This is What Your Data Scientist CV Should Say
Data Scientists are in high demand, everywhere. Harvard Business Review ranked it as the ‘hottest job on offer’ in coming years so it’s no surprise it was ranked 6th in the UK’s top jobs, and top of the list in IT careers. The job offers excellent pay, endless opportunities, great work-life balance and good job satisfaction. What’s not to love?
If you’re looking for a job in data science – and why wouldn’t you looking at that list – you’re in good company. You’re wanted and needed by many, but don’t let that make you lazy with your job application. Employers are looking for something special from their analytics professionals and data scientists and you’ll need to show what sets you apart from the rest.
These days, it goes beyond statistics and coding. You’ll need to demonstrate business acumen, soft skills such as communication across teams, decision making, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.
At the very basic level, a data scientist needs the following skills:
- Statistics, Machine Learning, Software Engineering & Coding
A solid understanding and experience in statistics and algebra is essential in data science, as is soft engineering, machine learning and coding.
- Big Data & Database Management Software Knowledge
With data this big, you need to know your management tools. From MySQL or Cassandra to Spark, MapReduce or Hadoop, these software systems will help you perform your computations and analysis.
- Visualization, Reporting and Presenting Skills
It is the data scientists job to improve decision-making. Presentation of data and the communication of what that means it essential, so skills in visualization and reporting are highly desired.
Today’s data scientist needs to demonstrate a rare mix of technical and soft skills to succeed in both job applications and their career. The competencies are many in this job because the reach of a data scientist on an organization is so wide.
Take a look at this incredible list (Source: TheBalance) which goes to show just how many abilities companies are looking for from a data scientist. The list is a good one to use when adding relevant keywords to your CV:
The Top 95 Keywords for your Data Scientist CV:
- Adaptability
- Algorithms
- Algorithmic
- Analytical Tools
- Analytics
- AppEngine
- Assertiveness
- AWS
- Big Data
- C++
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Computer Skills
- Constructing Predictive Models
- Consulting
- Conveying Technical Information to Non-Tech People
- CouchDB
- Creating Algorithms
- Creating Controls to Assure Accuracy of Data
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Cultivating Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders
- Data
- Data Analysis
- Data Manipulation
- Data Wrangling
- Data Science Tools
- Data Tools
- Data Mining
- js
- Decision Making
- Decision Trees
- Development
- Documenting
- Drawing Consensus
- ECL
- Evaluating New Analytical Methodologies
- Executing in a Fast-Paced Environment
- Facilitating Meetings
- Flare
- Google Visualization API
- Hadoop
- HBase
- High Energy
- Information Retrieval Data Sets
- Interpreting Data
- Java
- Leadership
- Linear Algebra
- Logical Thinking
- Machine Learning Models
- Machine Learning Techniques
- Mathematics
- Matlab
- Mentoring
- Metrics
- Microsoft Excel
- Mining Social Media Data
- Modeling Data
- Modeling Tools
- Multivariable Calculus
- Perl
- PowerPoint
- Presentation
- Problem Solving
- Producing Data Visualizations
- Project Management
- Project Management Methodologies
- Project Timelines
- Programming
- Providing Guidance to IT Professionals
- Python
- R
- js
- Reporting
- Reporting Tool Software
- Reporting Tools
- Reports
- Researching
- Risk Modeling
- SAS
- Scripting Languages
- Self Motivated
- SQL
- Statistics
- Statistical Learning Models
- Statistical Modeling
- Supervisory
- Tableau
- Taking Initiative
- Testing Hypotheses
- Training
- Verbal
- Working Independently
- Writing
Relevance will always win over generalization so don’t go cramming all these keywords into your job application. Instead, use it as a guide of what to learn and gain experience in to land your dream data science job. If you see weak areas in that list, start a course, embark on a project, join a forum, read discussions and build your knowledge.
Take a look at these current data science jobs for a look at what today’s employers are looking for right now: Data Science Jobs