A Data Science employer sifts through hundreds of resumes every day. What can you do to stand out?
The key mantra is ‘customize your resume to suit the requirements of every company you apply to’.
Framing your expertise in a way that ties into the existing problems or goals of the industry is the best way to land a lucrative role. Not only should your resume make you stand out in the crowd, but it should also project your potential as a solution your prospective employer seeks.
5 tips to optimize resume for landing data scientist jobs
1. Spotlight Your In-Demand Skills
Gleaning critical business insights from raw data takes more than just storing and managing skills. In-demand skills are what make a data science candidate desirable. While building your data science resume, it is important to draw the attention of your employer to the same.Points to remember:
- Make sure your in-demand skills come first which are then followed by your least impressive skills.
- You can use platforms such as Upwork to distinguish each of your skills and highlight them aesthetically to draw attention.
- Mention your skill level (beginner, intermediate, expert) for each entry in the list for the reference of your hiring manager.
2. Present Your Relevant Achievements
The ultimate objective of a resume is to highlight your strengths. This is why it is recommended to present all your achievements in the top half of your resume.Points to remember:
- Mention only relevant achievements - Do not talk about accomplishments that are not associated with Data Science.
- Be quantifiable wherever possible - By giving a quantifiable understanding, you describe the impact you created better. Here, you can talk about the important targets you achieved.
- Do not make the section wordy - Your resume should ideally fit on a single page. Describe your accomplishments in a single sentence.
3. Use Keywords from the Job Description
If you need your resume to rank well for the position you are seeking, use the right keywords. Tailor it to the job you are applying to so that your profile will match the requirements. The more keywords you can add, the better.Points to remember:
- Do not omit plural words, spelling variations, abbreviations, or numbers.
- Do not stuff your resume with keywords; use them contextually and sensibly.
4. Do not List Your Soft Skills; explain Them
In order to demonstrate how good your soft skills are, explain them on your resume. For instance, if you are talking about communication skills, describe how you used these skills to succeed in your previous job. Tangible points like ‘managed client correspondence and stakeholder communication’, ‘took care of a team of 10+ members’, and so on will explain your potential better.Points to remember:
- Explain your skills in one sentence.
- Add skills that you think will suit the culture of the organization that you are applying to.
- Do not forget to include relevant soft skills that sell, such as storytelling, business acumen, and adaptability.
5. In Case of a Career Switch, Go for Skill-Based Resume Templates
If you are breaking into Data Science from a completely unrelated field, your best choice is a skill-based resume. In this scenario, your work history holds no significance, making a chronological depiction of your work experience irrelevant. Your best bet, in this case, is a data science skills resume that will emphasize relevant skills.Points to remember:
- Have an extensive, objective statement that focuses on the needs of the employer. Target the specific position and add the right keywords.
- Frame a narrative about yourself where you do not disregard your professional history, but rather use it to your advantage.
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