Work With Me
1:1 Career Mentoring for IT Business Analysts
I help ambitious IT Business Analysts make strategic career moves that lead to better roles, better pay, and work that actually fits their lives. Backed by 20+ years of hiring, onboarding and promoting BAs myself, I help my mentees understand what recruiters and hiring teams are looking for, and how to show it.
Who I help, and what we work on
A lot of talented business analysts struggle because no one ever taught them how hiring, promotions and compensation decisions actually work, or how to position themselves inside those systems. That's the gap I fill.
You're Looking for a BA Job
You're sending out applications, and no one seems to reply.
1. Job Search Strategy and Networking
We'll look at where your job leads come from and focus on the BA roles that best match your experience, personality, and strengths. Then we'll explore alternative roles you may be overlooking and build a networking and visibility plan that puts you in front of the right opportunities.
2. Resume and LinkedIn That Get Interviews
If you're not getting calls, I'll give you detailed feedback on your resume and LinkedIn profile, with assisted or full rewriting, so you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
3. Mock Interview Preparation, Storytelling, and Salary Negotiation
In 1:1 mock interviews, we'll practice the questions BA hiring managers ask for the roles you're targeting: Junior, Mid-level, Senior, or Lead. You'll sharpen your answers, tell your story with confidence, and negotiate the offer you deserve.
You're Looking for a Promotion
You want more from your current job and are ready to move up.
1. Promotion Plan and Visibility
I'll help you define your current career level, target your next BA role, and get the promotion. We'll figure out what your manager needs to see from you and build a plan that makes your work visible long before review time.
2. Navigating Career Direction
Not sure where to go next? People management, consulting, product management? We'll build a plan around your real strengths and choose the path that fits both you and the company you're in.
3. Getting the Pay Raise
I'll help you do the research and build the case on clear expectations, your achievements, and the value you bring. You'll learn how to lead the salary conversations with clarity and confidence.
4. Your First 90 Days in a New BA Role
Making your impact visible, so your work counts at review time. I help you make the shift from the skills that earned the role to the skills the next one demands.
Is BA Mentoring Right For You?
It's a good fit if you're...
✓ Applying for weeks or months and hearing nothing back
✓ Getting recruiter calls, but not getting past the screening
✓ Coming back after a layoff or a career break, or moving into BA from QA, PM or another domain
✓ Doing great work, but no one outside your team seems to notice
✓ In the same title for years, watching others get promoted
✓ Not sure what your next level actually requires, or what your next level even is
✓ Dealing with work-related conflicts or escalations
Probably not a fit if you...
✕ Want someone to do the job search for you, instead of with you. Mentoring requires your full commitment: you do the real work between our sessions, under my guidance - not just watching or listening.
✕ Are looking for a guarantee. No honest mentor can promise a job offer or a promotion.
✕ Mostly want to vent, and aren't open to honest feedback and concrete next steps
✕ Need visa sponsorship or immigration support. I don't provide visa support or legal counseling.
✕ Are looking for a referral. I don't provide referrals to the companies I've worked for.
✕ Are looking for a shortcut to cheat the system without doing the real work. Then I'm not your guy.
Result: promoted
"Before our first meeting I felt like a failure and I was stressed... However, after that meeting, I had hope... At the end of this mentorship, I was actually promoted."
Daniel Glowack, United States
How it works
STEP 1
Apply
Tell me where you are, what you've tried and what you want. I read every application personally and reply with a link to book your call, along with the price.
STEP 2
Book a Career Strategy Call
90 minutes on Zoom. I prepare in advance from your application. We look at your real situation - your resume, your interviews, your current role - and you leave with a customized plan for your most immediate move. The plan is yours whether or not you continue with mentoring.
STEP 3 - OPTIONAL
Continue With Mentoring
If you want support carrying out the plan, we work together for 3 to 6 months, built around your goals.
Two ways to work together
In most cases, we're able to solve your problem and outline a clear path in a single Career Strategy Call. But if you need longer-term support, we'll work together for 3 to 6 months depending on your goals. Here's what you will receive:
Career Strategy Call
Best for: clarity on your next move, or one focused problem solved now.
