what is a business analyst?
The role of a business analyst is to improve (business) processes. This applies to both internal factors and external influences. After analyzing all relevant aspects, you develop the best possible solution and present it to the relevant stakeholders.
The goal is to improve competitiveness, enhance quality, and make efficient use of resources such as capital, personnel, market position, and products. You communicate with the relevant contacts both within and outside the company.
You are often the link between the specialist departments and the IT department, where processes are improved through optimized digitalisation.
You also take on tasks from project managers, financial analysts, controllers, organizers, and so on, but you still differ from them in your area of responsibility.
For example, if you're a project manager, you're also responsible for the business aspects of the project.
Depending on the position, you take on different roles, and your job title accordingly varies. These could, for example, be the following:
- Business process analyst: You analyse, model, and restructure company processes with a focus on their profitability.
- Business analyst IT: You translate business requirements into IT specifications and pass them on to IT application developers.
- Business engineer: You analyze and modify company structures while taking the interests of stakeholders into account.
business analyst jobs
working as a business analyst.
As a business analyst, you work in a complex environment that demands a lot of expertise, flexibility, and resilience. Your area of responsibility is interesting, diverse, and varied. You interact with different people and professional groups, and you analyse business processes.
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your area of responsibility
The most important tasks of a business analyst include:
- You analyse business processes and data: To improve something within the company, you first need to get a clear overview of all workflows, structures, and data. For this, you examine the business processes and the associated data and figures very carefully. This includes, for example, customer data or data from the ERP system, and so on. To ensure you can do this as effectively as possible, you work with the support of various professional tools and the appropriate software.
- You identify the wishes and needs of the stakeholders: As a business analyst, your task is to first understand the problems of the stakeholders, which could be customers, partners, or employees. In the next step, you try to find a feasible solution and assess whether the plans for optimisation are realistic in the long term.
- You lead project teams: when you understand the wishes and needs of the stakeholders and have the right solution in hand, you manage a team of employees who will implement the solution. As a business analyst, you oversee this process and its progress, and you take overall responsibility for the project.
- Financial analysis: As a business analyst, it’s also part of your responsibilities to prepare analyses on financial topics. The main focus is always: How can processes be made more efficient? Are resources to be reduced? Or do external partners need to be replaced? What can the company cut back on? You turn the insights gained into proposed solutions, which you then present to the stakeholders. Together, you work towards a consensus solution.
- Developing new ideas: You don't just work with existing facts and figures, but also show initiative by coming up with your own ideas to optimise processes. This includes closely monitoring the market, identifying new trends, and figuring out how you can incorporate them into the company's further development.
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who are your colleagues?
Whether you're working in the technical, financial, or commercial sector, as a business analyst, you have daily contact with many colleagues. For example, if you're involved in improving a website for clients, you collaborate with web developers. Is there a problem in the logistics area? Then you'll be working together with the logistics manager.
The necessary budget for your work is allocated to you by the controllers, and you coordinate the planning with the project manager.
types of business analysts.
A business analyst examines and improves processes within a company, wherever data is collected. Usually, the financial and technical sectors are involved, but it can also include healthcare or logistics.
For example, in the following functions:
- Data analyst: A data analyst collects and checks data. They compile the results and ensure that the new insights are presented clearly and in an organised manner.
- CDD-analyst: As a CDD analyst, you contribute to the fight against financial crime. You collaborate with banks and review whether customers comply with the applicable regulations, ensuring that both the banking institution and the clients face minimal financial risks.
- Financial analyst: A financial analyst examines the financial matters within an organisation or a company. They keep an eye on the economic framework conditions.
- Information analyst/business Intelligence analyst: An information analyst examines the processes within an organisation and identifies connections between data from different systems.
salary as a business analyst.
how much do I earn as a business analyst in a permanent position?
As a business analyst, you typically earn an average of CHF 99,407.42 per year in a permanent position. This means your salary ranges between CHF 60,000 and CHF 184'000 gross annually. Half of the salaries surveyed are above CHF 99,000 gross, which corresponds to a monthly gross salary of CHF 8,250. The starting salary is on average around CHF 85'714 per year.
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how much do I earn as a business analyst per hour?
Assuming a 42 hour workweek and an annual gross salary of CHF 99,407.42, the hourly wage of a business analyst is approximately CHF 45.77. With increasing professional experience, annual gross salaries can reach up to CHF 184,000, which corresponds to an hourly rate of CHF 82.72.
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in which industry do I earn the most as a business analyst?
It's less about the industry that pays the most, and more about factors like the size of the company, its location, and the scope of responsibility of the business analyst. Generally, the larger the company, the higher the salary tends to be. In Switzerland, the highest wages are usually found in metropolitan areas such as Geneva, Zurich, or Basel.
training and further education as a business analyst.
To become a business analyst, you typically need to complete a university degree in Switzerland in economics, business informatics, computer science, engineering, or mathematics.
In some cases, these options are also possible: a university of applied sciences degree in business informatics, computer science, business administration, industrial engineering, or in another engineering discipline.
Or through further training: certified organizer (federal diploma), business analyst SGO (Swiss society for organisation and management), certified business analysis professional IIBA (International institute of business analysis), apprenticeship as a merchant with additional training.
