GW Data Science - Resume Do’s and Don’ts - Format and Content Guidelines

Sep 13, 2026

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A concise guide focused on crafting a GW Data Science resume that is easy to read, ATS-compatible, and results-driven. It specifies practical layout choices such as page length, margins, font families, consistent formatting, and spaced section structure. It also provides content rules for factual accuracy, tailored keyword alignment, appropriate contact details, and careful wording. It highlights common errors to avoid, including confusing abbreviations, first-person usage, confidential data, and excessive visual elements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

RESUME DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S

DON’TS

Resume and Cover Letter Guide GW Data Science RESUME DO’S AND DON’TS DO’S • Page Length: 1 or 2 pages (full pages are preferred, but if needed, you can have 1 1/2 pages). • Margins: Top and bottom margins can be set at 0.5”. Side margins should be around 0.8”. • Font Size: 10. 5, 11, 11 . 5 or 12-point font preferred. • Fonts: Garamond, Calibri, Cambria, and Georgia are preferable styles to Times New Roman. Use only one font style. • Be consistent with format: If you use all capital letters for a section, do the same for all sections. If you write out dates using numbers instead of months, do that throughout. If you end bullet points with periods, make sure they all end that way. • Use a condensed style of writing: Omit articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) . • Have spaces in between sections: The employer needs to be able to read your resume easily. • Use Microsoft Word to draft and convert to PDF to submit: Send with a clear title, e.g.“Resume, First and Last Name, Position Title”. • Be factually accurate and error-free: Make sure you can prove that any results you include, including percentages, are a direct result of your work. • Use key words from the position description when tailoring for a specific opportunity. • Include your name, phone number, city and state, LinkedIn and GitHub addresses, and email. • Use your judgment when including acronyms or abbreviations: Don’t assume that the reader will know what they stand for. If the job posting uses one then you can too. DON’TS • Use abbreviations unless necessary: If used, specify what they stand for before using-e.g. Natural Language Processing (NLP) . • Minimize your results: Use strong action words and results-based accomplishments to highlight your achievements. • Include a message about “References available upon request” on your resume: Hiring managers know to ask about your references if they need them. • Use first person on your resume: Remove any use of “I,” “me,” “we,” “our,” or “my”. • Use articles in your bullet points: No “the”,“a” or “an”. • Use confidential data from former employers. • Use graphics, photos, tables, or any odd formatting: Resumes should be clear and easy to read, either by an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or a person. First Name Last Name Washington, [DC | XXX-XXX-XXXX | name@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/X | github.com/X](DC | XXX-XXX-XXXX | name@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/X | github.com/X) | EDUCATION | | --- | | The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Master of Science, Data Science (GPA 3.75) Expected Dec 2025
• Student Associations: GW Data Science Student Association; GW Coders
• Relevant Coursework: Data Mining, Data Warehousing
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Bachelor of Science, Statistics (GPA 3.85) May 2024 | | PROJECT EXPERIENCE | | Prediction of Fake Reviews Jan – May 2024
• Built automated system using Python to predict whether given review was likely to be from real user; led to reduction in “fake” reviews of 8% .
Product Recommendations Model Sept – Nov 2023
• Developed machine learning model to recommend restaurants to customers based on reservations history and browsing behavior. | | PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE | | CRAZY COMPANY LLC, Alexandria, VA
Data Research Intern May – Aug 2024
• Cleaned and prepared raw datasets for 4 distinct projects with competing deadlines; brought all results in ahead of schedule.
• Monitored data quality for social media team, improving accuracy of engagement figures by
15% .
GW DEPARTMENT OF DATA SCIENCE, Washington, DC
Machine Learning Teaching Assistant Jan – May 2024
• Taught new graduate students various concepts in machine learning, explaining complex ideas through visualizations, lectures, and one-on-one advising sessions. | | TECHNOLOGY AND LANGUAGE SKILLS | Programming Languages: Python, R, MATLAB, C/C++ Data Management: SQL, MySQL, NoSQL(Dynamo, Redis, MongoDB), AWS, Google Clo

FAQs

What resume formatting details does the guide recommend for a GW Data Science resume?

Use 1–2 pages, set top and bottom margins to about 0.5”, side margins around 0.8”, and prefer 10.5–12 point fonts. Choose one font style (e.g., Garamond, Calibri, Cambria, Georgia) and keep section formatting consistent while leaving spaces between sections.

What content practices should be followed when tailoring the resume?

Ensure statements are factually accurate and error-free, prove results (including percentages), and use keywords from the position description for the specific opportunity. Include required contact information such as name, phone, city/state, and LinkedIn/GitHub and email.

Which common mistakes should be avoided according to the guide?

Avoid unnecessary abbreviations without defining them, minimize results with weak action wording, and do not use first-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “we,” “our,” “my”). Also avoid including confidential data and using graphics/photos/tables/odd formatting that may hinder ATS or readability.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Levi