How much Python do I really need to know to land my first dev job?
Posted by Secure-Hornet7304@reddit | Python | View on Reddit | 39 comments
Hey everyone, I’ve been working as a Data Analyst at an energy distribution company for about a year and a half. My long-term goal has always been to build the skills needed to transition into a developer role. I feel like it’s finally time to sharpen my knowledge and make that pivot — but honestly, I still feel like I know nothing, even though I’m a bit of a Swiss Army knife in my current job. Here’s a quick overview of what I already know and where I’m at: Several Python certificates (Coursera and Cisco). Certified and experienced in SQL databases (DDL and DML). Comfortable working with Linux systems. Process automation experience using PDI Spoon and batch scripts. Currently studying Data Analytics and Machine Learning with Python. I haven’t worked with APIs or HTTP requests yet, and my English level is low, but I’m improving. Where should I focus next? Do I need to go deeper in Python itself, or start learning web frameworks, APIs, or something else to move toward a dev job?
takacsmark@reddit
It really depends where you wanna apply. Some companies will hire you based on your past projects and willingness to learn and generic problem solving skills. They will work with you, see how it goes and train you on the job. For them you are job ready right now, you just need to find them.
Some other companies will make you write a rigorous python test with tricky programming tasks. If you wanna target one of those, then find their past tests and practice exactly what is needed.
People usually perform differently in simulated situations and real-life, so there are more and more companies who do not require coding tests. Your experience is solid and your enthusiasm is unique. I think the key question is what you wanna build and specialise towards that and find the right company to work with.
awadmoh@reddit
So basically find the target and aim for it.
Away_Molasses5479@reddit
Introduction to Python: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq01-l0uiqTei_W8pHX10cAl8vxMB8K_m
JjPiper123@reddit
Pivot to AI. Programmers will be obsolete soon.
kivicode@reddit
Not to sound rude to the OP, but it’s pretty much equivalent to „how much hammer do I need to know”. Programming languages are tools, what matters is what you can build with them.
Answering the actual question, it greatly depends on where you wanna pivot. If you’re a data analyst, perhaps MLE would be a good place for you. Then it’s all about learning how to train, analyze, and apply models. If you’re look for more backend-ish development - then continue with the DBs, learn how to build APIs, how to work with clouds, etc
Drevicar@reddit
But what is the answer? How much hammer do you need to know to get a job as a hammer?
traveler_747@reddit
MLE it is very hard to switch when you beginner I think… MLE it’s like backend dev middle +
Spikerazorshards@reddit
“I dream of a day when developers will not be judged by the language they code in, but by the problems they are able to solve with it.”
oblivion-age@reddit
🏆
Mohakin@reddit
To add to this. I landed my first dev job this year and it's heavy in python and will be branching into Go and Rust. Python will become legacy for us.
In my instance I only had very basic Python knowledge but have built a few things in Go, Java and JavaScript early on. That along with being able to trial some work with the team lead to me getting the job. My knowledge with Python since has increased dramatically.
What u/kivicode said in his post is the absolute truth. Languages are just tools. Understanding and being able to build and implement different structures and role related specifics are what matters and not so much the language itself in my opinion.
Dark_Souls_VII@reddit
This is actually perfect. I mainly write scripts in Bash, PowerShell or Python. I’m not the best programmer but I deploy neat scripts because of what I know about system administration and how to solve certain problems efficiently. So people who know Python way better than me, still write worse scripts for these tasks. It’s just as you said. The language is just a tool.
boston101@reddit
I shouldn’t laugh , but the hammer analogy is hilarious,
rkhan7862@reddit
very good though
DonSoapp@reddit
You won't get a job just by knowing python these days.
lukewhale@reddit
What lands you jobs is the ability to learn and adapt to what you’re thrown into.
I guarantee few things you’ve learned will be applicable. It’s your ability to consume and adapt that matters.
Secure-Hornet7304@reddit (OP)
In fact, I applied everything I have learned in my current job. I learned databases and spoon independently and without an instructor, but I arrived knowing Python.
I know I can hyper-focus and learn whatever is put in front of me, I just need to say that it is the essential and distinctive thing that will make a recruiter say "I want you on my development team."
oblivion-age@reddit
AI is good enough that you could request some real world types of projects for what xyz role portfolio.
lukewhale@reddit
Chicken V Egg right ?
Good luck sir
plscallmebyname@reddit
Python alone has never landed me a job. What would you do with Python matters more, than actual skill in language itself.
It could be database programs, linux processes or whatever the main components of business solutions are.
Python in general is used as a glue language to talk between multiple systems.
Secure-Hornet7304@reddit (OP)
I have seen many offers on LinkedIn requiring Python for backend, but they are very inflated offers, for Senior. I need something that fits more to my reality.
SirAwesome789@reddit
It's kinda like saying how much English do I need to know for a sales job, like, there's a prerequisite amount but they aren't looking at how much English you know, they wanna know what you can do with the English, how well you can use English to sell things
Recently I got a job where I'll be using mostly Java, I've never used Java professionally, maybe just a bit in school, not that I told them that. Throughout the entire interview process, I only used Python. They just understand that I have the underlying skills and that I'll be able to pick up Java as I use it.
