What do you do if you want to showcase your analytical skills in a Business Analysis job interview?

1. I approach complex problems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable components. 2. My process involves gathering information, analyzing data, identifying root causes, and evaluating alternative solutions in a step-by-step manner. 3. I highlight my ability to ask probing questions and facilitate discussions to uncover underlying business needs. 4. I explain the business problem or opportunity, the stakeholders involved, and the data or inputs I had to work with. 5. I walk through my analysis process, including any models, techniques (e.g., root cause analysis, process mapping), or tools used. 6. I discuss the insights I derived, the recommendations made, and the business impact or outcomes achieved.

As a frequent interviewer looking to fill BA roles, the thing I always look out for in interviewees is their ability to process a question and respond with a structured answer. This is, after all, what we do. So as well as doing your homework on the organisation itself, it's crucial to display a structured and analytical approach in the interview itself, by 1) clarifying the question if there is any ambiguity, 2) answering the question (you'd be amazed at how often an interviewee answers an entirely different question to the one that was just asked), and 3) structuring your response with a beginning, a middle and an end - with precision, clarity and brevity.

I'd showcase my analytical as well as soft skills (because soft-skills go a long way) in the following ways: 1. Give them real-life/hypothetical examples of the process and approach took 2. Highlight the results with impact in terms of growth, cost saving, efficiencies, etc. 3. Mention the tech and tools used and tricks applied 4. Showcase my communication, critical thinking and adaptability based on scenarios/situations I have dealt

In a Business Analysis job interview, I would showcase my analytical skills by providing concrete examples of how I've analysed complex data sets, identified patterns, and formulated insights to drive strategic decision-making. I would also highlight my ability to translate data into actionable recommendations and my proficiency in using analytical tools and techniques to solve business problems effectively.

Showcasing your skills in analysis starts with analysing the needs and goals of the organisation that you're interviewing with. Having a thorough context of the organisation and its vision gives a clear understanding of what's expected from the candidate that fills the role. Understanding the needs of the organisation also helps you realise the kind of answers that the interviewer would look for, which gives us an edge over someone who has not researched the role.

One of the best ways to highlight analytical skills is through presenting past problem-solving contributions that have resulted in a successful outcome. Example - I worked on a warehouse operations improvement project where I had to analyse and understand the AS-IS process through job shadowing and produced a BPMN model with the TO-BE process. This enabled me to assist the technical team in designing a solution that would cut short the process for picking and packing orders in the warehouse and updating it on the ERP system. Through my analytical skills, I was able to solve the bottleneck in warehouse operations and directly increase sales through efficient order processing times and reduced costs.

One of the ways is to demonstrate problem-solving skills by emphasizing collaboration with stakeholders to understand the problem or identify opportunities. Begin by engaging in discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs) to identify the needs and requirements necessary to resolve the issue - it helps gather insights and aid your understanding. Next, explore various options for solving the problem, analyzing each one to determine the best course of action. Consider factors such as cost and benefits for each option. Engage with stakeholders throughout this process to gain their support; their input can help confirm whether the proposed solution aligns with their expectations. Finally, design and test the recommended solutions/ hypotheses

As important as it is to be analytical, it is equally important to be an effective communicator to convey it. Being a great communicator involves active listening, gauging the technical knowledge of the person, and conveying our capabilities at a level that they can easily comprehend. If they are technically sound, get into the details of the tools and technology used to solve the problem. Also, mention any techniques (UML, BPMN, Data Flows, ERDs) used and detail the technical implementation of the solution. If they have a business background, try to convey on a high level what the problem was and what the solution ultimately achieved for the business. Using KPIs and Metrics (Sales, Reduced Costs, Profits) will help in this situation.