Most businesses need software developers as the accelerated digitalization pushes companies to quickly adopt the latest technologies. However, not all companies have the resources for hiring experts with technical backgrounds. And very often non-technical employees participate in the recruitment process.
As the market is overflowing with specialists with various skills and experience, it’s quite challenging to find the matching tech talent. In order to make well-informed hiring decisions, it’s important to understand a few peculiarities when it comes to hiring expert developers.
What should you look for in your future software developer? What skills matter? How to get ready for the interview and what questions to ask in order to assess their qualification and hire an expert? You will get the answers to all these burning questions in this article.
Tips to Make the Process of Hiring a Developer Easier
Let’s start with some tactics that will make you one step closer to recruiting and working with the experts in software development. Here is how to hire Node.js programmers or developers with other skills and make the best decision.
1. Identify Your Needs and Standards
Before hiring expert developers, your primary task is to clearly identify your tech talent needs. Most likely, you already know what type of software or application you want to receive.
If you are not sure what programming languages or technologies should be used, then don’t hesitate to get a consulting session with seasoned IT experts who will guide you through the main technological stack that will be appropriate for your case. Based on this info, you will be able to understand what professional you are looking for and what will be your candidate search standards.
2. Check Talent Availability
Software developers are the most sought-after professionals who are challenging to hire. Check your local talent availability and define your time frames to close the deal with the developer.
It’s worth noting that whereas hiring local developers will be very costly and time-consuming, Eastern Europe has already become a top destination for outsourcing software development and for recruiting Eastern European software engineers remotely.
Take a closer look at companies that operate in this region as they have access to thousands of the most experienced specialists who offer their services for the most reasonable price.
3. Prepare the Right Job Description
The well-written job description makes all the difference in the process of hiring expert developers. The job openings are immense and your task is to be as specific and transparent as possible to attract the relevant candidates.
In the requirement field, include what qualifications and experience, degree subject, soft and tech skills you are looking for. In addition, indicate what tools they should have experience with and whether they should have an interest in a particular industry, if applicable.
Don’t forget to give a brief company profile overview so the applicants also understand if they want to work for you and become a part of your team. If possible, provide some essential information about the project itself.
4. Explore All the Options
After you have posted your job description and started receiving applications, you need to carefully consider the career path of each person. While you have your requirements regarding your future developer, you should also stay open-minded and see their potential. Review each application and select the best-matching ones to proceed to the interview stage.
5. Plan the Interview
Depending on your needs, there could be a few interviewing stages. However, you should focus on getting ready for your face-to-face interview. This is a unique opportunity to identify if the candidate is right for the role or not. You should plan your communication in advance. Think of what questions you want to ask and what information you would love to get in the course of your conversation.
To make the process easier and more convenient for you, at the end of the article, we will provide you with a list of the most common questions that you should ask during a job interview with your future developer.
6. Conduct Relevant Technical Test
Before working with the experts, you should conduct the relevant technical assessment to evaluate their skills. This recruitment stage is the crucial screening part as it enables you to see their technical skills as well as problem-solving abilities in a real sample case.
Make sure your test task is related to your business or project and you will easily see if it’s the right match for you. By doing the test task a candidate will demonstrate their approach to solving a work-related challenge so you make a well-informed final decision. If the tech test results are not enough to decide, you can always ask for a referral from a previous employer.
7. Get Some Assistance
If you are not an expert in recruiting specialists, especially in the tech field, you should also consider collaborating with companies that offer a full software developer recruitment cycle for you.
By having a reliable tech partner, instead of wasting your time and resources on finding the right specialist, you will be able to focus on more important business development tasks. And a dedicated partner will take care of all the details and will provide you with their internal workforce or will know how to hire .NET developers or the best specialists with relevant tech experience and skills to work on your project right away.
What Soft and Hard Skills Are Crucial for a Qualified Developer?
Another vital part of hiring expert developers is knowing what are the soft skills and technical qualifications that are integral for a professional who can contribute to the overall success of your project. Here are the ones that you should keep an eye on while communicating with your candidates.
Soft Skills to Consider While Hiring Expert Developers
1. Communication skills
Exceptional communication skills are a winning ticket to a thriving career no matter what your industry is. The field of software development is not an exception. Choose a person who is confident and speaks clearly. It will enable both you and your developer to stay on the same page about the expectations, updates, requirements, and deadlines, and avoid any potential misunderstandings.
2. Time-management skills
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Very often, professional developers work under the high pressure of tight deadlines. Therefore, the ability to effectively manage their workload and deliver quality results in a timely manner is essential.
3. Teamwork
A software engineer or any other IT professional is always a person who works in a dynamic team. The process of building a new software solution is all about collaboration with team members from different departments. Therefore, the ability to effectively collaborate with mates is another one to pay attention to.
