Amadeus Consulting has been on a hiring spree recently (actually, for most of the last year), and so I’ve been involved with quite a few interviews and recruitment meetings. Since it has been on my mind, I thought it would be helpful to go over some thoughts on what makes a good software application developer.

Amadeus Consulting is a somewhat unique experience in that we work on a vast array of custom software development projects with an equally diverse array of clients. This presents an exciting environment, but also raises the bar for our employees as they must quickly adapt and understand new systems, new challenges and new opportunities for each client. But that is half of the fun.

1. Understanding of Systems and not just Software

Most software developers start their careers working inside of a software system with a pre-built framework, where the rules and processes are already fairly well established. This is a fine chance to build a good understanding of software and process; however it is important that developers also learn to understand the entire system and not just the piece they work with.

System-level understanding clarifies the purpose behind each rule and process and is necessary for making system level changes, such as broad scale enterprise optimization, or modernization. It is also important for properly completing smaller tasks as they can positively or negatively impact an entire system depending on how they are done.

2. Business Perspective

Similar to understanding software at the system level, it is also important to understand systems at the business level. This can also be learned or taught, but it requires a little extra thought and discipline on the part of the developer, so that they not only understand what needs to be done, but why it needs to be done (or what business purpose it serves.)

3. Solid Grasp of the Fundamentals

Technologies change. And even if they stopped changing, there are so many different languages, frameworks, and APIs and structures, that the most important thing anyone can know is the fundamentals behind it all.

This extends to some programming language expertise, but also foundational concepts such as object oriented design, polymorphism or inheritance. In this line of work, an understanding of the fundamentals (as well as the ability to apply them to new situations) will always triumph over raw experience.

We always look for a solid technology background, regardless of individual languages or toolsets.

4. Communication

I’m sure every English teacher in the country regularly berates their students about the importance of communication skills, but in an environment like ours, communication is one of the main filters we use for perspective candidates. Every employee is a front-line employee at one time or another, and must be able to communicate with tech and non tech clients effectively. Also, inter-team and intra-team communication is also vital to the success of any project.

In my view, communication is also a product of understanding. Not only should a good developer be able to do something, but they should be able to explain the process if necessary.

5. Desire to Learn

Technology always changes. A year or two ago, Objective-C was a somewhat obscure language that few developers specialized in because of its use primarily on Apple computers. Now with the iPhone, Objective-C is one of the hottest and most popular languages among new developers.

As technologies change, or as developers work on new systems, one of the most valuable skills is actually more of an attitude: the desire to learn more.

Being a custom software company, we are in an unusual place where we work with some of the newest systems as well as some of the oldest. Each new case and each new project has many unfamiliar elements and so we always look for people with an obvious love of technology and the initiative to understand new things.

Amadeus Consulting prides itself on having some of the most capable developers in the industry. This may not always mean the most experienced, but also people who can quickly understand problems and create solutions. Visit our website for more information on our custom software development capabilities at http://www.AmadeusConsulting.com.