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What Employers Can Do to Appeal to the New Generation of Developers

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Developers are at the Forefront of the Revolution in Education. What can you do to improve your chances of Hiring Top Software Developers for your business.

The demand for Hiring Software Developers in the UK and Ireland is proving challenging for some businesses. There is a shortage of skills in the UK and Ireland, Yet the rate of unemployment among new Computer Science graduates is high 6 months after graduation.

Has formal education become obsolete when actually Hiring Software Developers? What do developers think about the role of formal education in their career? And what can employers do to attract this new generation of coders?

 

Preview Of Key Findings:
  • 11.7% of Computer Science graduates are unemployed 6 months after their graduation
  • 42% of developers on average have a bachelors degree
  • Developers are diversifying the way they learn by attending evening courses, bootcamps and other flexible training systems
  • JavaScript, C#, and SQL are the most desired languages to work with sought by developers
  • Python, JavaScript and Java are the most visited technologies on Stack Overflow since the start of 2017

What do Developers Think of Education?

37% of current professional developers in the UK and Ireland said that their formal education was ‘not very important’ or ‘not at all important’ to their career success. Moreover, developers do not evaluate their colleagues on the level of their education but on a well-rounded skill set.

 

In demand Developer Types

Full Stack Web 60%
Back-End Web 14%
Front-End Web 10%
Mobile Developers 4%
Machine Learning specialists 4%
Android Developers 3%
iOS Developers 2%

 

Hiring Software Developers & the Most In-Demand Skills by Employers
What are the tech skills employers look for the most?
Between April and June 2017, we’ve seen a big increase in the percentage of jobs tagged with JavaScript, Java and Python. The number of C# jobs increases slightly and Amazon-web-services is knocked off the leaderboard by ReactJS.

 

Languages and Technologies
The most visited language tags in the UK and Ireland are Python, Javascript, Java and C#. Unsurprisingly, they are also the most commonly used technologies in the UK and Ireland.

 

Education Types
Regardless of their level of education, developers attend evening courses, bootcamps and other flexible training systems. They also learn a lot by themselves with the resources they find online (hello Stack Overflow and Github!). Among UK and Ireland developers, 76% code as a hobby and 26% contribute to open source projects. Developers who do both? They make up about 22% of total respondents.

 

Educational Backgrounds
Recent graduate developers are likely to have different educational backgrounds than the veterans on the team. They are less likely to have a Computer Science related specialisation and tend to have a different combination of undergrad specialisations. This may cause friction and require special management attention in the form of coaching, mentoring, and/or continuing education & professional development. We do not yet see a significant difference of education between experienced and new developers. However, the rapid growth of bootcamps, MOOCs and other flexible learning alternatives could very well change the game in the years to come

 

What Employers Can Do to Appeal to the New Generation of Developers

Formal Education Should Not Be a Prerequisite when it comes to Hiring Software Developers. Overall recruiters would have a larger pool of qualified candidates if they did not ask for a Computer Science degree or any kind of formal education, except for some specialised positions. Do yourself a favour, remove the education requirement of your job listing!

 

Fulfill the Need for Development and Education Support
As mentioned in The Developer Ecosystem: Employment Trends and Insights report, developers are drawn to specific benefits. We see that professional development sponsorship ranks high, and it is a key benefit to offer developers if you want to attract and retain the best tech talent.

For more help and advice on attracting top talent into your business please call 0330 2233 047 or email hello@graffitirecruitment.co.uk and one of our experts will get back in touch with you.

If you a developer in need of some career guidance and support please submit your details here and we will offer advice on some of the best companies hiring for your skills!

 

 

 

 

  • Credit StackOverflow

 

Skype Now Supports Off-Site Technical Interviews!

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Skype introduces real-time code editor to help ease technical interview burdens!

If you have an off-site technical interview coming up, the last thing you want to be thinking about – never mind your knowledge and the pressure of the situation anyway – is how the technology you will be using will stand up.

Skype has launched a new preview feature which aims to help technical interviews be conducted more seamlessly.

The feature enables a video call to be placed on top of a code editor, meaning interviewers and their prospective candidates do not have to switch between two applications.

Skype says the editor, on its Skype.com web application, currently supports seven languages – C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python and Ruby – while it runs on Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers, the latter at version 32 or above. The editor also includes built-in syntax highlighting.

