Preparing for a Python Interview: 10 Things You Should Know

[@ravishankar-eu2ij]

Here's the summary: 1. Know how to code on whiteboard/white paper. 2. know the control flow in python like loops, if statement, switch statement etc 3. Know the basic built-in data structure like list, tuple, dictionary also know how and when to use them. 4. Be able to discuss how you've used python in your projects 5. Fundamental problems in python(based on data structures and algorithms) 6. Know how to use list comprehension, why it is fast? 7. Know how to use generators(Why generators are efficient?) 8. Learn basics of Object Oriented Programming. 9. Prepare some question for the interviewer. 10. Know some other fundamental technologies like git etc.

[@Anvesh2013]

switch?

[@cup-of-char]

@@Anvesh2013 Kind of like an if/if else/if else/if else/...

[@Anvesh2013]

@@cup-of-char Yeah. there isn't a switch in python... but, there's a nice way using dicts.. { 'a' : func_a, 'b': func_b }.get(case, func_default)()

[@girishadevan2411]

how to write the code with tuple in python?

[@rainbowVax]

thanks for saving me 20 minutes

[@DomenicoTanzarella]

It would be good to have a 2020 edition of this video. Few things changed in the last 5 years ;-)

[@8cyber.muse8]

I agree.

[@skullkidn64]

I concur

[@zn8jt]

which things exactly?

[@electronicjo1]

@@zn8jt Looks like he's using python27. There have been syntax changes and improvements. xrange, for example, has different behavior in python27. By defaullt in Python3, range() returns a generator object.

[@rahulpatel4701]

yes

[@shuvra03]

This guy rocks. I also want to add more. Interviewers has a tendency to ask from Python Advanced topics: Iterators, Generators(why very good), lambda function, decorators, class properties, yield, deep/shallow copy etc. You must read them before interview.

[@sumizoheb8887]

All of us would like to have an 2023 version of this video, this is such a great resource. Thanks a lot for putting it out there!

[@PavelKarateev]

`try/except` and `with` are also useful to know

[@coreyms]

+Pavel Karateev Great suggestions. Exception handling and context managers would definitely come in handy.

[@xitaris5981]

0:37 #1 Know how to write code on a whiteboard or paper 1:30 #2 Know basic python control flow 2:52 #3 Be able to discuss how you've used python 4:48 #4 Know how to solve common interview problems 8:45 #5 Know basic python datatypes and when to use them 11:08 #6 Know how to use list comprehension 12:39 #7 Know how to use generators 15:00 #8 Know the basics of OOP 1800: #9 Have Python related questions ready to ask your interviewer 19:47 #10 Know the basics of other technologies

[@pjbrito]

00:37 #1 Know how to write code on a whiteboard or paper 01:30 #2 Know basic python control flow 02:52 #3 Be able to discuss how you've used python 04:48 #4 Know how to solve common interview problems 08:45 #5 Know basic python datatypes and when to use them 11:08 #6 Know how to use list comprehension 12:39 #7 Know how to use generators 15:00 #8 Know the basics of OOP 18:00 #9 Have Python related questions ready to ask your interviewer 19:47 #10 Know the basics of other technologies

[@Marcus001]

Thanks

[@evolutionisnear]

(Summary for future reference, great video btw!) 1. Know how to write your code on whiteboard/piece of paper 2. Know basic flow control (for loops, while loops, else, elif) 3. Be able to discuss how you've used Python in the past (If you haven't wrotten one do one, gives example of web scrapping) 4. Know how to solve common interview questions (ex. Fizz Buzz- Looping through #'s, Fibonacci Sequence, google python interview questions) 5. Know basic data types and when to use them (strings, tuples, dictionaries, lists, sets) - Ex. Why use a tuple over a list? Bonus: Understanding data structure and functionality of what these data types do; ex. dictionary being a hastable 6. Know how to use list comprehensions ( view video on Comprehensions) 7. Know ho to use generators (when to use generators and when not to use them) 8. Know the basics of OOP (get sample file/sample program and write hem over and over again until it feels natural, Also be able to explain the components like what self means and how to make an instance of a class, how to override methods) 9. Have python related questions to ask the interviewer (ex.whether they use python 2 or 3, be able to answer their followup questions, ex. databases, unittesting) 10. Know the basics of other technologies (ex. version control-git, linux commands, databases work) Just know the basics (T shaped skillset example) Search for other interview resources, don't take just one persons advice!

