Software engineers are innovative masterminds who create web applications, operating systems and network systems. These professionals are focused on operating systems-level software, and network allocation software for both consumer use and companies.
At Borderless, we recognize software developers as the masterminds involved in the process of creating computer programs to meet companies’ needs and expectations. We also recognize senior software engineers as those who have at least 5 years of experience as an engineer or developer and have had at least one or two years of tech lead experience.
Software developers vary and what they do or create is different depending on the stacks their proficiency lies with or the industry they work with. Developers can be found developing software for sectors like medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, software, scientific and general computing applications.
But what makes you stand out as a senior software engineer working with borderless? Here are three important things you need to know if you are looking to upskill yourself as a software developer.
- Be ready to be a team player
The creation of software programs doesn’t always happen with just one person. It happens through the writing of code, analyzing the needs of the user and then creating, testing and developing software that will solve a problem, provide entertainment or simply make life easier for its intended users. So, being a software engineer mostly means that you will be paired with a team. A team of UI/UX designers, Product Owners or Managers, Data scientists and so on. Programmers are also not left out of your team. After mapping out a design, creating flowcharts and drafting out each step of the process, developers will build diagrams and models and get programmers to write the code for the program. This is why good communication skills, empathy and skill for collaborating with others is a necessity.
As a senior software engineer, you could oversee a team of software developers in getting the job done. You may also have to navigate collaborating with others in different functional areas to bring products that they are working on to live. Additionally, team playing saves you from a lot of stress as a senior software engineer when things don’t go according to plan. Creating software can be tricky and tiring work, so it’s important that you don’t get frustrated when you don’t succeed. In a situation like this, your team will have your back and give you the motivation you need to keep going.
Borderless values the essence of having a well-functioning team. As a result, we are focused on matching software developers and engineers with teams that will make the most of them.
- A healthy balance of soft and hard skills
The job title or label might be ‘software engineer’, but it goes beyond just working on software applications. A software developer must have a healthy balance of soft and hard skills. Hard technical skills like Java, SQL, javaScript, python, git, oracle, DevOps, C# e.t.c. These stacks will get you far but without the right attitude or other skills, you might not reach your full potential as a senior software engineer. This is why you need soft skills. Soft skills like good time management, good communication, flexibility and problem-solving skills. The combination of these hard and soft skills is needed to ensure a smooth and effective work experience.
If you are planning to join our team at Borderless, here are a few things that would be expected of you as a software engineer/developer amongst other things:
- In-depth understanding of the customer’s business.
- Maintaining software functionality or creating a new one. This would obviously require programming and scripting language.
- Creating supporting documentation for new technology. This will enable people to understand its functions.
- Familiarity with databases like Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. It will serve as a way to store, access, organize, and structure data.
- Ability to troubleshoot problems and upgrade existing systems.
- Efficiently designing the outline for web applications.
- Having a basic knowledge of project management is also a plus because it makes it easier to work on teams and organize your own tasks
- Stay updated
This is another important factor if you want to stand out as a senior software with borderless. You have to always stay updated. It is no news that in the world of tech changes take place all the time. This is why you have to stay abreast of new trends as they arise in the world of tech.
A major way to stand out as a senior software engineer is through your resume. Your resume serves as the first point of contact between you and your recruiter. Your resume needs to contain major important details and describe how you’ve creatively, independently or together with your team come up with solutions to difficult client requests or overcome any obstacles that would have threatened the success of your project.
Another way is by reading books and blogs about new technologies and learning from others who have been there. If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from other people, or via tech forums.
You also need to learn how to pick up new languages and frameworks quickly. Your ability to learn new things will be one of the key differentiators between you and your peers.
Make sure you don’t focus too much on just one technology development area, such as server-side technologies like Java or C++, or client-side technologies like JavaScript or React. Preferably ensure you grow into being a full stack engineer.
In Conclusion:
As a Software developer, It is also important to make sure that your resume best showcases your skills as they relate to the job description.
You should also explore deeper into areas like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) as well because in recent years AI has been everywhere and has become increasingly important in software engineering jobs. It will undoubtedly be even more prevalent in future job roles in the future.
This means that learning how AI works will benefit you greatly in your career. It’s also a beneficial skill outside of just engineering if you want to get involved with startups or invent new products using this technology.
Log on to Borderless, Create a free profile and let companies apply to interview you (with salary details upfront).
Read Also: 5 effective ways to optimize your LinkedIn as a software developer.
