Job-seekers with the right training can find business intelligence jobs in a number of places. Competitive intelligence (CI) careers rely on good computer skills, extensive training in reading financial statements and using the Internet for research. Educational opportunities that include training in market research are desirable to advance in business intelligence careers.

Consider a degree in computers to get you started and add employment intelligence career development courses through training centers and trade groups. Take advantage of competitive intelligence job courses that include records management designations and investigative techniques to fatten your resume. Watch for training for competitive intelligence jobs in a number of places.

1. Find entry-level training for business intelligence jobs.

2. Seek advanced training for business intelligence employment.

3. Participate in trade groups for that offer additional professional development for competitive intelligence jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find basic training to start careers in competitive intelligence

Keep an eye out for the industry trends to know the training that you need now. Earn a bachelor's degree in competitive intelligence or one that focuses on research. Take computer courses that will prepare you for a position that relies heavily on the Internet and electronic analytical research tools.

I recommend: Find basic training that you can take at your own pace in many of the analytical IT products put out by Microsoft directly from their website. Johns Hopkins Carey Business School now offers a degree in competitive intelligence, as does the Amity Institute of Competitive Intelligence. You can also compare business intelligence online courses by reading descriptions and reviews at Training-Classes.com.

Look for advanced training courses to increase your competitive intelligence salary

Much of the current CI work is about IT research, so you should include advanced computer classes in your training. Look for courses that will add skills such how to read and dissect financial statements as well as advanced interviewing skills. Get training to move you into management with credentials such as the Certified Records Manager (CRM).

I recommend: The Association of Information Management Professionals offers training for the CRM certificate for professionals looking to find better jobs in business intelligence. Find advanced training in all aspects of the field at the Academy of Competitive Intelligence.

Join associations for training for careers in competitive intelligence

Most intelligence trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Some groups can guide you to special security certification courses that will help you advance your career while offering events and meetings at which you can meet other professionals.

I recommend: Get training and professional development while making contacts through the American Evaluation Association. Members can participate in high-powered professional development courses through the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Competitive intelligence careers require training in a wide number of skills that you can receive through a variety of different degree programs including journalism, finance and business.

Competitive intelligence careers are ideal for those with an analytical mind who can easily spot trends. These days, many businesses offer CI employment so that they can stay ahead of the curve.

People who have jobs in business intelligence are able to collect information about market trends and competition and compile it in a way that helps the business to succeed. It is often confused with market intelligence, but competitive intelligence jobs focus more on the long-term strategies and more people in a company have access to this information.

If you are interested in business intelligence jobs:

1. Have your resume written by a professional resume writer with experience writing resumes for jobs in competitive intelligence. This will make you stand out from the competition.

2. Get a good education for business intelligence careers. An applicant that has an MBA is more attractive than one who doesn't.

3. Stay up to date with current trends in intelligence jobs by subscribing to magazines or visiting websites online.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join professional organizations to boost your chances for jobs in competitive intelligence

Membership in a professional organization is key to successfully gaining business intelligence employment. Besides increasing your credibility on your resume, it will give you a chance to network with other professionals. In tight economies, many people find their jobs through word of mouth.

I recommend: The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals is perhaps the most well known professional organization. If you can only afford one membership, this is the one to get. The Special Libraries Association has a CI Division that can help you.

Search and apply for business intelligence jobs online

For jobs in intelligence, it's a good idea to use the Internet to both look for and apply to open positions. This allows you to find jobs all over the country, not just the area that you currently live in.

I recommend: Look for available jobs at the IT Toolbox. Juju also lists several competitive intelligence jobs. Juju also sends job alerts by email if you do not see a job that interests you.

Use a recruiting firm to find competitive intelligence jobs

If you are serious about finding the best jobs in business intelligence, you should use a recruiting firm or headhunter. These specialists can help match you with a company that is right for you.

I recommend: The Lucas Group can help place you in the position you have been looking for. KnowledgeRecruit, a division of TFPL, helps place people in knowledge management positions, which is similar to business intelligence.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are having a hard time finding business intelligence jobs, broaden your search criteria. Some companies may use different terminology, such as 'knowledge management' or 'marketing analysis' to mean the same thing.

Jobs in competitive intelligence (CI) involve everything from investigating, analyzing and utilizing data about competing businesses and customers to improve a company’s decision-making process. By seeking training and education in the CI employment, you’ll be able to maintain cutting-edge knowledge on techniques to gather and apply vital information.

