How to Get a Job as a Data Scientist — 7 Actionable Tips
Want to know how to get a data science job? Here are 7 actionable tips you need to take into account if you want to make the move.
Job hunting can be a challenging task for many people, yet we all need to go through that process in order to get a job and build our career. A large proportion of the most desirable jobs on the job market right now are jobs related to analytics, like data scientists, data engineers, or even data analysts.
As these jobs like being a data scientist become more and more desirable, they can become more and more competitive. Competitive job markets mean that the most skilled people are often the most employable. Employers are looking for data scientists that can tackle any problems thrown at them. So how does one actually get a job as a data scientist?
When it comes to getting a job as a data scientist, many people do not know where to start and how to get a data science job. The path to building a great career as a data scientist does not need to be complicated.
7 Actionable Tips on How to Get a Data Science Job
Before you apply for any data science job, of course, you would need the right skillset that employers are looking for in a data scientist candidate. And these actionable tips do not only reinforce your basic foundation but also help you get the right skillset. These tips can help you land your first data science job. These 7 actionable steps include essential technical skills as well as soft skills, educational resources, and other factors to determine how to get a job as a data scientist. Here we try to provide very specific steps to get your dream job in the data science world.
1. Know The Most Important Skills
Data scientists are a blend of a programmer, statistician, software engineer, and many more rolled into one. A data scientist needs to be able to run a project from start to finish. As such, a person who wants to get a job as a data scientist needs to have a versatile skill set in order to do the job competently.
Having a strong skill set is something that employers can put to good use. Knowing the most important skills within data science and analytics is the first thing any prospective data scientist should have done. Some of the most important skills for becoming a data scientist are:
- Proficient in Python
- Masterful Experience with SQL
- Effective use of R
- Practiced in Statistics
- Knowledgeable of Machine Learning
Knowing these skills and being able to use them effectively are core components of getting a job as a data scientist. If you do not feel competent quite yet in your ability to competently use any of the above skills, then try focusing on upskilling, which is also our next tip.
2. Keep Learning
In data science, you have to stay on top of skills development in order to stay ahead in your field. The field of data science and analytics is always adapting and the problems change each time. As a result, upskilling and honing your skillset is essential to building a career as a data scientist.
Building real industry knowledge through practice in educational resources can do a long way. Having a strong technical foundation in analytics is something that can be built in the comfort of your own home.
Make Use Of Educational Resources
Knowing the basics is not going to cut it if you want to get a job as a data scientist. In-depth knowledge and problem-solving skills are needed to succeed in the analytics field. Making use of educational resources like online exercises, boot camps, and modules can go a long way in mastering analytics skills.
Trying out exercises, reading case studies, and doing tutorials like those from Strata Scratch can go a long way in keeping you on top of your game. Continuous learning is necessary to stay abreast of the analytics field, so take time to keep learning if you want to get a job as a data scientist.
3. Build Up Your Communication Skills
Getting a job as a data scientist is not only about having a strong analytical toolset, soft skills like communication are crucial too. Be able to describe how you would solve a problem and why you chose that route to a solution is a critical part of being a data scientist.
Data scientists need to be able to communicate each step of a project and the reasoning behind it. Try making notes of your thoughts as you solve a problem or tackle a project so that you can learn to explain each step to others in the future.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Landing the perfect job when building a career as a data scientist takes time. Behind every successful data scientist, there is a large number of job applications and several interviews. The fact of the matter is that getting a job as a data scientist takes time and effort.
Stay positive, learn from the data science positions you did not land, and learn from the interviews that did not go as smoothly as you had hoped. Practice as many mock interviews as you can. Eventually, practice will make perfect and you will land a job as a data scientist.
5. Network
Getting a job as a data scientist is not only about having the strongest skill set, it is also about meeting people within the industry who may help guide you to a great data science job. You can get better results by building relationships with other data scientists and even recruiters. Making use of social networking sites like LinkedIn and attending industry meetups can go a long way in landing your dream position as a data scientist. So start leveraging connections in your network.
6. Build A Portfolio
Employers come across hundreds or even thousands of CVs claiming that that candidate is capable of doing what they need, but not every job candidate has much to show for it. It is well and good to say that you are able to do something, but showing that you can do it and more will go a lot further.
A good portfolio is very important for finding a data science job. And what you should include in your data science portfolio really depends on what type of data science role you’re looking for.
Building a portfolio of past work and project ideas shows an employer that you are competent and capable and have something to show for it. Standing out with a diverse and interesting portfolio can be the defining part of your application that will get you a job as a data scientist.
Bonus: all of the learning you’ve done on the side can go a long way in building up a portfolio. Save your best solutions to problems and exercises done on Strata Scratch to beef up your portfolio.
7. Find A Mentor
On top of regular networking, one of the best tips you can follow for getting a job as a data scientist is to find a mentor. A mentor can guide you through projects and educational resources and can even help you figure out exactly what employers are looking for in a data scientist candidate.
Conclusion
You would apply for maybe hundreds of data science job before you get one. So we suggest you be patient and prepare a lot. You should not only study important concepts but also remember that you will deal with different people and situations. So you have to be ready to answer questions about how would you behave in different work situations.
