How Data Scientists Can Benefit from Using LinkedIn More

The truth is, that LinkedIn is a great platform for data scientists if used properly. If done effectively, you can connect with other data professionals, learn about new trends, and even find job opportunities. 

So let’s discuss how to use LinkedIn to your advantage as a data scientist to find a new job, highlight your expertise, and expand your network.

Highlight your skills on your profile page

Even though this is well-known, it’s worth mentioning. Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume and it’s the first piece of information that recruiters will likely see of you. So it’s important to make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your skills and experience. 

A way of doing this is by being sure to include a summary of your skills and experience, as well as a list of your relevant projects and publications. You can add links to your projects easily with LinkedIn via their project tab. Another thing you can do is add keywords to your profile so that potential employers can find you when they search for data scientists.

These are only a few housekeeping items related to your profile page so make sure that your first impression is solid.

Showoff portfolio pieces, especially visualizations

Everyone knows that a strong portfolio of your work to show potential employers is critical. A resume can tell people about you, but projects show potential employers you are able to apply the skills on the resume. It was mentioned in the last section but I’ll say it again, make sure you take the time to include relevant projects on your projects section of your LinkedIn profile page and take the time to share them on your feed. 

Even if they’re work in progress, it’s a great way of showcasing what you’ve learned, what you’re learning, and how you’re learning. All of this is a gold mine of information that together are more telling than a resume alone. 

Ask questions and engage with the community

LinkedIn isn’t Reddit; being a lurker won’t help you. Instead, it’s a great place to ask questions and engage with the data science community. You can join AI groups, follow thought leaders in the field, and most importantly participate in discussions. This is a great way to learn new things, stay up-to-date on the latest trends, and network with fellow data scientists.

Reach out to others/connect with people for collaboration

It goes without saying, but networking isn’t going away. If anything, it has become more important as noise related to user activities quickly fills screens which can drown you out. That’s why LinkedIn is a great platform to reach out to other data scientists, get to know them, and even collaborate on projects. You can connect with people that you know or even connect with those you may not know, but be sure to leave a personalized note. 

Apply to jobs

It’s likely you were wondering how long it would take to get to this point! The fact is that LinkedIn is a place that was created to help job seekers connect with potential employers. Not only that, but LinkedIn can help demystify what to expect when you apply for a specific type of job. If you’re hoping to make the leap into data science, a LinkedIn job posting can help guide you on your learning path so you can pick the skills that are in demand. 

With that said, LinkedIn is a great place to apply for data science positions. You can search for jobs by keyword, location (remote, hybrid, in-person), and company. You can also set up job alerts so that you’re notified when new data science jobs are posted based on specific criteria that matter to you.

Conclusion

As you can see, LinkedIn is a powerful tool that data scientists can use to connect with the community, learn new things, and find job opportunities. By following the tips you can get on the right foot to make the most of your LinkedIn profile. 

Now if you’re ready to go beyond LinkedIn, then you don’t want to miss ODSC West. At ODSC West this October 30th to November 2nd, you’ll be able to get the skills you need to shine on your resume, connect with those looking for data scientists, and network with others in the field to learn from. Learn more here before ticket prices go up soon!