Reply to: IT Dev to Tech Business Analyst

[jonathanOnshore2010]

Great advice guys, very much appreciated.

You were right northernladuk, I have two issues. Getting off the bench and then making the switch. I didn't see it, so hence the recently trouble.

As luck would have it, just been offered my first consultancy gig (only 6 weeks) reviewing and making recommendations around dev practices and release management, DR etc to management. See the new year out, then go back to coding as I plan a better thought out move to a systems analyst after some further appropriate training from the diploma syllabus and a CV rethink.

Many thanks.

[northernladuk]

You know how you promote a permie?

Give them a new title with manager on the end.

Especially if they are managing nobody.

Yes names are meaningless.

But you have just proven they are not!!!

They serve to motivate and empower so not totally meaningless!!

[SueEllen]

What's in a name?

You know how you promote a permie?

Give them a new title with manager on the end.

Especially if they are managing nobody.

Yes names are meaningless.

[northernladuk]

If you want to go down that route and gain qualifications, take a look at ISEB's Diploma in Seystem Development:
Solution Development | Higher | Solution Development | Professional Certifications (ISEB) | Professionals | Qualifications, Training, Careers | BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

You may want to just get on the ladder with SD Essentials rather than go for all of it immediately. Or you may want to just get the books and read up on it.

But it's a start.

They're not Seystem Development, they're System Development! FFS.

This is a personal gripe of mine.

[MarillionFan]

What's in a name?

I have CV's where my job title is all about being a Business Analyst or Systems Analyst or PM or Reports Developer or BI Consultant or SQL Developer etc

As I am a generalist(jack of all trades, master of none) most adverts specifically ask for a given 'Job Title'. So I have multiple CV's by Job Title and also by Industry. ie. Business Analyst specialising in FMCG.

This allows me to apply for different roles but highlighting those skills specific to the job title and industry.

Job titles against each company for my previous roles are always put as

Business Analyst/Project Manager at Company X
Data Modeller/Business Analyst/BI Consultant at Company Y (etc).

90% of it is not necessarily having the skills/qualifications per se, but getting on the agency shortlist and getting an interview. Unless you are a complete bulltulipter containing none of the skills you need for a role then as long as you can talk the talk and walk(stumble) the walk you can get into a role and develop your skills.

[malvolio]

Your potential clients are looking for people who deliver end-to-end solutions, as opposed to resolving single technical issues. You must have done that a few times, so that's what you have to emphasise in your CV

But don't underestimate the ignorance of the agent (90% of the time an office dimbo who's been in recrutment less than six months) who will process your application. They will have been instructed to pattern match job titles and won't have the knowledge or wit to translate a serous CV and work out your potential value. Hence to get off the bench, stick to what you know, or get hold of an agent who knows you and your work (which is likely very diifficult) or a former line manager and get them to pitch in on your behalf.

[cojak]

If you want to go down that route and gain qualifications, take a look at ISEB's Diploma in Seystem Development:
Solution Development | Higher | Solution Development | Professional Certifications (ISEB) | Professionals | Qualifications, Training, Careers | BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

You may want to just get on the ladder with SD Essentials rather than go for all of it immediately. Or you may want to just get the books and read up on it.

But it's a start.

[northernladuk]

You are going to really struggle to change roles completely AND cover up a 5 month bench. Remember as a contractor you are valuable because of your pervious experience and knowledge. You cannot just pick and chose with role you want and hope a few certs are going to cut it. You are going to be behind a line of people with 10-15 years in the role and actually know what the role is!!!!

This is the type of move you make when you are in contract and have access to these types of people to learn. Trying a career change whilst on the bench and expect to be in the running for a role is a very very long shot IMO.

I am sure someone will follow my post up and claim they have done it but I would say you need to sit down and think about why you are on the bench and what exactly you need to do to realistically get off it quickly.

By all means go for it but don't make this your one and only path off the bench!!!

[jonathanOnshore2010]

It's always a good idea to ask their background and then ask subtle questions about their job for areas which you don't understand.

I agree, but being on the bench for 5 months due to IB cuts isn't helping.

[jonathanOnshore2010]

It is interesting to note the OP uses his awareness of process methodologies as the way to justify the move, which is part of the problem he faces. Analysis is not about process, it's about understanding, questioning and soft people skills. Processes only make sure you don't miss anything (and waste 30% of your time drawing pictures to impress the management).

I'm sorry if I mixed up terminology. Yes, I am facing some problems making the switch. I've also done 3 years of therapy training with a consulting/coaching focus. So I do have soft skills. I'm not a through and through tech trying to make a wild switch. But I am having trouble wording my skills appropriately to ensure they are 1). received well, and 2). represent my new title of "systems analyst".

Any ideas how best to workout any gaps in my previous experience as a hands-off something or other, and my new analyst direction? That way I can undertake specific training and make sure I'm presenting myself accurately and ethically.

[malvolio]

I tend to do both parts bit I haven't got a clue about what a Business Analyst or Systems Analyst does.

The clue is in the job title. They sit between business and techie geeky people and translate the former's requests into something the latter aren't going to be insulted by, and the latter's response into something real people can understand.

It is interesting to note the OP uses his awareness of process methodologies as the way to justify the move, which is part of the problem he faces. Analysis is not about process, it's about understanding, questioning and soft people skills. Processes only make sure you don't miss anything (and waste 30% of your time drawing pictures to impress the management).

And the thing to remember is that IT is not a means to itself, it's only of value if it solves business problems and delivers service-level solutions. I know how an enterprise SAN works in some detail, but you will never find it referred to as anything other than "resilient storage" in my outputs.

And don't get me started on Agile. Fine for localised development, trouble shooting or in fast-moving environments such as a trading floor. Everything else needs a formal baselined plan first.

[MarillionFan]

They're not Tech Business Analysts, they're Systems Analysts! FFS.

The BA and SA are not the same people, they have different skills and emphasis.

This is a personal gripe of mine.

I tend to do both parts bit I haven't got a clue about what a Business Analyst or Systems Analyst does.

[cojak]

They're not Tech Business Analysts, they're Systems Analysts! FFS.

The BA and SA are not the same people, they have different skills and emphasis.

This is a personal gripe of mine.

[SueEllen]

So, I wondered what are the BA's doing that I don't, so I can then think about acquiring those skills and making a full switch. I'd like a tech focused job where my skills appreciate with time (ie. process/people focused) instead of the interviews being focused on language features of .Net 4.0 et al.

You know when you work with people in specific areas?

It's always a good idea to ask their background and then ask subtle questions about their job for areas which you don't understand.

[jonathanOnshore2010]

Mind me asking why you are wanting to swap to something that you don't actually fully understand by your own admission??

I agree I don't fully understand. However I've previously worked alongside BA's and there was a cross over of our role as I helped them out. I've also used extensively Rational Rose and UML for large parts of my career, along with implementing Agile practices (not just technically by setting up a build server). Sometimes I've sat with end users and gathered their requirements, and presented solutions to directors.

So, I wondered what are the BA's doing that I don't, so I can then think about acquiring those skills and making a full switch. I'd like a tech focused job where my skills appreciate with time (ie. process/people focused) instead of the interviews being focused on language features of .Net 4.0 et al.

(I realise this may sound mad to those die-hard programmers)