Beyond Technical Skills: The Top Traits to Look for When Hiring Exceptional Engineers

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

As leaders, we often need to hire new talent to expand our resources, replace team members, or fill vacant positions. While technical skills are important, there are also several non-technical traits that can be equally or even more valuable. Consider the following factors when making hiring decisions —

1. Teamwork — In most cases, new hires will need to work with other engineers in a team setting. A good engineering hire should be capable of effective collaboration, have respect for diverse opinions, and be able to contribute positively to the team dynamic.
2. Communication — Effective communication is essential, and it goes beyond just language proficiency. Engineering teams often need to convey their ideas to individuals or teams with different backgrounds. Therefore, new hires must be capable of effective communication without losing the context.
3. Adaptability — Given that technology is continuously evolving, our teams’ requirements are changing as well. It’s essential for potential hires to embrace these changes and demonstrate a willingness to learn new trends.
4. Disciplined with time — Being disciplined with time is crucial since we often work within a time-box. New hires need to prioritize their tasks and stay within the boundaries of the available time to succeed.
5. Critical thinking — We solve problems for a living. A critical mind with the ability to approach the given problems from different angles often proves to be a valuable addition to our teams.
6. Attention to detail — Mistakes travel far. A minor coding mistake can lead to severe consequences, emphasizing the need for a competent engineer who can delve deep into problem-solving intricacies.
7. Ethics — Ethics is essential for maintaining our reputation for quality work. A new hire who values strong ethical principles will foster a sense of professionalism and accountability in the team.

In the end, an ideal software engineering candidate should possess a combination of technical expertise and non-technical skills. By considering qualities beyond technical abilities, hiring managers can form a team that not only produces top-notch software, but also collaborates well and adjusts to new situations.

Kindly share in the comments other essential qualities that you consider while recruiting outstanding engineers.

Update — This post is also available on Letters To A New Developer by Dan Moore

Random fact: There’s only one letter that doesn’t appear in any U.S. state name — “Q”.