Data Scientist Resume: Sample & Writing Guide + Tips
Create Your Resume NowP-Hats off. As a data scientist, you must be swimming in job offers. After all, it’s one of the most sought-after professions of the 21st century.
However, if you think that just sending your big smiling photo is enough to get the best jobs, you’re more naive than a Bayes classifier. Thankfully, you don’t need to name your firstborn son Max Pool to beat the competition. Just write a job-winning data scientist resume and let its AI work for you.
This guide will show you:
- A data scientist resume sample better than 9 out of 10 other examples out there.
- How to write a resume for data scientists that’ll land 10 times more interviews than any other
- Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a data scientist resume.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made in our builder—See more templates and create your resume here.
Data Scientist Resume Sample
Raghavan Patil
Data Scientist
0560 9858411
raghavan.patil@zetymail.in
linkedin.com/in/ragh.patil
Marital status: Married
Date of birth: 02.04.1992
Nationality: Indian
Summary
Detail-oriented data scientist with 7+ years of experience. Proficient in data processing, predictive modelling, and data mining algorithms. Keen to employ natural language processing methods to automatize user content verification at YouBlog. Created a predictive model for verifying the authenticity of reviews for a hotel chain in 2020, resulting in an 18% reduction in fake reviews.
Work Experience
Data Scientist
Hotelegant, Puducherry
September 2019–present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Performed consolidation of four data systems into one, resulting in a 46% reduction in software expenses.
- Led data analysis for the marketing team to prepare targeted ads based on customer behaviour data, which helped to improve customer retention by 18%.
- Created predictive models using machine learning tools to estimate the risk of maintenance issues.
- Mentored junior data analysts through shadowing and 1:1 feedback sessions.
Key Achievement:
- Reduced the number of fake reviews by 18% by creating a review authentication model using natural language processing.
Data Scientist
Pearl Trading Ltd., Puducherry
February 2017–August 2019
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Developed stock price prediction models for commonly purchased goods that led to over ₹3,87,92,750 in savings within a year.
- Collaborated with the sales and acquisition teams to analyse market trends, leading to an 8% increase in sales.
- Consolidated various data sources to create visualizations and reports for the management.
Key Achievement:
- Created a fraud detection algorithm that identified 84% of fraudulent transactions.
Data Science Intern
EsCape, Puducherry
June 2015–January 2017
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Worked with the sales team to develop key performance indicators that helped to boost sales performance by 12% within a year.
- Created data visualizations in Tableau and Excel.
Key Achievement:
- Collaborated with three interns to build a predictive model of customer satisfaction with 97% accuracy.
Education
Master of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering
Puducherry Technological University
September 2013–April 2015
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
Puducherry Technological University
September 2010–April 2013
Skills
- Python
- Java
- GIT
- SQL
- Tableau
- Excel
- Data Visualization
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Collaboration
Certifications
- Google Certified Professional Data Engineer, 2021
- Certified Associate in Data Analytics with Python, Python Institute, 2018
Languages
- English—Advanced
- French—Intermediate
- Hindi—Native
Volunteering
Green Future, Pondicherry
March 2020–April 2021
- Developed a supporter database in SQL to help monitor information about donors and volunteers.
- Provided technical support for the organization and advised on the choice of equipment for online learning purposes.
Declaration: The information stated above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Now, read this guide to learn how to write a data scientist resume quickly and easily:
1. Use the Correct Format for a Data Scientist Resume
You enjoy it when data is properly organized, right?
Hiring managers enjoy it too. Chaos must be avoided when it comes to formatting a resume for a data scientist. Otherwise, it will create a confusion matrix and just make the recruiter move to the next candidate who knows better what a resume is and how it should be used.
That’s how you should format your data scientist resume template:
- Use the reverse-chronological format to make your most recent achievements shine.
- Pick professional resume fonts such as Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana.
- Set line spacing to 1 or 1.15 for great readability.
- Keep font size as 11–12 for the contents, and 13–14 for headings.
- Set the margins to 1 inch on all sides to ensure enough white space.