All users need to do is visit the Skype Interviews website, click on ‘Start interview, and then once both participants follow the unique link sent out, the interview can begin.

It is worth noting that there are plenty of tools on the market which offer a similar kind of capability. HackerRank, a technical recruiter based in Palo Alto, California, is one example: the company adds a gamification element whereby programmers can practice different elements, face off against fellow users, and ultimately secure jobs.

Skype has been undergoing something of a revamp in recent weeks, with Skype Preview being launched earlier this month on desktop computers. The new interface “delivers most of the great features of [Skype’s] next generation mobile experience but is specifically designed with desktop in mind,” as Microsoft editor Todd VanderArk explained.

Check out some of our latest technical jobs here, you never know you might get the chance to check out Skype’s new technical interview features first hand.

 

 

 

 

 

  • James Bourne – Developer Tech

 

iPhone 8 – All You Need To Know!

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Apple has launched two new smartphones, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, at a major event in California, which also saw the release of the premium iPhone X handset.

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are upgrades to Apple’s current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus range, updating some of the main features found on Apple’s current products and Apps.

Initially, most pundits thought the iPhone 8 would be Apple’s main new phone – however it instead released three smartphones as part of the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone.

“Our intention has always to create something so magical, powerful, that the hardware virtually disappears,” said Tim Cook at the launch.

He added it was a “new step forward for iPhone” that will “set the path for technology for the next decade”.

Introducing the iPhone 8, Apple executive Phil Schiller said the device “improves on everything we love about the iPhone”.

 

With no charging cable required, iPhone 8 is truly designed for the future of wireless.

Here are all the details, specs and, importantly, prices that you need to know

Key features | iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

The new gold finish APPLE
  • Silver, space grey, new gold finish
  • Apple claims it’s the most durable glass ever in a smartphone
  • water and dust resistant
  • 4.7″ display in the 8 and 5.5″ display in the Plus
  • Stereo speakers. 25% louder than the speakers in the 7
  • A11 bionic chip
  • 12MP camera
  • 4K 60fps video
  • Cameras calibrated for augmented reality
  • New Portrait Lighting feature: machine learning creates facial landmarks and enhances light effects on the face (8Plus)
  • Wireless charging
  • Pre order on September 15, available on September 22
  • iOS 11 available on September 19
  • 64GB and 256GB
  • iPhone 8: £649 for 64GB, £849 for 256GB
  • iPhone 8 Plus: £749 for 64GB, £949 for 256GB

Design and appearance

Credit: Apple.com

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are similar in appearance to the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

The smaller version has a 4.7-inch screen, while the larger phone has a 5.5-inch screen and a dual camera lens on the back.

 

The processor is the A11 Bionic, “the most powerful and smartest chip ever in a smartphone,” Apple says.

Credit: Apple.com

There will be glass on the front and the back of the device, “reinforced by a laser welded steel and copper”. It will be water and dust resistant sealed.

“The new iPhone will have the most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” says Schiller.

Both models will have a HD retina display and feature a 12MP camera.

There will be glass on the front and the back of the device, “reinforced by a laser welded steel and copper”. It will be water and dust resistant sealed.

“The new iPhone will have the most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” says Schiller.

Both models will have a HD retina display and feature a 12MP camera.

What colours will it come in?

The iPhone 8 will be available in silver, space grey and a new blush gold colour.

Apple.com

When will the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus go on sale?

The iPhone 8 will go on sale on September 22.  You will be able to pre-order the new device from 15 September. iOS 11 will be available to download from 19 September.

The iPhone 8 will cost £699 for the 64GB version, while the iPhone 8 Plus will start from £799 (64GB). 256GB versions will also be available.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus best features

Wireless charging

Like the iPhone X, the two new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus phones will come with wireless charging capabilities.

This means the phone can be charged by simply placing it on a power pad. It is the first time the technology has come to the iPhone range.

“This is a simple thing. We do it everyday. We use them every day and charge every night,” said Schiller.

“Words can’t describe how much nicer it is to never plug in a cable again.”

iOS 11

The new iPhones will come with Apple’s new operating system iOS 11. iOS 11 includes hundreds of new features like a redesigned control centre, better multitasking, improvements to the camera, peer-to-peer Apple Pay and new safety features.

Dual camera

The iPhone 8 Plus will have a 12MP dual-lens camera, similar to the one featured on the iPhone 7 Plus released last year.

