Hire Python Developers: the 2023 Guide
As the third most in-demand programming language, Python is great for building scalable, secured, and feature-rich applications.
It makes sense that big companies like Google, Netflix, and Reddit are relying massively on pools of Python developers.
In this competitive environment, how do you find the right fit for your Python development needs?
As tech screening and interviewing experts, here’s our guide to 2023 Python developer hiring.
Why hire a Python developer for your team?
Many reasons explain why Python is one of the most popular programming languages today.
Python is a language with numerous open-source libraries, is easy to learn, integrates smoothly with other languages, and supports a variety of styles of coding.
Do your IT projects need Python developers? If your project requirements fit with one of the following cases, hiring a Python developer is the right call:
ML and AI Project
Python is the number one choice of machine-learning engineers and AI researchers. Thanks to a wide range of ML libraries like TensorFlow or PyBrain, it can support many use cases from AI engineers. It also provides libraries and APIs that enable to build charts, histograms, and plots for better data visualization.
MVP and Startup Development
You’re a startup, and you want to build a lean and functional prototype of your application. Python will allow your team to quickly develop the first versions of your products to iterate and optimize the code fast. It will make you more agile by reusing and refactoring your old code.
Entreprise Software Applications
Enterprise infrastructures are built upon multiple programming languages. Thanks to its broad connectivity with common languages like Java, PHP, and .NET, Python is great for making an application on top of big companies’ sophisticated tech stacks. It also works well for incorporating old and new infrastructure fragments.
Software Testing
QA automation specialists love Python for its ease of coding and reading. Automation engineers can implement descriptive and easy-to-report tests without running a compiler. It also admits a lot of automation testing frameworks that are among the most versatile, like PyTest or Robot.
What are the required skill sets you need to look for?
Regarding hard skills, you should look for candidates with a good understanding of Python ecosystems. Whether for junior or senior positions, you should make sure they know the basics of :
Python Syntax and Libraries
A Python developer should have an in-depth knowledge of Python syntax, standard libraries, and Pythonic programming style. These include concepts like list comprehensions, decorators, generators, context managers, and more. Standard libraries like os, sys, JSON, and requests should be part of the developer’s toolkit.
Python Frameworks
Python’s versatility is enhanced by its various frameworks. Knowledge of web development frameworks like Django, Flask, Pyramid, or FastAPI is crucial. For data-focused roles, understanding data analysis libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, or SciPy is necessary. In the case of machine learning, they should be proficient in libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn.
Pythonic Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Python implements OOP with a unique twist. Understanding how Python handles classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation is crucial. Proficiency in Python’s special (dunder) methods, like __init__ or __str__, is also necessary.
Asynchronous Programming with Python
With the rise of Python in web development and data streaming, understanding asynchronous programming in Python has become crucial. Developers should be proficient with asynchronous I/O handling using asyncio library and concurrent programming principles.
Python Virtual Environments
Python developers should understand virtual environments and package managers like Venv, Pipenv, or Conda. These tools allow for better managing project dependencies and Python versions, thereby preventing conflicts and ensuring reproducibility.
What’s the average cost of a Python developer?
According to Glassdoor, in 2023, the average salary of a junior is $91750, $110360 for a middle-level, and $162520 for a senior Python developer in the US.
To that, you can add the cost of the recruitment itself ($4000 on average) and the cost of the employment benefits (29.6% of the salary on average in the US).
For freelance developers, you can expect an hourly rate of $25 – $75 for junior-level, $50 – $150 for Mid-level, and $100 – $250 for senior-level developers, according to Clouddevs.
Where to source Python developers?
Python developers know they are in high demand. So you can’t just wait for them to come to you. You need to leverage the most relevant channels for your search.
Job boards
Python.org
You should start with the official website. Python.org is the website where you can post job offers for everyone. The submission guidelines are strict in formatting, but you can access a qualified pool of candidates directly.
Remote Python
Are you open to remote candidates? Remote Python is specifically made for tech candidates all over the globe. It’s not the most active recruitment platform, but you will find motivated and diverse Python developers.
Hired
Hired is a popular match-making service between tech recruiters and tech candidates. As a recruiter, you can get pre-vetted Python developers for your requirements. You can filter based on primary skills, secondary skills, and domain expertise.
Dice
Dice is the largest tech job board. You can post your job ad, fine-tune your skill taxonomy, enhance your employer branding with Dice’s built-in features, and attract the right Python developers. Dice is well-known among Python candidates, so there’s a good chance you’ll find the right fit there.
Indeed
Better maximize your chances for your job ad to be visible. Indeed is the biggest job board in the US. You can reach millions of potential candidates for your Python developer offering by posting on it. Many tech candidates check their Indeed job alerts daily, so be visible.
