Today, Pakistan’s IT and tech talent should be upbeat. Skills for remote IT expertise are highly sought after, particularly by western companies. The developed world is searching further afield for remote software developers to cover this deficiency due to a global dearth of digital expertise, be it for software developers or Dev Op roles. And because the majority of Pakistan’s population is under 30 and computer savvy, we are in a prime position to benefit from this worldwide demand.
Furthermore, the appeal of less expensive remote software developers from abroad is clear as a global recession approaches and many western corporations consider their own benefits. This benefits Pakistanis on both sides. They are able to remit money into Pakistan and stave off some of the current inflationary pressures by working from home and earning foreign currency.
Scout & Hire is an HR-Tech Startup that I founded. A remote hiring platform called Scout & Hire connects top Pakistani IT and tech professionals with businesses in developing nations. We link Pakistani talent with fantastic organisations abroad for full-stack developers, frontend and backend developers, cloud engineers, dev ops engineers, automation engineers, and more. Nevertheless, despite the optimism, there remains a small chink in the armour: the soft skills of our children.
Numerous remote tech talent in Pakistan who wanted to work from home have been introduced to me and spoken with. Before introducing them to clients, we thoroughly screen the candidates. I’ve observed that the hard skills of Pakistani talent are outstanding. Their command of the English language is excellent. But to compete in the global economy, we occasionally need more soft skills. And this hurts our ability to find employment abroad and take advantage of opportunities.
If they want to compete in the global economy, all software engineers in Pakistan must possess the following skills. Learn these eight soft skills, and you’ll have a successful career as a remote software developer:
- Communication
The ability to communicate is one of the most crucial soft talents. Effective knowledge sharing with others, whether orally or in writing, involves communication. In the workplace, effective communication is crucial since it fosters collaboration, helps settle disputes, and speeds up job completion.
When we operate remotely, it is much more important. We must be able to get in touch with our line manager if a problem develops. Usually, we don’t. In Pakistan, when a problem emerges, we use an avoidance strategy because we are afraid of our employers. But working with western businesses simply makes the issue worse. Inform them right away if a problem develops. You’ll be in trouble for the lack of communication more than the issue itself. This leads me to…
- Contractual Obligations
Your word is just as good as you make it. The basis of the world economy is trust. If you promise to do anything by a certain date, you had better follow through. Sadly, Pakistan has a poor level of trust in its economy. People are not trusted to deliver, much less on time.
We frequently adopt a “inshallah,” “koi baat nahi,” or “ho jayega” mentality. We must understand how much our attitude conveys about our trustworthiness and expertise. Western businesses will rapidly let you go if you don’t keep your promise. Keep in mind that deeds speak louder than words.
- Time Management
Another crucial soft skill is time management. Effective time management skills are more crucial than ever in the fast-paced world of today. People who are good at managing their time are frequently more successful and productive in both their personal and professional life. This also entails arriving on time and being prompt for meetings and interviews.
Don’t be the one who leaves others waiting for you to join the Zoom call in silence. Unfavorable judgment will be made of you.
- Teamwork
Teamwork is a crucial soft skill. Working effectively with others to achieve a common goal is the definition of teamwork. It is essential to have the capacity to accept criticism, work cooperatively with others, and follow instructions when called upon. People with strong teamwork abilities typically perform better at work and have stronger relationships with coworkers.
While remote tech talent frequently possesses the specialised technical skills required for their position, the success of remote working also depends on collaboration and open communication among remote employees. Additionally, productive teamwork boosts the effectiveness of problem-solving, which prompts me to…
- Problem-Solving
Fast and innovative problem-solving skills are crucial for remote tech talent in today’s remote work environment. For remote workers, who frequently take the initiative to find solutions without the help of a team or manager, problem-solving abilities are essential. These abilities are required for remote tech talent to independently adapt to changing circumstances.
Critical thinking abilities are also crucial because remote workers must be able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making a crucial choice. When it comes to effectively and efficiently resolving complex problems, logical thinking and weighing options can make all the difference. Remote tech talent must also possess the patience, an open mind, and the creative problem-solving skills to come up with original solutions that might not be obvious at first.
These abilities taken together can make remote tech talent priceless assets in any remote working setting. Therefore, developing these critical thinking and problem-solving abilities is crucial for people who want to succeed as remote tech talent.
- Flexibility
Yet another crucial soft skill is flexibility. People who are adaptable can change quickly and deal with unforeseen circumstances effectively. Being adaptable can help remote tech talent deal with change positively and avoid disruptions, which is a valuable asset in any workplace.
- Interpersonal Skills
A key component of interpersonal skills is the capacity for productive communication. People with good interpersonal skills are often better at forming connections, resolving disputes, and communicating clearly. When examining applicants for remote tasks, it is important to take into account their interpersonal abilities since these are crucial to distant work.
Strong relationships with coworkers, clients, and contacts may be built and maintained by remote IT professionals with the support of good interpersonal skills including leadership, empathy, and teamwork. Additionally, having excellent interpersonal skills makes remote employees better communicators who can express complex ideas clearly to both internal and external audiences despite logistical difficulties like time zone or network issues.
Finally, in the world of remote technology, soft skills are frequently neglected. Despite the fact that they are essential for productive remote work, many businesses and remote employees tend to prioritise technical expertise when employing remote talent. Soft skills like organisation, problem-solving, resilience, and communication lay the groundwork for successful collaboration in remote teams.
Due to poor communication or a slow response time when there is conflict, soft skills can make remote teams more effective. In order to prevent work from piling up and deadlines from being missed, remote workers must also be able to maintain organisation and effectively manage their time.
In order to create productive remote working settings, individuals must possess soft skills. These talents are crucial in a world without traditional workplaces. For remote IT talent, soft skills should be considered an essential component of their education rather than an afterthought.
Soft skills are essential for creating good remote working interactions in today’s increasingly digital world. We can develop diverse, resilient, and effective remote workplaces that can handle any difficulty they may face now or in the future by encouraging strong soft skill skills among the tech professionals in our sector.
It is clear that if businesses wish to improve efficiency, remote software developers must possess these eight soft skills. Therefore, at Scout & Hire, we seek out extraordinary individuals who possess these qualities when hiring and developing talent. We at Scout & Hire would love to hear from you if you are a Pakistani software engineer or dev operations engineer and have these soft talents as well. Visit our website at www.scoutandhire.io to contact us.
