This article is part of our Software Development resource section.
The shortage of skilled Information Technology professionals has shaped the job market for years. Due to digitization and the associated development of the latest technologies, companies are increasingly forced to recruit and hire suitable software developers and IT specialists.
Even if the number of young academics in computer science is increasing (around 26,000 computer scientists completed their studies in 2017; source: Federal Employment Agency), there is still a large gap.
However, there is a lack of IT professionals and, on the other hand, not all of them are successful.
We have specialized in the recruitment of STEM experts for over ten years and have found that these five competencies characterize successful software developers:
Table of Contents
# 1 – Technical competence
In software development, companies need technical experts. These technical skills form the foundation of modern software development, where developers need to combine programming knowledge with architecture, testing, and problem-solving. This skill means that the developer should master and use his programming language very well.
We also advise software developers to be absolute experts in one programming language – instead of just having a basic knowledge of all languages. The same principle applies to specialized platforms, where businesses may need to hire a Magento developer with focused expertise rather than someone with only general development knowledge.
The more expertise in a field, the better. It is not adequate just to be able to use them.
Successful software developers also design the architecture before they start programming. Businesses hiring for web projects can apply similar principles by learning how to hire the right web developer and evaluating both technical expertise and project requirements. Analytical thinking coupled with programming skills is a plus for successful developers.
# 2 – Creativity
A skill that is not usually immediately associated with IT people is creativity.
In IT, however, it is essential to let your creativity run free because software developers should look for and find unusual solutions to problems. Just like Filestack, a company that provides powerful tools and powerful APIs to help you easily upload, transform and deliver content.
It is also essential to identify possible problems in advance and take appropriate measures. Creativity becomes particularly valuable in emerging technology projects, such as creating WebAR with a software development company, where developers may need to find new ways to solve technical and user-experience challenges.
# 3 – Curiosity
Curiosity and openness to new technologies are an absolute must-have: Technologies are becoming more and more complex, and rapid technological change is shaping the software development industry. This adaptability is particularly important in specialized fields such as fintech, where open banking software developers must keep up with evolving technologies, security requirements, and industry regulations.
Therefore, software developers are more and more required to think their way into new technologies, try out new ways, and motivate themselves repeatedly for constant further development. When companies cannot develop all of these capabilities internally, understanding the reasons to outsource custom software development services can help them determine when external expertise is appropriate.
In addition to soft skills such as willingness to learn, adaptability or enthusiasm, this includes a large portion of flexibility, openness, and curiosity.
# 4 – Communication skills
The image of a software developer as a nerd programming in the basement is no longer up-to-date.
Nowadays, high-quality software is developed in interdisciplinary teams, with agile methods such as Scrum and co. Teamwork is practiced at the highest level. When evaluating potential development partners, knowing what makes a good software development company can also help businesses assess communication, technical expertise, and collaboration practices.
Working effectively within a software development team therefore requires developers to communicate clearly, collaborate with different specialists, and understand their responsibilities within the wider project.
Developers exchange information in their teams daily and are often involved in several projects with different groups. Clear communication is also essential for avoiding common mistakes while outsourcing software development, particularly when responsibilities and project requirements are shared across different teams.
These collaborative skills are also important when developers work with a software development company where projects may involve multiple teams, clients, and technical specialists.
Successful developers should therefore have excellent communication skills. Strong communication becomes even more important when teams properly outsource custom software development, as developers and external partners need clear expectations and regular coordination.
For employers evaluating these qualities, non-technical interview questions to hire a software developer can help reveal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities beyond technical knowledge.
# 5 – Continuous Learning
Most developers used programming languages like Algol, Cobol, and Fortran in the past.
Nowadays, software developers specializing in Java and Python and the iOS and Android platforms are in demand. As demand for mobile expertise continues to grow, businesses can also learn how to hire the best mobile app developers on a budget when balancing specialized skills with development costs.
Therefore, the software developers must stay on the ball and continue to develop professionally. In our experience, successful software developers also spend their free time working in their specialist field and are constantly educating themselves.
