ATS-Friendly Resume Example for Business Analysts (Free CV Template)
You understand processes, gather requirements, and turn data into decisions but your resume isn’t getting callbacks. The problem isn’t your experience. It’s how your CV looks to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
In 2025, nearly every employer uses ATS software to scan, parse, and rank resumes before a recruiter even reads them. If your Business Analyst CV isn’t structured properly or missing keywords, it can be filtered out automatically even if you’re highly qualified.
This guide will show you how to write an ATS-friendly Business Analyst resume, which keywords matter most, and how to download a free optimized template that helps you get noticed faster.
What recruiters and ATS look for in a Business Analyst resume
Recruiters and ATS systems are looking for two things: clarity and relevance.
For Business Analyst roles, the ATS will specifically look for:
- Core competencies like requirements gathering, stakeholder management, and process improvement
- Methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and SDLC
- Tools like Jira, Confluence, Visio, Power BI, SQL, and Excel
- Evidence of measurable outcomes (“reduced processing time by 25%,” “implemented new CRM system across 3 departments”)
If your resume isn’t structured properly or hides these skills in design-heavy layouts, the ATS will fail to detect them reducing your match score and visibility.
Common mistakes that make Business Analyst CVs fail ATS
- Using complex layouts or columns that break ATS parsing.
- Saving as image-based PDFs that can’t be read by text scanners.
- Missing job description keywords, especially tools or frameworks.
- Using vague section names like “My Career Story.”
- Listing generic tasks instead of data-backed achievements.
- Inconsistent date formats or company naming conventions.
Step-by-step: How to make your Business Analyst CV ATS-friendly
1. Use a Simple File Format
Save your CV as .docx or text-based .pdf. Avoid designs that use tables, text boxes, or sidebars.
2. Stick to Standard Fonts
Use Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid custom fonts that ATS may misread.
3. Use Standard Section Headings
Use conventional headings like Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications.
Avoid using creative or non-standard headers that the ATS won’t recognize.
4. Optimize for Keywords from the Job Description
Review the job posting carefully. If it says:
“Looking for a Business Analyst experienced in Agile delivery, stakeholder engagement, and SQL.”
Then write:
“Facilitated Agile sprint planning sessions, engaged stakeholders to define requirements, and built SQL reports to support data-driven decisions.”
Pro tip: Upload your CV and job description into our ATS CV Optimization Tool to get your:
- ATS match score
- Missing keyword list
- Suggestions for improving structure and formatting
5. Quantify your results
Recruiters love measurable impact.
Instead of: “Worked on business requirements.”
Use: “Defined business requirements that reduced system errors by 20% and improved reporting speed by 35%.”
6. Keep the layout linear
Avoid two-column templates. ATS reads left to right — so keep all key information in one column.
7. Include tools and certifications clearly
Use a dedicated “Tools” or “Technical Skills” section. Example:
Tools: Jira, Confluence, Visio, Power BI, SQL, Excel
Certifications: CBAP, CCBA, PMI-PBA, Scrum Master
8. Maintain consistency
Use the same date format and tense throughout your CV.
Be consistent with job titles (“Business Analyst,” not “BA” in one section and “Analyst” in another).
Example: ATS-friendly Business Analyst resume (before & after)
| Category | Before (Rejected by ATS) | After (Passed ATS) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Canva PDF with icons | .docx plain text |
| Section Names | “Career Path” | “Work Experience” |
| Keywords | Missing “SQL,” “Agile,” “Jira” | Added keywords aligned to JD |
| Metrics | None | “Reduced reporting cycle by 30%” |
| Structure | Two-column layout | Single-column format |
| Score | 55% match | 90% match |
Top keywords for a Business Analyst CV
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, SDLC, Waterfall, Lean, Kanban
Core Skills: Requirements Gathering, Stakeholder Management, Process Mapping, Gap Analysis, UAT, Documentation, Data Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Change Management
Tools: Jira, Confluence, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Excel, Visio, Trello, Azure DevOps, Lucidchart
Certifications: CBAP, CCBA, PMI-PBA, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Six Sigma
Use our free ATS CV checker
Before applying to your next Business Analyst role, check your resume with our ATS CV Optimization Tool.
It provides:
- A full ATS compatibility score
- Feedback on keywords, structure, and readability
- Automatic keyword enhancement suggestions
- The ability to download optimized CV templates
Upload Your CV and Check Your ATS Score Now.
As a Business Analyst, your job is to make data understandable and processes efficient and your CV should do the same.
By using a clean layout, clear sectioning, and job-relevant keywords, you make it easy for both ATS and recruiters to see your value.
Upload your CV to our ATS CV Optimization Tool today to see exactly how it performs, find missing keywords, and download a perfectly formatted version that helps you stand out in 2025.