DATA SCIENTIST ROADMAP
2025-2026
Kickstart your Data Science career with this comprehensive 6-month end-to-end roadmap!
This detailed guide is designed to help you build Data Science skills from scratch and covers
everything you need, including:
1. Skills with resources
2. Hands-on projects
3. Essential soft skills
4. Resume Template with Tips, and an Interview Preparation Guide
Core Responsibilities of a Data Scientist:
1. Data Collection & Preprocessing - Gather and clean structured and unstructured data
from various sources, handling missing values, outliers, and inconsistencies to ensure
data quality.
2. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) - Analyze data distributions, identify patterns and
trends, and visualize insights using statistical techniques and data visualization tools.
3. Building Predictive Models - Develop and train machine learning models using
algorithms such as regression, classification, and clustering while optimizing
performance through hyperparameter tuning.
4. Feature Engineering & Selection - Identify, create, and select the most relevant
features to enhance model accuracy while reducing dimensionality using techniques like
PCA and feature selection methods.
5. Deployment & Monitoring - Identify, create, and select the most relevant features to
enhance model accuracy while reducing dimensionality using techniques like PCA and
feature selection methods.
6. Business & Stakeholder Communication - Translate data-driven insights into
actionable business recommendations, creating reports, dashboards, and presentations
for both technical and non-technical audiences.
7. Staying Updated with Industry Trends - Keep up with advancements in AI, machine
learning, and big data by exploring new tools, techniques, and best practices to enhance
data science capabilities.
Basic Requirements for becoming a Data Scientist:
1. A minimum of bachelor’s degree
2. Technical Skills
3. Soft Skills
4. Domain Knowledge
5. Relevant Coursework
6. Certifications
Salary & Career Graph:
Career Graph Experience Job Titles Average Salary
(INR per annum)
Entry - Level 0-2 years Junior Data Scientist, Data ₹6 - ₹10 LPA
Analyst
Mid-Level 2-5 years Data Scientist, Machine ₹12 - ₹20 LPA
Learning Engineer
Senior- Level 5-8 years Senior Data Scientist, AI ₹20 - ₹35 LPA
Engineer
Lead/ Managerial Role 8-12 years Lead Data Scientist, Data ₹35 - ₹50 LPA
Science Manager
Executive Level 12+ years Chief Data Scientist, Director of ₹50 LPA+
Data Science
* Note: The minimum and maximum salary ranges vary depending on the type of company. Product companies
typically offer 25-50% higher salaries compared to service-based or consulting companies*
Roadmap to Landing a New Role
Data Scientist
PHASE 1 : UPSKILLING
Technical Skills Coursework Other Skills Certifications
-Python - Linear Algebra -Case Studies -IBM Data Science
-SQL - Probability & Statistics -Behavioural QnA -AWS ML
-Machine Learning - Calculus -Business Storytelling -MS Azure AI
-Deep Learning - Hypothesis Testing -Communication & - Coursers AI/ ML
-Data Visualisation - A/B Testing Presentation Specialisations
-Big Data Tools - Optimisation Techniques
PHASE 2 : JOB SEARCH
Hands-on Resume LinkedIn / Apply for Jobs Interview
Project Building Naukri
Optimisation
Overview of Estimated Time to Prepare
Skill Estimated Time Learning Phase
Programming (Python) 1-2 months Beginner
Version Control (Git) 1-2 weeks Beginner
Data Structures & 1-2 months Beginner
Algorithms
SQL 1-2 months Beginner
Mathematics & 2-3 months Beginner
Statistics
Data Collection & 1-2 months Beginner
Visualisation
Machine Learning 2-3 months Intermediate
Fundamentals
Deep Learning Intermediate
2-3 months
Specialisation (NLP or 2-3 months Advanced
Computer Vision) 2-3 months
Big Data (Optional) 2-3 months Advanced
* Keep in mind that the time needed to learn each skill can vary for everyone. These
estimates are based on dedicating 3 to 5 hours of study every day.