- Save your data scientist resume in a PDF format (or DOC when the job ad asks for it.)
As for the length, a one-page resume is the best choice for all types of jobs. There’s a misconception that the longer, the better—it’s untrue. Be selective and fit all relevant information on one page.
Your data scientist application must include the following resume sections:
- Your full name and contact information: Place them in the top-left corner of the document.
- Resume summary or objective: They sum up your qualifications and experience.
- Work experience: Highlight the most impressive achievements from your work history.
- Education: Show how you got your expert knowledge.
- Skills: Only the ones that are relevant to the job posting.
- Additional sections, such as languages, certificates, memberships, volunteering, and interests: Choose a few to boost your candidature.
If you want the sections to stand out, you can use modern resume icons. They may also add a dash of colour to a typical black-and-white resume, which may help you stand out from the crowd.
Save time on formatting your resume by using free templates. Check here: Free Resume Templates in Word and PDF
2. Highlight Your Work Experience in Your Resume for a Data Scientist
Before you jump on a hyperplane and fly off to your dream job, you must craft the work experience section of your resume. But rather than describe every single thing you did at all your jobs, select the tasks and projects you’re really proud of. To write a good resume, think in terms of quality, not quantity!
Create your work experience section this way:
- Mention your most recent job title first.
- List the company name as well as the working period.
- Write 4–6 bullet points describing your duties and accomplishments.
- Use the Problem-Action-Result formula to show off achievements.
Check these best data scientist resume samples for inspiration:
Data Scientist Resume Sample: Work Experience
Right |
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Data Scientist Hotelegant, Puducherry September 2019–present Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Key Achievement:
|
Sounds like a pretty successful person, right? Each achievement is proven with numbers. The bullets start with action words to make a great impression on the reader.
Wrong |
---|
Data Scientist, Puducherry From 2019
|
This candidate doesn’t know how to promote themselves yet. Without quantifiable achievements, the words sound just empty.
Now, what about freshers?
Writing a fresher data scientist resume can be tough. The lack of professional work experience sounds like a big obstacle on the way to a good job. But don’t worry—there is a solution to this problem! To create a good fresher resume format, just use your life experience to prove you’re not green behind the ears. Did you participate in academic projects? Do you collaborate with other people on GitHub? What about volunteering or internships? All of those experiences can prove valuable.
Check these entry-level data scientist resume examples:
Data Scientist Resume for Fresher: Work Experience
Right |
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Data Science Intern EsCape, Puducherry June 2015–January 2017 Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Key Achievement:
|
Like. A. Boss. See, even interns have something to brag about!
Wrong |
---|
Internship 2015-2017
|
Interesting? No. Impressive? Certainly not. There’s not enough information. This candidate will be quickly dismissed.
Pro Tip: Got gaps in your work history? There’s no place for hidden layers in your resume. There’s nothing shameful about taking time off work to help a sick family member, recover after an illness, travel, etc. Just be honest about it. Try to show that this time taught you something. For example, taking care of a family member may have helped you become better at multitasking and problem-solving. Similarly, travelling could have taught you how to budget and organize your time effectively.
3. Make Your Education Section Work for Your Benefit
You might think that recruiters work like multi-armed bandits. But predicting their choices isn’t that difficult. They always look for certain things when scanning resumes. And one of the key things is the education section.
If you’re a data scientist, you most likely have a college degree or a certificate to prove it. So show it off!
That’s how to craft the education section in a data scientist resume:
- Start with your highest degree or qualification.
- Name the college, university, or school as well as the city.
- Add the months and years when you studied.
- Mention impressive academic achievements, school projects, or relevant coursework.
Check these examples to see how it’s done:
Data Scientist Resume Sample: Education
Right |
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Master of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering Puducherry Technological University September 2013–April 2015 Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science Puducherry Technological University September 2010–April 2013 |
It’s as simple as that! Just make sure the information is easy to spot and understand.