Leather_Power_1137@reddit
Those jobs require skills and knowledge that can be implemented via Python, or other languages or tools. I actually don't think there is any job in the world where you will be qualified with some minimal amount of "Python knowledge." You will always need some other kind of knowledge or skill that you will use Python to apply. Like others have said, that could come in many forms. It might be machine learning, data analysis (in the form of statistics and/or data visualization), finance, engineering, physics, chemistry, engineering, data processing (ETL), database administration, cybersecurity, systems administration, software development, or whatever. But it's never just "we need to hire someone that knows what a dictionary is, can write a list comprehension, knows how to use dataclasses, and knows the ins and outs of OOP in Python and we can teach them the other stuff they need to know." Python is an extremely easy language to learn how to use moderately proficiently. Whatever set of skills and knowledge a job requires, it's going to much easier to hire someone that knows all the other stuff and expect them to pick up Python than vice versa.
creative_tech_ai@reddit
While you're not wrong, an easy way to weed out applicants is to make very specific requirements about the tech stack someone has experience with. This is probably what the OP is thinking of with this question. While someone with 10 years of Java experience could technically pick up Python and do the same job as someone with 10 years of professional experience with Python, the reality is that the person with Java experience will be weeded out on the first pass of filtering applicants. It isn't that common for companies to hire someone with no experience in their tech stack, but experience in another somewhat similar tech stack, and train them. So in addition to Python, most companies will require experience with Flask or Django, SQLAlchemy, Celery, etc., for a web back end dev. Experience with Java and Spring Boot, especially when there are plenty of devs with experience in their tech stack.
AlexTaradov@reddit
The job is for "backend", not for "Python". So, the correct questions here is how much backend do you know, not how much Python do you know.
Pvt_Twinkietoes@reddit
What have you deployed?
nekokattt@reddit
Focus on REST APIs
foobarring@reddit
Don’t chase certificates, chase commits
MissingSnail@reddit
Does your current employer hire developers? It may be easiest to target openings at your current employer where you can figure out the key skills you need by talking to the folks doing the work.
If that is not possible, then read job ads to understand how the market matches your skills and interests.
Mohakin@reddit
This right here. If your company uses some form of communication like Slack, reach out to some people. Ask genuine questions about their roles. Making those connections may not land you a job with your company or immediately at any company but it can and will help you with your career.
You would be surprised how many people are willing to have meaningful conversations with people who are genuinely interested in what they do. When a new role comes up, the person who showed all that interest in a lot of cases I've seen, will be mentioned usually as a possible fit.
Secure-Hornet7304@reddit (OP)
There is a development department. It is a very large company and is distributed in several locations. It is not easy to obtain information and job descriptions do not usually represent the reality of what is done or required (I know this from experience in my own role).
I am preparing before using a contact to make that first approach to that development department.
Zireael07@reddit
I landed a Python job after doing the Python roguelike tutorial on Roguebasin. And not much beyond that.
That toy roguelike attempt (or two, because the latter swapped out a different rendering lib for libtcod) taught me Git and basic Python, and that was enough for the job (which is still my current job, and I learned A LOT on the job)
OddSignificance4107@reddit
It depends on your bullshitting game
Pvt_Twinkietoes@reddit
Building things aren't just about tools.
liimonadaa@reddit
Have you considered looking into more data engineering or devops roles? Might be closer to your experience but also get you closer to dev.
msdamg@reddit
You should be able to at least design a class with a purpose and create methods and handle attributes for them. Be comfortable in popular libraries (pandas, polars, sqlalchemy, requests, itertools, etc)
Id likely throw in SQL as well since Python typically uses it quite a bit in my experience
Maleficent_Sir_7707@reddit
All this study yet not 1 project. Stop just studying learn the basics and then start coding google when you need to, to get hired they need to see you can put knowledge and logic together. Also python alone is very hard to get you a job i started html and css, and now its html, css, sass, JavaScript, python, c# and mysql thats not including node.js etc... the tech world is ever evolving so my advice is start doing portfolio projects look at github to see how projects are put together read or try to read other people's code, look at projects in the sector you want to get into see the tools (languages) used learn them and try to make your own tools for example I got sick of always going to news sites to search for news i created a scheduled news scraper, I then modified it to send me an email daily with the headlines that one simple project shows i can work with languages, im able to use modules like SMTP and selenium solved a real world issue doesn't have to be a netflix website get what im saying.
BranchLatter4294@reddit
Show some projects you have worked on.
BasedAndShredPilled@reddit
Certifications are nice on paper, but I haven't come across any jobs requiring them for Python. In your case it might help, since you may not have a lot of job experience. It's hard to say "how much" programming knowledge is required. And I wouldn't worry about feeling like you don't know much. Everybody gets that way.
curious__trainer@reddit
as much as you can