PHASE 1 :
UPSKILLING
1. TECHNICAL SKILLS
Month 1: Python Programming & Statistics
Week 1-2 : Python Fundamentals
• Day 1 - 2: Introduction to Python syntax, variables, and data types
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfscVS0vtbw
• Day 3 - 4: Control structures – loops and conditionals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0b2xG3jpyM
• Day 5 - 6: Functions & Modules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Os0o3wzS_I
• Day 7 - 8: Data structures – lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-HLU9Fl5ug
• Day 9 - 10 : File handling and exceptions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh2ebFW8OYM
• Day 11 - 12: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDa-Z5JzLYM
• Day 13 - 14: Practice exercises and mini-projects
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ext9G7xspg
Week 3-4: Statistics and Probability
• Day 15 - 16: Descriptive statistics – mean, median, mode, variance, standard
deviation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfo5le26IhY
• Day 17 - 18: Probability theory basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz3D-c4QzT8
• Day 19 - 20: Probability distributions – normal, binomial, Poisson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dnw46eC-0o
• Day 21 - 22: Inferential statistics – hypothesis testing and confidence intervals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zZYBALbZgg
• Day 23 - 24: Correlation and regression analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AQKmw14mHM
• Day 25 - 26: Bayesian statistics fundamentals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZGCoVF3YvM
• Day 27 - 28: Practice problems and real-world data analysis exercises
Kaggle Datasets for Practice
Month 2: Data Manipulation and Visualization
Week 5-6: Data Manipulation with Pandas
• Day 29 - 30: Introduction to Pandas – dataframes and series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmEHCJofslg
• Day 31 - 32: Data cleaning – handling missing data, duplicates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RaviF3FNuQ
• Day 33 - 34: Data transformation – filtering, merging, grouping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txMdrV1Ut64
• Day 35 - 36: Time series analysis with Pandas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmfe2RaX-14
• Day 37 - 38: Practice exercises with real datasets
Kaggle Pandas Exercises
Week 7-8: Data Visualization
• Day 39 - 40: Introduction to Matplotlib – creating basic plots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO98lJQ3QGI
• Day 41 - 42: Customizing plots – labels, legends, styles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ercd-Ip5PfQ
• Day 43 - 44: Introduction to Seaborn – statistical data visualization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GUZXDef2U0
• Day 45 - 46: Advanced visualizations – heatmaps, pair plots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yY2Wha7TcA
• Day 47 - 48: Interactive visualizations with Plotly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGL6U0k8sHU
• Day 49 - 50: Creating dashboards and storytelling with data
https://hbr.org/2014/04/the-fourth-era-of-marketing
Month 3: Machine Learning Fundamentals
Week 9-10: Supervised Learning
• Day 51 - 52: Introduction to machine learning concepts
Machine Learning Crash Course – Google
• Day 53 - 54: Linear regression – theory and implementation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkjP5RJLQF4
• Day 55 - 56: Logistic regression – theory and implementation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIYKR4sgzI8
• Day 57 - 58: Decision Trees and Random Forests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VeUPuFGJHk
• Day 59 - 60: Support Vector Machines (SVM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efR1C6CvhmE
• Day 61 - 62: Model evaluation – Cross-validation, precision, recall, F1-score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85dtiMz9tSo
Week 11: Unsupervised Learning
• Day 63 - 64: Clustering techniques – K-Means, DBSCAN, Hierarchical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b5d3muPQmA
• Day 65 - 66: Dimensionality reduction – PCA, t-SNE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgakZw6K1QQ
• Day 67 - 68: Anomaly detection techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oWl_ONfflE
Week 12: Deep Learning & Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Day 69 - 70: Introduction to Deep Learning and Neural Networks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk
• Day 71 - 72: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for image processing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmpDIaiMIeA
• Day 73 - 74: Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and LSTMs for NLP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCUNPb-5EYI
• Day 75 - 76: Deploying machine learning models using Flask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6L2MiqAAU
• Day 77-78: Web Scraping with BeautifulSoup and Scrapy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVv6mJpFOb0
Python `
Python is a highly popular language for data science, known for its simplicity,
readability, and extensive library support. It's widely used for data analysis,
visualization, and building machine learning models.
Estimated time: 2 months
Learning resources: Python Full Course for Beginners
Complete Python Mastery
Essential Concepts
▪ Python Fundamentals
▪ Variables and data types
▪ Loops (for, while) and conditional statements (if, elif, else)
▪ Functions and scope
Data Structures
▪ Arrays, lists, tuples and sets
▪ Stacks and queues
▪ Dictionaries
▪ Comprehensions
▪ Generator expressions
Exception Handling
▪ Handling exceptions with try/except
▪ Raising exceptions
Functional Programming
▪ Lambda functions
▪ Map, reduce, filter
Object-oriented Programming
▪ Classes and objects
▪ Inheritance and polymorphism
Modules and packages
▪ Creating modules
▪ Managing packages with pip and pipenv
▪ Virtual environments
Python Standard Library
▪ Working with paths, files, and directories
▪ Working with CSV and JSON files
▪ Working with Date/time
▪ Generating random values
Familiarity with data science libraries
▪ NumPy
▪ Pandas
▪ Matplotlib
Version Control (Git)
Git is a version control system that is crucial for managing code and collaboration in data
science projects. It allows you to track changes, collaborate with others, and maintain the
integrity of your codebase.
