Vital career skills that developers neglect and interviewers often overlook

Software engineering is a broad field that contains multiple subdisciplines. Naturally, with so many different domains, different skill sets are required depending on the specific area you work in.

For example, having good UI/UX skills is a great bonus if you’re applying for a frontend developer position, but the same may not be the case for a backend role.

I’ve often observed that developers — especially those who are new to the field — tend to focus on their technical skills. Data structures, algorithms, design patterns, database maintenance. The list could go on and on.

When companies hire software engineers today, though, they aren’t just looking for technical skills. You may have come across instances where a person with just OK programming chops got promoted ahead of tech-savvier colleagues.

More often than not, that’s because technical skills are just one part of a software developer’s job. Soft skills are equally important.

Of course, the ability to code is one of the core traits a developer must possess, and it certainly goes a long way toward propelling your career further. However, when it comes to moving up to the next level or landing that dream job, you need plenty more skills.

Whether you’re a developer who’s just starting out, you’re looking to make a move upwards from a mid-level position, or you’re an interviewer seeking that ideal candidate, these are three traits you should prioritize.

1. Having the Skill To Simplify Complex Problems

2. The Art of Testing and Debugging Code Bases

3. The Ability To Communicate Effectively

#software-engineering #technology #javascript