How we hire for a software position is complex. There are several boxes that need to be checked to make sure that you are a fit. Technology, culture, seniority, experience, and one’s ability to work on a team are the main areas where we look for matches. Sonatafy Technology has the opportunity and responsibility to hire for many different companies and our hiring process allows us to make sure that we not only find the right candidates for the company, but that we match our developers with a company that will help them grow and become better and more successful at what they do.
How We Hire: What qualifications do you need to be a software developer?
The qualifications that we look for encompass more than just being experienced at any one software language or toolset. We look for the whole package. Are you someone that can think on their feet? Are you someone that works well with others and clearly communicates your solutions and obstacles. We find that the best teams are made up of people that ask questions and help each other to solve problems. The ideal Sonatafy developer is professional and has respect for their craft and themselves. These are qualifications that you will need to be a developer on any team for any company.
When you are looking to work with Sonatafy you need to be prepared to tell us your story. Of course you will be greeted with the usual code test to gauge your understanding of the technologies that you work with, but more importantly, how will you fit on the team and will you be able to impact that team in a positive way.
How We Hire: How many years does it take to become a software developer?
You can easily be a software developer in just a few months if you have the aptitude. If you are learning a new scripting language or using a framework to quickly scaffold up a web application, with little time you can be a “software developer.” However, to make it in this industry you need to be a craftsperson and you need to be poised for mastery. The 10,000 hours of study is definitely in effect here. It is one thing to read a book or take a quick course on Udemy so you can merge a few .csv in Python and save yourself a few hours of manual work. It is another to be submerged in the opportunity of software development and the amount of work it takes to learn, try, develop, deploy, and test. Rinse and repeat.
Your Career: Is it hard to be a software developer?
This is subjective and will vary depending on who you are and how you look through the development lens. Some people count on their fingers and others can solve complex quadratics in their brain while doing a rubik’s cube. Which one are you? I would say yes it is hard to learn new and often changing technologies that will most definitely be a supporting cast of many other tools and ecosystems that you will have to learn to harness. Can you organize your learning and can you learn from your mistakes? Can you take mentoring and criticism well? If you do, and you love to learn and continue to push yourself, then being a software developer may not be hard, just a road you have to take to get to where you want to be.
How can I develop myself as a software developer?
The best way to develop your skills is to constantly be doing something that requires a software solution. Read books, watch videos, take classes, and keep trying to solve problems with code. From simple “Hello World” programs to multi-object stateless solutions, it’s all there for the taking. There are a lot of frameworks out there that will help you to make it easier and quicker to stand up a web or mobile application. You would be remiss if you did not take the time to learn about how those frameworks work and what they are doing. Get a degree in Computer Science if you can. This will help you understand design patterns and algorithms and how computer applications are constructed from a scientific and academic perspective. Take as many classes as you can. There are amazingly complex and well written courses out there covering every language, toolset, and cloud platform that is available. Immerse yourself and never stop learning.