Estimated time: 1- 2 weeks
Learning resources: Git Tutorial for Beginners: Learn Git in 1 Hour
The Ultimate Git Course
Essential Concepts
▪ Setup and Configuration: init, clone, config
▪ Staging: status, add, rm, mv, commit, reset
▪ Inspect and Compare: log, diff, show
▪ Branching: branch, checkout, merge
▪ Remote Repositories: remote, fetch, pull, push
▪ Temporary Commits: stash
▪ GitHub: fork, pull request, code review
SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is essential for querying and managing data in relational
databases. It's a fundamental skill for any data scientist working with structured data.
Estimated time: 1 - 2 months
Learning resources: SQL Course for Beginners [Full Course]
Complete SQL Mastery
Essential Concepts
Basic Operations
▪ Querying data (SELECT)
▪ Modifying data (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
▪ Filtering data (WHERE, IN, BETWEEN, LIKE, IS NULL, REGEXP)
▪ Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT)
▪ Sorting and limiting data (ORDER BY, LIMIT)
Complex Queries
▪ Joins (INNER, OUTER, SELF, NATURAL, CROSS)
▪ Aggregate functions (MAX, MIN, AVG, SUM, COUNT)
▪ Grouping data (GROUP BY, HAVING, ROLLUP)
▪ Subqueries
Views
Stored Procedures and Functions
Triggers and Events
Transactions
▪ Transaction isolation levels
▪ BEGIN, COMMIT, ROLLBACK
Database Design
▪ Normalization
▪ Database integrity with primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints
Indexes
Security and Permissions: Managing users and privileges
Data Structures & Algorithms
Understanding data structures and algorithms is crucial for optimizing code and solving
complex problems efficiently. This knowledge is fundamental for technical interviews and
real-world data science tasks.
Estimated Time: 1 - 2 months
Learning resources: Data Structures and Algorithms for Beginners
The Ultimate Data Structures & Algorithms Bundle
Essential Concepts
Big O Notation
Arrays and Linked Lists
Stacks and Queues
Hash Tables
Trees and Graphs
▪ Binary trees
▪ AVL trees
▪ Heaps
▪ Tries
▪ Graphs
Sorting Algorithms
▪ Bubble sort
▪ Selection sort
▪ Insertion sort
▪ Merge sort
▪ Quick sort
▪ Counting sort
▪ Bucket sort
Searching algorithms
▪ Linear search
▪ Binary search
▪ Ternary search
▪ Jump search
▪ Exponential search
String Manipulation Algorithms
▪ Reversing a string
▪ Reversing words
▪ Rotations
▪ Removing duplicates
▪ Most repeated character
▪ Anagrams
▪ Palindrome
Recursion
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics and statistics are fundamental for understanding data science concepts. They
provide the theoretical foundation for data analysis and machine learning algorithms.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 months
Essential Concepts
Linear Algebra
▪ Vectors and matrices
▪ Matrix operations
▪ Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
▪ Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)
Calculus
▪ Derivatives and gradients
▪ Partial derivatives
▪ Chain rule
▪ Integrals
Probability
▪ Probability distributions
▪ Bayes' theorem
▪ Random variables
▪ Expectation and variance
Statistics
Data Collection and Visualization
Effective data handling, processing, and visualization are critical for preparing data for
analysis and communicating results. This involves cleaning, transforming, exploring, and
visualizing data.
