[SFS] Fwd: How to ace your Python interview

[David L. Willson]

I don't get paid for this. I am sending it because I think some of you can use it. 

If you're unsatisfied with what you're doing or what you're making, read this, even if you don't give a rip about Python. 

Wait, here's the TLDR: volunteer 

Do what you want to do for love and money, for love alone, for a while, so you: 
1. can claim experience, 
2. can present *evidence*, and 
3. you look *good*, instead of falling apart when someone smart asks you a question that's germane to the domain.

My colleague, Dan Bader:

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Dan at Real Python" <info at realpython.com>
To: "DLWillson" <dlwillson at thegeek.nu>
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2019 8:29:00 AM
Subject: How to ace your Python interview


Hey David, 

I get a lot of questions from coders looking for advice on how to get a job as a Python developer. 

For the most part, the questions are pretty similar: 

“How can I prep for a technical assessment?” 

“What interview questions should I know how to answer?” 

“How do I know that I’m qualified to apply for a Python job?” 

I see variations on these all the time. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of developers answer them and make progress towards finding a job that uses Python. 

But every now and then, I get a question that’s a little bit hard to believe… 

Like the one I received from this newsletter subscriber: 

~~~ 

I am trying to find a job to continue my career as a software engineer. 

Most of my professional experience is in technologies that are not sought after as much as they used to be (particularly Perl). 

I’m a solid engineer, but on more than one occasion I’ve been turned away because I don’t have as much specific Python in my professional toolbox as they’d like. 

How can I prove to employers that I can handle software challenges using Python as a tool, even though I haven’t used it professionally for very long? 

~~~ 

It sounds like this developer is looking for a job in Python, but most of their professional experience has been in Perl. 

If they’re applying for Python jobs when there’s nothing but Perl on their resume, then… 

Well, what do you think the outcome is going to be? 

Often, the people who are responsible for hiring us are not developers. 

They may not understand the similarities and differences between various programming languages. 

They might not be able to extrapolate how well you’d be able to work with Python after years of developing with Perl. 

All they know is that the senior developer asked them to find someone with solid Python experience. And if your resume doesn’t show that, you’re not going to make the cut. 

If you want hiring managers to believe you can handle Python, then you have to show them that’s the case. 

And if your job doesn’t offer any opportunities for you to use Python, then you’re going to have to get creative! 

Spend some time coding up projects you can use as portfolio pieces, and put your code up someplace that’s easy see. 

Write blog posts that explain how to use third-party libraries. 

You could even start a podcast or YouTube channel to teach other coders how you learned Python! 

And yes, these are all things that you can put on a resume. 

They establish your expertise as a Python developer. As long as your projects are clean and professional, then you shouldn’t hesitate to use them in your job search! 

Look, you have to make the hiring manager’s job EASY. 

Give them exactly what they want. Don’t leave them guessing about whether or not you can do the job. Just show them. 

Looking to prove that you know Python? Check out the Real Python courses for ideas you can use to fill up your portfolio: 

[ https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNjIxNDUwMCIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiODU5ODM5Mjc0MiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcmVhbHB5dGhvbi5jb20vY291cnNlcy8_X19zPXBqYzVhZ3dzY3NodXF6aHBqcXR4In0 | → https://realpython.com/courses/ ] 

Happy Pythoning! 

— Dan Bader