It features a larger and faster sensor, a new colour filter and deeper pixels.

Video

Apple claims the new camera delivers “the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone” with better video stabilisation and 4K video up to 60fps.

If you are interested in Mobile and App Development please visit our range of feature jobs that are available throughout the UK. If you are lucky enough to upgrade or purchase the new Iphone we would love you to send us your comments, thoughts and reviews on the product.
  • Telegraph

Software & Web Developers – Partner with us and receive your very own personal MacBook Air!

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STOP!! Check this out… Get a new Job by partnering with us and we will give you your very own Mac Book Air to keep! Wow!! Once your secure your new job we will give you your very own personal MacBook Air, a gift from us to you!
Submit your CV now and one of our team will be in touch!    Let’s Celebrate Success!!! 

Your New MacBook Air will be presented to you after completing a successful 6 month probationary period within your new job, just let us know what colour you prefer and its all yours! (6 Month term also applies to Temp/Contract positions)

Top 5 reasons to become a Software Developer

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Technology is leading the world and when I talk to IT graduates regarding their career choices, I would advise them to get involved in Software Development. This field is in high demand and more so than ever within areas outside of the UK’s major cities.

While quality developers are in high demand,  If you want to win as well as earn, Software Development is something you need to enjoy and is not for everyone. Find out the top 5 reasons why people choose a career in Software Development.

1 Creative. If you ask people to name creative jobs, chances are they will say things like writer, musician or painter. But few people know that software development is also very creative. It is almost by definition creative since you create new functionality that didn’t exist before. The solutions can be expressed in many ways, both structurally and in the details. Often there are trade-offs to make (for example speed versus memory consumption). And of course, the solution has to be correct. All this requires creativity.

2 Collaborative. Another myth is that programmers sit alone at their computers and code all day. But software development is in fact almost always a team effort. You discuss programming problems and solutions with your colleagues and discuss requirements and other issues with product managers, testers and customers. It is also telling that pair-programming (two developers programming together on one computer) is a popular practice.

3 In demand. More and more businesses in the world are using, upgrading or developing software to suit their business demands and evolving markets, demand is still outpacing supply. Companies report that one of their greatest challenges is finding good developers. I regularly get contacted by businesses trying to recruit Software Developers but the realistic expectations need to be taken into account and hiring managers need to dig deeper into their pockets to hire and retain ‘Quality developers’. Hiring managers no longer choose Software Developers, Quality Software Developers choose hiring managers, company, culture & worklife balance. The tables are now turned for the employer to impress.

4 Pays well. Developing software can create a lot of value. There is no marginal cost to selling one extra copy of software you have already developed. This combined with the high demand for developers means that pay is quite good. There are of course occupations where you make more money, but compared to the general population, I think software developers are paid quite well.

5 Future proof. Many jobs disappear, often because they can be replaced by computers and software. But all those new programs still need to be developed and maintained, so the outlook for programmers is quite good.

BUT…

What about outsourcing? Won’t all software development be outsourced to countries where the salaries are much lower? This is an example of an idea that is better in theory than in practice (much like the waterfall development methodology). Software development is a discovery activity as much as a design activity. It benefits greatly from intense collaboration. Furthermore, especially when the main product is software, the knowledge gained when developing it is a competitive advantage. The easier that knowledge is shared within the whole company, the better it is.

Another way to look at it is this. Outsourcing of software development has existed for quite a while now. Yet there is still a high demand for local developers. So companies see benefits of hiring local developers that outweigh the higher costs.

HOW TO WIN

There are many reasons why I think developing software is enjoyable, but it is not for everybody. Fortunately, it is quite easy to try programming out. There are innumerable resources on the web for learning to program. For example, both Coursera and Udacity have introductory courses. If you have never programmed, try one of the free courses or tutorials to get a feel for it.

Finding something you really enjoy to do for a living has at least two benefits. First, since you do it every day, work will be much more fun than if you simply do something to make money. Second, if you really like it, you have a much better chance of getting good at it. I like the Venn diagram below (by @eskimon) on what constitutes a great job. Since programming pays well, I think that if you like it, you have a good chance of ending up in the center of the diagram! If you want to discuss your options on how to #WIN please get in contact with one of our team on hello@graffitirecruitment.co.uk or 0330 2233 047.

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