What to Look for When Hiring a Software Developer?

Soft Skills for Software Engineers

Key Characteristics

Leadership

• As a software developer, it is important to have good time management skills. By focusing on their tasks, developers should be able to allocate their time effectively and take proactive actions.

Communication Skills

• It is crucial for software developers to be capable of explaining concepts in a simple and understandable manner when communicating with others.

Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence is a trait for software engineers as it empowers them to thrive in their profession. They can maintain composure in situations, show empathy towards their colleagues and intuitively adapt to their surroundings.

Collaboration

• It's important to recognize that each team member brings expertise, communication style, and objectives. Collaboration goes beyond pushing code into a repository.

Soft Skills for Software Engineers

Key Characteristics

Problem Solving

• Rather than constantly nagging about the issues at work, software developers should have the ability to analyze the issue, use logic, and solve problems.

Attention to Details

• Employees who value accuracy and precision don't settle for mediocrity. They take the time to ensure their work is of quality and consider ways to avoid mistakes.

Open-mindedness

• Having an open mind means being willing to listen to other thoughts and perspectives and being open to the possibility that you could be wrong or that your own viewpoint might change.

People Management

• The success of a developer isn't solely determined by their coding skills but by their proficiency in skills like patience, empathy, communication, and time management.

Top Technical Skills for Software Engineers

Key Characteristics

 1. Data Structures +   Algorithms

• Considered to be the core of programming
• Allows recruiters to understand whether the candidate will be able to organize data in less time and with reduced space and use the code to solve a real-life problem 
• Examples of Data Structures and Algorithms include arrays, linked lists, trees, etc.

 2.  Programming   Languages

• Candidate must have in-depth command of at least one programming language (think: JavaScript, HTML, Python, SQL, etc.) 
• Helps recruiters to understand what the candidate's area of interest is and which language they prefer to solve the problems in

 3. Source Control

• Essential for developers to understand how to manage and store the code
• Helps recruiters understand how proficient a candidate is in version control and collaborating with other team members
• Common version control concepts and tools include Git, Mercurial, SVN, etc.

 4. Text Editors

• An essential tool of a developer's daily life
• Examples of text editors include Notepad++, Sublime Text, Visual Code, etc. 
• Helps recruiters understand how a developer can use the text editor and keyboard shortcuts to drive smart and productive development

 5.  IDEs (Integrated   Development   Environment) 

• Enables developers to write, compile, modify, run, and debug code with speed
• Helps recruiters understand the kind of development environment the candidate prefers and, by extension, what's the candidate's purpose in using a specific language
• Common examples of IDEs include Visual Studio, PyCharm, Spyder, Jupyter Notebook, NetBeans, etc.

6. Databases 

• Candidates must have a good understanding of how to store, create, update, and delete databases and records securely and with proper backup
• Helps recruiters gauge how well a candidate can use databases to create software/apps
• Common examples of databases include SQL, Oracle, Cassandra, Redis, etc.

 7. Operating System

• Helps recruiters assess a candidate's knowledge of the mechanism and fundamentals of the operating system
• Candidates need to have a good working knowledge of the operating system to work on key parameters such as:
  • Memory usage
  • Ability to communicate with another machine
  • Tools with conflicting issues

 8. Networking Basics 

• Recruiters will be able to understand how a developer can develop and support an application
• Candidates must understand the basics of networking as most applications today use web-based, cloud computing, or business automation client-server architectures

 9. Testing Basics 

• Helps recruiters assess the candidate's ability to test the app/software and roll out a functional product 
• Candidates must have the required knowledge for three testing types:
  • Unit Testing
  • Integration Testing
  • System Testing 

 10. Cross-Platform   Software 

• Allows recruiters to understand if the candidate will be able to write code for a maximum number of systems such as Windows, Linux, Mac, etc. 
• On the candidate's front, having knowledge of cross-platform software can boost their career growth  

 11. Encryption and   Cryptography 

• Helps recruiters understand if the candidate will be able to write code for a secure and encrypted key to prevent data theft 
• Candidates can gain a full understanding of how:
  • Encryption algorithms work
  • Authentication works
  • Cryptography methods work

 12. SDLC (Software   Development Life   Cycle) 

• Software developers must have in-depth knowledge of the life cycle of software, which includes:
  • Requirements gathering + analysis
  • Feasibility study
  • Design
  • Implementation + coding
  • Testing
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance

 13. Microsoft Excel 

• An essential skill for:
  • Tracking project progress
  • Conducting data analysis
  • Ensuring data quality check
  • Maintaining data
  • Driving good project planning