In recent remarks, Huang said the company’s growth in AI is no longer driven solely by chip design, but by the ability to deliver end-to-end AI platforms that combine hardware, software, networking, and large-scale systems. That strategy is shaping where NVIDIA is hiring—and which skills it values most.

Key AI roles NVIDIA is prioritising

Huang indicated that NVIDIA’s hiring focus spans several high-impact technical areas:

• AI and machine learning engineers working on model optimisation, inference efficiency, and deployment at scale
• Software engineers specialising in CUDA, AI frameworks, compilers, and developer platforms
• Data-centre and systems engineers integrating GPUs, networking, power, and cooling for large AI clusters
• Cloud and AI infrastructure specialists supporting hyperscalers, enterprises, and sovereign AI initiatives
• Research scientists advancing next-generation AI architectures, performance techniques, and training methods

The emphasis reflects NVIDIA’s belief that its competitive edge lies in deep integration across the AI stack, rather than in hardware alone.

Why talent matters more than ever

Huang has stressed that as customers explore alternative accelerators and custom chips, NVIDIA’s software ecosystem and engineering expertise remain difficult to replicate. He has described people as one of the company’s most durable advantages, particularly in areas such as high-performance computing, distributed systems, and energy-efficient AI workloads.

Despite broader volatility in the technology job market, NVIDIA continues to signal that AI-focused hiring remains a priority, even as some peers slow recruitment or restructure teams.

What this means for AI professionals

For engineers and researchers, NVIDIA’s hiring priorities point to where long-term demand is strongest. Skills in infrastructure, optimisation, and production-grade AI systems are increasingly valued over narrow or experimental roles.

As AI shifts from research to critical enterprise and national infrastructure, NVIDIA’s message is clear: the next phase of AI growth will be built by specialised teams, not just faster chips.

Material by Iva Abadjievа

IMAGE: NVIDIA

The difference lies less in job titles and more in skills, scope, and mindset.

The QA Roles Most at Risk

Manual Testers Focused on Repetitive UI Testing

Roles centered on executing predefined test cases by hand — especially regression and UI-only testing — are the most exposed.

Why:

• AI and record-and-replay tools can already cover repetitive flows
• CI/CD pipelines require speed humans can’t match
• UI tests are increasingly auto-generated and self-healing

Manual testing itself isn’t obsolete — but manual-only roles with no automation or domain depth are.

Testers Isolated from the Development Process

QA specialists working as a downstream “approval gate” are being phased out.

Common characteristics:

• No involvement in requirements or design
• Testing starts after development is “done”
• Limited understanding of system architecture

Modern teams expect QA to be embedded, not external.

Low-Code / Script-Only Automation Engineers

Automation engineers who rely heavily on fragile scripts without understanding:

• system internals
• APIs
• data flows
• failure modes

are increasingly replaceable by AI-assisted test generation and smarter frameworks.

The market now values test engineers, not “script maintainers.”

QA Roles That Are Growing Stronger

Test Automation Engineers with Engineering Depth

Automation specialists who understand:

• APIs and contracts
• backend logic
• cloud environments
• version control and CI/CD

are seeing increased demand, not less.

These roles often overlap with software engineering and are critical to release velocity.

QA Engineers Embedded in Agile & DevOps Teams

QA specialists who:

• participate in sprint planning
• influence acceptance criteria
• design test strategies early

are becoming strategic contributors.

They don’t just test features — they shape what gets built and how.

Reliability, SRE & Quality Engineering Roles

As uptime and performance become business-critical, QA is merging with reliability engineering.

Growing areas include:

• resilience testing
• chaos engineering
• performance validation
• production verification

These roles often collaborate closely with SRE teams and platform engineers.

Security- and Compliance-Oriented QA

With rising supply-chain attacks and regulatory pressure, QA specialists who focus on:

• secure testing
• dependency validation
• auditability
• data integrity

are increasingly hard to replace.

Security-aware QA is now a risk management function, not a cost center.

The New Reality: QA Titles Matter Less Than Capabilities

The market is not asking:

Are you a manual or automation tester?

It’s asking:

Can you help us ship reliable software faster, with fewer incidents?

