Whether you are simply looking to decide on your career in your studies, optimise your Curriculum Vitae, or prepare for an interview, scroll down to get a good grasp of the skills needed in software engineering.
Software engineering is part of computer science and Information technology degrees. It encompasses the design, development and testing/ maintenance of the software.
The skills required for a successful career in software engineering can be divided into three categories:
#1 Technical Skills
Most of those willing to grow and have a successful career in software engineering will need to master the technical or “hard” skills required for the position. There are a few competencies that every engineer will need to focus on independently of their specification. Software engineering goes hand in hand with strong programming language skills, and knowledge of a couple of them, such as; JavaScript, Java, Python, C, C#, .Net or Ruby, would be enough to progress in your field.
In addition, software development and testing experience are increasingly sought after. That involves the ability to analyse, design and develop software. Companies always appreciate employees with a background in testing and debugging as well, as it offers diversity and the possibility to think ahead of a potential issue. Even if some testing competencies were seen as an advantage for many, some organisations would prefer to have an expert tester in addition to a developer, so they can plan, manage and test the product, letting the developer focus on their role.
#2 Thought Processing Skills
For many software engineering positions, strong problem-solving and analytical skills are one way employers discern who is the most proficient software engineer among all available candidates. Software problems can occur frequently, so strong reasoning and the ability to think outside the box are highly looked after by employers. In addition to those qualities, working under pressure with a cool head will help you progress in your career and deal with any issues you may encounter.
As software engineers often interact with co-workers and clients, their ability to communicate articulately is as important as their programming expertise. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are therefore expected by their employers. Software engineers should also be able to write engaging report presentations and explain their projects to a layperson if needed.
#3 Soft Skills
Soft skills are the common skills used in many careers and shouldn’t be neglected, although some are more useful in some professions than others. Teamwork and experience or understanding of the agile environment, working in practises such as Lean, Scrum, or Kanban is always desirable. Software engineers often work in teams, so people ready to help their co-workers and listen to criticism to better themselves are likely to succeed.
Curiosity and an eagerness to learn are also strong assets for those willing to work in this field. As technologies change rapidly, with new and better versions coming onto the market, you need to be highly flexible and willing to keep yourself up to date.
At Agile Recruit, we specialise in software engineering; get in touch if you are ready to start your journey or need more guidance.
