How to Increase Your Worth as a Software Developer
The software development industry is booming, and as more and more companies turn to digital technologies and softwares to undertake business processes and market themselves, the demand for software developers is becoming much greater. However, according to Business Wire, 94% of tech employers believe there is an industry wide skill shortage and that the UK is heading towards a digital skills shortage disaster, but despite this, competition for software development and engineer roles is still very high.
If you’re thinking about fast-tracking your career in software, here are a few ways you can increase your value as a developer.
Always keep learning and stay up to date with the market
If you want to be an appealing candidate, you should do all you can to keep your skill set up-to-date and flexible; even if you have a niche. In 2021 we’re seeing more and more employers recruiting software developers who have cloud skills in Amazon Web Services or Azure, whereas 10 years ago Python and Objective-C were the most popular programming languages.
If you don’t have experience in Azure or AWS, you could undertake certifications and courses in your own time; this will show employers that you’re inquisitive and motivated to learn on your own.
Both Amazon and Microsoft offer their own courses and certifications – some of these are free. You could also join LinkedIn groups such as LinkedIn’s ‘Software Developer’ Group where you can network with like minded individuals and stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technology. All of this will show prospective employers you are driven and can adapt to this ever changing industry.
Shout about your soft skills
Whilst hard coding skills are vital for software developers, your soft skills are what will help you forge relationships with clients and colleagues. Long gone are the days where developers can get a job based on their exceptional coding skills – with employers moving over to hybrid working models, they expect their employees to fit within their team.
During appraisals or the interview process, you should give examples of teamwork and instances where you’ve built rapports with your teammates. You should also talk to interviewers and employers about what you do during your free time. Whether you love to read, play a musical instrument or go for long walks on the beach, they want to know about your life and what you enjoy.
Use GitHub to show off your skills
If you’re looking for a new role in software development, it’s highly likely that your employer will ask to see your GitHub portfolio. However, it can be difficult to know what to include in your GitHub portfolio. From showing a website or mobile app to writing some prospective employer targeted code that demonstrates your skillset and captures the company’s attention, your GitHub should showcase realistic projects.
Give value in every project
It’s no secret that software developers are given a wide range of tasks from their employers, and have to manage heavy workloads. If you want to increase your worth then you need to make sure the projects you’re working are giving value to your customers or company. You can then give examples of this during your interviews.
Take the next step in your software development career today
Whether you’re an external contractor or working in-house, there’s no time like the present to start adding value to your role. If you’re an external contractor and concerned about the upcoming IR35 changes, speak to one of our experts today, or have a look at our contractor earnings calculator to see how your take home pay will be affected.
At ECS Resource Group, we have over 30 years’ experience in helping a wide variety of specialist IT, telecoms, development and engineering professionals find the right role for them. Thanks to our unrivalled level of knowledge and expertise, we can help clients to find the right solution that meets their recruitment demands, adding immediate value and improving quality and service. Get in touch with one of our experts and find out how we can help you.