Future-proof QA specialists typically:

• write code (even if not production code)
• understand systems, not just features
• use AI as a tool, not a crutch
• think in terms of risk, not checklists

What QA Professionals Should Do Now

To stay relevant in the next 3–5 years:

• Learn automation fundamentals (APIs, assertions, test design)
• Get comfortable with CI/CD pipelines
• Develop domain expertise (finance, healthcare, infra, AI)
• Understand observability and production metrics
• Use AI tools — but verify everything they produce

Bottom Line

QA jobs aren’t vanishing — narrow QA jobs are.

The future belongs to QA specialists who think like engineers, collaborate like product partners, and understand that quality is not a phase — it’s a system.

For those willing to evolve, QA may actually become more influential than ever.

Material by Iva Abadjievа

Image: Freepik

What skills do you think will be most important for cloud infrastructure specialists in the next 3–5 years?

With the constant development of technologies in the field of cloud solutions and the growing interest of companies in them, specialists in this field are increasingly in demand. The migration from private infrastructures to cloud solutions requires experts who can create secure, efficient, and financially sound plans, as well as architectures that do not disrupt the availability of business products.

The market is moving towards more complex roles that combine design, cost optimization, automation, working with multi-cloud and hybrid environments, and security. This is a natural evolution of the specialist profile and reflects the long-term goals of companies in the field of cloud solutions.

Candidates are increasingly valued for soft skills that enable them to translate technical skills in cloud solutions into business value. Presentation skills and the ability to adapt content for non-technical audiences will also find increasing application in the intertwined infrastructure and business solutions in the cloud.

What approaches do you use at Paysafe to develop and retain talent in a team that works with cloud technologies?

At Paysafe, we focus on technical work in which employees see meaning, opportunities for growth and development, a positive culture, and the idea that cloud infrastructure solutions have value equivalent to that of our business products. In modern business applications to end customers, infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring fast, secure, and reliable service for our users.

Beyond the ongoing maintenance of our systems, employees work on business tasks with infrastructure dependencies that provoke technical thinking and experimentation, leading to the construction of architecture and a model for its reliable long-term maintenance, often distributed across different teams and continents. Paysafe operates in a modern DevOps-oriented environment that encourages collaboration, autonomy in decision-making, and the use of modern infrastructure tools such as code, monitoring, and telemetry.

Employees have access to a variety of resources with up-to-date technical literature and certification opportunities provided by the company.

What role do you think automation and artificial intelligence will play in the development of talent in this field?

Automation and artificial intelligence are the main accelerators of technical development for candidates in the field of cloud technologies. They help create intelligent and predictable technical solutions, with an additional key feature: the ability to automatically recognize and correct errors.

By using automation for routine operations, specialists gain more time to invest in infrastructure development and decision-making for its improvement based on feedback from monitoring tools that track systems at multiple levels and build a comprehensive picture of behaviour.

What new roles or profiles do you expect to see emerge in the field of cloud infrastructure, and how should candidates prepare for them?

With the development of cloud solutions, artificial intelligence, and automation capabilities, traditionally known roles will evolve into new hybrid ones in line with market demand.

Some of these roles are:

Cloud-native Platform Engineer – focused on creating platforms for developing cloud-based business systems

Cloud FinOps Specialist – as infrastructure grows, so does the need for cost control and optimization

SecOps Engineer – working with infrastructure as code for security control, as well as building systems for early problem detection

To prepare, candidates need to keep up with trends in the field, as well as the increasing number of products appearing in the portfolios of companies offering cloud solutions. Researching and experimenting with new technologies gives candidates visibility into new opportunities that they can use as part of their work, apply them, and improve existing infrastructure solutions.

The material and image are provided by Paysafe

Why did you choose Java and its ecosystem?

I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about Java at university, but my professional path led me to it in a very logical way. I started with data science and BI, then at Paysafe I mainly worked with Oracle and PL/SQL.

Gradually, while working on real projects, I began to get into Java through smaller tasks. I liked the structure, the capabilities of the language, and the strong ecosystem, especially in the context of large payment systems.

Over time, Java proved to be a natural extension of what I was doing. It provided stability, a rich ecosystem, strong tooling, and excellent integration with the architecture and SDKs we use at Paysafe. I moved from small tasks to more complex initiatives, and at one point I simply found myself in a role where Java was my main tool, and it was completely conscious and logical.

How has your work as a Java programmer changed in recent years?

My work as a Java engineer has changed significantly in recent years.

