Software development oftentimes requires both technical skills and soft skills. The soft skills around software development can be as beneficial, if not more, to your career as technical skills.
My Non-Comprehensive List:
1. Communication
Good communication will help you get a job. In an interview, being able to articulate clearly what you are capable of, how you can do it, and your specific skills, will elevate you as a candidate.
The ability to communicate well with others will be key once you get the job. In most development jobs, you will be required to communicate with customers and with your team. Both external and internal communication may be necessary to complete projects efficiently. Therefore, the more clearly you communicate with others, the better off you will be.
The ability to communicate well with others will be key once you get the job.
Resources:
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Grammarly – This tool helps to proofread your written communication.
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Toastmasters – This is an organization that helps develop an individual’s verbal communication.
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Friends – Practicing speaking in front of a few friends can help build your confidence and skillset.
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Practice – Practice, practice, practice. Every time you speak in front of others you strengthen your communication skills.
Practice, practice, practice.
2. Drive, Persistence, & Ethics
Another soft skill to have as a developer is the desire to always be better. This is more encouraging to an employer than someone who is content with where they are at. The desire to get better will take you further.
It is also important to have a commitment to doing what is right even when no one is watching. As the employee, you should know the right thing to do and then do it. This also means staying motivated without supervision.
As a software developer, you must remain persistent. This means having the ability to stick with an issue. You should attempt every option to resolve it even when it feels like you might not be making progress. This persistence will make you grow and establish your independence as a developer.
Resources:
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Pomodoro Segments – Set a timer and work undistracted at that task for the set amount of time. I highly recommend using a physical timer to utilize this technique to help prevent outside distractions. After your timer goes off, you have a mandatory work free 5-minute break. This will not work for every setting, so please use your discretion.
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Journal – Keep track of your work daily. This way you can look back at how much you have done. This will positively motivate you.
3. Humility
Acknowledging mistakes and taking accountability for your actions will help greatly reduce the defensiveness of others and prevent fights. This will make your relationship with others in the workplace more peaceable. However, you should only acknowledge your own mistakes and take accountability for your own actions.
Another aspect of this is seeing things from another person’s viewpoint. When you acknowledge another person’s perspective on an issue, it will show others that you are humble.
Resources:
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Book – Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni
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Quality People – Surround yourself with honest friends who will help you practice being humble.
4. Problem Solving
Identifying solutions, or multiple solutions, for problems is super valuable as a software developer. It is important to think long-term regarding these solutions. You also want to present yourself as flexible and realistic when presenting the solution to your team/employer. The final step is being a part of the solution. This will help make you look like a team player while also increasing your skills.
Resources:
- Experience – This can look like other jobs/projects or building full applications. All of this will contribute in making you a better problem solver on the job.
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