What skills should you look out for in a Software developer?

With the growth in technology, more and more software developers are in demand to help solve our everyday problems. Timeless skills are key when one is looking to fill a position as it will be easy to have a staff offer their skills in other areas within the organization.

There is an array of many areas where one can engage a software developer, it might be for server maintenance, mobile applications or websites development or maintenance. That said, when you are looking to hire a software developer, there a number of factors you can consider about the prospective candidate despite you as a recruiter not having the technical knowledge in IT.

Here are 6 factors to consider when recruiting for a software developer from the HR perspective.

1.Logical problem-solving skills

Software development is 100% about problem-solving, if a candidate is not good at problem-solving, then there is no need to hire him/her. Logical problem-solving means that one is able to solve one problem without creating another.

A candidate should be able to provide a solution all through a problem without having to create another solution to a problem created. This will ensure that there is no time and resource wastage going back to the drawing board.

2.Technical skills

A candidate’s technical skills will go a long way in solving problems and their delivery in the role. Their past experiences build on to their technical skills. The position requirements will provide guidance on the technical skills to look out for in terms of the programming language that will be required.

3.Previous projects

The kind of platforms that a candidate has had experience in will go a long way in determining their suitability for the role. Let the candidate explain some of their past projects in a layman way and you will be able to gauge their suitability.

While the candidate is explaining this, you will also be able to gauge how well the candidate is on people skills. A person who cannot effectively accommodate people will constantly have trouble with the people they interact with despite how good they’re good of ideas they have or valuable their skills are.

4.Business orientation

For any business, it is vital to always stay on the business side as the profits are what matters. A business developer should be able to see eye to eye with the client/employer. They should be good in their innovation abilities to ensure that the company is always innovating new solutions.

Look for a candidate that is business oriented and you will be assured of having an employee who will be bringing in that check as often as possible. The candidate should be able to marry a client’s need to those of the organization at all times.

5.Communication Skills

Software developers are known to be the silent employees as theirs is to bond with the screen. Despite them being behind the screen bonders, they are required to have top-notch communication skills as they will be interacting with an array of people. They will be required to engage with clients on behalf of the organization and walk through a client the solution, they will be offering, not all clients will understand the technical language and it is thus important to ensure that their communication skills are at its best.

6.Team Player and self-initiative

Having to sit down and develop programs might be one man’s job, but coming up with the solution is not a one man’s show. A software developer must be able to be part of the organization, especially the business development arm to ensure they are working together to meet the organization’s overall objectives.

While pulling his weight as a team player, the candidate must be self-driven. They should be people who can take up initiatives without having to be pushed around. Get a candidate who will develop solutions that can be sold rather than one who waits till the employer asks for solutions to be developed.

Software developers should have good analytical skills to ensure that the organization’s expectations at every client engagement are met. Involve a technical IT person for their input on the selection of candidates once the initial interviews have been conducted for the technical perspective of the candidates.

Do you have any questions concerning recruitment matters? Email them to Perminus At pwainaina@corporatestaffing.co.ke

The Writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services. Email: elizabeth@corporatestaffing.co.ke