operations in an agile and fast way.

Business Intelligence (BI) is a set of strategies, technologies, applications focused on the administration and creation of knowledge about our business, through the analysis of data from an organization or company. More concretely, it is the ability to transform data into information, and information into knowledge, so that the decision-making process in business can be optimized.

Writing a business intelligence resume requires the best practices available to land that job you desire. It takes its due process to write a BI resume that stands out. This thorough article will help you write a top-notch business intelligence resume. 

Before proceeding on how to write a resume, we have to distinguish between a business intelligence CV and a business intelligence resume. In several parts of Australia, Asia, and North America, a business intelligence CV is used to present your academic credentials based on your life. A business intelligence resume, on the other hand, highlights your skills and qualifications. 

A business intelligence CV can be long and extensive detailing your life; while a business intelligence resume can be only one page, sometimes 2 pages. In terms of purpose, a business intelligence CV is ideal for academia or research positions, while a business intelligence resume is preferred for job searching.

Picking a format for your business intelligence resume relies on the extent of your professional career. Therefore, you need to see which type of BI resume format suits you. The four types of format for a BI resume are: chronological, functional, hybrid/combination, and targeted resumes.

• Chronological: Emphasizes professional experience and accomplishments.
• Functional: Emphasizes your skills over work history with skill sets.
• Hybrid/combination: Combines the chronological format and functional format.
• Targeted: A resume format tailored for a specific position.

Get inspired by searching a few business intelligence resume examples and note down any elements you find useful. Adapt these elements into your business intelligence resume.

Tailoring an entry-level business intelligence resume will be quicker due to less trajectory compared to higher levels. However, if you are an experienced job seeker, you will decide what elements are relevant to the job opening when tailoring your business intelligence resume, as experienced BI specialists have a diverse range of work experience.

Double-check your business intelligence resume for any mistakes and avoid including irrelevant information.

Use your cover letter to reach out to employers in order for them to review your business intelligence resume.

With so much information online, it may be cumbersome to decide what is the best approach for writing the best business intelligence resume. Just like any decision-making process in BI, we have already established the following parts that will take a business intelligence resume to a top form.

A resume’s profile section is on top of your business intelligence resume and shall display your full name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile (optional). You can also include a portfolio or personal website if you have one.

The headline in your BI resume is your “value” in one sentence. By value, this means it shows you as an asset towards employers by putting a highlight in your professional career.

A summary of your qualifications based on prior work experience is ideal for those who have solid work experience. Using a summary over a resume objective in a business intelligence resume is suitable for candidates with vast work experience in the past.

In 3-4 lines, highlight your current position title, years of experience, specialization, accomplishments, and skills in the business intelligence resume summary.

A resume objective focuses on your career goals and your desire to work in an organization. It is a great way to show how your interests align with the company and how you'll help them accomplish their goals based on the position.

It’s recommended to include both soft skills and hard skills in your business intelligence resume. Here are some examples:

List, in ascending order, your related work experience in this section. In the following format, you can list each organization you have worked for with details including:

• Job Titles
• Name of Organization
• Dates of Employment
• Duties and Responsibilities
• Awards or Accomplishments (if any)

Include the following details from your educational background for each school you attended:

• School or University
• Degree and Major (Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral) 
• Graduation Year
• Honors & Awards (if any)
• GPA (optional)
• Relevant Courses (optional)

To make a top-notch business intelligence resume, here is some advice:

• Use keywords from the job description.
  Job requirements include keywords, such as technical skills and expertise in BI, so make sure these terms are in your business intelligence resume.

• Customize the resume for the job.
  Modify your business intelligence resume depending on what recruiters are asking, as there are various demands for each job position.
  For example, a business intelligence manager resume might look very different from a business intelligence engineer resume.

• Quantify work results in resumes.
  Measurable achievements demonstrate your capabilities in the field. If you have accomplished any results, write them in your BI resume.

• Choose an ATS-friendly resume format/layout.
  ATS (Applicant Software System) is a tool used by employers to check on job applications.
  Make sure your business intelligence resume is excellent in readability. Use keywords from the job listing and adopt a simple, text-based format so your business intelligence resume can go through the screening process.

• Use action words (verbs).
  Using active voice gives an assertive tone to your business intelligence analyst resume. Make sure to use action verbs like the examples in this verb list to show you are a capable candidate.

• Mention your field expertise.
  Business Intelligence (BI) covers a wide range of industries, such as IT, economics, manufacturing, among other fields.
  Emphasizing your expertise, especially if they are relevant to the job position, will give your business intelligence resume an edge in your application.

A cover letter for a business intelligence position is composed of the following sections:

• Header:
  List your contact information here. List your name, email, and phone number.
• Introduction:
  Give a brief introduction at the beginning of your business intelligence cover letter. It is a huge plus to start with an attention grabber, an opening statement employers would find unique. 
• Intention:
  Then, proceed to state your motivation to apply for the position and why you think you are a suitable candidate for the organization.
  If you can also tell how you can relate to the company and how you learn about the opening, that would be a great advantage in a business intelligence cover letter.
• Body:
  The next part of a business intelligence cover letter is all about qualifications. Describe your past roles and duties, what aspects you were involved in BI, skills obtained, achievements made, and how your past experiences have influenced your professional career.
  Remember this is a letter, so do not just list your relevant skills as you do in a business intelligence resume.
• Closing: 
  Reaffirm why you are interested in the job, why you’re excited to work in the company, and how you are a good match in your business intelligence cover letter.
  Finish by letting recruiters know you are looking forward to a response and thank them for reviewing your business intelligence cover letter.