Technical Prowess Alone Does Not Produce a Successful Software Developer
Generally speaking, software developers are responsible for the development and testing of software. They must also interact with their team in a meaningful way. The job is not all about technical prowess, but requires a range of soft skills that help build strong working relationships that contribute to team success.
It is these soft skills that help software developers communicate effectively, and have a feel for the human side of the profession.
In this article, we discuss the crucial soft skills that employers should be seeking to enlist when they hire software developers.
1. Communication Skills
Software development is a collaborative field, so excellent communication skills are essential for successful work. Developers need to be able to communicate with their colleagues about design decisions, coding challenges, and debugging techniques. They also must be able to clearly articulate the technical aspects of the project they are working on so that clients can understand it.
2. Teamwork Skills
A key aspect of software development is teamwork. These teams can be located near one another, across the country, or across the world. Every development role is a piece in the puzzle – great teamwork helps that puzzle to gel and stick together, overcome challenges, and work productively.
3. Approachability
The personality of a software engineer can make or break the success of a project. The right personality traits will help them connect with clients and collaborate with colleagues to produce quality work. A developer who is approachable, empathetic, helpful, and patient is more likely to be successful than a developer who lacks those attributes.
4. Open-Mindedness
A software developer should be open-minded to innovative ideas and willing to accept things they might not agree with initially. It is this open-mindedness that leads to creative solution and greater innovation.
5. Time Management and Organizational Skills
Time management is a key skill for software developers. To manage project pressure and deliver on time, they need to prioritize tasks, plan their day efficiently, and make sure they don’t waste time on things that are not relevant.
6. Accountability
Accountability is about being honest about what you have done, where you have made mistakes, what you are doing to fix them, and learning from your mistakes. It is key to developing risk-taking ability and ensuring that subsequent projects benefit from experience.
7. Problem Solving and Creativity
Software developers are solving all kinds of problems every day. They use their analytical thinking skills, critical thinking skills, and their creativity to find solutions for the different challenges that they face. They are problem solvers.
We often define these attributes as separate aspects of our personality or skillset. But a successful hire will possess all of them.
8. People Skills
People skills are just as important as any other skill that a software developer should have. A person with empathy and emotional intelligence is more likely to communicate and collaborate more effectively, take part in energetic and purposeful brainstorming, be approachable, and practice open-mindedness.
9. Self-Learning
Software developers need to be on the ball for keeping up with latest trends in their industry. This helps them to identify new skills and improve their skillset. Always look for candidates who show a history of self-development and a natural aptitude for earning. This will ensure you hire talent that can work autonomously and deliver solutions faster.
Hire the Software Developer You Need Today to Build Your Business Tomorrow
You want to hire an asset that delivers now, enhancing your team and project delivery, and who will continue to deliver in the future.
Software developers who possess the soft skills we have outlined above are more likely to make positive contributions to your projects and fit in well with your team. They will be more capable of developing themselves to remain relevant with evolving technical skills. This will improve the future effectiveness of your team without the need to hire for updated hard skills.
Where do you find such elusive talent? Contact TECHEAD today to discuss how we can help you.