Job searching is hard. Not news. Going from one field to another is even harder. You'll never hear me say it'll be easy to take your career into data science. A core belief of mine is that it is hard to make that transition.

If you updated your LinkedIn and didn't add 10–20 new connections, and also make an effort to initiate a conversation with those folks, did you really update your LinkedIn?

To make the transition, you need the skills to be a data scientist, or the ability and willingness to acquire those skills, plus the time needed to implement a full range of strategies that will get you there. If you've been working on this transition and you're not making as much progress as you'd like, this article is for you.

Spoiler alert: It is probably too soon to throw in the towel. Use this article as a checklist. If you cannot honestly say you've employed each of these tactics — it is too soon to throw in the towel.

If you're navigating the tough journey of the data science job search, I urge you to pause, take a breath, and read on.

1. The Resume is Your Golden Ticket

Updating your resume is a key step. But that is not all. There are right ways, and not-so-right ways to make your updates.

To secure an interview, you need to stand out. Ensure your resume is tailored to each position. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with automated applicant tracking systems and use tools like jobscan.co that can help you gauge the effectiveness of your resume.

2. LinkedIn — The Data Science Hub

LinkedIn is more than just a professional social network. For data science professionals, it's a bustling community. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned professional, an optimized LinkedIn profile can do wonders.

Okay, let's define "wonders." Wonders on LinkedIn are specifically when recruiters start contacting you, asking if you will apply to the job they are looking to fill.

• Read my research on why LinkedIn is indispensable for data professionals here.
• Regularly updating and networking can result in recruiters reaching out almost instantaneously.
• Aim to connect with professionals in your desired field, especially those who can provide insights or job leads.

If you updated your LinkedIn and didn't add 10–20 new connections and also make an effort to initiate a conversation with those folks, did you really update your LinkedIn?

3. Harness the Power of Cold Emailing

If you haven't tried cold emailing yet, you're missing out. Beyond just sending an email, it's about creating connections:

• Use my tips from the article, Connecting Yourself (Or Others) With Data Science Hiring Managers, for effective cold outreach.
• Remember to be specific, concise, and clear about your intentions. Add links to your portfolios, articles, and more.
• Follow-ups are vital. A gentle reminder can sometimes be the nudge someone needs to respond.

Others hate doing this. It feels "salesly" I hear. But I love it because when executed well, it can be a way to connect with folks you would have no other way of meeting. There is a smidge of luck in this strategy. And this strategy alone is not going to get you the job. But this strategy, combined with others, is a boost to your efforts.

4. Dive into Informational Interviews

Networking is not the most effective job search strategy. However, we also know from empirical evidence that it is not the least effective. You can read more about how folks find jobs here.

Thus, while it is an overstatement to say networking is the heart of job searching — it is also a serious mistake to not include this strategy among your efforts in the job search and transition.

As you expand your LinkedIn circle and send cold emails, you'll undoubtedly stumble upon professionals willing to chat:

• Engage them in coffee chats or informational interviews.
• Use these opportunities to gauge how you're perceived in the industry.
• Seek diverse opinions. One negative feedback isn't the end; gather insights from multiple sources to get a clearer picture.

It is a numbers game (or at least you can make it into one). Be on the lookout for folks who are more chatty — and those folks are the ones you invite to a coffee chat — don't invite everyone.

5. Seek Support from Friends and Family

Your inner circle might be more powerful than you think. Friends and family can be gateways to new opportunities. Share your journey with them, and they might connect you to the right people or resources.

Bonus advice is that, at least for purposes of a job search, you should consider former boses, former co-workers, and former employees among your "friends and family."

These former (or past) professional connections know you. They know your strengths. They hopefully appreciated you in the past — and hopefully may currently appreciate you and wish you well. Accordingly, if you ask them "know of any job opportunities that might be a good match for me" or "know of any employers that I'd be a good fit with," they'll have an informed opinion.

If friends and family don't know about your search, they can't help you with your search.

6. Recruiters — Your Bridge to Opportunities

Whether you've had previous encounters with recruiters or are entirely new to them, they can be an invaluable resource to you.

• If you've interacted before, now's a good time to re-establish those connections.
• If you're new to recruiters (have yet to have heard from any — or if it has been too long since you've heard from one), lean on your network. Chances are, someone you know has a connection that can lead you to a recruiter specializing in data science roles.

Wrapping It Up

Remember, while the journey might be tough, every effort you make propels you forward. Each effort grows more effective when combined with other efforts.

No one strategy alone can get you a new job in a new field. You have to leverage all of these in concert with each other.

If, after trying all these strategies, you still feel the need to step back, know that it's okay. But always remember to gauge the breadth and depth of your efforts before making a final call.

No matter where you are in your journey, know that I'm here to support and guide you. If you're delving into data science or need advice, feel free to reach out.

Wishing you the best in your search

Thanks For Reading

Are you ready to learn more about careers in data science? I perform one-on-one career coaching and have a weekly email list that helps data professional job candidates. Contact me to learn more.

Thanks for reading. Send me your thoughts and ideas. You can write just to say hey. And if you really need to tell me how I got it wrong, I look forward to chatting soon. Twitter: @adamrossnelson LinkedIn: Adam Ross Nelson.