Joe Ali’s Post

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I help CTOs & Leaders build elite software teams in Poland.

Do you hire developers based on technical skills alone? It could be costing you.  Many companies make this mistake, believing that if a developer can code well, they’ll automatically thrive in the team. But this is not always the case. I have a client in Krakow who specifically hires Java Engineers who can have a “normal conversation" about software, clean code practices, and general life. But most importantly someone he can get along with. If they can do that, he’s usually ready to hire them. However, if they don’t fit culturally, it doesn’t matter if they’ve coded at Google, have an Oxbridge education, or have a long list of technical achievements. They won’t get the job. This is also not unique. According to Leaders.com, approximately 80% of employers take personality into account when making hiring decisions. Also research from Harvard Business Review found that 40-60% of hiring managers admit to hiring candidates who resemble them in terms of background, values, or attitudes. None of this mentions their skills. The ability to mesh with the team and collaborate is non-negotiable. Some people picture developers as introverted hackers, coding away in dark rooms, surrounded by empty energy drink cans. The stereotype that developers don’t need social skills in my opinion, comes from how they’re portrayed in Hollywood (Die Hard 4 was what came to mind when writing this). In reality, developers are part of cross-functional teams. They interact with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders daily. They need to explain complex ideas, collaborate on solutions, and contribute to the team’s overall culture. A developer who can’t work well with others or communicate effectively can disrupt workflows, no matter how technically gifted they are. It’s like having the most advanced software that no one knows how to use. What’s the point? The best hires are those who fit into your culture and can contribute to the team dynamic - not just those who can write the cleanest code. So if you’re only hiring based on technical skills, you might be missing out on your most valuable assets: collaboration, communication, and cultural fit. Skills get you in the door, but culture fit keeps you there. Do you take culture fit into account when hiring engineers?  #SoftwareEngineering #PolandTech #TechRecruitment #PolandJobs #CultureFit #DeveloperLife #WorkplaceCulture #TechRecruitment

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