Data Scientist Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a data scientist, you'll need experience in building predictive models and communicating insights effectively. If you want to stand out with your data scientist applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a data scientist resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other data scientist applicants. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Continue reading to find the best data scientist resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main sections of a data scientist resume
Although the content of a data scientist resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant data scientist experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you have some experience as a data scientist, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
For senior data scientist roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your data scientist resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Charles Cook
charles.cook@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
linkedin․com/in/charles–cook123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for data scientist roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for data scientist roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a data scientist resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Detail-oriented Data Scientist with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and prior experience as a Machine Learning Engineer. Proven expertise in developing and implementing machine learning algorithms, analyzing complex datasets, and driving data-driven decision-making. Skilled in Python, R, SQL, and various machine learning frameworks. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver actionable insights and innovative solutions. Passionate about leveraging data to solve real-world problems and enhance business outcomes
Bad example:
Data scientist with some background in data and technology. Worked on projects involving algorithms and data analysis. Familiar with programming languages and tools. Have experience working with teams to find insights and create solutions. Interested in using data to address various challenges and improve outcomes
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a data scientist. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in a data scientist resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Machine Learning Engineer, January 2022 - Present
Quantum Insights Analytics, Boston
- Developed and deployed a predictive maintenance model reducing machine downtime by 40% using random forests and neural networks
- Optimized recommendation engine algorithms, increasing user engagement by 30% through collaborative filtering and matrix factorization techniques
- Led a team to implement a fraud detection system, decreasing false positives by 25% with ensemble learning methods
Bad example:
Machine Learning Engineer, January 2022 - Present
Quantum Insights Analytics, Boston
- Worked on various projects to improve system performance and efficiency
- Contributed to team efforts in developing data-driven solutions
- Participated in enhancing user experience through data analysis
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant data scientist qualifications and educational achievements.
To work as a data scientist, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Data Science. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your statistical analysis techniques or big data processing.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Science in Data Science, 2017 - 2020
New York University, New York, NY
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a data scientist role. Skills such as machine learning algorithms or critical thinking are particularly useful for data scientist jobs. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key data scientist skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Showcasing hard skills on your data scientist resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a data scientist. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key data scientist duties and responsibilities. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a data scientist resume are listed below.
- Machine learning algorithms
- Data visualization tools
- SQL database management
Soft skills on your data scientist resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to data scientist roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
An effective data scientist resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a data scientist. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a data scientist. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a data scientist.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a data scientist resume:
- AWS Certified Machine, 2022
- Google Data Engineer, 2022
- Microsoft Certified: Azure, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a data scientist resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for data scientist jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Volunteer Work
This section can be valuable for a data scientist resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard data scientist resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References will be available upon request.
Best words to use in a data scientist resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Analyze
- Interpret
- Model
- Visualize
- Extract
- Compile
- Optimize
- Automate
- Forecast
- Implement
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Sample data scientist resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example data scientist resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
•
charles.cook@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/charles–cook123
Detail-oriented Data Scientist with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and experience as a Machine Learning Engineer. Proficient in designing, developing, and deploying machine learning models to solve complex problems. Skilled in data analysis, statistical modeling, and utilizing advanced algorithms to drive business insights and decision-making. Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Passionate about leveraging data to uncover actionable insights and improve organizational outcomes
Machine Learning Engineer
2020
-2022
QuantumMinds Analytics (Oklahoma City)
- Developed and deployed a predictive maintenance model, reducing equipment downtime by 30% and saving $500,000 annually
- Designed an automated image classification system with 95% accuracy, enhancing product categorization and improving customer experience
- Led the integration of a recommendation engine, increasing user engagement by 20% and boosting sales conversions by 15%
Bachelor of Science in Data Science
2017
-2020
University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
Machine learning algorithms
Data visualization tools
SQL database management
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Effective communication
AWS Certified Machine
Google Data Engineer
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a data scientist resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Showcase your key data scientist qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use jargon or business-speak. It can make your resume appear clichéd and harder to read.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your data scientist resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Don't clutter your document by trying to add too many details. Focus on core data scientist skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When writing your data scientist resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
FAQs for a data scientist resume
Now that you know how to write a professional data scientist resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the data scientist role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional data scientist resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for data scientist jobs. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Write a few words to set the tone for your resume, including the job title, your experience or track record and one or two key skills that make you stand out.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Data Scientist Enthusiast
- Data-Driven Decision Making Expert
- Senior Data Scientist | Analytics Expert
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Takeaways for a winning data scientist resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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