How to hire a Python developer?

Python is a very popular programming language, thanks to its versatility, readability, lower barrier to entry, and its vibrant online community. That’s also why it’s one of the top coding languages of choice for many companies out there. 

If your organization uses Python, knowing how to hire Python developers is essential for the success of your projects. Hiring a new Python developer might look like a challenging task – especially if you don’t have the technical skills to evaluate applicants’ Python experience.

However, if you clearly determine the scope of the project, your budget, and the skills you need to look for, you'll find it easy to identify and recruit the best-fitting talent for your team. 

Pre-employment skills testing enables you to assess candidates’ skills quickly and objectively, even if you aren't well versed in all things Python – and hire expert Python developers. 

With TestGorilla, it's easy to test:

• Hard skills that relate to the language itself and its libraries and ancillary solutions, for example experience with data structures and objects or debugging proficiency

• Soft skills that your coders should have to be successful and contribute to your team

Your future Python developer should be good at communicating their opinions and collaborating within a bigger team. Development is a group endeavor, and it's only possible to produce a scalable and efficient codebase when your development team works in cohesion.

In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about how to hire Python developers: what they do exactly, what skills to look for, how to assess those, how much you should expect to pay, and more.

What is a Python developer?

Python is one of the most popular general-purpose programming languages (GPL), meaning that it can be used for backend and frontend development. Python developers use it to create, deploy, and debug programs in a variety of contexts, ranging from AI and ML projects to web development.

Depending on how big your software-development projects are, you may need to hire either a single Python developer or a team of coders who will work together. 

There are many reasons why teams choose Python over other backend languages such as Ruby on Rails or PHP. Python is: 

• Easy to learn and read: Learning Python is easy, because the language is very similar to how English works. This also makes it easy for other developers to read each other's codebases and make additions to the code created by another developer.

• Very versatile and has extensive support libraries: No matter what your needs are, a skilled Python developer will be able deliver a smooth-running and scalable solution. Thanks to the strong community around the language, there are many open-source libraries your coders can use, so that they don't have to develop the app from scratch. In addition, Python is the top language for AI applications.

• Great for prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs): If you are looking to hire your first backend developer, an experienced Python programmer will be able to quickly create a prototype or even a fully functional MVP. Python is all about a codebase’s conciseness and building features takes much less code if you compare it to other scripting languages.

Python developers’ hard skills: What are the most important hard skills to look out for in a Python developer?

When looking for a Python developer, it pays to first research the details of the project they’ll be working on. 

Dig deep into the backlog of their future team, the tech stack they’re using, and budget your company is willing to invest. This will enable you to create a "shopping list" that your future developer has to meet. 

Below, you’ll find some of the core hard skills that your future Python developer should have:

In-depth proficiency with Python

No matter your specific needs, your next Python developer should know the ins and outs of the language. This includes proficiency in data types, data structures, debugging, and various coding styles such as object-oriented programming (OOP). 

You can use skills tests and ask specific questions about the algorithms and standard coding patterns to screen candidates who are worth your attention.

Sufficient knowledge of front-end web development

Even if you’re hiring people to work exclusively on the backend of your application(s), you still need to look for candidates who know the basics of the front-end development. This will enable them to build out the connections between the two parts of your app more efficiently. 

A decent knowledge of HTML, CSS and JS will empower your developer to collaborate with the front-end developers on your team and fix any bugs whenever they arise. 

Python frameworks knowledge

Identify the frameworks you'll want your next Python developer to use in your project.

For example, you might want to hire a Django developer. Django is a widely popular web-development framework for Python that comes with a multitude of built-in modules, so that developers don't have to deal with individual libraries. It's fully open-source and free-to-use. 

You may also want to look into other popular frameworks like Flask, NumPy, and CherryPy.

Experience with machine learning and AI

AI is advancing fast: With ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, and other models being incorporated into many apps, it’s a good idea to hire developers who have at least some experience with AI. 