[@finalfantasy7820]

I haven't seen "xrange" before and did a quick research. It does the same job what "range" does in Python3. So you no longer worry about memory management using range in Python3.

[@coreyms]

That's correct. Python 3 has done a great job of changing a lot of their built-ins over to be more performant, but it's still good to know how to use these generators yourself so that you can loop through your own data efficiently.

[@dr.drakon3928]

Yeah same thing i did when saw xrange.

[@olee_7277]

thank you for this I was about to get mad after trying it and getting all these errors. I hope my interviewer is going to be on py3 lol

[@cagataysunal1130]

You should definetly read a documentation about the differences between python3 and python27. Pretty much essential. Besides there's not that many differences and it should take you a day at max.

[@mherify]

I like how you prefer making HTML presentations rather than Powerpoint or Keynote ;)

[@MichaelYells]

He has to get that Flask practice in!

[@surkewrasoul4711]

2023 edition would be super helpful, I am pretty sure I will come back to this in less than 6 months time and see if I can improve my skills on some of the topics mentioned in the video. Thank you.

[@Amankhan-cl1dq]

For people who is preparing for interviews to get a job into IT companies follow these tips: 1. Brush up your programming skills use platforms like hackersearth for practicing problems. 2. Topics like data structures and algorithms, DBMS, computer networking, OS, software engineering etc should be at your finger tips. You have to be really good in those subjects specially in DSA. 3. Go through interview questions and give mock interviews.

[@traveling_exile]

Xrange() is now deprecated as of python 3.

[@dragosmanailoiu9544]

Michael O'Brien just put range

[@ganeshkashyap8573]

This 23 min (approx) video was just what I need a day before. Thanks for the time and patience for explaining it. For freshers, python is like a huge ocean, just make sure you get your feet wet before going for interview because, you will have all the opportunity to learn during the training and Job. Again to Corey Schafer, thanks for the help.

[@nw3052]

Your comment is a relic of the past really. Nowadays you need much more than "wet feet" to get a job it feels like.

[@marek_mv]

Great video Corey. I agree with the latest comments that it would be great to do updated version of this video since this was recorded 7 years ago.

[@Grinwa]

Dude this Guy really knows what he talking about, 3:38 that's actually my first project using python and i intently loved it i have faced different issues i managed to solve them i learned so much, and just this morning i had this idea 4:20 of writing a script that prints files in specific folder and be able to filter the files extension you want i really needed it because am dealing with a whole lot of files and some of them are duplicate but i had no idea how to do it but now i can do it so thank you so so much You are a legend to me ❤️ And i really feel great when playing around with python

[@oleksandrromanchenko5436]

Thank you Corey! I've watched your video and guess what 1st question I got at coding interview? - "write the function which generates Fibonacci sequence with the use of generator yield"! Many thanks, man, your video helped me to answer this question!

[@sudhirsharma6807]

The info is gold. I just ran thru this and it was a piece of cake cracking my google interview. Thanks Corey.

[@dannymurphy2823]

Corey i know this video is from 2015, but its great to see this and get prepared ahead of time..thanks again for helping all of us all out

[@amandaperez7502]

I had the ping pong question a few months ago, I thought it was rather an interesting question and gave me perspective to myself. This was a question for a non developer position too! interviews are scary no matter what kind of job you are looking for. Always dress to impress! and don't go on an empty stomach. I thought this video gave some great insight and was well laid out. Thank you!

[@justinc2633]

You should make an updated version of this especially with remote work, and maybe with some pointers for people who are self taught

[@elllot_]

Great stuff! One thing to note though: a Dictionary would be considered a HashMap rather than a HashTable. Sets would be more in line with a HashTable. I guess you can argue that the implementation for a HashMap would most likely be a HashTable, but I just wanted to make that distinction in terminology.

[@sawirusj4230]

at 13:14 def fib(n): a,b = 0,1 for i in range(n): yield a a,b = b, a + b for item in fib(10): print(item)

[@21subho]

I must say, all the points you said are absolutely on the point. Writing code old school style (i.e., using paper ) is must. I failed an interview due to that.

