The question of what defines a Data Scientist in organisations still troubles many today – here is a list of CV tips by Parallel Consulting that set you up for Data Science success in 2017.

1. How to Improve Your Data
Science CV
The question of what defines a Data Scientist in organisations still troubles many today – here is
a list of CV tips that set you up for Data Science success in 2017.

2. Your Summary
Your Skills
• Highlight your excellent written
communication skills here.
• Alter CV to fit the job spec or role.
• What can you contribute to this new
team & why?
• What makes you different?
• Show your specialism or niche in a
particular field.
Parallel Insight:
Be sure to use your communication skills to
summarise everything that is in your CV in a clear,
concise paragraph. Don’t be afraid to have a CV
longer than 2 pages – but make sure you are clearly
articulating your contribution to new teams & how
you stand out in the crowd.
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
BEGINNING
No more than 5-7 lines clearly summarising your
entire career.
‘Don’t be a “Jack-of-all-trades” in your summary. It dilutes your specialism & niche’.
– C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

3. Your Education
Your Degree
• MA or MSc or PhD or MBA
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Data Science
Parallel Insight:
Anyone can claim to be a Data Scientist. We want to
see someone who understands the technical details
hiding behind the algorithms & knows the benefit of
using one algorithm opposed to another. It’s useful
to mention any personal projects you have
completed.
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
FRONT PAGE
In the summary or in the first half of your CV. It
should really stand out on the page.
“Having a mathematical background is imperative when applying to a Data Science position”.
– S e n i o r C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

4. Your Research
Your Research
• Show you are capable of embarking on
your own research projects.
• Think PhD or MSc that included a
project with problem solving.
• Include independent research projects
(Kaggle or Internships).
• Showcase that you are able to work
independently, but also as part of a team.
Parallel Insight:
The biggest mistake made by Data Science
applicants is the lack of information given on their
research projects. We want to see you summarise
context, approach, outcomes & innovation in the
projects you handle. We want to see how good a
communicator you are.
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
PERSONAL STATEMENT
You want to mention specific projects in your
work experience work if possible as well.
“It’s always nice to see the kind of research you have done for school or in your spare time. It shows us you
have an inspiration to work independently”. – C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

5. Your Inner Programmer
Your Skills
• List your technical skills in order of
experience:
• EX: Python (6 years); R (3 years); SQL
(3 years)
• Secondary skills:
• Java, C++, C#, etc.
• Scalable Big Data: Scala, Spark.
Parallel Insight:
In your CV, make a note of your technical depth in
each language. Don’t just list every language. Bonus:
include open-source bases you contributed to or
links to public work showcasing your coding ability –
this provides us with confidence in your skills!
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
SKILLS SECTION
You want to mention these also in each of your
commercial positions.
“You want to list every programming language you have ever encountered. We want to see what your
specialism is & what makes you stand out”. – C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

6. Your Inner Problem Solver
Your Skills
• Problem solving skills; forecasting,
predicting, optimising, modelling, etc.
• Which processes did you use & why?
• External accreditations: Chartered status
(Mathematician, Scientist, Statistician),
CPA, CFE, AML, etc.
• How do your skills fit the organisation?
Parallel Insight:
How do you enable smart data interaction at every
level of the organisation? How does your specialism
contribute to this job? How do you choose the right
tools for the task? What is your technical breadth in
certain fields related to Data Science?
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
EACH JOB SUMMARY
Show that you are an excellent problem solver in
each of your positions!
“You don’t want to list every algorithm you have ever used. You want to show how your technical niche
optimised business direction in the company”. – C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

7. Your Big Impact
Your Skills
• What models resulted in actionable
insights – what models were thrown out?
• Summarise the context, approach &
impact of your contribution.
• How did you curate services around data?
• How did you drive cultural change within
your organisation?
Parallel Insight:
For entry-level & Senior Data Scientists, CVs often
lack in self-promotion. We want to see how you have
impacted a team & what difference you made to
breed success on a project or department. How did
you optimise your insights? Identify clearly how you
hit KPIs.
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
EACH JOB SUMMARY
You want to mention the impact you had in each
role you have worked.
“As a Data Scientist, your ultimate goal is to increase profit & reduce costs. How you did this needs to be
discussed thoroughly in a CV”. – M a n a g e r, D a t a S c i e n c e

8. Your Curiosity
Your Skills
• Show that you are continuously updating
your skillset.
• Highlight your personal & professional
development.
• MOOCs, training courses, conferences,
workshops with dates & certificates
mentioned when applicable.
• Competitions online or Github projects
Parallel Insight:
Data Science is always on the cutting-edge. We at
Parallel want to see that you have a commitment
towards evolving your Data Science skillset & your
passion for the market. Hiring Managers love seeing
that you keep an open-mind towards innovation
through education.
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
CERTIFICATES/OTHER
Make a separate section/list underneath your
education or skills section to highlight.
“You want to show that you are open-minded – that you are interested in seeing a 4th dimension to your
work & applying that at your company”. – C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

9. Your Softer Side
Your Skills
• Stakeholder Management.
• Influence with Senior Management.
• Presentation & Communication to
business & non-technical audiences.
• Project delivery.
• How to handle difficult stakeholders,
management or clients.
Parallel Insight:
Especially for more senior roles in Data Science, we
want to see how you successfully communicated
your ideas & insights to Senior Management. If you
have dealt with a difficult Stakeholder, be sure to
mention how you effectively dealt with this
experience(s).
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
EACH JOB SUMMARY
Mention project delivery/stakeholder
management in each of your roles.
“You need to highlight your ability to translate your business insights to non-technical end users”.
– M a n a g e r, D a t a S c i e n c e

10. Your Skills
• Show how you mentored, coached &
contributed to line management.
• Cross-functional & cross-hierarchical
interaction: teamwork.
• Transparency with work ethic.
• Showcase how you are trusted in your
current position.
• How are you business driven?
Parallel Insight:
You want to highlight your emotional intelligence.
Delve into how you personally affected their
development in the team. It’s crucial to be business
driven - showcase how you are able to work
independently, as well as on a team. How do you
work with a non-tech audience?
Where Should This Be on Your CV?
EACH JOB SUMMARY
Any time you have had experience leading or
mentoring a team, be sure to highlight it.
Your Personality
“Emotional intelligence & social demeanour is a huge part of why you hire a Data Scientist”.
– C o n s u l t a n t , D a t a S c i e n c e

11. If you want to speak to one of our team specialists about Data Science positions, please email
us or call us:
analytics@parallelconsulting.com
+44 (0) 203 326 4100
You can find more information about Data Science jobs on our website:
www.parallelconsulting.com
Final Advice