Data Scientist Resume: Downloadable Sample & Real Examples

As a Data Scientist, you help organizations and companies make the correct decisions based on key analysis. Now it’s your turn to receive expert advice. With our professional template, you can easily create a resume that will get your next job!

View in fullscreen
Siobhan Brier
Written by
Siobhan Brier
Updated on July 21, 2022

Data science is already one of the United States’ top careers, but it’s still true that data science will grow to be a tremendously high-demand profession. 

To be ahead of the curve, you need to have an effective and valuable data scientist resume. 

If you’re pursuing a job in a competitive industry like data science, not only do you need to show you’re qualified, you also have to stand out from the rest.

This ResumeGiants guide explains:

  • How to build a data scientist resume that fulfills all of your employer’s requirements
  • What to anticipate and understand regarding data scientist credentials for resume writing
  • Using a job description for data scientist resume optimization
  • How to highlight your soft and hard skills for a data scientist resume
  • Analyzing a sample data scientist resume and data science resume template as well as how to utilize it as a reference guide
  • How to differentiate between data scientist resume samples for your benefit so you know what works and what doesn’t work 

Data Scientist Resume Sample

Feel like you need additional assistance organizing the structure, material, or organization of your resume? 

Check out our data scientist resume template, which we’ve designed to present you with a comprehensive image of what an excellent resume should look like.

Resume Example
Copied!

[Mark Winklevoss]

[Microsoft-Certified Data Scientist]

24 Palo Alto, San Francisco, CA |   252-927-8254   |   mark.winklevoss@gmail.com

Summary

Data Scientist with 8+ years of expertise implementing statistics-based solutions to improve data storage processing efficiency, consistency, and applicability. Executed action-oriented approaches to complex organizational challenges and created data prediction models, used to analyze cryptocurrency trends. Seeking to apply at XYZ to improve deep statistical learning and data-related solutions.

Experience

Data Scientist

Microsoft, San Francisco, CA

2016 – 2021

  • Executed data-mining study of the correlation between crypto asset prices and industry developments, resulting in a 19% more accurate performance forecast than prior years
  • Utilized Python algorithms to gather and organize competition data. Redesigned data visualization techniques to include quantitative graphs and visuals to increase user interaction
  • Analyzed blockchain fragmentation and data recall to predict non-fungible token prices
  • Updated database optimization methods to decrease redundancy by 15%

Data Scientist

Infosys, San Francisco, CA

2013-2016

  • Improved data mining methods, which resulted in 10% reduction in time to derive consumer data insight utilized to design marketing plans
  • Modernized encryption, image compression, antivirus security, and encrypted remote monitoring processes to improve data security
  • Created AI platform to scale social media reach and marketing for Australian Open with Infosys as data partner

Education

MS Statistics

Stanford University, CA

2011 – 2013

  • Honors: Graduated magna cum laude with a 3.8 GPA.
  • Relevant Coursework: AI Programming, Blockchain Development, Regression Models, Machine Learning

Skills

  • Soft skills: Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Risk Analysis
  • Hard skills: Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Modeling, Quantitative Analysis, Python, SQL, TensorFlow, Cloudera

Awards

  • “Employee of the Year,” Machine Learning Division, Infosys (2015)

Certificates

  • GCP – Google Certified Professional Data Engineer (2017)
  • Microsoft Professional Program Certificate in Data Science (2019)

Free data scientist resumes and templates aren’t easy to find on the internet.

So, don’t hesitate to make use of our data science resume sample template above and the other information we’ve put together for you below if you’re looking to craft the perfect data scientist resume.

What’s the Best Data Scientist Resume Format?

If you want to crack the code for making the perfect resume, you’ll have to start off by choosing a resume format that suits your specific niche and needs.

It’s vital first to examine your degree of expertise and the content you wish to present on your resume.

Unless you have many years of experience, particularly the sort that can organically fill multiple pages, your resume does not need to be any longer than a page in length.

Below is some of the most important information you want to have on your resume:

  • Personal information and contact information
  • A resume objective or resume summary
  • Your work experience, past job details and qualifications
  • Your soft skills and hard skills
  • Any extra material that demonstrates your fit for the job

A reverse-chronological structure is the industry standard for most professions. A data scientist resume is no different.

