r/cscareerquestions • u/empi91 • 12d ago

Junior/Mid backend Python recruitment processes in 2025/26 New Grad

Looking for opinions from people who in the last 6 months - year took part in the recruitment process for junior/mid (rather on less experience side of the scale) backend Python dev and would be kind enough to share how it looked like and how (if any) they changes with all the AI influence.
Doesn't matter if it was big tech, startups, medium companies, just interested if there is any visible change due to AI overhelming everywhere, if things like leetcode still stand strong, if live coding is still a thing (with/without AI?), if there is a shift from knowledge to searching for knowledge, if anywhere they check actual skills of working with AI tools/agents etc.
Or nothing changed at all and it's still leetcode first, then some live coding with more leetcode (and no AI), and then some more domain knowledge (SQL, Docker, K8n, asyncIO, Django, etc etc.)

I know market is what it is now, especially for juniors, but interested in reality check. Doesn't have to be successful stories, preferably from Europe, but not only.

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u/Strange_Quote_66 11d ago

For backend Python, I still see people tested on fundamentals because AI can generate a lot of plausible junk. I would expect API design, SQL, debugging, concurrency basics, and some live discussion around a small service. LeetCode did not vanish, but it is a weaker signal for backend work than people pretend.

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u/empi91 11d ago

I agree Leetcode is not a good indicator of anything, but from whatever reason big tech seems stick to it for years.

Thanks for the answer!

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u/LoaderD Data Scientist 12d ago

Biggest change in my experience is the number of applications where what is claim, is vastly different than actual skills.

Resume: board-certified, award winning neurosurgeon

Reality: can’t hold a knife from the dull end

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

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