How to Build a Standout Data Scientist Resume [Tips & Templates]

In the dynamic field of data science, making a strong first impression is crucial, and it all starts with your resume. Did you know a recruiter spends an average of just 7.4 seconds reviewing a data scientist resume? In this comprehensive guide, we’re here to help you make every second count with your data scientist resume. We’ll share essential tips and insights on creating a resume that not only catches the eye but also showcases your unique skills and experiences in pursuit of your dream job.

Let’s get started!

What Should You Include in Your Data Science Resume?

In essence, your data science resume should effectively demonstrate why you are the perfect candidate for the role you’re applying to. So, the key element of deciding what to include in your resume is relevance: Include everything that is relevant to the role. You should also plan to write a data scientist resume summary that summarizes all of the data science projects you’ve worked with, the data analysis tools you’ve used, and any job experience you have in the data science industry. In this section, we’ll discuss everything you can include in your data scientist resume, whether you are are applying for entry-level data science jobs or prepping your data science manager resume. An effective data scientist resume is your key to that data science manager role! Even better – a great data science resume + a data science portfolio!

Name and Contact Information

Once the recruiter has seen your data scientist resume and you’re shortlisted, they would want to contact you. To make this seamless, include your contact information clearly and prominently. But remember that this is simply functional information. So, keep it concise. Double-check that it’s accurate. 

Include:

• Name
• Email ID
• Phone number
• LinkedIn, portfolio, or GitHub profiles, if any

Career Objective/Summary

This is often the first section in any resume. As a fresh graduate, without much professional experience, the career objective section acts as an indicator of what you would like to accomplish at the job you’re applying to. On the other hand, if you have some experience, it is better to include a personal profile, summarizing your skills and experiences.

A few things to keep in mind while writing your career objective/summary:

• Use this section to narrate your professional story, so paragraphs with complete sentences work better than a bulleted list
• Mention the years of experience you have
• Provide information on the industry, function, and roles you have worked in

While creating your resume, it is sometimes better to write this section last. Making the rest of your data scientist resume will help hone in on the right summary. Also, remember to customize your summary while applying for the job. Not all data scientist jobs are the same, so your summary should reflect what you can do for the particular role you’re applying to. You should also include any data science projects you may have worked on during your studies.

Work Experience

As a practical field, work experience is more important in data science jobs than theoretical knowledge. Therefore, this is the most crucial part of your resume.

If you are a fresh graduate, make sure to include any internships, personal projects, open-source contributions you might have.

If you’re an experienced data scientist, spend enough time to tell your professional story clearly: 

• List your work experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent work listed on top and the others following
• Indicate your designation, name of the company, and work period
• Write 1-2 lines about what you were responsible for
• Include the tasks you performed on a regular basis
• Demonstrate outcomes—if you have produced quantifiable results, be sure to include them. For instance: “I built a production prediction engine in Python page that helped reduce crude oil profit loss by 22%”
• Add accomplishments like awards and recognitions, if any

Layout-wise, follow consistency within this section. For instance, if you use bullets to list your tasks, use them uniformly across all your job titles. 

Projects

Showing your hiring manager a peek into the work you’ve done is a great way to demonstrate your capabilities. The projects section can be used for that. While deciding which of your projects to include in your resume, consider the following:

• Relevance. You might have worked on several projects, but the most valuable are the ones that are relevant to the role that you’re applying to. So, pick the most relevant 2-3 projects you’ve worked on. 
• Write a summary. Write 1-2 lines about the business context and your work. It helps to show that you know how to use technical skills to achieve business outcomes.
• Show technical expertise. Also include a short list of the tools, technologies, and processes you used to complete the project.

It is also an option to write a detailed case study of your projects on a blog or Medium and link it here.

Skills

The first person to see your resume is often a recruiter who might not have the technical skills to evaluate. So, they typically try to match every resume to the job description to identify if the candidate has the skills necessary. Some organizations also use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to automate the screening. Therefore, it is important that your resume list the skills the job description demands. 

• Keep it short
• Include all the skills you have that the job description demands
• Even if you have mentioned it in the experience or summary section, repeat it here

Education  

Several data scientist jobs today need you to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or related fields. However, this is only a checklist item. Given the supply gap, we discussed earlier, hiring managers are willing to consider candidates without a formal degree but hands-on experience.

So, keep this section concise and clear.

• List post-secondary degrees in your education section (i.e., community college, college, and graduate degrees)
• Include the year of graduation
• If you’re a fresh graduate, you can mention subjects you’ve studied that are relevant to the job you’re applying to 
• If you have a data science certification or have completed a related online course, make sure to include them as well

Awards or Recognitions

In addition to the recognition you’ve had at your workplace, if you have other accomplishments, include them here. This might be Kaggle competition results, Github awards, etc.