[@sethhardenn]

This REALLy helped me a ton! You broke down a few concepts that were really straining my brain. Thank you

[@pjbrito]

00:37 Know how to write code on a whiteboard or paper 01:30 Know basic python control flow 02:52 Be able to discuss how you've used python 04:48 Know how to solve common interview problems 08:45 Know basic python datatypes and when to use them 11:08 Know how to use list comprehension 12:39 Know how to use generators 15:00 Know the basics of OOP 18:00 Have Python related questions ready to ask your interviewer 19:47 Know the basics of other technologies

[@maniven1976]

Hi Corey, Great job in sharing your thoughts and experience. Appreciate your good intentions to get the starters up to speed. Nobody gives this for free. Thanks again ! This will be relevant for all seasons and times !! Thanks!

[@dzik1815]

It would be good to have a 2022 (almost 2023) edition of this video. Few things changed in the last 7 years :)

[@newsjuice7404]

I am extremely grateful to you Sir I am absolutely obsessed with python coz I understand it after watching your tutorials May Allah bless you (Ameen)

[@SambitAcharya121]

This was a wonderful refresher video Corey. Please make one more covering the advanced concepts.

[@PoYoTheWild]

I believe it is beneficial to know basics of Stacks too nowadays, also basic functions like push, pop, peek

[@McEw]

Thank you man! I'm a freshman in college and I'm sure this will help out in the future.

[@teslyai]

😳

[@glokta1]

@@lalitjoshi97 He dropped out of college and has his own custom cleats company

[@teslathemukemmel2732]

@@glokta1 really? 😀

[@sarychewa]

are you a programmer after 4 years ?

[@J_prath]

Lol

[@activestate]

Great ideas all around, especially with past projects, good luck to all of the interviewees!

[@marcc1179]

Haha, I am happy to find that I am familiar with most of the topics that you mentioned....I have just learned Python and Django for 4 month!!!

[@mattyice1151]

Great information man KZbin solves any problem

[@Badosoft]

Thank you Corey Schafer, you are simply a blessing to this generation. will contact soon

[@Acecool]

For #3, good ideas are simple games using existing packages, such as pyglet... being able to create a game, even if it is simple, such as one I did in college - it turned out to be the most advanced in the class which was kind of sad, but... it took a background, of any size, and a crosshair stuck to the center until you are at the edges then it unlocked. The camera was separate and you'd shoot at birds. There was a reload sequence with proper mechanics. ie: reload an empty gun and get 7 rounds, or 6+1. reload the magazine and you get 7+1. simple animations for flying, for dying, etc. -- there was music, bullet spread, and other mechanics in place. ie: A lot was demonstrated and it also demonstrated that you can look up documentation, interpret them correctly, and implement your own ideas. Another one is integrating package contents into one of your projects. This can be anything. Another one I did was to create photoshop style filters, and image manipulations using jython, I think it was... such as simple desaturation, to stretching / transforming in various directions, to drawing a border of little boxes which don't delete the image, just alter the color, another one with static - with or without removing detail... and more. I've done so much, it's hard to list them all - but so far all of your suggestions are good - I'll continue from 3. For #9, it should be general questions... Programming questions... ie: Does your company have a set coding standard, if not - why not. If so, what are some of the specifications... UpperCamelCase, lowerCamelCase, airy( coding ), or(not), do you use tabs or spaces. My preference is tabs because it can take a 1MB file down to 100KB ( real world situation and it is massive in terms of waste ) despite the 'guidelines' from PEP8 say to use 4 spaces.... If no coding standard - evaluate the code, and come up with one - because maintaining code that looks like it was written by 50 different people is ugly, hard to read, etc... Ask if they like to repeat code, or if they create building blocks so they only have to update in one place vs hundreds. You'd be surprised how many people code this way and duplicate code - find a tiny issue such as gui code and accidentally didn't consider that the screen starts at 0, 0 and have a 1px discrepancy and have to now fix that in all of their gui code instead of just the functions. It is always good to know SQL - but writing SQL can be very tedious especially the more advanced stuff... I ended up writing something in Lua, for a game framework I was working on - and I plan on porting it to a few other languages, which generates SQL based on very simple instructions. It can generate queries that are pages long - stuff ranging from simple 1 line queries, to joins, pivots, and more by just typing out a few lines of code such as new query. add where, join.. update vs retrieve - etc... The downside to writing these systems that write SQL for you, even if you designed it and it works flawlessly is the fact that it works flawlessly... Because you now use it for everything - you no longer write SQL. If you can generate a 3 page query with a few lines of simple calls - why waste time writing a 3 page query? Practice - obviously, but if you are working on a project, time matters... Python properties are useful to know about. Dynamically generating functions, etc.. also very useful.

