Land High-Paying Software Developer Jobs with these Essential Skills

Software development might be a highly sought-after skill, but it is also an increasingly popular career path. There are always going to be software developer jobs out there, and there are always going to be developers lined up to fill the position. Put simply, the job hunt is competitive.

The first step to securing the position you want is by separating yourself from the pack.

Here are 3 underrated skills you can work on to do exactly that:

Cloud Computing

Companies are increasingly transitioning their digital assets to the cloud for cost-effective storage and increased scalability. Familiarizing yourself with cloud-native applications that run on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform will help you stand out when searching for software developer jobs.

Ideally, software developers will know all three but if I had to choose one focus area, I’d say that AWS is a great place to start. As a bonus, there is some crossover and transferability between the three most popular cloud platforms – once you learn one, the others are a walk in the park

SQL Proficiency

For the past three decades, SQL database competency has formed an integral component of any skilled software developer’s toolkit and it shows no sign of slowing down. Want to get noticed when applying for software developer jobs? Start by highlighting your SQL capabilities and impressing your interviewer.

It’s worth noting that most serious applicants will have some knowledge of SQL. To make your mark, you’ll need to show off your proficiency with more advanced concepts.

Linux Knowledge

Everything that was said about SQL databases can be repeated for Linux, another favorite that’s been around for years. There’s a reason why Linux servers have such lasting appeal, and mastering Linux commands is a great way to show hiring managers and recruiters that you mean business.

With tons of free resources out there for picking up foundational Linux knowledge, there’s no excuse for lagging behind.

Ready for your interview?

Learning the skills above will help make software developer jobs more obtainable but this is far from an exhaustive list. You can gain a leg up on the competition by showing off advanced skills with programming languages, data algorithms, and version control tools like GitHub.

Whatever you do, it’s important to understand that high-paying software developer jobs have a lot of competition these days – anything you can do to stand out helps.