Data Scientist Resume Examples

Entry-Level

In this section, we’ll guide you through creating an effective data science fresher resume, highlighting the crucial elements that fresh graduates or new entrants to the field should include to stand out.

What To Include

Organizations hire fresh graduates more on their potential than their past. Therefore, your resume needs to clearly and confidently demonstrate what you can do for the organization hiring you. To do this, include:

• Data science skills you have
• Projects you’ve done on your own or as part of a course/bootcamp
• Certifications in data science or related subjects
• Internships you’ve completed
• Any pro bono or volunteer work you might have done applying your data science skills

Entry-Level Example 1

Why is this resume good?

• The career objective clearly states the candidate’s understanding of their skills and their needs
• The relevant courses section highlights knowledge they have gained in college
• The project section shows practical experience

Entry-Level Example 2

Why is this resume good?

• Summary is clear about experience and core skills
• Experience focuses on responsibilities, demonstrating business context understanding
• Skills section can be used to mirror the job description, making it easy for recruiters to make decisions

Senior Level

In this section, we focus on crafting a killer ‘Senior Data Scientist Resume.’ This includes tips and examples on how to emphasize your extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced technical capabilities, tailoring your resume to reflect the depth of your expertise in the field of data science.

What To Include

As a senior data scientist with experience, you would be aiming for a position with more responsibility, like a data science manager, for example. This demands a customized and confident resume. 

• Customize the resume for the job you’re applying to—highlight relevant skills/experience, mirror the job description
• Focus on responsibilities and accomplishments instead of tasks
• Include business outcomes you’ve produced with your work
• Present case studies of your key projects

Senior Level Example 1

Why is this data science resume example good?

• The information in this data science resume example is organized in a clear and concise manner giving the entire view of the candidate’s career without overwhelming the reader
• Each job has quantifiable outcomes, demonstrating the business acumen of the candidate
• Also subtly hints at leadership skills by mentioning the responsibilities taken in coaching and leading teams

Senior Leve Example 2

Why is this resume good?

• The focus of the resume is the experience section, outlining growth over seven years
• The resume shows a clear progression from the post of a junior data scientist to a senior data scientist
• Links to LinkedIn, GitHub, Medium, etc., show thought leadership

Other Data Resumes We Love

Now that you’ve seen the basic resume examples, let’s explore a few others that might be equally effective. In this section, we’ve put together some non-traditional resumes and career paths for you to take inspiration from.

Example 1

Why is this resume good?

• For an entry-level data scientist position, the resume focuses on educational qualifications, certifications, etc.
• The projects section gives details about the goals, tasks, and tools used to demonstrate skills in practice

Example 2

Why is this resume good?

• Profile is clear about the experience and the role the candidate is seeking
• Skills are listed clearly, making it easy to skim
• Certifications listed prominently

How to Make Your Data Science Resume Stand Out

Do Your Research

Employers care less about you wanting a career in data science than they do about you wanting a career as a data scientist with them. “A tailored resume separates applicants who just want any job from those who want this job,” said Jon Brodsky, country manager for Finder.com. Before you start hacking together a data science resume, make sure you know to who you’re sending the resume.

Realistically, your resume won’t differ wildly for each application you file, but it should be somewhat different. The importance of this process is usually encapsulated in one word: fit. Are you a good fit for the company and does your resume reflect that?

1. Read and re-read the description. The description is the most important piece of information to keep in mind. Your resume should demonstrate that you fill the job description: in experience, skills, location, etc. Include keywords in your data scientist resume summary, per the examples above.
2. Read the “About” page. So you found a position at a company, and you know nothing about it? The best place to start is the “About” page or the page that gives an overview of the company, its mission, its values, etc.
3. Check out the company blog. If the company has a blog, read through it. This will give you a lot of detail about what it’s trying to do, who its target market is, the company voice, and much more.
4. Browse product pages and other site pages. Find out what the company is selling or doing. Make sure you’ve gotten a good birds-eye-view of the company, keeping in mind how you can help increase revenue from a data scientist’s point of view.
5. Scour the internet. Expand your search. Good external resources for learning what you might want to know include glassdoor.com, LinkedIn, and various media outlets that might have published articles and press releases related to the company.

Tip: This doesn’t have to take more than 30 minutes.

Choose a Good Template and Design

A well-designed resume is sure to catch the eye of a recruiter among the numerous ones they go through. But remember that just because a resume looks good doesn’t mean it is good or even effective.

You can select a pre-existing template, design your own, hire a professional graphic designer, and much more. Nonetheless, some experts would say that you’re overthinking it. “The format of the resume itself doesn’t matter, but it should be brief one-page maximum,” Brodsky said. “Managers are busy and often inundated with data science resumes, so will only skim-read the first page anyway.”

