Referrals: The Most Effective Way to Land Data Science Interviews
Mastering the power of asking
I read somewhere that the top 3 fears among people are:
Public speaking
Heights
BugsCold messaging a stranger asking for a referral.
I’m kidding of course, but there is no doubt that asking for a referral can be daunting.
The problem is that after coaching so many aspiring data scientists trying to break into the job market, I realize that not enough people are incorporating it into their strategy.
But it’s not exactly the “fear of asking” that holds people back, it is usually the irrational fear of getting rejected or being vulnerable.
For me, I had this stubborn mentality that I could do it all by myself and didn’t need to ask for help (a.k.a. be vulnerable).
Until the day that, against every instinct, I forced myself to make the Ask during a career fair (which I followed up with a LinkedIn message).
Back then, I dreamed of working at Google. I had already applied three times and even sent a video cover letter once, but all I had to show for it were three really nice-looking rejection emails.
Yet, all it took was one kind stranger to say “yes” and refer me to land that precious interview.
Today, I want to help you master the art of asking, by giving you specific strategies to get referrals for data science roles.
These are the same strategies I’ve used over the years to help me get referrals and land interviews at top tech companies such as Viaplay and Spotify.
Remember, It’s not enough to just ask, if you want to increase your chances, you need to apply the right strategy depending on who you are asking, present yourself correctly, and time your message strategically.
Let’s get to it.
📣 What perks do you get as a paid subscriber?
Full access to all public + premium posts.
A free copy of my Data Science Project Ideas PDF (2025 edition).
A free copy of “Data Science Interview Case Studies (2025 Edition)“.
A 25% off coupon for a 1:1 mentoring session.
Occasional live Q&As and exclusive workshops.