Statistics say that there are 5.31 billion mobile phone users worldwide, and this is growing at a pace of almost 2% annually. And with more mobile phone users come more apps users. One thing’s certain: mobile app developers won’t run out of work any time soon.
There are several studies and surveys showing that the vast majority of smartphone users navigate through a variety of applications every day. From social networking to food tracking and sleep monitoring, apps continue to expand. The mobile app developers who create them are always looking to add value to these apps.
Companies are looking to hire mobile app developers all the time. That’s why specializing in this field is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a career. However, to be a candidate that stands out from the rest, there are certain skills you have to master before submitting your application.
In this article, we’ll dive a little deeper into this topic so that you know what skills you need in order to get hired.
Here are 7 skills you need to become a mobile developer
Perhaps you feel enthusiastic to be part of the software development scene. That excitement is awesome since you have to master certain skills that will make you a successful mobile app developer.
For example, at WillDom we’re always looking for developers to join our company. Those who join our ecosystem should know that they will learn from their peers, but they should already have certain skills to start a career. Among those skills, we find the following:
Knowledge of programming languages
When researching which language to learn first, people always doubt which one to pick. There are some languages that you must know thoroughly to be successful in programming. These are:
- Kotlin. It’s the current official Android App Development language, and a cross-platform language operating as a tandem with Java by using JVM.
- Java. If you’re working on an app for Android, you should have deep knowledge of this one. Java used to be the main language to develop apps for Android, and it was replaced by Kotlin a few years ago.
- Objective-C. This was the programming language that Apple picked to work with for years. It’s an object-oriented language based on language C. In 2014, it was replaced as the default language by Swift.
- Swift. Created in 2014 by Apple, it’s an easier-to-use language than Objective-C was. Tip: our recommendation is to start learning Swift if you’re planning on programming for Apple.
- Python. Though Android doesn’t support native Python development, apps can be developed using this language. This can be done by using tools that convert Python-programmed apps into Android Packages.
- C#. It’s pretty similar to Java, a reason why it’s perfect for developing apps for Android. It also has a simpler syntax than Java.
UI/UX
In recent years, user experience-centered design has become crucial because it’s in high demand by users and companies. Being aware of how development affects the way an interface is used and, therefore, the user experience, is a skill that no developer should be lacking today.
Testing
It’s likely that, when programming, there’ll be some bugs. That’s why it’s vital that, as a code creator, you take care of testing and fixing any errors as fast as possible. Therefore, you need to learn what are the most common errors and how to fix them, and knowing the right tools to debug is a must too.
Adaptability and communications skills
Today, most software development companies require collaborative work.Therefore, teamwork and good communication skills have become crucial, just as knowing how to adapt to any changes that may occur during the development period.
Agile methodologies
This is linked to collaborative work and communication between peers and teams. Most of the technology companies apply some Agile framework, such as Kanban or Scrum. At WillDom, we believe this is one of the most important skills that a team should have.
Cross-platform development skills
You can focus on iOS or Android, but it’s always better to have some cross-platform knowledge. You don’t need to be an expert in the development of both platforms, but you do need to have enough knowledge to contribute to either development.
Documentation
It’s important to document whatever code you write so that the next person who works with what you’ve developed understands why it was done like that.
Differences between front-end and back-end developers
If you’re just starting out in the world of software engineering, you’ve probably heard the terms front-end and back-end and wondered what the difference is.
Front-end and back-end developers work together because it takes both to create functional software. Developers who specialize both in back-end and front-end are called full-stack.
Front-end skills include
- Analyzing and creating the client-side of a website or app.
- Use HTML5, JavaScript, and React to create mobile-friendly web apps.
- Communicate with back-end developers and with the rest of the team.
Back-end skills include
- They identify server-side needs, and fix any bugs.
- Making applications more secure, stable and faster.
- Interact with behind the scenes’ technology.
At WillDom, you can develop a career as a back or front end. If you want to know more about how to be part of WillDom, you can contact us through WillDom.com or visit us on LinkedIn.