Even if you’re not currently using AI, you might need to do so in the future, so looking for a Python developer who's actively learning this side of tech will give your organization a better chance of outcompeting rivals.

Python developers’ soft skills: Which soft skills matter most for Python developers? 

Despite the misconception that programmers need mostly hard skills to succeed, soft skills are actually essential, too – so make sure you’re hiring Python developers who are excellent communicators and team players, too. 

Without the right set of soft skills, they won't be able to collaborate with team members, tech leads, customer service reps, and other stakeholders. Your future Python developer should know how to effectively communicate their thoughts, process constructive feedback, and resolve conflicts.

When recruiting your future Python developer, you need to consider both technical and soft skills and see the human behind the programmer. Here are some of the top soft skills to consider:  

Communication

Seek out those candidates who are upbeat and positive in their communication with you as a recruiter and other team members. 

A good sign is when developers ask a lot of questions during interviews. It shows that they aren't afraid to clarify details and search for more information, which are also key success factors for any development process.

Time management

A high-potential Python developer knows how to manage their time efficiently and meet project deadlines. This enables them to:

• Prioritize tasks and break them down into smaller pieces

• Not get lost in the details

• Focus on the core tasks at hand

• Make progress quickly

• Not compromise on quality

Motivation

Look for developers who are mature, self-aware, and who know why they want to join your team and contribute to your projects. For example, they may be optimizing for career growth, a more stimulating environment, or a chance to work on cutting-edge tech. 

As a recruiter, seek to uncover your applicants’ inner drive to see how they rationalize their development path. It'll show you how you can align your brand and your future hires – and you'll also be able to see how self-aware and goal-driven they are.

How to test a Python developer’s skills? 

Hiring a new Python developer can be easy if you run effective tests to assess Python skills. TestGorilla offers a wide range of pre-employment tests in its library, which you can use to evaluate both technical and soft skills. 

Using a data-driven approach will enable you to identify those candidates who'll empower your team to tackle development tasks in an efficient and collaborative manner. 

You can build an assessment with up to five skills tests, based on your requirements for the role, and then invite candidates to take part. Here are some of the tests to consider: 

Python coding tests

Pick the right Python tests based on the seniority level you are recruiting for. You can choose from a simple test on basic Python coding skills, a more advanced test on using arrays in Python, a test on data structures and objects, or a Debugging test. You can mix and match these options to find developers who have the perfect combination of skills for your project. 

Python libraries

Assess applicants’ proficiency in the Python libraries they’ll need to use for your projects, such as NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas, and Scikit-learn. Those tests will enable you to identify candidates who are able to use those libraries to solve situational tasks and manipulate data efficiently.

Front-end knowledge

Tests that assess front-end skills are a great addition to the above Python evaluations; for example, you could assess applicants’ knowledge of basic JavaScript algorithms or HTML5 skills. 

This will help you find developers who know their way around front-end development, which will enable them to successfully collaborate with the entire development team and create better programs.

Soft skills

Don't limit your appraisal to technical skills only – see how your candidates measure up on soft skills as well. 

A simple Communication skills test will help you to assess how effectively candidates communicate in line with business etiquette and whether they are good at active listening and processing both verbal and non-verbal cues. 

You can also use our Motivation test to see whether your applicants’ expectations align with what your company offers, or a Time Management test to check whether they know how to prioritize tasks efficiently. 

Using those and other recommended tests for Python developers will help your hiring team to identify the candidates who are worth your attention. You'll then be able to focus on figuring out the unique capabilities and motivations of those candidates who score well on your assessment – and make the right hiring choice. 

Python developer interview questions

Once you evaluate applicants’ skills with the help of skills tests, it’s time to invite your most promising talent to an interview. 

