PyCon India 2025

Surprises, Pitfalls, and Patterns: Learnings from Interviewing 400+ developers
2025-09-13 , Track 2

After interviewing hundreds of Python developers over the years, I noticed a recurring pattern: many candidates can use Python, but few truly understand it. This talk distills those insights—what separates good coders from great ones—not based on syntax, but on depth, clarity, and conceptual grasp.

We'll walk through real-world examples from interviews that tripped up even experienced developers. From subtle behaviors of Python features, to the nuances, and often misunderstood concepts. This talk will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your Python thinking.

Along the way, we'll explore lesser-known language features, edge cases, and patterns that interviewers (like me) use to probe true fluency. If you're preparing for interviews, conducting them, or simply want to level up your Python, this talk is a practical and enlightening lens into how Python is evaluated in the wild.


Outline

1. Introduction (3 mins)

Quick personal intro and experience interviewing hundreds of Python candidates.
A reflection on patterns that separates surface-level knowledge from deep understanding.

2. What Makes a Candidate Stand Out? (5 mins)

Why fundamentals trump frameworks.
Real examples of impressive answers from unexpected candidates.
How “thinking in Python” looks different from just “coding in Python”.

3. Pitfalls and Concepts That Trip People (10 mins)

Various examples, where each example includes a short scenario or quiz, audience poll, and discussion.

4. Understanding the intention behind question/concept (5 mins)

What an interviewer looks in a candidate during an interview.
Understanding the hidden question and the intention.
Patterns and follow up.

5. Case Studies

Real life stories and examples.
Surprises, Pitfalls and Patterns.

6. Conclusion


Target Audience

Beginner

I am a Python Enthusiast who loves building software applications and education related content. I am a technology professional and a passionate programmer with 12 years of experience in Python & Python related technologies. I am currently working as Software Architect at EPAM India.

I have been involved with multiple professional projects in various industrial domains and technical fields. My expertise is in application development, data processing & analysis, data pipelines, non-relational and relational databases, Python, FastAPI, Flask, Celery, Redis, AWS, Airflow, GreatExpectations, Docker, and various other tech stacks. I am also an open source contributor, and published self developed libraries on PyPI. I love creating libraries and various utility tools that help me in solving a challenge/problem that could also be used by others in the developers community.