Are you considering hiring a software developer for your business? Software developers, also known as software engineers, use math, computer science, and engineering skills to design and build computer and internet systems for companies. They are your go-to source for any programming needs and share a lot of overlap with the information technology (IT) department in terms of knowledge and capability.
Software development is a hot career choice today with a large talent pool. Software developers can be found in virtually any company across any industry. If you run a business, chances are you use computers and the internet to help with your day-to-day operations. Hiring an in-house software developer can help keep your business running smoothly in the event that any technical difficulties occur.
There are several other benefits associated with hiring an in-house software developer. In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know, including skills, budgets, and more.
A Software Developer Possesses Several Important Skills
Software developers are often required to know multiple programming languages before starting in a position, and many will be trained in additional areas upon starting a job.
Below are a few of the skills a successful software engineer will possess than can help your business.
- Programming languages: Java, Ruby, PHP, and C++, to name a few. They will also be skilled in Docker programs like JFrog, which feature developer tools for website building.
- SQL and Access: They will possess database knowledge that is necessary for working with vast amounts of information for your company.
- Project management: Ability to manage multiple projects at different stages, keep them organized and accurately reporting to superiors.
- Attention to detail: Because one small error in a line of code can lead to user issues and security breaches, software developers are known for their keen precision.
- Collaboration: Software developers are usually part of teams and work with various departments across the company even though much of their day-to-day work is independent. They will have to communicate with team members to develop software and resolve system issues.
- Ability to work under press: Meeting stressful deadlines and responding to urgent problems require composure under pressure.
- Good memory: Software engineers must call back information they may not have used for years at the drop of a hat, meaning they must have a good memory.
- Critical thinking: As a software engineer, you’ll be expected to brainstorm creative solutions and find workable answers when a system or app is broken.
- Ability to focus: Software developers work on long projects for hours or days at a time, meaning they need to stay focused and sharp in order to be productive.
A Software Developer Can Be Trained to Meet Your Needs
When you hire a software developer, you are hiring someone who is skilled in several different aspects of technology and beyond. Unlike some careers, educational requirements for software engineers tend to be very specific. Here are just a few degrees that they tend to hold:
- Software Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Programming and Analysis
- Information Systems
- Mathematics
If you want to hire a software developer fresh out of college with little experience, this may come as a benefit. The starting pay will be lower than senior engineers, and it allows you to shape their knowledge to specifically fit your business needs. In fact, many companies prefer to hire software engineers with little experience after they graduate so that they can train them on their specific software and programs. Training is very important for engineers and may take several months, longer than the average employee at many firms.
Other Benefits of an In-House Software Developer
Hiring an in-house software developer as opposed to outsourcing as several other noteworthy benefits.
First, these software developers are a better cultural fit for your company and understand its needs more specifically. Being in-house, they are more motivated to achieve these goals for your company.
Software developers that are in-house are easier to communicate with because they are face-to-face with other team members.
In addition, changes get done with a much quicker turnaround since there is less of a lag time between noting a problem and communicating it with the developer.
Finally, hiring an in-house software developer will maximize your work productivity as problems get resolved in a much quicker fashion. If you were to outsource to a developer, you would have to wait for them to first get in contact with you, understand the problem, and then work to resolve it.
Overall, hiring an in-house software developer is an important part of running a successful company, especially if the company is rooted in technology. Consider taking the step towards building a powerful development team. How big the team is largely depends on the needs of the company; you may only need one developer to keep things streamlined.
