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- Issue 15
Today’s Issue: The soft skills you need as a Junior Developer.
Welcome to #15.
Soft Skills Tech Companies Love
When you think about landing a tech job, your mind might jump straight to coding, algorithms, and frameworks. While technical skills are essential, soft skills are what set great developers apart. These traits make you an effective team member, problem-solver, and communicator—all things tech companies value deeply. Here are the top soft skills you should focus on developing and why they matter.
Communication
Tech isn’t just about writing code; it’s about solving problems in a collaborative environment. With that in mind, being able to communicate efficiently is a vital skill to have in this role. You’ll be able to:
Clearly articulate your ideas to teammates and stakeholders.
Write documentation that others can easily understand.
Explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences (a skill every developer needs).
How to Build It: Practice explaining technical topics to a friend and join discussions on platforms like GitHub or Reddit to refine how you present your ideas.
Adaptability
The tech world changes fast. New tools, frameworks, and priorities can emerge overnight. Companies value developers who can embrace change and pivot when needed.
How to Build It: Stay curious and flexible. Challenge yourself to learn new technologies and step outside your comfort zone on projects.
Collaboration
Software development is rarely a solo endeavor. Whether you’re pair programming, working in a Scrum team, or coordinating across departments, being a collaborative team player is crucial.
How to Build It: Actively participate in group projects or open-source contributions. Focus on listening, sharing ideas constructively, and giving credit to others.
Problem-Solving
Debugging code, optimizing performance, and meeting project requirements all require creativity and persistence. Companies want developers who can think critically and tackle challenges head-on.
How to Build It: When faced with a problem, break it down into smaller pieces. Use frameworks like the “5 Whys” or mind maps to understand root causes and potential solutions.
Empathy
Understanding user needs, collaborating with teammates, and contributing to projects all require empathy. A developer who considers different perspectives builds better software.
How to Build It: Practice active listening. When working on user-centric features, put yourself in the user’s shoes and ask, “How would I feel using this?”
Time Management
With multiple tasks on your plate—coding, debugging, meetings, and learning new tech—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Good time management ensures you meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
How to Build It: Use productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking. Set realistic goals and communicate when you need help or more time.
Attention to Detail
A missed semicolon or incorrect API call can lead to major headaches. Employers value developers who can catch errors early and ensure the quality of their work
How to Build It: Double-check your code before committing it. Develop a habit of using linters, code formatters, and test suites to maintain quality.
Curiosity
The best developers are lifelong learners. A genuine curiosity for how things work—and how they can work better—will keep you ahead in the industry.
How to Build It: Set a goal to learn one new skill or concept every month. Read blogs, follow tech thought leaders, and experiment with side projects.
Soft skills aren’t just “nice to have”. They’re essential to thriving and advancing in this career. With the right mindset and practice all of these skills can easily be developed.
Job Board
Junior Software Engineer with Wave
You don’t see many junior positions that are remote so definitely take a look at this one!
Till Next Time
We are going into the holiday season which means things start to slow down for a lot of people working in tech. During this time you’ll probably have a little more time on your hands than you usually do so make the most of it and use it wisely! As always, if anyone has any questions or needs help with something just reach out!
Have a great weekend and happy coding!
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