Software Developers & Communication Skills: The Do’s and Don’ts
By: Wilbur Von Biscuit
Tags: Work, Software Development, Job Search, Job Interview, Communication

It’s not about the ability to handle the language

We often work with people from different backgrounds whose first language is not English. Believe us, your language proficiency has little to do with basic interpersonal communication skills.

See below what we mean by poor communication and how you can improve in this area. These are all real situations we’ve been dealing with since the day one.

- DON’T DO: Poorly written emails

We’ve seen it all: poor grammar, one-liners instead of proper responses, or long texts filled with excuses. They won’t do you any good.

+ DO: Pay attention to your writing

Be polite. Make sure you spell the person’s name right. Don’t forget your thank you. Most importantly, proofread before you hit Send. Seriously. Proofread it. Twice.

- DON’T DO: Not listening to the interviewer

Some job seekers are shooting from the hip. They start answering the interviewer’s question without hearing the end of it. As a result, they either give irrelevant answers or completely misunderstand the question.

+ DO: Learn to listen

Listen to the question and make sure you understand it. Hear your interviewer: not what you what to hear, but what they are actually saying. Maybe even repeat the question in your answer to make sure you’re on the same page.

- DON’T DO: Not communicating your point clearly

Instead of getting to the point, some people go around in circles without actually answering the question. When your interviewer asks you about the main language you used in backend, don’t go on describing all your past backend projects.

+ DO: Get to the point

Answer the question directly and refrain from any unnecessary details. Give one good example — it is usually enough. If you cannot answer the question spontaneously, ask for some time to think your answer through. This will only show your discretion.

- DON’T DO: Clichéd answers of too little value

While you might have thought all your answers through, it doesn’t mean that you need to simply reproduce them by heart.

+ DO: Don’t waste time on vagueness

It may be tough for some especially under pressure. Keep it simple. Be honest. Be relevant. You have a limited time during an interview. Still, you could have spent this time on anything. Don’t make it a waste. Use the chance to present yourself.

- DON’T DO: Showing not enough confidence

You don’t need to agree with the interviewer all the time. Neither need you be silent when you didn’t understand the question. This is not politeness, it is lack of character.

+ DO: Speak up

Saying “yes” when you have not understood the question (or heard all of it) will not get you the job. The interview is about you, so make sure that you take the initiative as well. Ask your questions. Voice your concerns. Request clarification when needed.

- DON’T DO: Asking shallow questions

Instead of focusing on what is the most important for them, some candidates ask about the working hours or other issues that they can learn about later. Beware of the questions that you shouldn’t ask during an interview.

+ DO: Ask questions of value

When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, he or she is really interested in filling the gaps for you. So ask questions that are truly important to you. Ask more about the technology used, the person who held the position before you, or about the financial stability of the company. This is your chance to present yourself professionally and learn more about the company. Use this opportunity wisely.

- DON’T DO: Not taking time to do the research

If you believe you can learn about the company during the interview, the latter becomes a mere waste of time. We’ve heard about the candidates actually asking “So, what does your company do?” during the interview. This is a no-go. Failing to do the basic research reflects on the direction and the outcome of your communication with the hiring manager.

+ DO: Prepare well

If you will do one thing before an interview, it is to google the company and get an idea about their business and learn about them from the news. Show them you are serious. Prepare for the interview thoroughly. Before the appointment, put yourself in your interviewer’s shoes: what questions would you be asking yourself? If you must, do some previous training with friends or by watching sample interview videos. Going in “cold” looks really bad and reflects poorly on you as a person.