Estimated Time: 1 - 2 months
Essential Concepts
Data Cleaning
▪ Handling missing values
▪ Removing duplicates
▪ Outlier detection and treatment
Data Transformation
▪ Normalization and standardization
▪ Encoding categorical variables
▪ Feature scaling
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
▪ Summary statistics
▪ Data visualization (using libraries like Matplotlib, Seaborn)
▪ Identifying patterns and correlations
Data Integration
▪ Merging and joining datasets
▪ Data aggregation
▪ Handling different data formats (CSV, JSON, SQL)
Machine Learning Fundamentals
Understanding machine learning fundamentals is crucial for building predictive models. This
involves learning about different algorithms and how to train and evaluate models.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 months
Essential Concepts
Supervised Learning
▪ Regression algorithms (e.g., linear regression, logistic regression)
▪ Classification algorithms (e.g., decision trees, k-nearest neighbors, support vector
machines)
Unsupervised Learning
▪ Clustering algorithms (e.g., K-means, hierarchical clustering)
▪ Dimensionality reduction techniques (e.g., PCA, LDA)
Model Evaluation
▪ Accuracy
▪ Precision-Recall
▪ F1 score
▪ ROC - AUC
▪ Confusion matrix
Model Training
▪ Train-test split
▪ Cross-validation
▪ Hyperparameter tuning
Overfitting and Underfitting
▪ Recognizing overfitting and underfitting
▪ Techniques to mitigate overfitting (e.g., regularization, dropout)
▪ Model complexity management
Deep Learning
Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that involves neural networks with many
layers. These models are powerful for handling large-scale data and complex patterns.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 months
Essential Concepts
Neural Networks
▪ Basics of neural networks
▪ Activation functions
▪ Forward and backward propagation
Advanced Neural Networks
▪ Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
▪ Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs)
Deep Learning Frameworks
▪ Tools: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras
Specialization
Specializing in a specific area of data science allows you to develop expertise and stand out
in the field. Two popular tracks are Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computer
Vision.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 months
Essential Concepts
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
▪ Text preprocessing (tokenization, stemming, lemmatization)
▪ Sentiment analysis
▪ Named entity recognition (NER)
▪ Language modeling (using libraries like NLTK, SpaCy, Hugging Face)
Computer Vision
▪ Image Classification: Techniques and models
▪ Object Detection: Algorithms like YOLO, SSD
▪ Image Segmentation: Semantic and instance segmentation
▪ Generative Models: GANs in computer vision
Big Data (Optional)
Big data skills are valuable for processing and analyzing large datasets, which is essential
for certain data science roles. Understanding big data technologies can enhance your
capabilities and make you more competitive in the job market.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 months
Essential Concepts
▪ Big Data Frameworks: Hadoop, Spark
▪ Data Processing: MapReduce, Spark SQL
▪ Data Storage: HDFS, NoSQL databases (Cassandra, MongoDB)
▪ Data Ingestion: Kafka, Flume
2. COURSEWORK
1. Linear Algebra
• Definition: The study of vectors, matrices, and linear transformations, forming the
foundation for ML algorithms.
• Importance: Essential for understanding PCA, SVD, and deep learning models.
• Key Concepts: Vectors, Matrices, Eigenvalues, Eigenvectors, Singular Value
Decomposition (SVD).
• Resources:
Essence of Linear Algebra – 3Blue1Brown (YouTube)
Linear Algebra for Machine Learning – Coursera
2. Probability & Statistics
• Definition: The mathematical study of data uncertainty, critical for inferencing in ML
models.
• Importance: Used in hypothesis testing, regression, Bayesian models, and A/B
testing.
• Key Concepts: Probability Distributions, Bayes’ Theorem, Central Limit Theorem,
Variance, Standard Deviation.
• Resources:
Statistics for Data Science – Khan Academy
Data Science Probability & Stats – HarvardX (edX)
3. Calculus
• Definition: The mathematical study of continuous change, crucial for optimization in
ML.
• Importance: Required for gradient descent, cost function optimization in ML/DL.
• Key Concepts: Differentiation, Partial Derivatives, Chain Rule, Integrals, Gradient
Descent.
• Resources:
Calculus for Machine Learning – StatQuest (YouTube)
MIT Calculus Course – OCW
4. Hypothesis Testing
• Definition: A statistical method for making inferences about data populations.
• Importance: Used to validate ML models and business decisions.
• Key Concepts: Null Hypothesis, Alternative Hypothesis, p-value, Confidence
Intervals.
• Resources:
Hypothesis Testing – Khan Academy
Applied Statistics for Data Science – Coursera
5. A/B Testing
• Definition: A controlled experiment technique used to compare two versions of a
product or model.
• Importance: Used in marketing, UI/UX, and performance evaluation of ML models.
• Key Concepts: Randomized Control Trials, Statistical Significance, Conversion
Rates, p-values.