Wrong |
---|
Post-graduate studies at Puducherry Technological University, graduated in 2015 |
This information is too vague, as there are different types of degrees associated with post-graduate studies.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
4. Create an Impressive Data Scientist Skills Resume Section
Data scientists are incredibly knowledgeable, there’s no question about that. But it’s not possible to list all the knowledge you’ve got in your resume. After all, your skill list could go on indefinitely, and the recruiter would get lost while reading your application!
The Most Important Data Scientist Skills
- Data analysis
- Machine learning
- Data visualization
- Deep learning
- Big data processing
- Probability and statistics
- Data wrangling
- Database management
- Programming
- Data modelling
- Pattern recognition
So, do you just copy this list and paste it into your resume?
Nope!
Hiring managers look for more than just a list of abilities. They need employees who are not only brilliant scientists but also know how to work with other people, solve problems, think independently, and possess other qualities. That’s why your resume skill list must include a mix of soft and hard skills.
How to craft your data scientist skills resume section:
- List your hard data-science skills.
- Make a list of your best soft skills and impressive computer skills for a resume.
- Look closely at the job advertisement and highlight the required skills.
- Combine your abilities with the resume keywords from the job ad.
Check the sample data scientist resume below to see it in practice:
Sample Data Scientist Skills in a Resume:
Right |
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Skills
|
We’ve got a nice mix of common programming languages, software, data-science skills, and soft skills.
Wrong |
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Programming, data analysis, communication |
Well, that’s just not enough. Lazy data scientists aren’t welcome with arms wide open by hiring managers!
Is your job focused on data analysis? We’ve got a guide specifically for you! See here: Writing a Data Analyst Resume
5. Pick a Few Extra Data Scientist Resume Sections
Now you’re done with the main resume section, it’s time to add some flavour to your job application. You may think that additional resume sections are there just to stuff the space with something, but that’s not true. They can make a true difference! When recruiters look at hundreds of job candidates, they want to find the one that stands out from the rest.
Prove you’re more than just a machine that learned to perform data analysis with these resume sections:
- Licences and certificates: Virtually all data scientists have a degree, but not all have a certificate in Python, Java, data engineering, Agile project management, and other subjects. You can easily get certified online, for example with a Professional Data Engineer exam from Google Cloud.
- Volunteering: Around 80% of Indians believe that charities have a positive impact on their communities. Volunteering can not only bring a change to people’s lives but also teach you valuable skills. You may try contacting the Punjab-based Sabudh Foundation which uses data science for social benefit.
- Languages: Seeking a corporate job? Then the English language is a must. Remember to always list the proficiency level, such as Advanced, Intermediate, Fluent, etc.
- Memberships: Professional associations such as The International Society of Data Scientists are a good place to start networking, learn about developments in the industry, and even discover attractive job offers.
- Conferences: Going to a conference offers a chance to learn something about the industry. However, speaking at a conference is a totally different story! Being a guest speaker means that you’re a true professional.
- Interests: Listing relevant interests in a data scientist's resume shows that you’re not also a scientist but also a human being. Relevant interests are somehow connected to your field. For example, you may work on independent projects on GitHub, write a blog about big data, or create fascinating infographics in your spare time.
So, which are you going to choose for your data scientist resume? Remember to pick 2–3 of these additional sections, depending on the space left in your application.
Have a look at the samples below:
Data Scientist: Sample Resume (Additional Sections)
Right |
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Certifications
Languages
Volunteering Green Future, Pondicherry March 2020–April 2021
|
Seems like a pretty great person, right? Having certifications shows that they continue developing their knowledge, which is crucial in ever-changing fields such as data science.
Wrong |
---|
|
Ummm… No. Just no. Listing languages without indication of the proficiency level is just a waste of time. And interests like that don’t make anyone unique.
Thinking you might need a CV rather than a resume? See here: Definition of Curriculum Vitae
6. Wrap it Up with a Data Scientist Resume Summary or Objective
Now, this is the last section of your resume. And it goes at the top of it. You might be scratching your head now and wondering why you’re supposed to write it now, and not at the beginning.
It’s trivial—you’ll use what you already have created to compose your resume summary or career objective!