Whether you’re seeking a competitive intelligence job or are an experienced veteran in business intelligence employment, educational opportunities will hone your skills in everything from market research to strategic analysis. Find training to help your company or clients gain a competitive edge over the competition by:

1. Taking classes to earn a degree or certificate to further careers in competitive intelligence.
2. Attending seminars relating to competitive intelligence jobs that impart specific skills like gathering data or using it to create business or marketing strategies.
3. Seeking online or self-paced DVD courses to serve as continuing education for business intelligence jobs so you can improve your skills at your convenience.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a degree or certification in curriculum beneficial to jobs in business intelligence

If you're interested in competitive intelligence careers, proof of classroom education in competitive intelligence or related business skills will increase your expertise and marketability with companies and clients.

I recommend: Find training courses for intelligence jobs through the comprehensive listing provided by Burkhardt Research Services. Courses include strategic intelligence, competitive technical intelligence and special projects in management. The Fuld-Gilad-Herring Academy of Competitive Intelligence offers in-house programs that cover subjects like marketing, sales, research and development and manufacturing. The site also features a career center with available competitive intelligence jobs.

Sign up for workshops teaching specialized skills for business intelligence careers

Because careers in business intelligence cover a wide range of skills, targeted seminars and workshops allow you to fill in any educational gaps in your training or learn about new tools and techniques in the competitive intelligence industry.

I recommend: Request an on-site Competitive Strategy seminar through the American Management Association to learn more about capitalizing on your company’s advantages and using cost-effective tools to analyze opportunities and increase market share. Outward Insights offers training classes to improve the effectiveness and communication of your competitive intelligence team.

Use online, self-paced education to stay up to date with employment intelligence trends

Since the trends and tactics in the competitive intelligence industry are constantly changing, online courses will allow you to keep up with the transitions without taking a break from your current job. Gaining additional business acumen is also a way to justify a boost in your competitive intelligence salary.

I recommend: Click University offers a Competitive Intelligence Certificate Program to help you brush up on fundamentals for your competitive intelligence job. The online course covers such tactics as refining research and teaming analysis with other intelligence functions. Get a self-paced competitive intelligence training course through K Alliance. The information will teach you to effectively use the Internet when gathering competitive intelligence data.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Continually seeking competitive intelligence jobs education and training in regard to laws and regulations will also ensure you're in compliance with legal policies and privacy laws when gathering and utilizing the business or financial data of customers and competing companies.

Competitive intelligence professionals gather data about their company's competitors and analyze the data for short- and long-term planning. A job in competitive intelligence requires computer, research and analytical skills. There are several paths to gain the skills and connections to attain a career in this field. Learning some of the key terminology about competitive intelligence jobs is the first step in planning and managing your career.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Professional organizations

Professional organizations provide research materials, resources, networking opportunities and job listings. Joining a professional organization can provide more information to someone just getting started in looking for a job in competitive intelligence. The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals is the largest global professional organization in the field of competitive intelligence.

I recommend: Get more information from the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals website.

Job sites

Online job sites are not only a tool when you're looking for a job, they can help you figure out what skills, training and experience employers look for in competitive intelligence candidates.

I recommend: Browse job listings for competitive intelligence professionals at Indeed. Check out the podcast at How I Got My Job to find out how others attained work in the field of competitive intelligence.

Education

Many institutions provide specialized training in competitive intelligence through course credits and certification programs. Employers usually look for a minimum of a bachelor's degree in areas like research, finance or business. Advanced degrees in business or information science are also desirable.

I recommend: The Academy of Competitive Intelligence offers certification programs in competitive intelligence.

Online tools

Before you even get advanced training or a job in competitive intelligence, you can use online tools to begin to get an understanding of what the work entails. Analyze competitors' domain hosting information and websites, or view public information on sales and financial information to begin gathering data.

I recommend: Free Pint shows how to find competitor information online through domain and web analysis.

Concepts

Gaining an understanding of the concepts of competitive intelligence is essential when planning educational and career goals.

I recommend: The Institute for Competitive Intelligence offers information about the concepts and main applications involved in the field.

Books and journals

Read books and periodicals to find out more about the basics of competitive intelligence, as well as news and trends.

I recommend: Get a list of recommended reading from the Cooperative Intelligence blog. Go to Genamics JournalSeek to get information about the Journal of Competitive Intelligence and Management, one of the industry's top journals.