4. Problem-solving skills
Computer science is all about problem-solving skills. The process of software development is full of challenges and it’s critical to have the ability to solve any potential problem with ease. Finding an effective solution to a problem is a great quality that makes a professional stand out among others.
5. Adaptability
Software development is a fast-paced environment where drastic changes are inevitable. Adaptability enables a good specialist to easily change the strategy while maintaining the top-notch coding quality.
6. Critical thinking
A critical thinker will easily assess the problem and will be able to analyze it to come up with an unconventional solution with a little bit of a creative approach. It’s important to have the potential to see the situation from different perspectives and decide on steps to achieve the best outcome.
7. Emotional intelligence
EI including empathy is one of the pivotal characteristics of a mature specialist who can smooth;y integrate into any working environment and become a perfect employee, a great colleague you can rely on, and expect the highest level of professional dedication.
Hard Skills to Consider While Hiring Expert Developers
1. Programming languages
When hiring experts in software engineering and development, focus on what programming languages they are knowledgeable in. Among the most widely used languages, it’s possible to name C++, JavaScript, Python, and others.
2. Cross-platform development
Nowadays, all products created are expected to work seamlessly on multiple platforms and like Mac, Windows, Linux, etc. Therefore, the skills of cross-platform development are highly appreciated and will be a big bonus to the skillset of a specialist.
3. Source control
It helps software developers to easily make changes, track updates, and manage and store their code. Most employers are interested in hiring expert developers proficient in source control. Among the popular tools are Git, Mercurial, or SVN, so check out if the specialist has it listed in their resume.
4. Software testing
Every experienced developer should possess solid knowledge of testing procedures to ensure that product functions fulfill all the technical requirements. You should hire experts who have a great track record of testing software and an understanding of three core testing methods.
5. Database knowledge
Databases allow individuals to organize and structure information about a certain company. Preferably, a developer should understand how to secure a database and backup all the data to protect the company’s information during unpredictable situations. In order to do that, a professional has to possess a robust knowledge of SQL to operate the database effectively.
6. Text editing software
This particular skill is important for professionals of different levels of expertise: from a beginner to an experienced developer. This is a paramount tool in the daily life of a software engineer as it helps them become more productive and increase their work quality.
7. Cloud platforms
Cloud platforms are extremely popular as they enable running a remote database of a company. To configure this kind of platform, a developer should possess special skills and knowledge related to cloud-based technologies. For example, look for an AWS certification.
Interview Questions to Ask While Hiring Expert Software Developer
As a bonus, in order to help you hire an expert developer, we have prepared a list of questions that you can use to interview your future candidates and decide if they are a good match for your team:
Why did you choose our company and why do you want to work in this job role?
What are your professional goals for the next few years?
What do you like and don’t like about your current team/job?
How do you keep honing your technical and soft skills?
In what ways did you positively contribute to a previous company or project?
Can you share an idea or solution that you believed in and tried to convince others to support it? How did you manage to convince your colleagues?
What are the main technologies you are interested in and why?
What is your favorite programming language and why?
Can you think of any software or application that you would improve technically? How would you fix those issues?
How do you usually handle negative feedback from your managers or testers?
What is the biggest technical challenge you have overcome in your professional career?
What project management tools are you familiar with?
Describe the project you have successfully completed and are proud of?
What was the mistake you made and learned from?
How do you ensure the quality of your code?
What new technical skills would you like to learn and why?
Summing It Up
As demand creates its supply, there are thousands of software developers looking for a new technological challenge to tackle. Whether you want to expand your internal workforce or collaborate with a few engineers remotely to build your software, you need to take the process of hiring very seriously.
By implementing the knowledge we have shared in this blog post, you will be able to make the recruiting process as smooth and easy as possible.
If you are looking for experienced software developers to extend your team then don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be glad to assist you and hire an expert. At Intellectsoft, we offer various engagement models to make your collaboration with software engineers efficient while making sure your budget is also met.
The hospitality industry depends a lot on keeping customers happy, but it’s
getting harder to attract and keep them. The pandemic hit this industry hard, and now market competition is tougher
than ever, with competitive offerings swaying customers. Hospitality businesses are willing to spend big to win
customers back. The main questions for many are: how can we stay ahead of the competition, keep our customers, and
increase revenue? Keep reading—we’ve got some answers.
Customers today have so many options that
getting their attention is a real challenge. It’s not easy to make them choose your business over others. What
worked 10 years ago doesn’t work the same way now. Back then, people often chose businesses based on reputation. But
with new types of businesses (boutique hotels, craft cafes) popping up or big enterprises getting a new strategy,
expectations have changed. The good news is these businesses have shown what works: great customer
service. They focus on personalizing the experience, making things easy for customers, offering loyalty
programs, and using smart technology.
