Not only programmers but Power Programmers

I started this blog to help people that work in big companies. I have been working in mainframe environment for ten years, playing different roles. I also developed a small Project Management system using Microsoft Office and VBA for couple of years.

Here, I am more focused on soft skills, those characteristics that differentiate highly skilled IT developers. Later, I will focus on technical skills but, for now, I will explore important traits for people who work for companies and have to deal with co-workers, managers, business analysts, end-users, shareholders and others.

To begin with, I am trying to define a new kind of programmer: the power programmer. Power programmers are developers, or programmers, who are more than code-writers. They are more similar to analyst-programmers, people who understand the system where they work, as well as, the business rules.

I have worked for insurance companies most of my life and I can tell you that the most successful professionals are those highly skilled programmers, some are even average, who understand the system, business and the company culture.

If you want to move forward in your career and be well regarded in your workplace, you must focus on your soft skills along with your technical ones. You have to show interest in your work and constantly ask yourself: “how can I become a better asset to my employer?”

I will discuss what you can do to improve your chances of success inside your company.

Power Programming Point

Power Programming Point: The importance of soft skills

In today's business market where we can find a great amount of highly skilled developers, soft skills are setting apart the most successful workers inside a company.

Now that I have more than ten years of experience, when I go to an interview, the interviewers are more interested in my soft skills. They are interested in how I will fit their organization and their working environment, getting along with the other employers and being interested in my work.

Smart managers will try to be certain that you can at least go up one position. They don't want to hire someone who is only skilled to work in the position to which they are hiring. They want people who want to grow inside the company and bring value to them.

Many developers are concerned about programming and doing what they are told but, in reality, those who learn more about the big picture, the company environment, the business, are considered better options when time for promotions or bonus arrive.

So, do not forget that you have to work on your soft skills. Be nice to your co-workers, show interest in what you are doing, try to help your boss when defining your own works, bring constructive ideas to the table and, above all, think about how you can improve the company's system as whole, not only your own part

Power Programming Point