The language and ecosystem are evolving rapidly, which has reduced boilerplate code and increased productivity, making work more enjoyable.

Also, almost everything is now cloud-based. Technologies such as AWS bring enormous advantages, but this also means that programmers now need to be much more familiar with cloud architecture rather than focusing purely on their code.

The pace of work is also more dynamic. Releases are more frequent and require constant learning and adaptation.

The biggest change is the advent of AI, which I use as a tool for discussing ideas and speeding up routine tasks, but not for critical implementations. It is a valuable assistant, but it requires a careful and responsible approach.

Which new technologies or versions of Java do you think will have the greatest impact in 2025?

Over the past 10 years or so, the Java ecosystem has undergone continuous improvements. This applies to the language itself, as well as to the JVM and accompanying Java tools.

In my opinion, the technology that has had and will continue to have the greatest impact is undoubtedly Project Loom.

For me, this is a revolution in Java—virtual threads enable huge improvements in system performance and scalability without the need for particularly complex changes to the existing code or additional infrastructure resources.

Added to this are Structured Concurrency and Scoped Values, which further improve Java’s concurrency model and lead to more efficient management of parallel tasks.

At the same time, developments in the JVM and improvements in garbage collection make the ecosystem faster, lighter, and better optimized for cloud environments, a factor that is key for modern platforms and microservice architectures.

To what extent can Java adapt to cloud environments, microservices, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)?

I think Java is quite successful in adapting to industry requirements, mainly due to the development of the JVM itself, as well as frameworks such as Spring.

For example, effective management of hardware resources such as memory and CPU, due to the fact that the JVM is “resource-aware” to the container in which the application is deployed.

At the same time, modern Garbage Collection algorithms reduce overhead and make applications more stable and economical in cloud infrastructure.

The Spring Boot + Spring Cloud stack itself is the de facto standard in application development, specifically microservices in cloud environments.

It provides tools for service discovery, load balancing, centralized configuration, and much more.

This enables the Java ecosystem to create standalone, lightweight, fast-starting, fast, and easily scalable applications.

In my opinion, Java is not just adapting, but rather setting the standard in the industry.

What is the role of the open-source community and how does it support the development of Java?

The open-source community is perhaps one of the biggest forces behind the popularity and development of the ecosystem.

The OpenJDK project allows many companies and individual engineers to contribute improvements to the language, JVM, and tooling, which accelerates innovation and eliminates the risk of dependence on a single vendor. Without this model, the evolution of Java would be significantly slower and probably more expensive.

Open JDK allows everyone to have their own distribution, which they control without relying on a single vendor, and to use it according to their needs.

Many of today’s technologies in the ecosystem are due to it: Spring, Maven, Gradle, and many others arose precisely because the community had to solve a practical problem. Imagine dependency management without Maven/Gradle.

Every programmer can also challenge themselves and try to improve their skills by reviewing or even trying to contribute to an open source project.

I personally haven’t gotten there yet, but maybe in the future.

In short, I think that much of Java’s progress is due precisely to the active, strong, and innovative open-source culture behind it.

How do you keep your knowledge up to date in such a dynamic environment?

I try to keep my knowledge up to date by regularly reading articles, documentation, and technical blogs when time allows. Although I don’t always manage to pay attention to all the books and materials, I try to keep up with key developments in the ecosystem.

The team environment also plays a big role: conversations with colleagues, code reviews, and working on common tasks often reveal new approaches and technologies.

In my opinion, learning from other engineers is one of the most valuable things, regardless of position. The possibilities of the language are endless, and there is always something new to learn.

Here, I need to give a shoutout to one of my colleagues, Stefan Ivanov, who also works at Paysafe. He was the one who opened my eyes to virtual threads, which I had overlooked. Exactly one month later, I was already using them.

Do you think Java will remain one of the leading languages, and why?

I am convinced that Java will remain among the leading languages for many years to come. A huge part of global software—corporate systems, critical infrastructure, and government applications—is built on Java, and such a foundation cannot be replaced easily or quickly.

In practice, there is no other language that has proven itself and can consistently do a better job.

When we add the continuous innovations in the language and the JVM, as well as the strong open-source community, Java not only maintains its position but continues to evolve and become more accessible and attractive to new engineers.

