Asking Twitter – what skills are required from a candidate for a junior Python developer job?

Some time ago, counting on my recently grown network of great people met @ PyCon 2015, I tweeted this open question to unveil the mystery which has grown around the position of a junior Python developer. So, what exactly is expected?

Take a look at the responses I got.

@kieczkowska Can show that they can be taught (and can learn independently), some experience coding, can communicate coherently.

— Katie Cunningham | Writing again and staying @ 🏠! (@kcunning) April 14, 2015

@laceynwilliams @kieczkowska Jr Dev needs basic grasp of language, good problem solving skills, and quick Google-fu.

— Drew (@hops_and_smoke) April 15, 2015

@kieczkowska For web development, having written a modest web application may be a good start.

— Andreas Klostermann (@BayesianHorse) April 15, 2015

@kieczkowska Additionally: Don't underestimate relational database design and basic linux system administration for deployment

— Andreas Klostermann (@BayesianHorse) April 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/StevieBuckley/status/588376406373064704

https://twitter.com/StevieBuckley/status/588376953826242560

https://twitter.com/CaseyWithCOS/status/589236047118262272

The main requirement which is clearly visible in most answers is the “desire to learn”. It sounds very positive, but also a bit confusing; how can you measure and / or express a real desire to learn? I’d say being self-taught, developing own projects and (of course) involvement in open source would be some safe guesses. Let me know what you think, either here on on Twitter!

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