[@lepidoptera9337]

I have been programming Python for like 25 years now on a regular basis and I still don't know how print formatting works. I guess I would fail an entry level Python interview. :-) Thank god I can architect and develop entire embedded systems on my own (using C, C++, Python, Javascript, VHDL, Verilog, printed circuit board design tools, analog circuit simulation tools and mechanical CAD software, not to mention that I taught myself the use CNC machines now) and so I don't have to do freaking interviews any longer. Just shows you that experience can't actually be tested with language syntax questions. What you really want to do in an interview is to task the applicant with something that he or she has not seen, yet, and see how he or she reacts. That is what really happened at all my interviews. With regards to computer languages I told them that I suck at remembering language syntax and that what I will write on the board will probably cause a syntax error, so they should treat it more like pseudocode. And even with that true statement I always got hired on Engineer IV positions. This was right out of school, mind you, I never had to do supervised engineer I-III work in my entire life.

[@MrVineet09]

RE (regular expressions) also good to know !!!

[@НиколайГабриэль-ф9ш]

Thanks for the video. Your English is very easy to understand.

[@zma314125]

Thank you man. You're a really good teacher. Learn a lot in all your videos.

[@raphaelpz]

As usual an amazingly clear and useful video, thanks a lot

[@yl95]

This video is gold ❤❤❤

[@r-algoengineeringbigdata5863]

Great tips on interviews! Learning both Python2 and Python3 can play a big role in the success of the interview.

[@WinchesterD]

Thanks for the video. If these are the questions for an interview, I defenitely have a chance to get on a June's position.

[@kiplimocollins]

Thank you. Went through this yesterday and a couple of hours just before my interview, hope I get it!

[@kiplimocollins]

@Bum Bum I did thank you for asking, it really helped me out.

[@nsaagent4349]

I love your Videos. They helped me a lot to get more detailed explanations about the different Python programming concepts :)

[@eudo81]

Thanks for the Cntrl + Space shortcut.!

[@theegreatestever2420]

Thank you a lot! Love from South Africa

[@salyoshkin]

What you write in python in 1 line, in R you write that in couple of sympols. The best language!

[@akhmet274]

This guy is really good cause a lot of lack video going on here especially with terrible undistinguished accents

[@JonathanKarr33]

I really enjoy your videos, and I hope that your channel continues to grow. I just subscribed, and it's amazing to see that we have a very similar passion for teaching others to code on KZbin.

[@gobindpunjabi135]

Sir .. i love your.video... you're so clear and crisp... thank you so much

[@eastwardape9841]

Corey, you're the best!

[@DucaTech]

I would also suggest looking into f-string or the string interpolation, e.g. print(f'I am {name}'). I've went into a lot of interviews where they test you on your cleanliness of code, and DSA aka data structures & algorithms. You're given 40 - 60min per question and they're intense; need to understand time & space complexity.

[@bikkikumarsha]

22 minues? totally worth it !!! thanks..

[@Beny123]

The gold standard question these days is what project/s have you been working on? Some kind of automation and web dev seem to be the bare minimum. I have seen some applicants having a few games under their belts. A portfolio website does most of the above things in one blow .

[@abhirup2003]

You are awesome! Thanks so much.

[@totpotator]

I started to learn python 3 month ago and know most of these stuff. Man, that's relife

[@hectormoreno-bravo8399]

Great video man! Thanks for making this

[@such6028]

06:18 weed out is a strong word.

[@Poex11]

Interviewer: How did you learn Python? Me: Corey Schafer Interviewer: Youre hired

[@edwardCYHsu]

Very good advices. I thank you very much!

[@BrendanMetcalfe]

Clear explanation of some core skills - nice vid!

[@sirknumbskull3418]

I once was questioned about how to define a class. I had a total blackout. Like I just realised, that python can have those.

