Finding and Preparing for the Right Job (Coursera)

Finding and Preparing for the Right Job (Coursera)

Finding and preparing for the right job in the DS/AI field can be tricky. In this course, we will explore how the job market has vastly different descriptions for the same job title, how to identify what a company is really looking for, and how to search the “hidden” job market. We will also overview major skills areas experts recommend revisiting before applying for jobs in this field, how to tailor your resume to catch the eye of a DS/AI hiring manager, and how to create a stellar portfolio. Finally, we will discuss the importance of marketing yourself and tips and tricks on how to do it well.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Decipher job descriptions with the same titles to discern the different skill sets needed.
• Recall the major skill areas experts recommend revisiting and identify which skills to refresh in preparation for DS/AI applications and interviews.
• Make their portfolio and resume stand out by applying tips specific to the field.
• Recognize how to market themselves and how career fairs, connecting with recruiters, and networking can help.
• Describe what kind of networking is beneficial in this field.

Course 2 of 3 in the Interviewing for DS/AI Roles Specialization.

What You Will Learn

  • Identify which skills to refresh in preparation for DS/AI applicaitons and interviews.
  • Make your portfolio and resume stand out by applying tips specific to the field.
  • Recognize how to market yourself and how career fairs, connecting with recruiters, and networking can help.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The Job Search
Welcome to Module 1, The Job Search. In this module, we will overview DS/AI-specific job-search strategies including how to tell what a company is really looking for no matter the job title. We will also practice how to conduct a targeted job search and identify the “hidden” job market. Finally, we will compare two job postings with the same title and identify the differences in skill expectations and descriptions.

WEEK 2
Skills to Brush Up On
Welcome to Module 2, Skills to Brush Up On. In this module, we will identify the major skills areas experts recommend revisiting before applying for data science jobs. We will also list what specific skills should be studied for each of the four major data science job categories. In our group discussion, we will identify and share what skills we personally plan to brush up on and why.

WEEK 3
Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters
Welcome to Module 3, Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters. In this module, we will discuss the importance of portfolios and resumes as well as the surprising lack of importance of cover letters for this field. We will also identify specific tips and tricks to improve your resume and overview what should be included in a portfolio to make you stand out. Finally, we will apply the module’s core concepts to update our own resumes, portfolios, and cover letters.

WEEK 4
Marketing Yourself
Welcome to Module 4, Marketing Yourself. In this module, we will explain why marketing yourself is an important key to landing interviews in your desired field. We will learn how to market yourself, including how to connect with recruiters, how to build your online presence, and why and how to attend career fairs. In our group discussion, we will describe what kind of networking is beneficial in this field and one new strategy we plan to implement to better market ourselves.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs (Coursera)

This is the eighth and final course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Together, these eight courses will equip you with the skills you need to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity job. In this course, you will focus on making decisions and escalating incidents to stakeholders. You'll develop the communication and collaboration skills needed to inform and influence stakeholders within an organization.

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Land Your Next Role (Coursera) Coursera
Aptly

Land Your Next Role (Coursera)

Land Your Next Role will help job seekers find, prepare for, and land that next job. With practical guidance on how to showcase your skills, how to write a resume and cover letter, how to find job listings, how to decipher job descriptions, how to network, how to prepare for an interview, what to expect in an offer letter, and more, Land Your Next Role will be a valuable tools for those asking, “What’s next?”

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Career Planning: A Pathway to Employment (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Career Planning: A Pathway to Employment (Coursera)

This course is designed to foster creative approaches to launching a new career. You will articulate best ways to make a first impression and analyze your strengths by creating a personal statement. You will identify appropriate elements to make your resume stand out from the crowd. You will also identify the most effective ways a cover letter can answer a job description, and how to best leverage social media in your job search.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Preparing for Your Retail Customer Service Role (Coursera) Coursera
CVS Health

Preparing for Your Retail Customer Service Role (Coursera)

This course provides resume and social media presence guidance to learners looking for a career in customer service. This allows you to optimize your resume for a customer service position and be prepared for your first interview. In addition, you will apply your knowledge gained over the previous courses in the program to a hands-on project that allows you to demonstrate the skills you’ve learned in each course.

Aug 3rd 2026
2 Weeks
Cybersecurity Job Search and Interviews: Getting Started (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Cybersecurity Job Search and Interviews: Getting Started (Coursera)

Are you planning to have a career in cybersecurity? This course can help you plan your preparation for such a career as well as give some advice on finding positions and landing a position. What you will learn: the process and resources for finding the perfect cybersecurity job; the cybersecurity professional’s role in an organization’s cybersecurity effort; the knowledge preparation for the cybersecurity professional from an education versus training perspective.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Coursera) Coursera
IBM

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Coursera)

In this course you will learn what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is, explore use cases and applications of AI, understand AI concepts and terms like machine learning, deep learning and neural networks. You will be exposed to various issues and concerns surrounding AI such as ethics and bias, & jobs, and get advice from experts about learning and starting a career in AI. You will also demonstrate AI in action with a mini project.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
English for Career Development (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

English for Career Development (Coursera)

Welcome to English for Career Development, a course created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in advancing their careers in the global marketplace. In this course, you will learn about the job search, application, and interview process in the United States, while comparing and contrasting the same process in your home country. This course will also give you the opportunity to explore your global career path, while building your vocabulary and improving your language skills to achieve your professional goals.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence (Coursera) Coursera
Salesforce,SV Academy

Foundations for Interviewing with Confidence (Coursera)

This is Course 2 in the Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate. In order to successfully complete the course, please ensure you have taken Course 1: Groundwork for Success in Sales Development. The goal of this course is to prepare you to build your professional tech sales portfolio, and develop and leverage your personal and professional brand.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Google Data Analytics Capstone: Complete a Case Study (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Google Data Analytics Capstone: Complete a Case Study (Coursera)

This course is the eighth course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to complete an optional case study, which will help prepare you for the data analytics job hunt. Case studies are commonly used by employers to assess analytical skills. For your case study, you’ll choose an analytics-based scenario. You’ll then ask questions, prepare, process, analyze, visualize and act on the data from the scenario.

Jul 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Fundamentos para entrevistar con confianza (Coursera) Coursera
Salesforce,SV Academy

Fundamentos para entrevistar con confianza (Coursera)

Este es el curso 2 de la certificación profesional para representantes de desarrollo de ventas de Salesforce. Para completar con éxito el curso, asegúrate de haber realizado el curso 1: Bases para el éxito en el desarrollo de ventas. El objetivo de este curso es prepararte para construir tu cartera de ventas de tecnología profesional y desarrollar y aprovechar tu marca personal y profesional. Estarás preparado para triunfar en tu entrevista y dejar una impresión duradera en tu futuro empleador. Estas habilidades te llevarán a la puerta de una empresa de tecnología de rápido crecimiento y lanzarán tu carrera de ventas de tecnología.

Jul 27th 2026
4 Weeks