A software developer career: A complete guide

Software developers are in high demand, with research revealing that approximately one new software developer job advert goes live in the UK every two minutes.

But what exactly does the software developer role entail? What does a standard job description look like and what are the main responsibilities? And how do you become a software developer? Read on to answer all those questions and more.

What is a software developer?

Software developers are the creative driving force behind all types of computer programs, from video games, smartphone apps, and software platforms, to the systems and networks that power other programs. Now, let’s get into the specifics of the software developer role:

What does a software developer do?

As the name suggests, software developers are responsible for developing software applications, programs, and systems. Once a new piece of software has been built, they are tasked with rolling it out and maintaining it over time. As part of this process, they may identify opportunities to develop and deploy upgrades and new features aimed at improving or expanding functionality.

To accomplish all of those tasks, software developers must possess an array of hard skills. According to one study, the top three software developer skills recruiters are looking to hire for are web development, DevOps, and AI/machine learning, while Javascript, Java, and Python are the most in-demand programming languages.

Software developers do not simply build whatever they feel like. Before starting work on a new program, they often meet with stakeholders to understand end user requirements. This stage of the software development process typically requires a degree of problem solving and expectation management, as developers seek to knit together the various – often conflicting – demands of users in multiple teams, business functions, or walks of life.

While software developers are most commonly associated with the IT and technology sector, in reality they can be found across a wide range of industries. Essentially, any sector that uses applications, devices, and software tools has a potential need for software developers. As such, they are employed in industries as diverse as aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing (and many more besides). Some even work as freelancers or contractors.

Some software developers work on their own, while others operate as part of a team comprising other developers and programmers. Typically, the more complex a project, the more developers will be involved in the design, build, and deployment stages.

Software developer job description example

Job descriptions for software developers will naturally vary from one role to another, depending on the demands of the hiring organisation. However, an example software developer job description might look like this:

Job purpose

We are looking for a software developer to work with product managers and other developers on building and implementing software applications, with the goal of developing efficient systems and programs that meet the needs of end users across our organisation.

The desired candidate is a strong team player with exceptional problem-solving skills and a rigorous approach to quality control. They will have experience working in an Agile development environment and will be familiar with common coding languages.

Responsibilities

• Producing detailed program specifications
• Working with other software developers to create algorithms
• Writing clean code in line with program requirements
• Integrating programs with third-party platforms
• Maintaining, troubleshooting, debugging, and upgrading existing software
• Reviewing existing systems to identify areas for improvements
• Recommending and executing program upgrades
• Deploying new systems and programs
• Preparing training resources for end users
• Creating technical documentation for reference and reporting purposes

Requirements and skills

• Professional experience as a software developer, software engineer, or similar
• Working knowledge of Javascript, Java, and Python
• Experience working with Agile development methodologies
• Commitment to continued professional development and learning new technologies
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent team-worker
• Close attention to detail
• Commercial understanding that extends beyond the IT requirements of a project
• BSc/BA in computer science, engineering, or a related field

Software developer salaries

There is a wide range of information available on software developer salaries. To give you a clearer picture of your earning potential, we have rounded up data from our latest technology salary guide, covering various software developer roles.

In London, software development and engineering salaries range from £45,000 – £65,000 for PHP developers to £90,000 – £130,000 for engineering managers. An entry-level Python developer can expect to earn in the region of £70,000.

Unsurprisingly, salaries tend to be somewhat lower outside the capital. In all other UK regions, engineering manager salaries range from £75,000 – £110,000, while entry-level PHP developers should expect salaries of around £38,000 in most parts of the country.

Want to learn more? Download our comprehensive breakdown of salaries in the technology sector.

What is the difference between software developers and software engineers?

“Software developer” and "software engineer” sound like similar job titles. Sometimes, they are even used interchangeably, while many salary guides group them together into the same bracket. But in reality, while the two roles have some overlapping responsibilities, they are very different jobs.

As we have already noted, software developers design, build, and deploy specific computer programs, systems, and applications. By contrast, software engineers work on a broader scale that sees them develop and test entire systems across an organisation. As such, software development can effectively be classed as a subcategory of software engineering.

How to become a software developer

Like the sound of the software developer role? Let’s explore how to get started in software development:

Software developer courses

There is no shortage of online and offline courses that aim to give candidates some or all of the core skills required to become a software developer.

Many UK universities offer dedicated software development programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. For instance, the University of Glasgow offers an MSc in software development, while Anglia Ruskin University runs a software development BSc. Other institutions – such as the University of Southampton – offer software engineering programmes that teach the skills required to become a software developer.

Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer access to a wide range of online software development courses, covering everything from Python for beginners to algorithms, Java programming, and applied data science.

Alternatively, there are various professional certifications aimed at people who already have a solid understanding of software development. For instance, Google’s Professional Cloud Developer programme teaches students how to build scalable applications using Google-recommended best practices and tools, while Amazon’s AWS Certified Developer – Associate Certification is aimed at developers who design, build, and run Amazon Web Services applications.

Software developer interview questions

Got all the skills to start your career in software development? The next step is to prepare for the interview by planning answers to some of the most common interview questions for software developers. Here are 11 popular examples:

• Why are you interested in a career in software development?
• What are your software development career goals?
• Which programming languages are you experienced in using?
• Which are your favourite programming languages and why?
• Can you talk us through the steps in the software development cycle?
• Could you describe a recent software development project you worked on?
• Which development methodologies are you familiar with?
• What is the biggest challenge you have faced during a software development project?
• How do you explain technical concepts and terms to people from non-technical backgrounds?
• What methods do you use to keep up with trends in coding and technology?
• How do you ensure your work is of high quality?

Software developer CV: Best practices

The CV is your opportunity to showcase your experience, skills, and career goals to hiring managers and recruiters. While it should naturally be tailored to your own requirements, you should always include the following sections when writing a CV:

• Personal information: This simple section contains your name and contact details. Consider adding a link to your public GitHub, personal website, or portfolio to highlight your best work.
• Professional summary: The summary is your opportunity to briefly highlight unique skills and achievements. It should be no longer than three or four sentences or bullet points. Ensure your summary is tailored to the job for which you are applying.
• Skills: Detail all your technical skills, including programming languages, programs, and systems. Again, ensure these are tailored to the job description.
• Work experience: List your experience in reverse chronological order, emphasising your technical skills and key achievements in each role.
• Education: If you are a recent graduate with no professional experience, add this section near the top, adding details about the course, university, or college. List your grades and any extracurricular activities you took part in.

What’s next?

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