The skills needed are going to vary wildly based on the type of role, industry, and the company you’re interviewing. At the bare minimum, I would recommend having a working understanding of data structures and common algorithms. Along with that, I’d recommend being as comfortable as possible in at least one major programming language.”
#1. Soft Skills
To be a productive member of teams, programmers must be able to communicate clearly. Report progress accurately, raise issues promptly and generally be a good team player.
When it comes to technical skills, you either meet them or you don’t—and if you do, you won’t be the only one, said Mike Walsh, founder of Straight Path Solutions. In that case, “bring your A game with soft skills”.
#2. Problem Solving Skills And Abilities
The ability to demonstrate problem solving skills is often more important than proving technical expertise in other areas.
What I look for is how does a programmer think about solving a problem. And then I look for action they are taking in learning how to improve their skills,” Wilcox said. I don’t care as much if they are an expert in a specific language because any competent programmer can learn a new language in a week. But if they don’t have good problem-solving skills and are not constantly trying to improve, then they will end up hurting your project.
While the technical questions asked will vary by position. All programmers must know how to communicate their thoughts, ideas, and experience, with the interviewer.
#3. Business Sense
Developers often thrive best when they have some business sense. That is when they have the ability to look beyond the immediate uses of their code. Said Anna Daugherty, digital marketing manager of PITSS. “They need to be able to see how their software or application fits into the wider scope of the enterprise. How their project drives ROI, and how they’re contributing to the overall organizational health,” Daugherty said. “If they have this skill, they’ll work harder, smarter, and be able to speak the language of the executives who need them to produce better results.”
Companies are usually not only looking for programmers that write good code. Said Greg Hoffer, vice president of engineering at Globalscape. “They are running a business, and need programmers that understand that there is always more than one way to skin a cat,” Hoffer said. “Pragmatic problem solving that builds business value or makes customers happy is just as important as broad and deep experience in any given programming technology.”
#4. Proficiency In Core Programming Languages
Make sure you are fluent in the main language and framework used at the company. Said Peter Sugihara, co-founder of Open Listings. “Smaller companies have fewer resources to teach new hires. So this can seriously tip the scales in your favor because you’ll get up to speed quicker when you start.
#5. Understanding Algorithms And Data Structures
Data structures are a core programming concept. So it’s mandatory for all programmers to know the basic data structures. Larger companies tend to ask more algorithm questions, while smaller companies tend to be more programming-focused. Along with programming language skills. These two skills combined demonstrate an expansive and nuanced grasp of the fundamentals needed to succeed within any organization fast. Said Vivek Ravisankar, co-founder and CEO of HackerRank. “They’re also great indicators of computational thinking, which is a key trait of great software developers.
