Python Projects for Beginners a ten-Week Bootcamp Approach to Python Programming

What to Do Before the Interview

In almost everything that you do in life, you can never be too prepared. The same goes for interviewing. The following are tips for what you should do before your interview:

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  Research
  
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    Be sure to research the company you’re interviewing for. Don’t just understand what products they create, or services they offer, but know what charities they support, the companies they partner with, etc. It shows that you’re involved and care about the companies’ well-being. A little goes a long way.
    
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  Be Prepared
  
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    Put together a folder or portfolio of that includes your resume, a pad of paper for taking notes during the interview, examples of work, etc.
    
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  Resume
  

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  Always print on resume on higher quality paper.
  
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  Contour your resume to the job you’re interviewing for. For example, for back-end roles, mention Python, SQL, databaserelated technologies, etc.
  
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  Keep your resume to a single page.
  
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  Don’t add any fluff.
  
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  Keep it organized with sections like experience, skills, and education.
  
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  Think of your resume as a 30-second elevator pitch.
  
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  Often, it helps to have a designer overlook your resume. Some sites will do this for a small fee but help to make your resume look more professional and organized.
  

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  Portfolio Web Site
  
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    Not all developers have personal web sites, but it certainly looks bad when you don’t. Imagine going to a dentist that has no teeth. View yourself as the product that you’re trying to sell to companies, you should have a web site that shows your skills and allows others to contact you.
    
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  Github
  
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    Almost every hiring agency and company will look to your Github to see the projects you’ve worked on.
    
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    It’s best to have complete projects on your portfolio as well. One major project will always stand out better than 10 minor projects.
    
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    Include your Github account in your resume, portfolio web site, and e-mails.
    
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  LinkedIn
  

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  Most recruiters and companies are on LinkedIn for one reason, and that’s to look for potential candidates for a job posting.
  
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  Make sure your profile is up to date with all relative information and projects that you’ve worked on.
  
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  Your profile picture should be professional. You don’t need to be in a suit and tie, but it’s best not to have a picture of you on a beach.
  
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  Look at this web site as your professional networking service.
  
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  Post often with information from the field you want to work in.
  

The more you post, the more apt a recruiter is to recognize you.

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  Social Media
  

– Make it private or keep it clean. You better believe companies will look at your posts for a way to understand who you are, and if they don’t like what they see, you won’t be getting a call back.

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  Apply Directly
  

– It always looks more professional to send in an application directly to the company. Often, you’ll find a job you like on Indeed or ZipRecruiter; however, these companies get flooded with applications every day on these sites, and they generally have algorithms to eliminate most candidates. Sending a direct e-mail shows that you put time and effort into directly contacting the company.