How to Become a Business Forecasting Professional

Business forecasting professionals forecast future sales, shipments, profits and other financial measurements for all sorts of companies - small to large. If you're good with math, analytics and have a foundational knowledge of how the supply chain works, business forecasting might be a career for you. This article will get you headed in the right direction.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An updated resume
• The ability to network

Assess Your Talents

1. How are your math skills? If math frustrates you, this is probably not a career for you. Do you pick up new mathematical concepts easily? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most proficient, and 1 being the least proficient. Write down your rating.

2. How are your analytical skills? Do you have the ability to disect a problem into parts? Do you have the patience to put the parts back together to understand why problems are happening? Again, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10. This time, you're rating yourself on your ability to analyze a situation and come up with a reccomended solution. Write down your rating.

3. How are your interpersonal skills? Do you have the ability to work across departments, to leverage resources in order to gather data to solve issues as they relate to your job? Are you comfortable doing this? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 regarding your comfort level with using multiple resources. If you're better by yourself without the input of others, rate yourself lower on the scale. Write down your rating.

4. Now, add up all the numbers from the previous three steps. If your total is 15 or greater, this is probably a career you would excel in and enjoy.

Acquire Training

5. If you do not already have basic experience with business or business forecasting, a minimum of a Bachelors degree is most likely what you'll need to get your foot in the door.

6. Connect with professional business forecasting trade groups like the Association for Operations Management (APICS) or the Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF).

7. Sign up for a forecasting class at one of the industry recognized trade groups and earn your certification. APICS offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and IBF offers Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF) designation.

Snag a Job

8. Revamp your resume. Have a professional resume writer create one that highlights your skills and training as they relate to the business forecasting field.

9. Network with friends and other businesspeople. Let them know you're looking for a job and that you have just completed training. The more they know about you, the greater the chance they can help you.

10. Contact recruiters. Since these individuals get paid per placed candidate, they are generally very excited to hear from new candidates with experience or training.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider shadowing someone in the field to make certain this would be a good career move for you.

Resources

• IBF (Institute of Business Forecasting)
• Association of Operations Management