Like any new technology company, a large percentage of our employees are developers in our R&D team. Mastering code is of course the fundamental base for a good developer, but excellence requires other qualities!
1, Mastering the basics
As in any discipline, mastering the basics, in this case programming, is fundamental in order to progress. As we’ll see, the developer business is not just automatically entering code in front of a computer, a detailed knowledge of algorithms and data structures is essential!
Let’s take an example from the legal profession: to be comfortable with a case, future heavyweights of the law world spend their first year of law school learning the different codes (civil, criminal), which govern the justice of their country! The same is true for developers, who have to learn the basics of code before building on further skills.
An engineering qualification remains the primary route for getting to grips with the basics. Nevertheless, here at SlimPay, we don’t close the door on any profile as long as there is motivation, creativity and talent!
2, Being able to take a step back
Being a developer, is primarily about creating a solution to a problem. Of course procedures exist, but do not be mistaken in thinking that simply following steps mechanically solves issues! Analysis can represent up to 60% of a developer’s approach and so a developer must be able to take a step back and THINK before proposing a conclusion. The remaining 40% is split between the implementing and reviewing the code.
3, Knowing how to adapt
Developers are solicited from all sides. They must be able to meet the business needs of companies that are evolving rapidly. It is therefore essential that they’re able to adapt quickly and aren’t afraid of change or to question themselves in order to be an efficient developer. This is especially important as developers can find themselves in situations that seem impossible at a first glance! An excellent developer doesn’t get discouraged easily and has to be resourceful!
4, Choose your favorite sector
A developer’s early career years are primarily spent getting the maximum experience possible! After about 5 years of experience, developers should consider specialising in a particular sector. Through specialising developers become better analysts of issues related to a specific field, which demand expertise with regards to specific features and subtleties. This is especially important if you want to evolve in terms of responsibilities.
5, Having a business view of your role
In addition to specialising in a specific sector, having a business vision of your role is also an asset for evolving as a manager / project manager. Every business evolves in an ecosystem of partners and competitors. In order to stand out, it is important to address the business issues that your company and its sector are dealing with.
6, Having a team spirit and communication skills
An excellent developer must have communication skills and team spirit. All clichés aside, a developer is part of a team in which members exchange, coordinate and debate! It is also important to build relationships with other departments, such as the product teams for example, with whom collaboration is essential in order to offer the best user experience possible for customers.
7, Being passionate and proud of what you do
What you create and put in place must make you proud! The choice of a job is not based on a current trend, but by a real affinity with the discipline. It is ultimately passion that will make you excel in this field and make you a motivated employee, who is constantly improving and exceeding objectives. Mindset really makes a difference and is what makes an excellent developer!
You are a developer looking for a new experience? Fascinated by everything tech and ready for a challenge? Check out what SlimPay has to offer!
Psssst, still need convincing? Discover our Top 10 Reasons to Work for a Fintech!
