Python programming language is the second most popular and the fastest-growing programming language. Thus, hiring Python engineers who know the latest is of utmost importance.
What are the right questions that’ll help you filter out the right candidate? If you’re wondering the same, we’ve got you covered. In the following sections, we’ll discuss:
3 skills to look for in Python developers
5 technical interview questions to ask Python developers and possible answers to expect
5 exploratory interview questions to ask Python developers and possible answers to expect
Now, let’s begin with the 3 skills you must look for before you hire the best Python developers:
3 Skills to look for before you hire Python developers
Knowledge of core Python
The developer must have a solid grasp of the primary concepts of Python, including:
Data structure
Data types and variables
File handling
Exception handling
Object-oriented programming
Knowledge of Python frameworks
Python frameworks speed up the web development process. The frameworks achieve the same by eliminating the need to worry about low-level aspects including threads, sockets, and protocols.
A dedicated Python developer must know the crucial Python frameworks such as:
Bottle
Django
Flask
Web2Py
A great Python developer can quickly develop a web app prototype with Python frameworks as the developer won't have to type repeated code.
Knowledge of Python libraries
Python offers over 267,000 projects. Thus, it’s highly likely whatever the developers strive to create is already present in the libraries with enough documentation.
A skilled Python developer will easily find, study, and implement packages present in the Python ecosystem with ease. Furthermore, the developers will use the active community to receive help from developers around the world as well.
Before hiring a Python programmer, you must ensure they're technically sound. Here are 5 questions for you to judge the interviewees' technical knowledge.
5 Technical interview questions, before you hire Python developers
How do you manage memory in Python?
A good Python developer would know the Python Memory Manager stores memory in the form of private heap space. A skilled Python developer will also mention that the private heap space is inaccessible even to the programmer.
Furthermore, a skilled Python developer will know that Python offers an in-built garbage collection for recycling the unused memory of the Python private heap space.
What’s PEP 8, and why is it essential?
A good Python developer will know PEP or Python Enhancement Proposal is an official design document. Furthermore, the developer should broaden the area they cover with their answer by saying PEP offers information to the Python community or describes a new feature and its processes.
Furthermore, the best Python programmers will know PEP 8 documents the style guidelines for Python code. They will tell you that you must follow the style guidelines to the T to contribute to the Python open-source community.
How would you sort a dictionary in Python?
When you hire a remote Python developer, you'd want them to work autonomously. This question will elicit a response that lets you judge the thinking ability of a developer. The answer will reveal whether a Python developer knows the use of the sorted() function to sort a dictionary.
A skilled developer will tell you the method inspects three parameters — object, key, and reverse. The developer should know the object parameter is mandatory while the key and reverse parameters are optional. Furthermore, an excellent Python developer will know the sorted() function helps to sort any iterable objects by a key, including tuples and lists.
What’s a dynamically typed language?
A skilled developer will tell you data types that are checked during execution are dynamically typed languages.
The goal of the question is to assess whether the developer knows Python is an interpreted language. Thus, executes each sentence line by line and performs type-checking on the fly. That’s why Python is a dynamically typed language.
What’s the scope in Python?
A skilled developer will know a scope is a block of code where an object in Python remains irrelevant. Furthermore, the developer should know every object in Python functions within a scope.
An excellent developer will also tell you namespaces to uniquely identify each object inside a program. The developer will know these namespaces have a defined scope for them where you can use their objects without any prefix.
Along with the technical questions, ask the interviewee 5 exploratory questions to assess their mindset and ability to spot and solve problems, among other skills.
5 Exploratory interview questions to ask to hire Python developers
Can you remember a failed programming project decision you made? Why was it a mistake? What did you learn from the experience?
The goal of the question is to analyze how the developer figured out the decision was wrong. Furthermore, focus on how the developer corrected the mistake and how the lesson changed their approach in future projects.
If you’re satisfied with their answer, that’s a good reason to hire those Python developers.
Pretend I’m not a tech person. Explain Python in simple terms to me.
You’re a tech expert. However, the client won’t necessarily be one. Thus, the Python developer must convince the clients of the benefits of Python.
Furthermore, being able to explain such a complex subject in simple terms shows how well the developer understands Python.
Share a time when you were in conflict with a colleague and how the situation was resolved.
The goal of the answer is to assess the ways a Python developer takes to resolve conflicts. A skilled employee will be firm about the argument they’re making while being respectful to their colleague.
Furthermore, resolving conflicts showcases the developer’s leadership skills as well.
What’s the most complex thing you know a lot about? Tell me about it.
The answer will show you the depths of the developer’s knowledge. The deeper the knowledge, the better the developer.
Furthermore, focus on the way the developer explains the topic. The developers should be able to explain the complex topic in simple terms.
How would you implement an unpopular plan you made?
The answer will show the developer’s ability to offer a logical argument, convince people, and stand by their decisions.