A few more things you should consider when creating your data scientist resume format are as follows:

  • Use a professional font.
    • Keep it simple. A font should never be the element overpowering your resume. A font style that is readable, clean, and tidy should do the job.
  • Use single or 1.15 line spacing.
    • This is the standard amount of spacing you want to have. Anything more will seem like there’s too much space between lines, and anything less can make your resume look too cramped.
  • Single-inch margins on both sides are ideal.
    • The same logic applies here. Your resume should not only have space to breathe between the text but from the sides as well. Be flexible with white space to avoid your resume looking cluttered.
  • Keep headings bigger and make them bold.
    • Using bold headings helps demarcate each section on your resume and makes it look more organized. It also helps a recruiter identify different parts of the resume when navigating through it.
  • Increase the length of your resume, but only if you absolutely have to.
    • Having a resume longer than one page is acceptable; skipping essential things about your job isn’t. If you feel there are things you must have on your resume, it’s probably worth adding them at the expense of having a one-page resume.
  • Avoid using images.
    • When applying for a job as a data scientist, it’s generally ill-advised to include images or pictures of any sort. At most, you can include a small, professional photo of yourself in one of the top corners, but even this is not necessary. You’re likely much better off using the space for more valuable information like your skills or qualifications.
  • Save and send your resume as a PDF.
    • Unless the job description says otherwise, using PDFs is the way to go. It’s the unofficial gold standard in this industry and maintains consistency for everyone. When you send a PDF, rest assured your resume will be viewed exactly as you intended it to be.

When it comes to formatting a resume, even the most accomplished data scientists need a bit of help sometimes. 

That’s why we’ve designed tons of interactive, easy-to-use resume templates, all of which you can use to craft your perfect data scientist resume. 

Taking a look at a sample data science resume like the one in this guide can also help you understand how to break up and organize your written material.

How to Write a Data Scientist Resume Summary or Resume Objective

At the beginning of your resume, insert a professionally written data scientist resume headline: either a resume summary or resume objective

This is essentially an introductory paragraph of about 50 words about yourself outlining why you’re the right candidate for this position. 

You could call it the “elevator pitch” of your resume or a representation of what’s to come in the rest of your resume.

If you have years of experience in the industry that you feel is relevant, it’s likely best for you to write a resume summary.  Share your most remarkable achievements.

If you’re writing an entry-level resume for a job as a junior data scientist, it’s probably wiser to opt for a resume objective.  

In your resume objective, be sure to explain everything you’ve learned so far and illustrate how well you’d fit in.

Whichever you end up choosing, remember to make your key points not just about your top achievements but also what your employer is looking for.

Demonstrate how your expertise and skill set would convert into something valuable and beneficial for them.

💡 TOP tip

Imagine you’re getting into an elevator with a recruiter from the company you’re looking to apply for. They know of your existence for those thirty seconds. After that, they’ll just walk out and completely forget you – unless you can make an impression. This is basically your resume summary or objective. You have a few seconds – or sentences – to make them take notice of you. Make the best of it!

Data Scientist Resume Summary Example

A good resume summary will let an employer know about you as a person and as a worker. It allows your skill set and personality to shine through in just a few sentences.

To meet this goal, focus on the things that matter the most. Specific examples and precise details of noteworthy things should be emphasized. 

Below, we’ve illustrated how both a poor and strong data scientist resume summary can come across. Focus on what works here – both obviously summarize the individual as a data scientist, but which does it better?

One merely summarizes, while the other really tells about the data scientist in question, their personality, and their skillset, to a certain degree.

Getting off to the right start can convince a recruiter to keep their eyes on your resume longer. A strong data scientist resume will have them interested. 

Your resume should make them want to know more.

Wrong ❌

Senior data science specialist with an excellent working understanding of Java, Scala, Hadoop, Python, and SQL. Seeking a competitive environment for a data scientist role with autonomous tasks and challenging projects.

Right ✅

Facebook Certified Senior Data Scientist with 12+ years of expertise in Java, Scala, Hadoop, SQL, and Python.  Implemented data mining on the blockchain to assess procurement procedures indicating financial benefits of $600,000 a year. Looking to employ my visualization tooling and crypto forecast modeling abilities to boost XYZ’s market returns in the future year.

How to Write an Entry-Level Data Scientist Resume Objective

As stated earlier, if you don’t have tons of work experience, a resume objective would be better for you. 

That’s because resume objectives do not rely solely on achievements and work experience to demonstrate your worth as a candidate. 

Pay close attention to what the job description says. 

For example, if the job description specifies that the company is looking for applicants who are highly skilled in Python, highlighting that you have these abilities that might make you a great candidate, even if you don’t have years of experience.

