"Treat the job search like a data science problem" 🤯 Also, I second this recommendation on social media (or just building things)... I'm now fortunate enough that I don't have to apply to jobs and companies typically reach out me.
I feel this a lot as I am currently transitioning from my customer service role (for the past 7 years) into data analytics. I've been job hunting since June and no luck so far. 92 job applications sent, 6 initial interviews, 1 interview with a hiring manager but no job offer so far. I've done projects and tailor fitted my resume and cover letter to be relevant to the fields that i am applying to and did pro bono work to have a relevant work experience for my resume, and still nothing. While doing my projects, I've come to love analytics more and more despite the rejections so I am 100% certain about my career shift. However, burnout from the job rejections is slowly creeping in. To add insult to injury, I've seen entry/junior level positions that's asking for 5 years of experience in the field. I just hope to see something positive in my career in this field Informative video as always Ken! You have been instrumental in my career shift and journey into data science and analytics. Papaya!
wow if that graph about the job market is true then that explains a lot about my situation. I graduated college in May so around March-May is when I started getting really desperate for a job and it felt completely hopeless. couldn’t even get anything but automated rejection emails. Spent the summer doing the “upskill” portion of this video, waited tables while living with my parents and working on a portfolio and certifications. around August I started noticing more attention from recruiters, and I finally got a really good job offer in September! Hopefully things work out for me
@@KenJee_ds honestly i cant say for sure. i dont believe i did anything special. i simply sat down and grinded linkedin applications consistently over a long period of time while slowly updating and refining my resume, cover letters, and interviewing skills. to be quite frank i believe im a little under qualified for the position but i lucked out with a director that saw and appreciated my drive and passion to get better. i think he saw himself in me a little bit as he mentioned that he also came into the role under-qualified and then grinded his way to the top. he even mentioned that with another employee he simply enjoyed her as a worker so he brought her into his team and then trained her up to be a good data analyst. in addition, i noticed that they mainly were interested in my portfolio and projects during the interview. so all in all i would say it was a little bit of drive and hard work in developing my portfolio and skills, and lucking out with a good director who looked past the name of my degree or the number of years of experience listed.
One of your most helpful videos so far! Straight to the point and real/honest advice. Lost my job two weeks ago. Was not in tech. Graduated with a math degree two years ago. I’ve self studied data science related projects on the side but never did enough studying to get the role in tech. This helps motivate me to just get it done and study hard for the next few weeks. Made a better resume and staying on top of applications. Thanks for everything you put into your channel Ken! Really lifted me up today
This video is indeed very helpful. I concluded many of the points made here on my own over time. I also very much look forward to the video on contracting. There are entire courses dedicated to teaching data scientists/ML engineers on how to be freelancers. Although I'm happily employed where I am, I want to at least explore the option of being my own boss someday.
I'm embarrassed to admit it but I never gave much thought of observing the statistics of job hunting or the specialization of data science jobs. Thanks for the eye opener.
Is there a big difference between logistics and data-related jobs (besides the job title)? I find right now there are huge opportunities in the logistics or supply chain field which all lack good data management and analytics practices. It was the only way I was able to get my foot in the door in the competitive market and use that opportunity to learn and develop.
Ken Jee, awesome video! Please, make that video about independent contracts over full time jobs at big companies. Also, talk about freelancer possibilities. Thank you very much!
I actually have the stats for my entry level hit rate: 10 interviews/461 applications = 2% Senior level hit rate: 23 interviews/36 applications = 52% It gets easier (or maybe I was just lucky the second time around)
Hi Ken! Thanks for this video. It's very helpful. I''d like to watch the contracting videos. I'm starting in data science with previous experience in business analysis, and I'd like to build something and be a contractor.
Goddamit I've been sticking this career path since graduation but hit a brick wall twice after 1.contract ended in Dec 2020 and 2. a major lay off Summer 2023. I guess it's my Waterloo in 2020 but come on it can't be twice?!
Hello Ken, great video. I would like to ask you some questions: Do you think it's possible to create an extra layer of automation to outperform the job market? I don't have a university degree, and I'm not aware of how much of a disadvantage that puts me at. Should I consider bootcamps? Furthermore, I'm thinking of starting a DS YT channel, beginning with explaining the basics. Any suggestions before I start? Thank you very much for your content.
Hey! Yes I think it is possible to create that automation. I don’t think you need to do a boot camp as much as creating a good portfolio. I would do that then reassess. For RU-vid, just do it! Hardest thing is putting the first one out there
Very informative and factual as always. Thanks. I have a question, hope I could get some advice from you. I really like the processing, model building, date modeling and mathematical and coding side of data science but hate the reporting and communication side, which is also my weakness point. Which specialized role should I apply for and pursue?
Thanks for watching! This is a good question. I would generally recommend looking at data engineering or ml engineering roles, there is more of the stuff you enjoy
I follow the strategy of networking more and applying to smaller set of positions. I much prefer informal networking to formal networking, I wish there was more of it.
For data science projects, how much would you recommend creating to make one stand out the most? And what project topics do you recommend? I have no idea which topic I wanna choose rn. From your experience, how long did it take for you to create a beginner data project?
You can do beginner projects to learn, any of the popular ones are fine. If it is for your portfolio, you want to try something original. I have a data science project playlist and a bunch of videos on the topic that could help!
Yep, I was thinking that when I was making it haha. I think with sunk cost, the money is already spent and unusable, while in this case it is knowledge which is still accessible!