[@CristiNeagu]

The biggest issue with examiners asking those "typical" questions is not that they are not representative of the real world, but that if the examiner has to resort to asking those types of questions they probably aren't qualified enough to evaluate the applicant properly.

[@varungm7172]

Truly helped. Thank you

[@DMSAProductions]

Thank you so much! great code examples exactly what i was looking for to be prepared!

[@anuraagch9048]

Thanks a lot brother.This video helped me a lot.

[@allanalex5006]

Love you bro. One of the Best Explanation 😍.

[@FilterYT]

Thanks Corey, that was a thoughtful video.

[@Theoneandonly88able]

After you finished the beginner tutorials 1 through 9 what videos would you recommend watching after those videos? I just finished video 9 for the python tutorial beginners section and I'm not sure what to watch next. thanks for you response.

[@skrclips99]

Great advice. Thank you so much

[@XPrinco]

Really good advices! They are very sensate and usefull!

[@huruimeng4880]

Thanks for sharing!!!! lesson learned!

[@ac2italy]

xrange is deprecated in Python3

[@satoshinakamoto171]

Please make 2020 version of this...

[@hirekaanmanasseh4692]

This was really useful thanks alot

[@Einstine1984]

That's an awesome list! Thanks

[@dalsunkim329]

Comprehensive advice.

[@michalmikulasi5193]

i am glad you made this video because i can at least repeat the most basic concepts. however its like trying to apply for a job as a plumber and knowing barely what a pipe is. this cant be enough. if anyone with this amount of skill gets a job i will eat my shoe

[@coreyms]

This isn't really meant to be an all-encompassing video showing everything you need to know in order to get a job, but rather how to prepare for an interview and what to touch up on beforehand.

[@michalmikulasi5193]

i dont even know why i am criticising since i should be actually thankful for what you have taught me

[@coreyms]

No worries... it's definitely a valid criticism. I've changed my opinions somewhat since making this video and plan to do a more in-depth video in the future about the best data structures and algorithms to understand in order to solve problems efficiently, and perhaps tie that into a new preparation video. I appreciate the feedback. Honestly.

[@christinichka]

Thank you! This information is super helpful!

[@xekis]

Also, now that it's 2019 you should use python3 in interviews if given the choice though there is still a lot of python2 still out in the wild.

[@toddntasha]

This is great information and I am just learning Python online with Codecademy. Great advice.

[@skillfulactor09]

Todd & Tasha Vlogs is codeacdemy good

[@coolvideos9773]

Have you finished with your python? I am thinking to start learning it to get a better job.

[@the_original_dreamer]

great start here for sure *subscribed

[@shaktib5788]

Well written doc.

[@shivajohari2249]

Very comprehensive and researched list (y)

[@josephbenadam]

God bless you Thanks for sharing your experience. I use to think that I had to be an expert on each topic but I forgot that we are humans and not computers.

[@LGseeker]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@sharukhshaik7476]

Thanks! it helps a lot

[@amortalbeing]

Please note that tips such as the one mentioned in 14:33 no longer holds for Python3 as in in Python 3 items() returns an iterator and never builds a list fully unlike Python2.x

[@pavankumargurrala7216]

You are Amazing.

[@ermiasgio]

Great video Corey, thanks.

[@haoyangrocks]

Great advice! Thank you for all the super useful tips

[@fsa157]

Great video!

[@esteban-alvino]

Thanks, preparing for interview, I think your advice apply for any job offer, thanks, just one can update to this time. Thanks

[@rebiiahmed7836]

Thank you very much Corey !!!! I'am preparing job interviews in Tunisia and France :)

[@georgepark423]

Thanks Corey!!!!

[@brahimboughanem208]

thank you schafer

[@uncoil]

Hey Corey. What's your experience in Python/CS/interviewing? Do you regularly interview candidates? Etc. just for some context. Cheers

[@coreyms]

+Tabletop I sit in on many interviews, but I do not conduct them myself at the moment. I've also been through the interview process several times specifically for companies hiring Python developers. This list is composed from personal experience as a candidate and also as someone who has sat in while candidates are interviewed. Good question. Thanks. I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@mhovmark]

You rock Corey!

[@ShawkingIT]

Fantastic video! Very informative and I found it to be very helpful.