The material and image are provided by Paysafe

Konstantin Drenski, Senior Software Engineer

Konstantin has been a senior software engineer at Paysafe since 2021. In addition to the financial industry, his professional career to date includes experience on several large software projects in the telecommunications and energy sectors. In his free time, he enjoys sports, traveling, and experimenting with new technologies.

Alexander Petrov, Software Engineer

Alexander is a software engineer with 5 years of experience in Java, Spring Boot, and microservices architecture. Outside of work, he has a strong interest in electric vehicle platforms and battery technology. He often applies his engineering mindset to his hobbies, whether it’s home automation, energy efficiency, or smart solutions for everyday life.

Stoyan Stoyanov, Junior Software Engineer

Stoyan has been a Software Engineer at Paysafe since 2024. He holds an engineering degree in mechanical engineering and transitioned into the field of software engineering about four years ago. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and actively engaging in various sports activities.

What do you like most about your job as a software engineer?

Konstantin: What I like most is the opportunity to solve complex problems through technology and create solutions that have a real impact.

Alexander: I like that I can create something useful, from an idea to a real working product. I feel satisfied when I see how the solution I have worked on makes others’ work easier or contributes to a better experience for end users. In addition, my profession constantly challenges me – there is always something new to learn and improve upon.

Stoyan: I like the fact that by writing code, we actually solve problems and create value. The work combines logic and creativity, and the greatest satisfaction comes when I see something I’ve worked on being used in real life—especially on a large scale, as I’ve seen with my previous employers and now at Paysafe. Technology is constantly changing, which keeps me curious and engaged – it’s never boring.

When you encounter a technical challenge, how do you approach solving it?

Konstantin: When I encounter a technical challenge, I first analyze it thoroughly, break it down into smaller parts, and systematically seek a solution through research, testing, and collaboration with the team.

Alexander: First, I try to really understand the problem– what exactly is not working and why. Then I develop a clear plan of action – step by step. If necessary, I look for information, consult with colleagues, or try out different options. I believe that with patience, logic, and good communication, every challenge has a solution.

Stoyan: I usually start by understanding the full context – not just what’s broken, but why, and what should be happening. I break the problem down into smaller steps and look for confirmation through logs, tests, or observing the behavior of the system. If I’m stuck, I don’t hesitate to ask a colleague for advice. My work so far has taught me that asking the right question at the right time saves a lot of time and effort.

What is the most important lesson you have learned so far in your career?

Konstantin: The most important lesson I have learned so far in my career is that effective communication and collaboration are as key to success as technical skills.

Alexander: My most important lesson so far is that at work, especially in a team, it is not only important to find a solution, but also how you present and communicate it. A good software engineer is not someone who knows everything, but someone who knows how to work effectively with others, share knowledge, and create clarity, not confusion.

Stoyan: I have learned that communication is just as important as writing good code. There have been cases where better coordination would have saved hours of debugging. Another important lesson is that good planning and design at the beginning can save a lot of headaches in the end – something I have also seen in larger projects in a corporate environment.

How do you maintain and develop your skills in the dynamic world of technology?

Konstantin: I maintain and develop my skills through continuous learning. I follow new technologies, participate in online courses, read specialized literature, and engage in practical projects that challenge me to step outside my comfort zone.

Alexander: I try to regularly find time for learning, sometimes through online courses, sometimes through real projects, or by setting myself new challenges. I keep track of what is changing in our field, I like to experiment and ask myself the question: “Can this be done better?” For me, development is a continuous process.

Stoyan: To be honest, my free time doesn’t always allow me to keep up with everything new, so I try to get involved in a variety of tasks and projects at work that allow me to learn new technologies. This way, I learn practically – “on the go,” through real problems. This helps me develop naturally, without losing touch with the real context.

What do you think makes a team of software engineers successful?

Konstantin: In my opinion, a successful team of software engineers is built on open communication, mutual trust, clearly defined roles, and shared responsibility for the end result.

Alexander: A successful team is built on trust, respect, and open communication. Everyone should feel free to share ideas and concerns. When people help each other, learn from each other, and work together toward a common goal, the results are really good. And last but not least, a good mood in the team is always reflected in the quality of the work.

Stoyan: Clear communication and a culture of mutual trust are the foundation. In a strong team, people help each other, are not afraid to share uncertainties, and give each other feedback. In my opinion, teams are most effective when everyone is clear about how they contribute, but is also open to getting involved in things outside their comfort zone if necessary. I have seen this in practice – good teams are immediately recognizable by the way they communicate and take responsibility.

