Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Value Creation • Financial Due Diligence • Financial Planning

Competitive Analysis

Term from Business Advisory industry explained for recruiters

Competitive Analysis is a business research process where professionals study other companies in the market to understand how they operate and compete. Think of it like creating a detailed map of the business landscape to help companies make better decisions. This includes looking at competitors' products, prices, marketing strategies, and strengths and weaknesses. It's similar to market research but focuses specifically on understanding competitors rather than customers. You might also hear it called "competitor analysis," "competitive intelligence," or "market competition research."

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Competitive Analysis for retail clients entering new markets

Led Competitive Intelligence projects resulting in 20% market share growth

Developed Market Competition Analysis reports for C-level executives

Created quarterly Competitor Analysis presentations for board meetings

Typical job title: "Business Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Market Analyst Strategy Consultant Business Consultant Competitive Intelligence Analyst Strategic Planning Analyst Market Research Analyst Business Intelligence Analyst

Where to Find Business Analysts

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a competitive analysis strategy for a global company entering a new market?

Expected Answer: A senior analyst should discuss a comprehensive approach including identifying key competitors, data collection methods, analysis frameworks, and how to present findings to stakeholders. They should mention considering cultural factors and local market conditions.

Q: Tell me about a time when your competitive analysis led to a major strategic decision.

Expected Answer: Looking for examples of how their analysis directly influenced business decisions, showing their ability to not just gather data but translate it into actionable insights that leadership can use.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What sources do you use to gather competitive intelligence?

Expected Answer: Should mention various sources like public financial reports, industry publications, social media, customer feedback, and explain how to combine these to create a complete picture while staying within ethical boundaries.

Q: How do you validate the accuracy of competitive information?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for cross-checking information from multiple sources, verifying data accuracy, and maintaining quality standards in research.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of a competitive analysis report?

Expected Answer: Should be able to list key elements like competitor profiles, SWOT analysis, pricing comparisons, and market positioning, showing understanding of basic analytical frameworks.

Q: How do you organize and present competitive analysis findings?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to create clear presentations, summarize key findings, and present data in an easy-to-understand format for different audiences.