The point of including a resume summary or objective is to promote yourself. As most recruiters spend just a few seconds on an application, they will certainly have a look at this section. So it’s worth making it perfect.
But wait. What’s the difference between a resume summary and a career objective?
- A resume summary is an overview of the candidate’s experience and achievements. It’s best for candidates who have 2+ years of experience in their field.
- A resume objective focuses on the candidate’s educational accomplishments, knowledge, and career goals. It’s best used in a resume for freshers.
Once we’ve got that covered, let’s have a look at a job-winning formula for writing resume profiles.
How to write a resume objective or summary:
- Begin with a strong adjective, such as motivated or meticulous.
- Add your job title or college degree.
- Add the years of experience or what you specialize in.
- Specify what you want to achieve for the employer.
- Show off your biggest career or academic accomplishment.
- Use a third-person narrative to sound professional.
In all, your resume objective or career summary should be around 3–4 sentences long.
Check the examples below for inspiration:
Data Scientist: Resume Summary
Right |
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Detail-oriented data scientist with 7+ years of experience. Proficient in data processing, predictive modelling, and data mining algorithms. Keen to employ natural language processing methods to automatize user content verification at YouBlog. Created a predictive model for verifying the authenticity of reviews for a hotel chain in 2020, resulting in an 18% reduction in fake reviews. |
The hiring manager will grab the phone immediately after reading that. The candidate highlighted their achievements and said exactly what they can do for the company.
Wrong |
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I am a professional data scientist with experience in data analysis and data mining algorithms. I am looking for new professional challenges and an inspiring work environment that would allow me to grow. |
Yaaaawn. First, using first-person narrative is a big NO. Second, this person says what they want, but not what they can do for the company.
Are you writing a data scientist resume for a fresher candidate? Check the examples below to see resume objectives for entry-level positions.
Objective for Data Scientist Resume for Freshers
Right |
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Ambitious Master of Technology in Data Science interested in the position of Junior Data Analyst at Smooth Technologies. Knowledgeable in machine learning, data visualization, and statistical modelling. Hoping to use my expertise in natural language processing to assist the AI operations. Awarded Best Student Project of 2021 for a text-to-speech application created with four other students. |
As you can see here, even freshers can be impressive job candidates. This one can probably beat the competition of even more experienced applicants!
Wrong |
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Data science graduate hoping to start a career in data analysis in a corporate environment. Proficient in Excel and Tableau, knowledgeable about R and Python. |
It’s not bad—it’s just too short and too vague. It’s much better to describe one’s achievements and specific, job-related goals, rather than just repeat something from the skill section.
Thinking of moving to project management? That can be a great career choice. See here: Sample Project Manager Resume
7. Finish with a Matching Data Scientist Cover Letter
Thinking that cover letters are a thing of the past, like floppy disks and CD-ROMs? Well, think again. Many recruiters still expect job candidates to attach cover letters to their job applications. Writing one usually takes less than an hour and significantly boosts your chances of getting that dream job.
These steps will tell you how to write a cover letter for a data scientist:
- Use the correct cover letter format, similar to the one for your data scientist resume.
- Open your data scientist cover letter by greeting the hiring manager.
- Grab the recruiter’s attention with a powerful opening sentence.
- Present your qualifications in the second paragraph.
- Demonstrate how your skills can translate into the company's success.
- Finish the cover letter with a tempting offer.
And that’s the best cover letter format. Pretty simple, right?
A great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Wow, you’re done! I hope you found this guide helpful.
To sum up, this is how to write a successful data scientist resume:
- Use the reverse-chronological order to show your most recent achievements first.
- Match your skills with the keywords from the job advertisement.
- List your biggest accomplishments in the work experience section.
- Highlights your academic achievements in the education section.
- Add a few extra sections to prove you’re better than other candidates.
- Write a matching data scientist cover letter for an extra boost.
That’s it! Now, it’s time for you to share your thoughts:
- Is it easy to find attractive data scientist job offers?
- What’s the most difficult part of writing a resume for a data scientist?
- Do you have any tips for fellow data scientists writing their job applications?
Let me know in the comments below!
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