Rain is hiring programmers in South Africa — here’s what they’re looking for
Rain says he hires experienced and junior software developers, and he told MyBroadband what he looks for in candidates.
The company said its software developers are exposed to many different engineering projects that provide valuable learning opportunities for their careers and personal growth.
“One day we’re working on deep core integrations with transaction rates of over 5,000 per minute, and the next day we’re building complex GIS systems,” said Christopher Leigh, Rain’s software engineering manager. , at MyBroadband.
He explained that whether applicants need a graduate degree or not depends on their level of experience.
“Whether [applicants] are relatively new to the job market, a college degree is helpful. However, when we are looking for more experienced candidates, what they can do and what they have achieved is more important,” he said.
Leigh noted that Rain’s youngest software developer is 21, reflecting the telecommunications company’s hiring philosophy.
“We believe talent can come from anywhere, that’s why we hire for attitude and passion.”
According to Leigh, budding developers would do well to focus on learning TypeScript, Java, Python, C/C#/C++, Scala, and PHP, as these are the most in-demand languages.
Kotlin, R, and Swift are other valuable additions to a developer’s arsenal.
Leigh noted that an important consideration for anyone considering entering the programming industry should be whether they want to work on front-end or back-end development.
Additional technical skills that will benefit all developers include logical thinking and understanding cloud-based services.
“The cloud changes the way a developer thinks and designs their applications, so it’s important to understand containerization and serverless computing,” he said.
While programming skills are essential, developers also need to possess a variety of soft skills to help them excel in the workplace.
Initiative, problem solving, adaptability, attention to detail and the ability to work under time constraints are some of the most valuable soft skills for developers, Leigh said.
While telecommunications companies like Rain need skilled software developers, many other South African sectors can also offer jobs for aspiring developers.
“E-commerce, banking, and healthcare are among the industries that need good developers the most,” Leigh noted.
Whether you’re a budding developer or have been in the industry for a while, you can contact Sebe Rasebitse, Rain’s HR Director, at [email protected] if you are interested in working for the company.