• Resources:
A/B Testing Explained – Udacity
DataCamp A/B Testing Course
6. Optimization Techniques
• Definition: Methods to improve machine learning models' efficiency and
performance.
• Importance: Required for training deep learning models efficiently.
• Key Concepts: Gradient Descent, Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), Adam,
RMSprop.
• Resources:
Optimization for ML – Coursera
Gradient Descent Explained – StatQuest
3. OTHER SKILLS
1. Case Studies
• Definition: Real-world applications of data science in various industries.
• Importance: Helps in understanding how theoretical concepts apply in practice.
• How to Learn:
- Read research papers on AI/ML applications.
- Analyze Kaggle competitions and case studies from top companies.
• Resources:
Google Cloud AI Case Studies
Kaggle Real-World Data Science Case Studies
2. Behavioural Q&A (Interview Skills)
• Definition: Non-technical interview questions that assess problem-solving and
teamwork skills.
To answer these questions, you have to follow the STAR method:
- Situation: Describe the context or background of the scenario.
- Task: Explain your role and the challenge you faced.
- Action: Detail the steps you took to address the task.
- Result: Highlight the outcomes or impact of your actions
• Importance: 80% of hiring decisions are influenced by behavioural answers.
• Common Questions:
- Tell me about yourself?
- Describe a challenging project and how you handled it.
• Resources:
Cracking Data Science Interviews – Interview Query
Mock Interviews – Pramp
3. Business Storytelling
• Definition: Presenting data-driven insights in a compelling way.
• Importance: Essential for communicating results to non-technical stakeholders.
• How to Learn:
- Practice creating story-driven reports using Power BI/Tableau.
- Follow frameworks like McKinsey’s Pyramid Principle.
• Resources:
Data Storytelling for Business – Udemy
The Pyramid Principle – Barbara Minto
4. Communication & Presentation
• Definition: The ability to present findings effectively using visualizations.
• Importance: 60% of a data scientist’s job involves explaining results.
• How to Learn:
- Practice with PowerPoint, Tableau, and Jupyter Notebook.
- Learn how to create executive-level reports.
• Resources:
Effective Data Science Communication – Coursera
Public Speaking for Data Scientists – Toastmasters
4. CERTIFICATIONS
Certificates are important for data scientist job interviews because:
1. Validation of Skills: Certificates prove your proficiency in specific tools and
techniques.
2. Credibility: They enhance your resume by showing formal training and meeting
industry standards.
3. Competitive Edge: They help you stand out in a crowded job market.
4. Benchmarking: Certificates align your skills with industry expectations.
5. Confidence Boost: They ensure your abilities and knowledge during interviews.
These are the few which you can do to enhance your skills.
Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• Website: Certified Analytics
• Link: https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/certification/cap
Data Science Council of America (DASCA) Senior Data Scientist (SDS)
• Website: DASCA
• Link: https://www.dasca.org/certifications/senior-data-scientist
Data Science Council of America (DASCA) Principal Data Scientist (PDS)
• Website: DASCA
• Link: https://www.dasca.org/certifications/principal-data-scientist
Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS)
• Website: The Open Group
• Link: https://www.opengroup.org/certifications/open-certified-data-scientist
SAS Certified Big Data Professional
• Website: SAS
• Link: https://www.sas.com/en_us/certification/credentials/data-scientist/big-data-
professional.html
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Website: Microsoft Learn
• Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/azure-data-scientist/
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• Website: Coursera
• Link: https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-data-science
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
• Website: Coursera
• Link: https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-data-analytics
Coursera Data Science Courses
• Website: Coursera
• Link: https://www.coursera.org/browse/data-science
Great Learning Academy Free Data Science Courses
• Website: Great Learning Academy
• Link: https://www.mygreatlearning.com/academy/learn-for-free/courses/data-science
IBM SkillsBuild
• Website: IBM SkillsBuild
• Link: https://skillsbuild.org/
Certifications based on individual skills:
Machine Learning Certifications
1. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
AWS Certification
2. Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer
Google Cloud Certification
3. IBM Machine Learning Professional Certificate
Coursera
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Microsoft Learn
Programming Certifications (Python, R, SQL)
1. Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp
Udemy
2. SQL for Data Science
Coursera
3. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
Coursera
Data Visualization Certifications
1. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Microsoft Learn
2. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification
Tableau
3. Data Visualization with Python (Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly)
Udemy
Data Analysis Certifications
1. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Coursera
2. Data Analyst Nanodegree
Udacity
3. Data Wrangling with Python
DataCamp
Mathematics for Data Science Certifications
1. Mathematics for Machine Learning
Coursera
2. Statistics and Probability for Data Science
HarvardX - edX
IDE and Notebook Certifications
1. Jupyter Notebook and Python for Data Science
Udemy
2. Data Science Tools (Jupyter, Google Colab, Kaggle Notebooks, etc.)
Coursera
Cloud Deployment Certifications (AWS, Azure)
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
AWS Certification
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
Microsoft Learn
Web Scraping Certifications
1. Web Scraping with Python and BeautifulSoup
Udemy
2. Scrapy: Web Scraping with Python
Udemy
PHASE 2 : JOB
SEARCH
1. HANDS-ON PROJECT
Projects are important because they demonstrate your practical skills and ability to apply
knowledge to real-world problems. They build a strong portfolio, showcase your problem-
solving abilities, and help differentiate you from other candidates. Additionally, projects
support your professional growth by exposing you to diverse tasks and industry trends. If
you're currently employed, you can showcase the existing projects of your company, whether
they're related to reporting, ad-hoc analysis, or other tasks.
What to do?
• Select a real-world dataset from Kaggle, UCI Machine Learning Repository, or
Data.gov.
• Choose a project type: Predictive modeling, NLP, Time series analysis, or
Business analytics.
• Use Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn) or R to clean, analyze, and build
models.
• Document everything in a Jupyter Notebook and upload it to GitHub or Kaggle.
• Create a portfolio website (using Notion, Medium, or GitHub Pages) to display your
work.
Resources:
• Kaggle (Datasets & Competitions) – https://www.kaggle.com/
• GitHub for Data Science – https://github.com/topics/data-science
• YouTube: Ken Jee’s Portfolio Building Guide –
https://www.youtube.com/@KenJee
Real-time Projects:
Beginner Level
1. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) on a Public Dataset
Dataset: Titanic, Netflix Shows
Example Notebook: Titanic EDA
2. Customer Segmentation using K-Means Clustering
Dataset: Mall Customers
Example Notebook: Customer Segmentation
3. Sentiment Analysis on Product Reviews (NLP)
Dataset: Amazon Reviews
Example Notebook: Sentiment Analysis
Intermediate Level
4. Stock Price Prediction Using LSTM (Time Series Analysis)
Dataset: Yahoo Finance API
Example Notebook: Stock Prediction
5. Fraud Detection in Credit Card Transactions
Dataset: Credit Card Fraud
Example Notebook: Fraud Detection
6. Movie Recommendation System (Collaborative Filtering)
Dataset: MovieLens Dataset
Example Notebook: Movie Recommender
Advanced Level
7. End-to-End Chatbot using Transformers (NLP + API)
Dataset: Cornell Movie Dialogs
Example Notebook: Chatbot with Transformers
8. Predicting Customer Churn for a Telecom Company
Dataset: Telco Churn Data
Example Notebook: Customer Churn
9. Traffic Sign Recognition using CNNs (Computer Vision)
Dataset: German Traffic Sign Dataset
Example Notebook: Traffic Sign Recognition
10. Real-time Object Detection Using YOLOv8 (Deep Learning + Edge AI)
Dataset: COCO Dataset
Example Notebook: YOLO Object Detection
2. RESUME BUILDING
Your resume should be concise, ATS-friendly, and highlight impact.
What to do?
• Use a one-page format (unless you have 10+ years of experience).
• Highlight technical skills, tools, and relevant projects.
• Quantify achievements: "Reduced processing time by 30%" instead of "Worked
on optimization."
• Include links to GitHub, portfolio, or Kaggle profiles.
• Use tools like Canva, NovoResume, or Overleaf (LaTeX) for formatting.
Resources:
• Best Data Science Resume Templates – https://resumeworded.com/
• YouTube: Resume Review by Krish Naik – https://www.youtube.com/@KrishNaik
• LinkedIn Resume Writing Guide – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-write-data-
science-resume/
Here are the top 10 resume-building tips:
1. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting
relevant skills and experiences specific to the job description.
2. Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "achieved,"
"developed," or "led" to convey your accomplishments.
3. Quantify Achievements: Include specific metrics, numbers, or percentages to
demonstrate the impact of your work.
