If you went to university in the US, you likely had a college admissions counselor in high school, who guided you through the months-long process of applying to schools.
The college admissions counselor played an important role for you, helping you to get into the best school possible, coaching you how to make your application stand out and where to improve academically.
And why do we want to get into good schools? Because we want to then have good jobs and satisfying careers after we graduate.
So it's quite baffling that when it comes to job search, we are left on our own to navigate the immense and unfamiliar terrain.
As a Job Seeker, Learning on the Fly is Costly
It took me nearly a year to get my first data science job. The funny thing is, my skillset and what I could contribute as a data scientist was mostly the same at the beginning versus the end of that year. But what changed was that I learned on the fly how to interview better.
My first few interviews were disastrous. I was nervous, and unsure how to sell my experiences. Every unexpected question threw me off balance. I stammered on any topic that's not already on my script. As recruiters called to, as kindly as possible, reject my candidacy, I understood. I wouldn't have hired myself either given such poor interview performances.
That's why there is an important advice for job seekers: "Don't apply for your dream job right away."
The idea behind this suggestion is that you are expected to fail in the first many applications. But hopefully you find your voice and strengthen your candidate profile along the way. Then, only when you have become confident, should you go for that job you actually want.
But is this the only way? Do we have to embarrass ourselves and live through a few failures before we can start to shine? Even if it's for jobs we might not want, a bad interview is still a missed opportunity.
As a Hiring Manager, Missing Out on a Good Candidate is Costly
Many years later, I saw the process from the other side. As a hiring manager, I've seen countless promising candidates struggle to showcase their true potential in interviews. It's frustrating for everyone involved – we see the spark of talent, but without a polished interview performance, it's hard to justify the hire. For the hiring team, it's also a huge missed opportunity to miss out on a potentially great teammate.
Introducing Unicorn Data Science Job Search Coaching
That's why we're excited to announce our new UnicornDS Job Search Coaching. We believe that with the right guidance, you can showcase your true potential from your very first interview.
Our coaches are all practicing data science professionals with years of experience on both sides of the interview table. We've navigated our own job searches and have hired numerous data scientists. With our insider knowledge, we can help you:
- Craft a compelling resume that stand out
- Strengthen your candidacy with impactful portfolio projects that showcase practical skills
- Practice and refine your interview skills through mock interviews
- Develop strategies to effectively communicate your unique brand of value
- Understand the spectrum of data science roles, from analytics to machine learning and AI engineering
- Navigate the complexity of data science work across industries and organizations, shaping your day-to-day responsibilities
Whether you're just starting your data science career or looking to level up, we can provide the guidance, practice, and feedback you need to land your dream job – without the painful trial-and-error process.
Ready to transform your job search? Check out our Job Search Coaching page and take the first step towards your ideal data science role.