💡 TOP tip

Take some time to identify important keywords from each job description that you’re considering. Finding ways to incorporate these major points into your resume headline can help you immediately stand out from the rest.

When writing these resume objectives, it’s good practice to highlight particular projects, operations, coding languages, algorithms, the scale of information, and other data worked with – basically any technical know-how that would impress a recruiting manager.

Look at another example of a value-adding data scientist resume objective:

Wrong ❌

Big Data Science M.Sc. graduate with 3.6 GPA. Quick learner despite less work experience. Praised for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Exceptional at locating trends in the blockchain.

While this isn’t a bad example, it doesn’t provide enough information for a recruiter. It doesn’t touch on the specifics, which is what you want to target when writing a resume objective. 

You want to tell the recruiter that you have the exact qualities and skillset they need for this particular role, and that’s why you’re a good fit. 

Here’s another way to write it:

Right ✅

M.Sc. in Big Data with 2+ years of intern experience. Placed first in the 2020 Big Data Science Exhibition for developing an algorithm to predict trends on the blockchain, with 82% success rate. Seeking to incorporate my big data and blockchain abilities to assist enhance crypto modeling forecast accuracy in the next year.

How to Describe Your Data Scientist Experience

Recruiters want to be sure that all your previous experience as a data scientist translates into good results for their company. Your experience section is the major area in which you may exhibit your credentials and achievements.

To communicate these qualities in a manner that enhances your chances of earning an interview, however, you must place emphasis on the precise items your prospective employer values.

If you’re able to link these two things together–what you have with what the recruiter wants–it helps portray you as the most suitable candidate for the position.

Start every bullet point in the job experience section with the appropriate action verbs. Using powerful action verbs is crucial in convincing a prospective employer to read the remainder of your data scientist resume and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Furthermore, utilize action verbs that are unique to your genre of work. Recruiters tend to use application tracking software (ATS) to screen candidates based on the frequency of keywords, phrases, and skills on a resume.

💡 TOP tip

Thesauruses can be a great tool for finding powerful synonyms for verbs and avoiding repetitive or lengthy language. For example, instead of saying you “worked with others” to complete a task, you might say you “collaborated” with others.

Data Scientist Resume Examples: Experience

Many of the tips we’ve discussed so far apply to your experience section. Below are some examples of how you could pen down your work experience as a data scientist to illustrate how they work in action. 

The “wrong” example isn’t necessarily a poor one; you would just be better off going with the latter.

Wrong ❌

Data Scientist
Macrofirm, Inc.
2017 – 2021

  • Performed data science for a crypto holding company
  • Prepared and submitted models for prospective acquisitions
  • Created an algorithm to calculate modified crypto trends

Right ✅

Data Scientist
Macrofirm, Inc.
2017 – 2021

  • Prepared and implemented models for prospective acquisitions to fund managers
  • Accomplished 14% greater returns on the blockchain successfully in the last quarter
  • Developed an algorithm to compute crypto trends and put out graphs accordingly
  • Corrected computing procedures that reduced database redundancies by 23%

Entry-Level Data Scientist Resume: Experience Section

If you’re wondering how to get a data science job with a no experience resume, you’ll be happy to hear that you don’t need to have years and years of experience to create a compelling data scientist resume. 

Use the experiences and the skills you picked up along the way (even if it was through other, unrelated jobs) and highlight all the abilities you do have that would be useful for the role you’re applying to.

Here’s an example of an entry-level experience section for a data scientist resume:

Wrong ❌

Freelance Data Scientist
2015 – 2017

  • Placed first in intercollegiate hackathon
  • Used algorithms to find data modules
  • Regularly contributed to GitHub
  • Lacking in real-world experience, but eager to learn with keen interest in data science

Right ✅

Freelance Data Scientist
2015 – 2017

  • Facebook Hackathon: Placed first among 80+ programmers by finding the right data models in an intercollegiate hackathon
  • NinjaNite: Used quickfire algorithms to locate data modules against a timer in a fast-paced environment
  • Javalab: Contributed to the Big Data project on GitHub on a regular basis

Is Your Education Section Cracking the Code?

Adding your academic qualifications to a resume is important for more than just demonstrating you’re able to do the job; they can also point out new skills and achievements that aren’t elsewhere on your resume. 

In general, only the highest degrees of your education should be included. So, if you have more than one college degree and are low on space, focus on what you’ve completed most recently.

