Junior Python Developer CV: How to Tailor It to Any Job Description (UK)

Python is one of the most in-demand programming languages in the UK job market — spanning web development, data engineering, automation, and machine learning. A junior Python developer CV must signal not just that you know Python syntax, but that you can build real things with it in a professional environment.

What junior Python developer employers look for

Core Python competency:

Object-oriented programming, list comprehensions, generators, context managers, exception handling, type hints, virtual environments. These are baseline expectations — evidence them through your projects.

Framework expertise (match to JD):

Web: Django, Flask, FastAPI
Data/ML: Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Matplotlib
Automation/scripting: subprocess, requests, BeautifulSoup, Selenium
Testing: Pytest, unittest, coverage.py

Databases:

SQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite
NoSQL: MongoDB, Redis, DynamoDB
ORM: Django ORM, SQLAlchemy

Dev practices:

Git and GitHub — version control, branching, pull requests, code review
REST API development and consumption
Docker basics
CI/CD awareness (GitHub Actions, CircleCI)
Clean code practices, PEP 8, linting (flake8, pylint)

Personal statement example

"Junior Python developer with 2 years of self-directed study and project development, including a deployed Django web application serving 300 registered users. Proficient in Python 3, Django REST Framework, PostgreSQL, and Pytest, with strong Git workflow practices including feature branching, pull requests, and code review via GitHub. Currently completing a professional Python course on Codecademy and contributing to an open source data pipeline project. Seeking a junior backend or full-stack Python role where I can contribute to production code and continue to grow under the guidance of an experienced engineering team."

How to present Python projects

Job Board Scraper and Aggregator | Python, BeautifulSoup, PostgreSQL, FastAPI
A CLI tool and REST API that scrapes job listings from 4 UK job boards, deduplicates by URL, and exposes results via a FastAPI endpoint. Used Pytest for unit testing (87% coverage). Deployed as a cron job on a DigitalOcean VPS.
[GitHub link]

Task Management API | Django REST Framework, PostgreSQL, Docker
RESTful API built with Django REST Framework supporting user authentication (JWT), full CRUD for tasks and projects, and role-based access control. Containerised with Docker and deployed to Render. Documented with Swagger/OpenAPI.
[GitHub link]

For each project: name, tech stack, what it does, one technical challenge you solved, and a link.

Tailoring to a specific job description

Step 1: Extract every technology, framework, and practice listed in the JD. Highlight which you have and which you lack.

Step 2: Update your skills section to match the JD's terminology exactly. If the JD says "Django REST Framework," write "Django REST Framework" — not "DRF" alone and not "Django API development."

Step 3: Reorder your projects so the most relevant one appears first.

Step 4: If the JD emphasises a technology you have limited experience with (e.g., Redis, Celery, GraphQL), complete a small project or tutorial using it before applying.

Skills section example

Languages: Python 3, SQL, JavaScript (basic), Bash scripting

Frameworks: Django, Django REST Framework, FastAPI, Flask

Databases: PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, Redis

Testing: Pytest, unittest, coverage.py, Postman

DevOps: Docker, Git, GitHub Actions, Linux (Ubuntu)

Tools: VS Code, PyCharm, Jira, Confluence

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Computer Science degree to apply for junior Python developer roles?

No — many successful junior developers are self-taught or bootcamp-trained. What matters is your GitHub portfolio and your ability to pass a technical test. A strong portfolio with deployed projects is more compelling than a degree with no projects.

Should I include personal Python scripts or automation tools in my portfolio?

Yes — if they are genuinely useful, well-documented, and reflect good coding practices. A CLI tool you built to automate something in your own life is legitimate project experience. Clean code and a clear README matter more than project complexity.

What does a Python technical test typically involve?

Commonly: an at-home coding challenge (3-5 hours) involving REST API development, data processing, or algorithm implementation; sometimes a live pair programming session. Prepare by building projects, practising on platforms like LeetCode (easy-medium), and reviewing Python fundamentals.