4. Keep It Concise: Aim for a clear and concise format, ideally one page for early-
career professionals and up to two pages for those with more experience.
5. Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize both technical and soft skills that are crucial for the
role you're applying for.
6. Include Keywords: Use keywords from the job description to pass Applicant
Tracking Systems (ATS) and capture the recruiter’s attention.
7. Professional Formatting: Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts,
bullet points, and spacing for easy readability.
8. Showcase Relevant Experience: Focus on your most relevant job experiences,
projects, and accomplishments that align with the job you're applying for.
9. Include a Summary Statement: Start with a summary or objective statement that
highlights your career goals and key strengths.
10. Proofread Carefully: Ensure there are no typos, grammatical errors, or
inconsistencies by proofreading your resume thoroughly or having someone else
review it.
3. LINKEDIN/NAUKRI OPTISATION
Recruiters use LinkedIn & Naukri to find candidates. Optimizing your profile increases
visibility.
1. Profile Summary
● LinkedIn: Craft a compelling headline that clearly states your role, skills, and key
achievements. Use keywords related to Data Science to increase visibility in search results.
● Naukri/Job Portals: Write a concise and impactful summary that highlights your
experience, skills, and career aspirations. Make sure to include keywords relevant to Data
Scientist roles.
2. Experience Section
● Detail Your Roles: For each position, provide a clear and concise description of your
responsibilities, achievements, and the impact you had. Use bullet points for better
readability.
● Quantify Achievements: Include specific metrics and examples (e.g., “Increased sales
forecasting accuracy by 20% through advanced statistical analysis”).
3. Skills and Endorsements
● Highlight Key Skills: List relevant skills such as SQL, Python, ML, AI, Deep Learning,
NLP, data visualization, statistical analysis, and business intelligence tools. Ensure that
these skills are aligned with the job descriptions of the roles, you are targeting.
● Get Endorsements: Seek endorsements from colleagues, mentors, or managers who
can vouch for your expertise in these areas.
4. Certifications and Education
● Showcase Certifications: Add any relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Data Scientist,
Python/ML Certification) to your profile. Ensure they are visible and up-to-date.
● Update Education: List your educational qualifications, including any relevant
coursework or projects that pertain to Data Scientist.
5. Projects and Achievements
● Include Notable Projects: Highlight significant projects you’ve worked on. Provide a brief
description, of your role, and the outcomes achieved.
● Showcase Awards and Recognition: Add any awards or recognitions you’ve received
for your work in Data Science.
6. Recommendations
● Request Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, or
clients who can provide testimonials about your work ethic, skills, and contributions.
7. Profile Picture and Banner
● Professional Picture: Use a high-quality, professional profile picture. A friendly,
approachable image can make a positive impression.
● Custom Banner: Consider adding a custom banner that reflects your professional brand
or highlights your expertise in Data Science.
8. Keywords and SEO
● Incorporate Keywords: Use industry-specific keywords throughout your profile to
improve your visibility in search results. Tailor these keywords to the roles you are targeting.
● Optimize for Search: Regularly update your profile and ensure it reflects the latest
industry trends and skills.
9. Networking and Engagement
● Connect with Industry Professionals: Expand your network by connecting with other
Data Scientist, recruiters, and industry leaders.
● Engage with Content: Share relevant articles, write posts, and engage with content
related to Data Science to increase your visibility and showcase your expertise.
Resources:
• LinkedIn Profile Optimization Guide – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-
profile-optimization/
• Naukri Job Search Strategy – https://www.naukri.com/blog/how-to-make-your-
resume-visible-to-recruiters/
• YouTube: Optimizing LinkedIn for Data Science –
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexTheAnalyst
4. APPLY FOR JOBS
After profile optimization, start applying strategically rather than mass-applying.
What to do?
• Apply for roles that match 70%+ of your skillset.
• Customize your resume & cover letter for each job (mention specific skills from the
job description).
• Use job platforms:
General: LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Naukri, Instahyre
Tech-Specific: Kaggle Jobs, DataJobs, AI-Jobs.net
• Apply via referrals (reach out to employees via LinkedIn with a short, personalized
message).
• Track applications using Notion, Trello, or an Excel sheet.
However, remember that NOT ALL companies, like Zomato etc, are listed on job
portals—some rely solely on referrals. So, connect with people on LinkedIn or reach out
to friends to secure referrals.