Here’s how you should list down your education:

  • Minors and Majors (if applicable)
  • Name of the school
  • Date of graduation

If you’re not a seasoned data scientist, don’t fret. Your education can actually help you compensate for any lack of job experience.

If you’re preparing a resume for this purpose, go into further detail about your undergraduate years. Include the following:

  • Relevant coursework
  • Favored academic disciplines
  • Academic honors and accolades
  • Activities outside of the classroom

💡 TOP tip

It’s not necessary to include your GPA in your data scientist resume if you have more than a year or two of genuine work experience. If you don’t, it’s still wise to list your GPA only if it’s higher than 3.5. 

Data Scientist Resume Education Section

Here is an example showcasing how you can keep your resume’s education section interesting:

Wrong ❌

BS in Computer Science, Christ University
Springtown Community College | Springtown, IL
2017 – 2021

  • Graduated with 3.7 GPA
  • Relevant Coursework: Python, Blockchain Development, Regression Models, Machine Learning

Right ✅

BS in Computer Science, Christ University
Springtown Community College | Springtown, IL
2017 – 2021

  • Graduated magna cum laude with a 3.7 GPA
  • Excelled in Python coding and data science credit courses
  • Completed a thesis on blockchain development using regression models, Python coding, and machine learning
  • Vice-President, Coding Club

The Best Data Scientist Skills for a Resume

When it comes to skills for data scientist resumes, it’s important to be thoughtful; these qualifications are pivotal to building an outstanding data scientist resume.

The skills section should be a combination of both soft skills (general skills that apply to most professions) and hard skills (skills that are learned on the job and applied to specific roles).

Try and keep the list to around 5 per skill. Noting down too many can suffocate your resume and make it seem like you’re trying too hard.

Below are some examples of strong data science resume skills that you may want to consider for your own list.

Soft Skills

Communication

Problem-Solving

Critical Thinking

Risk Analysis

Business Intuition

Collaboration

Perceptiveness

Interpersonal Skills

Curiosity

Hard Skills

Data Analysis and Visualization

Programming

Statistics and Probability

Machine Learning

Quantitative Analysis

Modeling

Python, Java, SQL

Hadoop

OpenRefine/TensorFlow

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

As a data scientist, “Other” sections can be crucial to differentiate your resume from the rest.

Whether you’re writing a senior data scientist resume or an entry-level resume, finding ways to make your application more individual can go a long way.

Think of this section as the cherry on top. It’s a nice addition to your resume and really highlights all your skills and achievements.

💡 TOP tip

If you’ve taken courses from any bigger companies that offer official certifications, you can add those certification details next to your job title, e.g. John Doe, Microsoft Certified Data Scientist

Data Scientist Resume Sample “Other” Sections

It’s best to stick to a precise, professional tone even for these sections. 

Here’s an example to help guide you and inspire ideas of your own:

Wrong ❌

Certificates

  • Certficate from Facebook
  • Certified Programmer (Microsoft)

Right ✅

Certificates

  • Facebook Ethical Hacking Program Certificate (2016)
  • MSCP – Microsoft Certified Professional Programmer (2017)

Below are a few other kinds of sections you can add to your resume. Don’t worry if you’re an entry-level applicant and don’t have any of these – remember that an “Other” section is more of a bonus than a pure necessity.

Don’t be afraid to branch out and include sections of your own beyond this list, though; so long as it’s relevant to your qualifications, it’s possible to make all sorts of experiences work on a resume.

  • Seminars
  • Conventions
  • Certifications
  • Accreditations
  • Publications
  • Industry honors
  • Blogging
  • Participation in hackathons

Key Takeaways

In this guide, we’ve discovered:

  • A resume for a data scientist should have a resume summary or resume objective depending on whether you’re an experienced data scientist or an entry-level applicant, as well as sections for schooling, employment, and other relevant information.
  • Powerful terminology (such as action verbs), detailed examples, and straightforward, precise, and professional wording are all used in strong resumes.
  • When it comes to detailing data scientist skills on a resume, be sure to note soft and hard skills.
  • Including any certificates, seminars, conferences, honors, or other achievements that can help your resume stand out from the other candidates.

We hope we’ve provided you with enough data to craft the ideal data scientist resume!

If you ever need any additional assistance with your data scientist resume, our easy-to-use resume builder can churn out the ideal resume for you with just a few clicks!

Free Resume Templates

Using resume templates that are proven to work will help you to move your career search forward. Start and customize as many resumes as you need with our free resume builder