The material and images are provided by Paysafe

How do you enjoy working from an office in nature from two huts in Vitosha? 

Variety in daily life is an important part of the rhythm of work, not only because it improves emotional stability and health, but also because it naturally unlocks human creativity. Because our work in the IT department is not trivial and we don’t always know in advance the steps that will solve the problem at hand, some of the idea generation happens in unconventional places, often away from the computer. In this line of thought, we appreciate very much the flexibility that Paysafe provides us, to work in nature for part of the time, to enjoy the sun, greenery and fresh air.

What are the main advantages for you when working in the mountains compared to working in a traditional office environment? 

Working outdoors in the mountains activates alternative parts of the brain that often get left behind in a predictable office environment where everything looks the same, day after day. In fact, some of our boldest ideas have been generated outside of the regular office environment and the effect on team spirit is unparalleled.

How does this change in environment affect you – do you feel a difference in concentration, motivation or work-life balance? 

I have noticed that after a day like this, all colleagues are extremely energised and I am sure that even after they go home, the feeling remains and they are able to share it with their loved ones. This is the magic of fresh air, open skies and the living forest. For me personally, the feeling after such a day, no matter how busy it was in terms of operational tasks, is like coming back from an outing with friends.

How often do you take this opportunity and does it happen that you work from the hut together with colleagues? 

We use this opportunity the most in the warm season, when the weather is suitable to stay outdoors all day. This means that we open the season from the beginning of June and close it after mid-October when late autumn starts. So far, I have never gone to work from the hut alone, we are always together with colleagues – it is so much more fun, and more productive. Many times we have used these days out to organize workshops with the teams in order to generate ideas, solve a particular problem and bring the team together.

How do your family and friends react when they find out you work from a cabin in the mountains?

Some of them, who are not used to the concept, are surprised, even asking me, “Well, how come? Do you manage to do good work from there?” I answer this question with a smile, assuring them that some of our most significant results have been achieved precisely through the unconventional approach, encouraging them to try it too, if of course their employer offers them such flexibility. I have also shown them photos of workshops in nature, where the mood and commitment of the participants is evident. After such a discussion I leave everyone with a curiosity and willingness to try and give something new and different a chance.

What place do nature and the mountains have in your way of working and taking care of yourself?

No matter how advanced we are as a society and technology, nature remains our natural habitat. I am personally of the opinion that without regular contact with it, true and complete human health and happiness is unattainable. That’s why I’ve given this type of activity a central place in my life, taking every possible moment to be outside in the woods or a nearby park. As for outdoor work – it inspires me, refreshes me and brings me new perspectives.

Would you recommend this model of work to colleagues and why?

Not only do I recommend this model of work to colleagues, I directly encourage them and go with them when commitments allow. I have repeatedly recommended working from the mountains to my fellow managers as an excellent prerequisite for running successful team workshops, and quite a few of them have already been convinced by personal experience. I would like to tell everyone who reads these lines not to hesitate and get up in the mountains, try the homemade breakfast softies, open their laptop and see what wonders their mind will create in this environment free from office barriers.

The material and images are provided by Paysafe

Professionals on leading positions and Java developers from international companies took part in the webinar. We’d like to thank them all once again for participating. A big Thank you to:

• Anna Zaharova, Java Developer at Cortlex 
• Damien Ferriol, VP HR EMEA at Axway
• Nina Pivavarchyk, People and Culture Lead at Cortlex
• Dominique Fougerat, EVP People & Culture at Axway
• Bojidar Ivanov, Senior Director, Research&Development at Axway
• Mani Sarkar, Polyglot Programmer: Software I Data I ML Engineer

Iva Abadjieva, Founder of Java2Days – the premier Java conference and Founder and Editor in Chief of DevStyleR also took part in the discussion.

During the event, they discussed topics such as salaries of Java developers, employee benefits, career development opportunities, work-life balance, inclusion and diversity in the companies, employer’s requirements, implementation of new technologies, tools and frameworks, technical and soft skills, interview processes and many more.

The audience was from all around the globe but mostly from the US, Europe, India, some African countries, etc. They were very active in terms of asking questions and the panelists did a great job answering them and creating discussions between each other.

