To be a good web developer, you need more than technical skills. Key traits include creativity, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication.
A recent study by Deloitte Access Economics shows that soft skills are becoming increasingly important. By 2030, jobs that require these skills, like engineering and ICT, will make up 63% of all jobs. Soft skills are now nine times more likely to be valued over technical skills.
So, what are the essential qualities that make the ideal developer? Let’s find out:
1. Good Communication Skills
As developers, you handle a different language that is difficult to understand for those who have no clue about coding or programming. Therefore, a developer with excellent communication capacities is someone who knows how to explain these technical aspects to people who are not experts. This is important when decisions are going to be made.
Good communicators are also good listeners. If you hire a developer with good communication skills, you are hiring someone who listens and understands his/her duty and role. Someone that participates in meetings, shares ideas and doesn’t interrupt when somebody else is talking.
2. Passion for Coding
Good web developers are passionate about coding and enjoy the process of building and problem-solving.. You need to love what you do. Without passion, you may experience burnout, mediocrity, and imposter syndrome. Break this cycle by focusing on what truly interests you.
There are many aspects of programming and web development, so find the niche that excites you. Technical skills will develop over time with practice.
3. Teamwork is Good Work
The perspectives of different people contribute not only to their technical knowledge but also to their experience.
Developers who are team players make all the difference. They will not only talk and listen but also they are looking forward to helping and providing solutions (even if they are from within the field of engineering)
The point of teamwork is having different opinions and points of view – even if this leads to disagreements. Diversity in your organization and divergent perspectives produce better results and can increase a company’s revenue by 19%.
Just think about it this way: What would’ve been Batman without Robin? Hellboy without Abe Sapien? Rick without Morty? Mario without Luigi? Sherlock without Watson? Frodo without Samwise Gamgee? Shrek without Donkey?
4. Self-Driven
Being self-driven is not only about being independent and doing your job. It also means having the ability to create new things and bring new ideas to the table. The more the ideas, the more potential projects to make and new goals to achieve.
A web developer with this capacity understands his/her task but goes beyond it, doing things differently that might even exceed expectations. This is mainly because being a self-starter also involves creativity, but not in an artsy way, as we might think. Creativity is important in web development for designing user-friendly interfaces, solving problems innovatively, and implementing unique solutions.
5. Adapt to Survive
If you asked a senior software engineer if he has seen any changes in his profession in the past 20 years, he would probably tell you how the whole profession evolved. Years ago, the Waterfall or the Spiral model was the most popular in software development. Nowadays, methodologies like Agile have gained more popularity.
Technology changes rapidly, so top web developers need to be adaptable. You can quickly learn new languages, frameworks, and tools as needed for different projects.
6. Time Management Trait
Effective time management is crucial for developers. It’s easy to procrastinate, thinking there’s always more time, but meeting deadlines is essential. Due dates can be stressful, but managing them is key to avoiding constant pressure and ensuring productivity.
Due to the complexities of coding, developers often find it hard to estimate how long tasks will take. It’s important to provide accurate estimates and stick to them, keeping projects on schedule.
7. Problem Solver
A good problem solver addresses issues effectively and offers viable alternatives. They don’t create new problems with every solution.
Problems are inevitable, but how a developer handles them is crucial. Key traits of effective problem solvers include:
- Viewing problems objectively without assigning blame
- Seeing problems as opportunities, not obstacles
- Being open to alternative solutions
8. Determination
Determination and commitment to solving problems are essential qualities in a web developer. Developers often face complex challenges that require persistence and a never-give-up attitude.
Determined developers are not easily discouraged by setbacks; instead, they view obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow. This unwavering commitment ensures that projects are completed successfully, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
There you Have it
Now you know what it takes to be a good web developer. We listed all the traits top-tier developers have. If you are on the hunt for the right web developer, you have come to the right place. Lucky for you, at DistantJob, we have over 10 years of experience in finding the best developers from all over the world.
All DistantJob HR recruiters are IT specialists who not only know how to test the technical knowledge of candidates but also look for traits like the ones above to make sure they will be an ideal fit for your company.
Whether you are looking to hire a remote PHP developer, .Net developer, or Clojure developer, we have it all. Contact us for more information about hiring the best IT talent for your company.