Proactive sourcing
GitHub
GitHub is a go-to place for Python developers to share their work or check for other Python libraries. On it, you can review the profiles of many Python enthusiasts and practitioners. You can find users with specific projects and specializations and connect to them on their preferred social media.
Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow is a Q&A platform where developers answer the questions and problems of other programmers who need help. Many Python experts advise junior members and give their insights on different issues around Python coding. If you’re hiring for specific expertise, you can see if there are any related discussions and reach out to the main contributors.
LinkedIn advanced recruiting tools are potent for targeting specialized Python profiles. You can use the advanced Boolean filters to refine your search lists of candidates based on experience, job title, and location. You can also check out dedicated Python groups and communities to find experienced developers.
Outsourcing
Upwork
Upwork is the number one website for freelancers. Many freelance Python developers check the new project opportunities on the platform and maintain a detailed profile. You can search through the Upwork database and find the one that fits your mission requirements and cost. You can also post a precise description of your mission, wait for a hundred candidates to apply, and interview the most relevant ones.
Gun.io
Are you looking for top tech freelancers? Gun.io delivers tech professionals with recognized experience. You can connect with Python specialists, whether they are ML engineers, top lead software developers, or seasoned data scientists. You just have to define your budget, requirements, and geography, and you’ll be matched with developers that fit your project.
Toptal
Toptal is a well-known freelance marketplace that only keeps 3 talents applying to the platform assessed and interviewed. They can connect you to a vast pool of highly qualified freelance Python developers to work on your ambitious project. You just have to give your requirements, and within 48 hours, you’ll be interviewing freelancers that fit your projects.
Screening and interviewing Python developers: our best practices
Once you have sourced many Python candidates, you must narrow them down to the most promising ones. What we recommend to you at CoderPad is to set up a screening and interviewing process in 3 steps :
Technical assessment
How do you know if each of your Python candidates possesses the right technical skills for your job? The best way is to run technical assessments with questions related to Python coding. You can give them online coding exercises that they can go through asynchronously.
For example, you can ask questions such as :
- What is the difference between the “is” operator and the “==” operator in Python? (junior level).
- What is a lambda function in Python? How is it different from a regular function? (intermediate level)
- What is a generator function in Python, and how is it different from a regular function? (senior level)
By basing yourself on their objective performance on these tests, you’ll be already able to filter out some candidates.
Live Coding Interview
Technical skills are a first start, but you must also know how well you’ll work with them. Live coding interviews enable you to assess their thought process and communication skills in real time. In these interviews, you get them to complete a Python coding project while you can answer their every question and give them immediate feedback. The traditional way of doing it was a whiteboard interview, but now you can use an online interviewing platform to make it easier to interact and talk.
Our best practice for live coding interviews is to enable your candidates to work in a realistic Python development environment (IDE). You also want to give them access to the most fundamental libraries and even provide them with Python frameworks like Django or Web2Py.
During these interviews, you can also prepare questions depending on their seniority :
- Junior Python developer: do you like coding with Python? Are you eager to learn more about this language and become a Python expert?
- Senior Python developer: What expertise have you gained in Python development? What do you like and dislike about Python?
- Lead Python developer: how do you feel about leading a team of developers? Do you have previous experience?
The live interview is the best time to evaluate the Python coding skills of your candidates in action. See how your candidate faces unexpected difficulties, whether they ask for help or not, and how they resolve problems creatively. Make the most of it!
Cultural-Fit Interview
Another critical step in recruiting your new Python developer is to review your candidate’s work ethic, expectations, and aspirations. Will your candidate feel like an integral part of your team and company? It’s your job to make sure it is the case.
Our best practice is to do a first short introductory call before interviewing. You can ask candidates about their background, motivation, and experience. It will give you an overview of their aspirations and see whether they’ll fit your company culture well.
You should also set up an onsite and peer interview with your last candidates. You can invite them to talk with the team members and even work with them on a small project. You can highlight the company’s employment benefits and share fun office rituals. Remember, this is about securing your last candidates and showcasing how nice it is to work in your company.
CoderPad: ensure you hire the right Python developer
CoderPad is a platform that gives you more confidence when recruiting Python developers. It helps you streamline your technical screening and interviewing and give you objective factors to base your decision on. It allows you to :
- Narrow down your list of candidates with tailor-made Python questions and exercises.
- Code together before working together, thanks to a live coding interview platform based on Python projects.
- Be confident when choosing the right Python developers with objective and fair scoring systems.
Do you want to hire the best Python developer for your team? Try CoderPad for free.