Computers are used in nearly every industry, and software engineers are in ever-increasing demand as the digital transformation forges onward. Yet, the question remains: how can software engineers capitalize on their skills in today’s hot job market?  We recommend focusing on developing these hard and soft skills to advance your career in software engineering:

Necessary Hard Skills

Hard skills, also known as technical skills, are the practical skills you need to do the job. In the case of software engineers, hard skills are the ones you need to build, maintain, and repair software. Generally, these skills can be learned in school or by years of industry experience.  

Hard skills for software engineers include:

• Computer Programming and Coding. The best software engineers are fluent in several coding languages and have a basic knowledge of many, if not all. Job requirements vary depending on the position, but you’ll be attractive to a potential employer if you have a firm grasp of two or more of these languages:
• JavaScript
• SQL
• Java
• Ruby
• Python
• C
• C++
• C#
• HTML
• CSS

• Software Development. Software engineers need to be able to analyze users’ needs and then design, develop, and test software to meet them.
• Object-Oriented Design (OOD). Object-Oriented Design has dominated programming for the last 30 years. OOD principles involve a process of planning a system of interacting objects to solve a software challenge and is a crucial skill for software developers.
• Software Testing and Debugging. Although automation and AI can help test and debug programs, they can’t replace the analytical and creative skills of a trained and experienced developer.

Essential Soft Skills

Having the hard skills required for a job doesn’t always guarantee success. Soft skills are also necessary to function in the workplace. Soft skills are personal attributes that help a worker with aspects of the job that can’t be learned in a traditional way. They are transferrable across roles and industries. Although some soft skills can’t be taught, they can be developed.  

Necessary soft skills for software engineers include:

• Problem-solving. The ability to solve problems is an essential skill for a software developer. Many other soft skills play into finding the source of a problem and figuring out an effective solution. Some related soft skills are:
• Troubleshooting ability
• Creativity
• Patience
• Analytical thinking

• Communication. When you imagine a software developer at work, you might picture someone sitting alone, staring at a computer screen, typing or scribbling on paper. However, even the most solitary developer needs communication skills to discuss the needs and challenges of a project, receive and give feedback, and communicate with teams in the organization.
• Multi-tasking. The ability to handle more than one task at a time is essential to software developers. You may need to prioritize and manage multiple projects while working under a tight deadline.
• Attention to detail. The ability to focus on accuracy, efficiency, and results while handling complex code and managing projects is necessary for developers. Paying attention to detail also means being able to anticipate potential problems and create workarounds during the development process.

Are you looking for a job as a software developer or another top tech job?

We can help you find meaningful work that will use your hard and soft skills and provide a great fit. Contact Premier Talent Partners today to find your next exceptional opportunity.