Questions regarding an inclusive workplace were raised. These days companies are open to employing candidates from different cultural backgrounds. Another topic of discussion was the pandemic, due to which, many employees are now able to work from home all around the world in international companies. The speakers also expressed their opinions regarding the best-paid technologies their companies implement into projects. They also talked about the best projects for starting a career as a Java programmer, as well as the politics of different companies, the demand of Java developers, the importance of Oracle certifications in Java, and many more.

The 2021 Open Source Jobs Report, compiled jointly by the Linux Foundation, and learning platform edX, gives a nice overview of the demand for open source talent and emerging trends among open source professionals.

The ninth annual edition of the report notes that cloud and container technology skills are most in-demand by hiring managers, surpassing Linux for the first time in the history of the report, with 46% of hiring managers on the lookout for cloud skills. Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin,  said:

“Open source talent is in high demand, encouraging the most experienced pros to look for new opportunities while hiring managers battle it out for the most desirable candidates. For those looking for the best career paths, it is evident that cloud-native computing, DevOps, Linux, and security hold the most promising opportunities.”

Skills gap

The report surveyed more than 200 hiring managers from across SMBs, large corporations, government organizations, and staffing agencies across the globe. It then combined them with responses from more than 750 open source professionals to get a pulse of the trends. Surprisingly, even though 50% of the surveyed employers are increasing hires this year. an overwhelming number of hiring managers (92%) note that sufficient talent with open source skills is difficult to come by.

To close the skill gap, employers are prioritizing training investments, with an overwhelming number of managers (88%) prioritizing hires of certified talent, and a similar percentage of managers willing to pay for employees to obtain certifications.

One worrying increase is in the number of open source professionals who report they have been discriminated against (18%). The jump represents a 125% increase over the past three years, which isn’t flattering for the community.

Both career fields require extensive programming experience, a strong attention to detail, and a knack for problem solving, but they have different workflows, maintenance requirements, and levels of complexity. For example, web developers often work in close collaboration with business and marketing experts to ensure their company’s website is efficient, user friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. Software developers, on the other hand, tend to work with other tech-oriented co-workers on large-scale software, operating system, and mobile application projects that might not require input from other business units. Ultimately, the career path students choose should align with their professional goals and personal interests, which is why it’s crucial to explore each role in detail before committing the time and resources.

Becoming a Web Developer

Web developers are responsible for how a website or web application looks and functions, from its user interface and page layout to back-end systems for gathering data. They work with organization leaders to design unique and engaging websites for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and anyone else looking to communicate more effectively online. Web developers are also in charge of maintaining the performance of the websites and applications they create, ensuring users have a consistent and positive browsing experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, common web developer job responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with clients/business leaders to outline new web design projects
• Creating and testing web applications and website features
• Writing code in various programming languages, including HTML/CSS, XML, and JavaScript
• Integrating content into websites, such as graphics, written copy, videos, and audio
• Establishing technical requirements to support websites’ long-term functionality
• Developing security elements to protect user data and business assets
• Monitoring website traffic and performance

Diving a bit deeper, the web development field can be broken down into three specialized areas based on a candidate’s particular skill sets and professional interests: back-end developers, front-end developers, and full-stack developers. Each of these web design roles comes with different expectations and responsibilities:

Back-end web developers: These professionals focus on the technical aspects of websites and web applications that support both basic and advanced functionality. They largely work on administrative components including databases, website architecture, and application logic, creating new APIs and user interfaces based on predefined specifications. Generally speaking, this type of developer is concerned with how websites and web-based applications work on a fundamental level.

Front-end web developers: Sometimes called client-side developers, these design experts are in charge of how websites and applications look and function from the users’ perspective. They are responsible for making all online content easy to access, browse, and interact with, especially for users who may have limited computer skills. Front-end web developers must also ensure their websites are compatible with a wide range of operating systems, browsers, and devices to prevent display and functionality errors.

Full-stack web developers: As the job title suggests, these web design professionals are proficient in both front- and back-end development tasks. Most full-stack web developers have extensive experience in application design, user experience, and programming languages like HTML, XML, JavaScript, MySQL, and others. As such, they are able to fill advisory roles and technical positions that require both computer science and business savvy.

