In today’s technology-driven world, it is a known fact that skilled programmers are in very high demand. Statistics and predictions done by the US Department of Labor estimate that there will be 1.4 million computer programming related job openings by the year 2020. The flip side to this equation is that programming languages and techniques are constantly evolving. A programming language which is popular and in great demand today could be obsolete in the next few years. Hence, being up-to-date on the latest trend or language is the key to success and survival in this profession.
At Clarion, we get together for the love for programming. Therefore, while hiring our team of programmers, we look for people for the knowledge they possess and also for the attitude to constantly keep up with the latest technology in the market. Here are some of the key aspects we look for.
Programming is all about building the right logic so a lot of emphases is given on a programmer’s clear thinking and problem-solving skills. This is often checked by putting up a logic question test or providing a real work scenario to be solved. The initial approach is of utmost important. Programmers are expected not to try to start writing the code as soon as possible but rather understand the problem, break it into logical steps, ensure that the entire scope is covered, and build a strong foundation before the actual code creation process can start. We believe that a programmer should spend more than 60% of the time in designing the solution of the problem before writing any code.
Change is constant in the programming world. One of the must have skills to be a good programmer is definitely the ability to be a quick learner. A programmer who is not willing to learn or adapt to new challenges, programming languages, latest technologies will soon be outdated or in lesser demand. Programmers need to master their self-learning ability by constantly sharpening their skill set. At Clarion, the programmers keep themselves updated with the latest technologies through training sessions, well-equipped libraries, workshops, and event participation etc.
Great programmers always pay attention to the details rather than look at a problem statement superficially. They need to follow a structured approach to solve the problem at hand. In fact, a programmer needs to pay attention to the bigger picture on the overall design and programming approach while still being attentive to the details of the smaller module he or she is working on. In that sense, big picture thinking and small picture thinking should go hand in hand. At Clarion, since we use the Power Hiring method for hiring, getting a good understanding of this particular trait is quite easy.
A programmer with a passion for programming can go on and on when asked about a specific concept or a topic. This is because the programmer considers his work an exciting activity rather than a monotonous or an assigned work task which he is obliged to complete. Passionate programmers view programming as an art that continuously motivates them to strive for excellence. They also have the vision to build a sophisticated and meaningful end product which can be used in the real world and make lives easier. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from solving a tough nut is an adrenaline booster for many programmers.
One the crucial qualities of being a top notch programmer is having the overall business perspective rather than a narrow-minded approach that looks only at a specific task, module, or application in the entire software ecosystem. Businesses depend on powerful and accurate software for their success and profitability. Hence, a programmer with a focus on business can always come up with innovative ideas and solutions which will help to improve factors like creating a robust software, providing enhanced or out of the box customer experience, providing competitive advantage for the product, or creating the wow factor for the end users. At Clarion, it is especially important because all the programmers here interact directly with the clients and also innovate on behalf of the clients.
Most of the times programmers have to work on projects with tight deadlines and schedule. It is crucial for programmers to adhere to defined timelines. This can be achieved by effectively planning the tasks at hand. At times, it is also required to stretch if a particular task is complex or taking more than expected time.
Other tactics to become a sought-after programmer include creating a to-do list, adjusting priorities, splitting complex tasks into smaller chunks, and getting advice from experts on difficult problems! Of course, it doesn't necessarily go in the said order, but we try and see that a potential candidate exhibits a majority of these qualities.
That’s our side of the story. What do you look for in a new boss or your dream organization? Leave a comment and tell us!