✓ 90 minutes, 1:1 on Zoom
✓ I prepare in advance from your application
✓ We work on your real materials: resume, LinkedIn, target roles, or your current role
✓ Your customized career strategy plan, yours to keep
3- to 6-Month Mentoring
Best for: landing a job in a tough market, a promotion, or a raise.
✓ Starts after your Career Strategy Call, if we both agree it's the right fit
✓ Bi-weekly 90-minute calls
✓ Weekly assignments, so things actually move
✓ Unlimited text and email support
✓ Ad-hoc calls as needed
✓ I'm personally committed to your success and keep you accountable
What changed for my mentees
Resume
"He thoroughly reviewed my resume, imparted his extensive Business Analyst expertise, and provided insightful perspectives that hadn't crossed my mind before."
Saman Taghavi Dilamani, United States
Resume
"Sergey quickly figured out what I needed to work on after looking at my resume. He showed me exactly where I could improve, what changes to make, and how to make them."
Anuradha Pawar, Canada
Job search
"His suggestions and insights into navigating the job market were valuable and gave me a lot of ideas on how to approach the job search & advancing my career."
Iwona Montgomery, United States
Confidence
"He encouragingly tried to understand my background and skill sets with comprehensive questions, and then arranged five(5) constructive mentoring sessions with simulations and assignments."
Nway Nway (Moonchar), Singapore
Career growth
"His profound knowledge, professional advice, and deep empathy resulted in the acceleration of my business analysis professional path."
Aliaksandr Chysty, Poland
Video: Dzmitry Krotau on becoming the BA Competency Leader
YOUR MENTOR
Hi, I'm Sergey Shimansky.
In 20+ years as a Business Analyst, I've hired, onboarded, and promoted teams of BAs and conducted hundreds of job interviews as a hiring manager. My own job titles went from Junior Analyst to Associate Director of Experience Consulting, so I know the path you're on.
I specifically help Business Analysts. That's my specialization, and that's what I've built my own career around. I take pride in being a hands-on business analysis professional and manager, and in actually doing what I teach.
What's my secret sauce? I never subscribe to the "leave your comfort zone" philosophy. Instead, I help you identify what you're really good at and then amplify it, from good to better, from better to exceptional.
20+ years
in IT consulting and technology engineering
Fortune 500
digital transformation programs across the United States and Europe
$5+ million
combined budget of the digital product portfolio I managed
4 certifications
CBAP®, PSPO I, SAFe® Agilist, Anthropic Claude Certified Architect
Worked directly with: Tory Burch · Amway · Toyota · McKesson · Daimler Truck North America · HCA Healthcare
Questions people ask me
Is one call really enough?
In most cases, yes - that's why everyone starts there. Sometimes one conversation can really change your approach to things. If you need more, we'll talk about mentoring.
How much does it cost?
I share pricing when I reply to your application, because the right option depends on your situation. Applying doesn't commit you to anything.
Do I need a CBAP to get a job or a promotion?
Not usually. In most job postings, the CBAP is a nice to have, not a must. A lot of mentoring requests I get start with "help me get the CBAP", and when we talk it through, the goal has nothing to do with the CBAP. It's a great ingredient to add to the mix, but on its own it won't land you a job or a promotion.
I'm moving into BA from another field. Can you help?
Yes. Your domain knowledge is most likely your main differentiator. We'll frame your story around it, and add the BA skills on top.
Can you guarantee I'll get a job or a promotion?
No, and be careful with anyone who does. There's so little you can control in the job search. What I can promise is that we'll focus on what is in your control, and I'll be as committed to your progress as you are.
Where are you, and how do we meet?
I'm in Dallas, Texas (Central Time), and all sessions are on Zoom. I've mentored BAs from the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia.
What should I prepare?
Your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and if you're job hunting, 1-3 job postings you'd love to get.
Apply for a Career Strategy Call
Tell me where you are and where you want to be. I read every application personally and reply with the best next step, a link to book, and the price. Applying doesn't commit you to anything.
Prefer to talk first? Just send me a message on LinkedIn.