Use Below Message for Seeking Referral :
Hi [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I came across an opening for [Position Name] at
[Company Name] and am very interested in applying. With my background in [briefly
mention your skills/experience relevant to the job], I believe I would be a great fit for this role.
I noticed that you are connected to [Company Name], and I would greatly appreciate it if you
could refer me for this position. I have attached my resume for your reference and would be
happy to provide any additional information needed.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of connecting further.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Resources:
• Best Job Boards for Data Science – https://datasciencereport.com/best-job-
boards/
• YouTube: How to Get Data Science Job Without Experience –
https://www.youtube.com/@KrishNaik
5. INTERVIEW
Interview preparation is a crucial step in your journey to securing a data science role. It
involves a structured approach to understanding the job requirements, refining your skills,
and practicing to present yourself confidently during interviews. Here's an in-depth guide to
help you prepare effectively:
1. Understand the Job Description
▪ Analyze Key Skills: Review the job description thoroughly to identify required skills
such as Python, SQL, machine learning, deep learning, data visualization, and cloud
computing.
▪ Identify Core Responsibilities: Understand the main responsibilities, including data
preprocessing, model development, evaluation, and deployment.
▪ Research the Company: Learn about the company's business model, industry
trends, competitors, and how data science contributes to their objectives.
2. Strengthen Your Technical Skills
▪ SQL Mastery: Practice complex queries, joins, window functions, and performance
optimization using platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.
▪ Python Proficiency: Focus on data manipulation (Pandas, NumPy), machine
learning (Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch), and data visualization (Matplotlib,
Seaborn).
▪ Statistics & Probability: Understand key concepts such as hypothesis testing,
regression analysis, confidence intervals, and Bayesian inference.
▪ Machine Learning & AI: Strengthen your grasp of supervised, unsupervised, and
deep learning techniques. Practice implementing models from scratch and using
libraries like Scikit-learn and TensorFlow.
▪ Big Data & Cloud Technologies: Familiarize yourself with tools such as Hadoop,
Spark, AWS, and GCP for large-scale data processing.
3. Behavioural Interview Preparation
▪ Use the STAR Method: Structure responses using Situation, Task, Action, and
Result to showcase problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.
▪ Common Questions:
"Tell me about a time you used data science to solve a complex problem."
"Describe a challenging project and how you approached it."
"How do you handle tight deadlines or conflicting priorities?"
▪ Prepare Impactful Stories: Highlight experiences that demonstrate analytical
thinking, leadership, and technical expertise.
4. Mock Interviews & Hands-on Practice
▪ Simulate Interviews: Schedule mock interviews with mentors or use platforms like
Pramp and Interviewing.io.
▪ Feedback & Improvement: Act on feedback to strengthen weak areas, particularly
in technical explanations and coding challenges.
5. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer
• Ask Insightful Questions: Show your curiosity and understanding of the role by
asking about:
- The key business problems the data science team is tackling.
- Collaboration between data science and other departments.
- Challenges the company faces in deploying data science solutions.
6. Showcase Your Projects & Achievements
▪ Discuss Relevant Projects: Be ready to present your previous work, emphasizing
the objective, approach, tools used, and impact.
▪ Build a Portfolio: Maintain a portfolio (e.g., on GitHub or a personal website)
showcasing your data science projects with well-documented code and
visualizations.
7. Technical Test & Coding Challenges
▪ Prepare for Assessments: Many companies test SQL, Python, and machine
learning knowledge through coding exercises and case studies.
▪ Practice Time Management: Solve problems under time constraints to simulate real
test conditions.
8. Confidence & Presentation Skills
▪ Explain Your Thought Process Clearly: Articulate your reasoning when solving
problems or discussing models.
▪ Maintain Good Body Language: Show confidence with good posture, eye contact,
and a positive tone.
▪ Practice Technical Presentations: If required to present, rehearse multiple times to
ensure a smooth and professional delivery.
Resources:
• Top 50 Data Science Interview Questions – https://towardsdatascience.com/top-
data-science-interview-questions/
• YouTube: Mock Data Science Interviews –
https://www.youtube.com/@DataScienceDreamJob
• LeetCode Data Science Questions – https://leetcode.com/discuss/interview-
question?currentPage=1&orderBy=hot&query=data%20science
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mazher Khan - IIT (BHU) - B.Tech (DR-2)
Senior Data Analyst @TARGET | Ex - OLX (EU)
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