[Tutor] How to present python experience (self-taught) to potential employer

[Alan Gauld]

On 23/08/13 03:45, Jing Ai wrote:

> time off from my PH internship.  There's a job posting that looks really
> idea for me in the near future (a PH Research position) that requires
> "Python experience" and I wonder if any of you have any suggestions how
> I can demonstrate my python skills if I'm learning it on my own as
> opposed to taking courses?

I only took a course for 3 of the 20-30 programming languages I 
know/use. A course should not be necessary. Working code should
be.

> Some people had previously suggested GitHub, but it seems to only show
> my abilities to read python code and detect bugs, but not abilities to
> write python code.

Any Python based open source project should offer opportunities to 
document/test/debug/fix and *enhance* the software. Get involved with 
your favourite project and make a difference. You can also get involved 
with the Python community here on tutor and the main Python list. Your 
comments and responses can demonstrate your level of understanding.

Since its a research position you are interested in they are probably 
more interested in your coding ability than in your general software 
engineering skills, but its worth developing good engineering skills 
too. (TDD, Version control, Documentation, etc)

-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/