Current times focus on the balance between soft and hard skills driving professional opportunities. Technology processes, new interactive dynamics, global connection, and innovative learning environments encourage a new challenge: combine what we know and who we are. Easy? No way. Possible? Sure. Ready? We are.

Ceci Cornaglia is Eureka Labs’ People & Talent Manager, an enthusiastic believer of hiring processes and talent hunting seeking the integrated competencies and abilities that improve our company performance and joyful experience. Also, she is passionate about solving problems alongside Criminal Minds, listening to La Renga, and playing a lousy but amusing paddle.

Quoting Cecilia

there was a time where a lot of companies in the tech world were looking for Software Developers with only the ability to write the right code and execute accurate tests. Those days are gone. Excellent technical skills are not enough in the 2023 Universe: the software industry is more and more integrated with business”. Also, she points out that a new logic was born: “a software developer, as other professionals, needs to connect with the outside world, relate with peers being part of a team and be aware of a possible improvement in quality when teamwork drives projects.

When we asked our HR Manager which soft skills developers need the most, Ceci resumed the following:

Communication. Developers rarely develop a whole system on their own. They need to associate with other mates, even with a lot of non-developers involved in the entire process of creation. Considering that communication is a two-way process, it is important to speak or explain clearly and focus on being a great active listener.

Empathy. How could someone develop the best system ever if is not able to understand the potential users? The ability to put ourselves in other people´s place and think, at least for a couple of minutes, as the other person may do, is not only important but essential.

Tolerance to frustration. Probably one of the most difficult abilities to develop. No one likes to fail, no one is happy when something suddenly starts going wrong and it is never easy to accept mistakes. Nevertheless, it's impossible to succeed all the time and everywhere. In consequence, learning during the process becomes fundamental even if the result was not the one expected.

Accountability. If you did wrong but recognized it and had the chance to learn new lessons, halfway is already done. Yet, in the first place, it is crucial to start by acknowledging that something went wrong and maybe, it could be your responsibility: still it's ok! We are humans trying our best in a continuous learning process.

To summarize, Cecilia explained:

“technology, new software ,and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the World and have already modified several automated functions. In this environment, great developers still have the chance to stand out, and the difference between a developer and an awesome one relies mainly on those soft skills that reflect what kind of people work in each position”. A really challenging but positive path to success in current times: connect with others, understand the context, improve yourself and be human.