Becoming a Software Developer

Software developers invent, manage, and optimize computer programs that run on desktops, laptops, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Using different programming languages ― such as Java, Python, C#, and SQL ― these computer science professionals write complex code that governs how desktop applications function. Many software developers work for large technology companies, like Microsoft and Oracle, designing new products or fine-tuning existing applications. This includes troubleshooting code bugs, updating user interfaces, creating new in-app tools, and much more. According to the BLS, software developers have some combination of the following responsibilities:

• Analyzing users’ needs and designing software-based solutions
• Recommending software upgrades to existing computer programs and systems
• Designing new applications for specific audiences (consumers, enterprises, etc.)
• Creating detailed models and diagrams that outline which software code is needed
• Documenting all aspects of application and system design for future reference
• Testing code for new applications to ensure consistency and efficiency
• Ensuring software is compatible with present data management systems

Software developers are heavily involved in every stage of the application design process, from the initial planning to the final rollout of new computer programs. However, just like web developers, professionals in this field are often categorized into specific roles based on their specializations: software applications developers and software systems developers.

Software applications developers: These professionals tend to focus on designing specific desktop and mobile applications, tools, and games for consumer audiences, according to the National Center for O*NET Development (NCOD). They often work on the same project for many years and are responsible for ensuring their software is functional, engaging, and efficient.

Software systems developers: Developers in this role are largely concerned with designing systems-level software for enterprise customers, rather than the public, according to the NCOD. They use their extensive programming knowledge to create computing applications for a range of industries, from manufacturing to aerospace and beyond. The software they develop is used to manage corporate networking apps, database management systems, and other critical infrastructure.

 BUILD THE HARD SKILLS

Get in the habit of regularly doing code challenges. It’s a much more effective way to prepare for coding interview questions than trying to cram a bunch of studying in before the big day. It’s important to schedule time each day to attempt at least one code challenge. You’ll get better at solving them, and you’ll also get better at outlining your process and speaking to it. A few great websites to help you practice code challenges in varying degrees of difficulty include LeetCode, Codewars, and AlgoExpert.

These code challenges help build the essential hard skills you need to perform well in a coding interview technically. If you’re applying for a mid-level position as a software engineer, you’ll want to feel pretty solid with these types of practice problems in your interview preparation. If you’re gearing up for your first technical interview as a junior engineer, you’ll want at least some exposure and practice with these.

DON’T FORGET THE SOFT SKILLS

Mastery of coding challenges is only half the battle in coding interview preparation, so don’t forget the soft skills. Throughout the entire interview process, including the technical coding interview, there are a lot of things that interviewers are looking for besides your ability to code. These other skills have to do with how well you communicate your thought process, collaborate, talk about the problem at hand, your leadership skills, your drive to learn, and generally speaking, how nice you are. Soft skills are often overlooked by candidates and can be deal breakers for a lot of coding interviews.

A company that’s worth applying to will want candidates that have strong soft skills, sometimes moreso than hard skills, because they show how well a person can grow within the company and develop those hard skills over time. This is especially the case for junior software engineers.

When you practice your code challenges, see if you can buddy up with someone and take turns doing mock interview. Practice talking through the coding problem as you work, asking questions, giving each other hints here and there, and revealing your ability to lead, collaborate, and persevere through the coding test.

ACKNOWLEDGE MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS

This is the “cherry on top” for an interviewer: a candidate that’s not only skilled enough to work through the problem and has a personality that fits the company culture but can also defend their solution and mention alternative approaches. This shows that you’re not just going with what you were taught or what you read online, but that you also acknowledge that there are multiple solutions to the same problem and have considered which is most appropriate for a given context.

As an interviewer administering a coding problem, I would prefer to see the simpler solution over the best solution, as it will give me more time to talk with the candidate. Now, if that candidate can also suggest alternative approaches and defend why they selected theirs, that’s an instant win. Bravo!

An example of this might be a challenge where you’re asked to system design a search function for a video streaming app. You might use an inefficient algorithm for the sake of quick implementation during the job interview, but then mention a more appropriate algorithm that would otherwise be used in real life. Speaking of algorithms…

STUDY YOUR ALGORITHMS AND DATA STRUCTURES

This goes hand-in-hand with the hard skills but deserves its own section. You don’t need to be a master of computer science to ace a coding interview, but there are some standard algorithms and data structures that you should feel good about referencing, or at least mentioning and talking about. For instance:

• How does a bubble sort work vs. a merge sort?
• What’s the difference between a stack and a queue?
• What’s a linked list? What about a hash table?