Are You Ready to Become a Next-Level Developer? Get Rid of These Bad Habits
It’s no secret that developers are in high demand in today’s job market. Employers are practically tripping over themselves to find great talent, and the field is expected to grow by another 17 percent through 2024. Even though job boards are overflowing with ads for developers, some professionals struggle to find new and better opportunities. What causes such a disconnect? While there are any number of reasons your development job search could stall, bad habits on the job could be holding you back. If you want to become a next-level developer, engage in some self-reflection to determine whether you’re making any of these critical, but common mistakes.
Making Product Assumptions
You know the old adage about making assumptions, yet many developers fall into the trap of assuming they know the end-user or the environment the product will be used in. Functional specifications should be outlined in detail for every scenario. Otherwise, assumptions will creep in. Next-level developers aren’t afraid to speak up and communicate clearly to ensure the “missing pieces” in functional specs are developed, thus preventing wrong assumptions that could ultimately kill the product.
Skimping On Testing
Developers are under extreme pressure to deliver their work under tight – sometimes nearly impossible – deadlines, making it tempting to cut corners. A corner that often gets cut in the essence of saving time is testing. If the software complies, some people just move it along, assuming works. However, failing to test can set a project back significantly. Robust testing is critical to ensuring reliable code.
Ignoring Documentation
Developers are intensely focused on their work, and it’s easy to think, “I’ll remember why I did it this way.” After all, documenting changes just takes up additional time, right? However, no one can remember the “why” behind every step they take, and without documentation, it can take hours to unravel the mystery just to make an edit. If another developer steps in, it will be impossible for them to determine your rationale without documentation, leading to a host of problems. Next-level developers don’t just worry about moving as quickly as they can, they understand that development is a team sport, and documentation makes everyone’s job a little bit easier.
Failing to Grow
How far do you think you could take your career without learning new skills and staying on top of industry trends? Hint: probably not far. The best developers are in the know and in the now. They read tech journals, they practice coding in their spare time, they learn new things, participate in open source projects, engage in online development forums and embrace the input and advice of other developers. Carving out a successful development career requires a genuine interest in the field beyond your work from 9-5.
If you are a next-level developer or IT professional looking to grow your career by seeking new challenges with innovative companies, the recruiters at Talon want to hear from you. We can match you with a position and an employer that will help you utilize your talents and achieve your professional goals. Contact us today to learn more.
