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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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)

[@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.

[@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

[@mherify]

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

[@MichaelYells]

He has to get that Flask practice in!

[@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.

[@sudhirsharma6807]

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

[@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!

[@sethhardenn]

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

[@traveling_exile]

Xrange() is now deprecated as of python 3.

[@dragosmanailoiu9544]

Michael O'Brien just put range

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@SambitAcharya121]

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

[@yl95]

This video is gold ❤❤❤

[@activestate]

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

[@mattyice1151]

Great information man KZbin solves any problem

[@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)

[@raphaelpz]

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

[@nsaagent4349]

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

[@zma314125]

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

[@justinc2633]

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

[@НиколайГабриэль-ф9ш]

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

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@eastwardape9841]

Corey, you're the best!

[@gobindpunjabi135]

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

[@hectormoreno-bravo8399]

Great video man! Thanks for making this

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@PoYoTheWild]

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

[@Poex11]

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

[@theegreatestever2420]

Thank you a lot! Love from South Africa

[@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.

[@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.

[@dzik1815]

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

[@Badosoft]

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

[@BrendanMetcalfe]

Clear explanation of some core skills - nice vid!

[@MrVineet09]

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

[@bikkikumarsha]

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

[@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.

[@DMSAProductions]

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

[@Einstine1984]

That's an awesome list! Thanks

[@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.

[@dragosmanailoiu9544]

When you learn list comprehensions and you see the true power of python

[@r-algoengineeringbigdata5863]

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

[@abhirup2003]

You are awesome! Thanks so much.

[@christinichka]

Thank you! This information is super helpful!

[@eudo81]

Thanks for the Cntrl + Space shortcut.!

[@varungm7172]

Truly helped. Thank you

[@anuraagch9048]

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

[@huruimeng4880]

Thanks for sharing!!!! lesson learned!

[@the_original_dreamer]

great start here for sure *subscribed

[@edwardCYHsu]

Very good advices. I thank you very much!

[@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 .

[@josiethompson2420]

Like +David Jones I'm really surprised at how basic the requirements are, except I'm to the point where I'm sort of in disbelief. A lot of the programming jobs I've seen say that I'd need at least a bachelor's degree in CS and 5 years of experience. I learned all of the things you went over in under a year. So... where are these jobs that have such basic requirements?? (p.s. maybe I'm just not scouring craigslist and stackoverflow careers enough. Do you think it would impress employers or turn them away if I wrote a program that periodically looks on craigslist for jobs that fit what I'm looking for then asks for my approval to send in an application?)

[@ajohntae160]

Dude, that would easily impress employers. Using your programming knowledge to help you quickly and efficiently find a job and send an application. That shows some sort of creative thinking.

[@michalmikulasi5193]

that is actually a great programming idea and i would like to thank you because i should definitely do that. i mean it is definitely quite impressive having enough skill to make a program like this when applying for entry level position. and i also agree with you and other here, because this simply isnt enough. this video is like writing hello world. these questions are so simple, its definitely not enough to get a job, at least not in this area(central europe)

[@mhovmark]

You rock Corey!

[@LGseeker]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@eugenepashch5213]

Pretty solid. Thanks!

[@XPrinco]

Really good advices! They are very sensate and usefull!

[@such6028]

06:18 weed out is a strong word.

[@skrclips99]

Great advice. Thank you so much

[@ermiasgio]

Great video Corey, thanks.

[@allanalex5006]

Love you bro. One of the Best Explanation 😍.

[@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.

[@ShawkingIT]

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

[@Bobstew68]

I pretty much know everything on this list.. Is that really enough for an entry level job? It only takes a few weeks of study to get to the point where you might get hired? Because I feel like, even if I know these basic Python concepts, I don't really understand when/how to apply them, or to make something more complex. Wouldn't I be expected to just sit down and start creating a functional, scalable database structure, or write the backend for some feature of their website, or whatever?

[@olehdiatlenko4463]

it's all just concerning Python itself. Beside that you need to know technologies required for the position you are looking at. For example, Python for web almost always includes knowledge of Django and Django REST frameworks. And many other things.

[@WM-eg4gh]

You have to be aware, not many have the chance to get an interview for entry level. We filter them down to the best. So if you learnt what you mentioned from this video, you will get a glance but if someone applies and provides better projects than you. You won't get far. Obviously next level is interview stage, we will ask questions you most likely have not prepared for, then related to job and then maybe your project.

[@ruslansmirnov9006]

These 10 items are sufficient to entry a junior-level WC cleaner at a mid-profit QA software group.

[@horse_butt]

Once I failed an interview just because I wasn't sure how to write expression with ternary operator with more than one condition

[@isaackay5887]

@@horse_butt, I found a pretty good example: (find whether a number that's passed in as a parameter of parityDigs is even or odd and then find out whether it is a single digit or multi-digit------source: www.codecademy.com/en/forum_questions/50a735d192bf860b2000077c) * function parityDigs(a){ return ((a&1) ? ((-10

[@haoyangrocks]

Great advice! Thank you for all the super useful tips

[@shaktib5788]

Well written doc.

[@fsa157]

Great video!

[@hirekaanmanasseh4692]

This was really useful thanks alot

[@esteban-alvino]

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

[@shivajohari2249]

Very comprehensive and researched list (y)

[@dalsunkim329]

Comprehensive advice.

[@TonyFlexPromo]

Thank you for another great video!

[@sharukhshaik7476]

Thanks! it helps a lot

[@saisudheermittapalli574]

It is really nice and helpful video for beginners .. Thanks a lot Corey :-)

[@pavankumargurrala7216]

You are Amazing.

[@cccvvvbbbgggtttrrree]

So helpful, thanks!

[@gluedtogames]

If you want to code a line of code out of #6, you can just do: print([num * num for num in my_list])

[@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.

[@tevzuss4386]

Great video thanks man. Quick irrelevant question - how do you pass the print command without parentheses? Thanks again

[@Johnged15]

Thanks for the advice.

[@meralmaradia4774]

Thanks man 👍🏻

[@GotrumpGousa]

Thanks Corey!!!!