If you've been working as a business analyst for a while and have gained some experience, the next step in your career might be on the horizon. How about a promotion to:
- Project manager: As a project manager, you prepare projects, lead a team, and keep an overview. You are ultimately responsible for the successful completion of a project, ensuring all deadlines and the budget are met.
- Analyst: as an analyst, you analyze results and data. You participate in important research projects, develop models, and provide advice. Analysts work in various fields, such as healthcare, finance, or in a laboratory.
- Controller: If you have a passion for finance, a career as a controller could be your next step. In this role, you oversee the financial management of a company, set the relevant budgets, and advise senior management.
positions as business analyst.
As a business analyst, you have many opportunities available to you. You can work in a small, medium sized, or large company across various industries. This could be, for example, in a bank, a manufacturing company, the healthcare sector, or logistics.
You actively participate in shaping the company and strategic planning, and you share responsibility for the company's success.
The available positions each focus on different areas. You can choose the one that suits you best. Do you enjoy analysing the overall context of a company? Or would you prefer to take responsibility for digital process automation? Are you particularly interested in quality driven business growth and increasing customer satisfaction?
Analyze your own skills and interests, and find the right position for you as a business analyst!
jobs for career changers as business analysts.
To work as a business analyst, you definitely need to bring some experience and skills to the table. The most important thing is an exceptional ability to analyse data and understand complex relationships. Additionally, good mathematical skills, strong communication abilities, and knowledge of foreign languages are also advantageous.
If you combine all these skills and are open to learning new things and expanding your knowledge through further training, you could, for example, start a career as a business analyst with a background in mathematics. Also, business economists, IT specialists, and business administrators with additional training have good prospects of landing a job as a business analyst.
career opportunities and development potential as a business analyst.
As a business analyst, you have various opportunities for advancement. One path follows the traditional career ladder: after gaining a few years of professional experience, you can take the next step to a more challenging and better paid position.
Anyone who is committed learns something new in every company, with every project, and in every position, and can use this knowledge for their personal development.
Sometimes, opportunities for career advancement arise within a company, such as becoming a team leader or project manager. Specialising as an analyst can also help you move forward in your career or lead to a role as a controller.
competencies as a business analyst.
- As a business analyst, you have an above average ability to grasp complex situations and analyze them effectively. You don't think in terms of problems, but rather in solutions.
- Your way of working is results oriented. You do everything possible to achieve the set goals together with your team.
- Good advice is important to you. You enjoy convincing your supervisors and colleagues of your ideas.
- Good time management is also very important.
- Your communication skills are very good both verbally and in writing. You need to be able to communicate clearly and convincingly.
benefits of working as a business analyst at randstad.
There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a business analyst:
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? often, there’s a chance to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many popular companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.
your professional development budget as a business analyst at randstad.
If you work as a business analyst for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your Randstad advisor is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job specific knowledge, all during your working hours as a business analyst.
application tips for business analysts at randstad.
Have you found your dream job as a business analyst? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:
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1. find your first position as a business analyst
Search through the Randstad job offers. If you don’t find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally without any obligation or to create a Randstad profile.
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2. applying as a business analyst
The job ad continues right away: apply online, give us a call, or send us an email.
Make sure your documents are complete:✓ CV with photo
✓ work references & diplomasYou don't have a CV yet or only an outdated version? Create a new layout using a free online template.
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3. preparing for a job interview as a business analyst
A good preparation will help you stay calm during the interview as a business analyst. Here are some tips for your job interview.
frequently asked questions.
Here you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about working as a business analyst.
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what does a business analyst do?
A business analyst examines processes and data within a company or organisation. The goal of their work is to optimise workflows, both internally and externally. After a thorough analysis, they develop proposed solutions and present them to the relevant specialists. Subsequently, a consensus solution is sought together.
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how much does a business analyst earn?
As a business analyst, you earn an average of CHF 99,407.42 per year in a permanent position. This means your salary ranges from around CHF 60,000 to CHF 183,000 gross annually. Half of the salaries surveyed are above CHF 99,000 gross, which corresponds to a monthly gross salary of CHF 8,250. The starting salary typically averages around CHF 85,714 per year.
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is a business analyst a good profession?
A business analyst is a versatile, demanding, and responsible profession with good prospects for the future. As a business analyst, you have a solid chance of finding a suitable job and climbing the career ladder, whether through internal promotions, further training, or a change of position.
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is a business analyst role difficult?
The requirements as a business analyst are high. However, with a solid education and increasing professional experience, you won't find the job difficult, but rather diverse and exciting. The topics change constantly, and there are always new challenges.
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what requirements do I need to meet to become a business analyst?
As a business analyst, you need to have a very strong analytical mindset. You must quickly grasp and break down complex relationships. Your way of thinking should be solution oriented turning problems into solutions. Are you good at communication? Great, because as a business analyst, you'll need to communicate a lot and present your work clearly and convincingly.
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how do I apply for a job as a business analyst?
Applying for a position as a business analyst is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and browse our site for business analyst job offers. Then, simply send us your CV and cover letter. If you need assistance with your application, have a look at our tips for job hunting!
