3 key skills to boost your software engineer salary in London

Software engineers are solution-focused IT professionals who design programs, applications and software. This role involves developing, maintaining and improving software to maximise efficiency.

Working in this area often involves a wide array of responsibilities, ranging from applying specialist knowledge to a niche application or program, to leading a team of developers on a project.

However, an ongoing global shortage of skilled IT workers means that currently, supply isn’t matching demand. As a result, there is a large volume of opportunities for individuals with the right skills and experience in software engineering and development.

Additionally, many organisations deal with classified data and systems. This is especially true in London, with the city serving as one of the largest business and travel hubs globally. The world’s largest organisations have headquarters in the capital and there is a wealth of classified data to protect.

Candidates with the ability to hold certain security clearances will benefit from a headstart when it comes to job applications or going for a promotion, as recruiters and hiring managers know these individuals can be trusted to handle sensitive company information.

Whether you’re new to the field or have several years of experience working as a software engineer, there are certain proficiencies you can develop to increase your chances of getting a higher salary.

Coding

Coding is a fundamental aspect of a software engineer’s job. However, this doesn’t mean you need to go and learn every single programming language under the sun. Instead, familiarise yourself with some of the most commonly used ones, such as JavaScript, Python and C+. 

Additionally, the landscape of software engineering is changing and one important consideration should be programming for mobile. This is a great way to future-proof your career, as you’ll already have these skills to put on your CV.

As a software engineer, you’ll be working within teams that share knowledge and ideas, but you can set yourself apart from the crowd by being able to write basic functions without assistance, especially at a junior level.

Testing

When code or systems are broken or untested, they can lead to problems and most likely won’t meet business requirements. So, one of the most sought-after skills of any software engineer is testing and debugging.

There are currently ten methods of product testing and becoming proficient in just a few of them will help increase your career prospects, as you’ll become much more valuable to employers.

Object-oriented design

Object-oriented design (OOD) is a programming language model used to design applications or systems that enables the implementation of a solution based on the concepts of objects, rather than actions.

Programs designed through OOD tend to be very well-organised and, since relative functions and data are grouped together, it’s easier to understand the fundamental purpose of code.

OOD languages, such as Python and Ruby, are extremely popular. Mobile programming often involves this methodology, although this isn’t the extent of OOD. For professionals looking to bolster their CV and reputation, this is a top skill that recruiters are often looking for.

To start your job search, browse our latest software engineer vacancies in London.