The ability to write clean code, working with version control systems, having operational thinking — all these and many other skills are useful for a developer regardless of the project he is involved in and the technologies used. If you are running a project on the Internet or are just planning to launch it, then you need to make sure that the right people make it happen together with you. Otherwise, you will hardly build something great and profitable. In this post, we will dive deeper into the topic of selecting and hiring software development specialists. So what should be focused on to hire a truly dedicated developer?
How Does a Good Developer Look Like?
Nowadays, programming is strongly sought-for. No project will take a step ahead without a dedicated team of developers — lots of industries are evolving thanks to technologies that programmers create. However, far from every developer can deliver a quality product. So what technical and interpersonal skills should a good developer have?
#1 Safe Programming Skill
Of course, the skills of programmers for different specializations differ. However, any software development specialist solves problems that require not only logical thinking, perseverance, a creative approach but also the ability to constantly improve. Most of the dev work is associated with writing a source code in one of the programming languages.
No matter how skillful and experienced a developer is, there is always a possibility of a product vulnerability. So a programmer needs to be able to write not only clean, but also safe code. Attention to code testing is a key skill for secure programming. In case your development team neglects this aspect, you will never be able to protect your web application from hackers.
#2 Data Structuring Knowledge
A good programmer needs to know the algorithms and data structuring. Instead of following technical task specs, one should be able to provide the best solution, identify problems, and prevent potential risks.
#3 Real Interest in Programming
A good programmer knows not only one programming language; he should also be interested in other languages and follow all development trends/innovations. For example, it is useful for a Python programmer to know at least roughly how C/C ++ works.
#4 Knowledge of DBMS
A professional web development specialist needs to know the principles of databases and be familiar with two or three DBMS. Of course, one should be able to write SQL queries at least at an intermediate level. Another valuable skill that can come in handy when processing big data is the ability to work with NoSQL databases.
#5 Soft Skills
Soft skills and the ability to work in a team is something that makes a developer reach a med- or senior level. Without the “soft-skill” muscle, it is impossible to establish a workflow and deliver a high-quality product within a short time term.
#6 Work Experience with Different Methodologies
The ability to flexibly plan their work within the different frameworks — from Agile to Scrum and KanBan methodologies is another important skill that a good developer should have. In case a developer is a skillful user of Asana, Trello, Jira, or any similar team task tracker, it is another great reason to hire him.
#7 Willingness to Learn
Technology is always evolving; thus, the skills and knowledge a programmer has today are likely to become obsolete in a few years. Therefore, it is important to find a specialist who is interested in following the latest trends and seeks to participate in any continuing education opportunities.
#8 Bug-Fixing Skills
Code writing is only part of a programmer’s job. When the software is not working properly, a developer is expected to be able to fix the problem quickly and efficiently. Instead of spending hours blindly making changes to the source code, a good programmer prefers to scrutinize his code and fix potential problems until a positive outcome is achieved.
#9 Problem-Solving Approach
For those who have never tried to create an application from scratch, programming is best compared to solving an extremely complex mathematical equation. In fact, it is not so. A good programmer thrives on finding ways to make things work despite all the difficulties and challenging conditions.
#10 Business Vision
It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture by focusing on building software. Instead of being focused on code writing only, a good programmer should have a business focus that allows him to go beyond the current project. A business-oriented programmer will come up with ideas for new projects that will help improve and automate work.