Pick a resume design that employers can skim, not one they have to read. You don’t need fancy colors or logos on your resume. You don’t need a multimedia resume. You don’t need the best icons or visuals. However, if you use those, make sure they’re a reflection of you and not of a graphic designer you hired.

Organize Your Resume Layout

Given that recruiters decide on a candidate within seconds, it is crucial to provide them with all the necessary information at a glance. Here’s how you can do that.

• Use headings and subheadings for clear differentiation of information
• Highlight sections like ‘skills,’ ‘experience,’ ‘education’ etc., clearly
• Arrange experience in reverse chronological resume format with the most recent on top
• Give your relevant experiences take up the most space
• Make sure there is enough white space, avoid your resume from looking cramped

Customize Your Resume

Circle back to your research: What makes you perfect for the role you are applying for? This is the question you should be answering in your resume. 

• Mirror the resume—if you have skills that are mentioned in the job description, be sure to add it 
• Write your resume in a way that’s suitable for the company culture. For instance, if you’re applying for a role at a self-driven startup, use language that shows you’re a good fit

What To Avoid

Since we just discussed the things to consider while crafting a resume, let’s also look at the things you need to avoid.

• Too much information. Typically experienced professionals are tempted to include everything and its cousin in their resume. This can be counterproductive. Stick to the relevant information only.
• Personal information. Your gender, race, marital status, sexual orientation, etc., is irrelevant to your job application. Do not include them. In fact, even photographs in resumes are illegal in several parts of the world.
• Writing issues. Avoid spelling, grammar, and typography errors
• Unprofessional language. While what’s professional has changed in the last few years, there are still boundaries. Don’t make your resume too colorful; stick to a neutral color palette. Use business language. 
• Mistakes and exaggerations. Don’t overstate your qualifications or accomplishments. Check that your contact information is up-to-date. Ensure all the links you’re providing work.

Where Is the Best Place To Find Data Scientist Resume Templates?

Here are a few top sites for finding real-world data scientist resumes or theoretical data scientist resume templates: 

• Beamjobs.com: Here you’ll find a data scientist resume example and cover letter to help you create a complete job application. 
• Resumeworded.com: This site is packed with examples and you’ll definitely find a data scientist resume example to get you started. 
• Enhancv.com: Here you’ll find a data scientist resume example to inspire your own, as well as an example of an entry-level analyst, tech, SQL developer and Tableau developer. 
• Indeed.com: Indeed has a data scientist resume example as well as data scientist resume template you can use. 
• ResumeBuilder.com: Here you’ll find a data scientist resume example for 2023 and beyond, focusing on AI, machine learning and more. 
• Novoresume.com: This website offers a data scientist resume example and a guide for 2023 and beyond. It provides a data scientist resume example created with their online resume builder, along with additional resume examples for professionals in the computer science field, such as data analysts, data entry professionals, and artificial intelligence engineers.

By effectively utilizing data scientist resume examples as inspiration, combined with your own skills and dedication, you can craft a resume that truly shines and opens doors to exciting data science opportunities.

Data Science Resume FAQs

Are Resume and CV the Same?

While a resume is short, consisting of only 1-2 pages, summarizing your professional experiences, a CV is a longer document that details the whole course of your career. However, today, most recruiters and hiring managers use them interchangeably. Unless the organization specifically asks for a detailed record of your career, you can safely assume that they mean a resume.

Should You Customize Your Data Science CV for Each Job?

Yes, you should. When you send a generic resume, you burden the recruiter with the task of evaluating your suitability for the role. By customizing your resume, you clearly answer the question they have in mind. They will appreciate that. 

How Long Should a Data Science Resume Be?

Hiring managers are busy. They prefer to see a clear and concise resume. The standard practice is a single-page resume. But certainly, never go over two pages.

What Should I Include If I’m a Data Science Student?

As a data science student (or recent graduate), your resume should highlight relevant coursework, projects, and technical skills like programming languages, data analysis tools, and machine learning techniques. Include internships or work experiences, if any, and demonstrate your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and passion for data-driven insights through practical examples or case studies.

What Skills Should You Put On Your Data Scientist Resume?

Your resume should have the technical skills that your job description demands. To make this process easier, first list all your data science skills and then match them with the role you are applying for, starting with your strongest skill. Data scientists must list their expertise on their resumes. Some commonly sought-after skills include data analysis, data wrangling, data mining, data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, predictive analytics, and programming. 

Since you’re here…Are you interested in this career track? Investigate with our free guide to what a data professional actually does. When you’re ready to build a CV that will make hiring managers melt, join our Data Science Bootcamp which will help you land a job or your tuition back!