Here are some sample interview questions you can ask junior Python developers: 

1. What is the significance of indentation in Python?

2. How are lists and tuples different in Python?

3. Describe how Python's garbage collection works.

4. What are Python modules? Can you name a few built-in modules?

5. How do you debug a Python application?

6. Explain the difference between local and global variables.

7. How does Python handle memory management?

8. What is a virtual environment, and why would you use it?

9. How would you reverse a string in Python?

10. Describe the basic data types available in Python.

If you’re looking to hire senior Python developers, here are some questions to help you assess their skills: 

1. How do you manage and structure large Python projects?

2. How would you handle memory leaks in Python?

3. How would you deploy a Python application in a production environment?

4. Describe your experience with Python's async features.

5. Explain the difference between a function and a method in Python.

6. How do you ensure that your Python code is secure?

7. Describe how Python's memory management differs from other languages you've worked with.

8. How do you handle migrations in a database-driven Python application?

9. How do you ensure code quality in a collaborative project?

10. How would you handle real-time data processing in Python?

If you need more ideas of questions to ask during interviews, head on to our selection of 100 Python interview questions and 14 advanced Python interview questions you can use to assess applicants.

Where to find a Python developer? 

Before you start looking for your next Python developer, you need to decide whether you need to hire a freelancer, a full-time employee, or a team of developers, based on the size and complexity of your project. 

Whichever way you go, you need to make sure that you collaborate with a proficient developer who has your interests at heart.

Working with freelance Python developers enables you to: 

• Be more agile and flexible, scaling teams up or down as needed

• Hire highly skilled developers for specific projects

• Limit overhead expenses

Use job boards like Upwork and Freelancer.com to connect with individual developers, if you are looking to hire an independent contractor. On Clutch and other websites for outsourced services, you can also reach out to agencies whose teams you can hire for a given project.

Hiring full-time employees, on the other hand, gives you the opportunity to: 

• Retain more control over the project and their work

• Have their full attention on your project

• Build a more engaged workforce

To find full-time Python programmers for hire, you can use platforms like LinkedIn, Monster, and Glassdoor or also use campus recruitment to reach out to recent graduates (who’ll probably have little or no professional experience but will probably be highly motivated to excel at their first job). 

Python developer sample job description

Position: Senior Python developer

[Your company's name], a leader in [type of industry] is seeking a skilled Python developer to join our dynamic Dev team. In this role, you’ll help design, develop, and deploy code for [briefly describe the project]. 

Key responsibilities

As our next Python developer, you’ll do the following: 

• Design, develop, and maintain clean, scalable, and reusable code for our application(s)

• Collaborate with all members of the development team to build solutions that meet project requirements

• Test the code to ensure application functionality and performance in cooperation with our QA team

• Identify problems and debug code as needed

• Create clear documentation for all code, algorithms, and APIs

Qualifications

We’re looking for a person who has the following skills and qualifications: 

• [X years, e.g., "3+ years"] of professional experience in Python development

• Proficiency in Python frameworks and libraries like Django, Flask, and NumPy

• Experience with SQL-based database technologies

• A good understanding of front-end technologies (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) 

• Strong debugging skills

• Knowledge of code versioning tools such as Git

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Compensation and benefits

[Add information on the compensation package and the benefits your organization offers]

How to apply

[Describe your application procedure and mention skills tests if you’re planning to use them in your Python developer recruitment process]

How much does a Python developer cost? 

When hiring a freelance Python developer, you'll see a wide range of hourly rates from $20 up to $100 depending on the person’s seniority level, experience, and skills. 

A full-time employee in the US may cost you around $100,000 per year, according to Salary.com.

With the right approach, hiring a Python developer is easy

Hiring a skilled Python developer doesn’t need to be a mission impossible – but you need to use the right approach. 

You can simplify your hiring process if you clearly determine the scope of your project, the available budget, and the responsibilities of the role. Work together with your organization’s chief technology officer or the team lead of the development team to clarify all of the details before you launch your recruitment project. 

In addition, hiring a Python developer is made easy with pre-employment tests for technical and soft skills; for that, TestGorilla is your best choice. With our platform, you can also run more in-depth coding tests and use asynchronous video interviews to evaluate applicants’ skills. 

Sign up for a free 30-minute live demo today to see for yourself how much easier it can be to hire skilled Python developers for your team, if you have the right tools at hand.