In this article, we’ll explore these tech strategies and show you how
they can help your business grow, and double the revenue. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction
in the Hospitality Industry
Customer satisfaction, which equals exceptional customer experience, is the
backbone of the hospitality industry. It plays a central role in driving revenue and loyalty, as satisfied customers
are more likely to return and recommend a hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business to others. In fact, a
study by the Harvard Business Review found that a 1% increase in customer satisfaction can lead to a 0.5% increase
in revenue. Moreover, loyal customers are more likely to forgive mistakes and continue doing business with a
company, even if they experience a negative encounter.
Let's quickly review the challenges the hospitality
industry is facing right now so we can move on to the solutions and our case studies.
Challenges in Hospitality
As businesses navigate the changes in the
hospitality industry, there are some key areas where a little improvement can go a long way. From improving customer
service to embracing digital transformation and tackling labor shortages, we’ll take a closer look at today’s
biggest challenges—and, more importantly, how technology can step in to help. Let’s get started!
Poor
Customer Service
Even with strong and high-quality business offerings, poor customer service can
drive potential customers and existing customers away. Common issues include:
Long wait times in customer service queues (it is worth remembering that our attention spans 8 seconds, and we
live in a very busy world, so quick and efficient responses are more important than ever.)
Poorly trained customer service representatives
Lack of follow-up
Services not being done properly or quickly
Recall issues that require multiple service calls
These problems can frustrate customers. But, at Intellectsoft, we believe that the right approach, combined with
technology, can address them effectively.
Digital Transformation Gaps
Approximately 50% of hotels are adopting new technologies, with 43% automating repetitive tasks and 39%
upgrading existing systems. Source: workstaff.app
While many businesses are adopting digital solutions, some
still struggle with outdated systems and fragmented data. Legacy companies often face chaos when trying to manage
their data and create new systems or add features.
Some of the recent examples include clients coming to us to
create AI solutions for their services
while their data simply was not ready for the advanced tasks. We advise stepping back, communicating with a company
objective, and working on keeping the data clean (centralized, structured, and segmented).
When
we’re asked to create advanced systems using AI, we always emphasize the importance of organized data. To train AI
and build such complicated systems that truly work, you need to start from the very beginning—collecting, storing,
centralizing, and organizing it. We encourage our clients to align all departments to work internally on the data so
we can create a unified digital system that delivers personalized experiences.
If you’re unsure where to start
with your data, we can help. Collecting feedback at various touchpoints along the customer journey is crucial for
gaining insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty. Book an IT consultation with us, and our experts will guide
you in mapping out a path to get more from your data and build a system that works for your business and team.
Reskilling Staff
The pandemic hit hard in early 2020, especially for the hospitality and
travel industries. Even five years later, many businesses are still feeling the impact. Recruiting and
retaining skilled staff has become a major challenge post-pandemic.
Reskilling to address technology’s impact is of utmost importance, as about 40% of hotel General Managers
place it among their top three workforce challenges.
We strongly believe that adopting the right technology can help. For example, creating an app to train your staff
not only saves time but also ensures consistency in learning. AI assistants can also work alongside your team,
helping with tasks like recruitment (providing industry insights, crafting emails) and staff training. Imagine
having an app dedicated to making your team’s work easier and more efficient!
How Technology
Tackles These Challenges and Supports a Customer-Centric Hospitality Culture
Automation, AI, and similar
technologies may threaten many. However, the debate about replacing humans isn’t about that—it’s about cooperation
and working hand in hand with technology to achieve the highest standards and establish brand-new “golden
standards.” Technology is here to assist staff in listening to and collecting customer insights from data.
Let’s review some of our cases to see examples of how technology helps improve customer experience and supports
customer service.
Examples of Intellectsoft projects
Property management systems
(PMS)
We created a web platform and mobile app that makes managing daily tasks easier and offers
extra services to improve residents’ experience. It gives a clear overview of daily activities and helps with
managing units and users. Residents can easily book amenities, submit service requests, and report incidents. The
platform also includes features for equipment management, key instructions, workflows, and custom permissions. This
makes it easier for staff to stay on top of equipment and ensure residents have all the information they need. Plus,
tools like announcements, quick votes, a forum, and a community calendar help build a connected and engaged
community.
Guest Experience Management App
Our next app helped our client improve their guest experience by replacing printed
marketing materials and the need for phone calls with a smart solution. Now, guests can easily order in-room dining,
make reservations, and interact with staff— through a simple tablet in their room. The solution includes three
parts: a custom in-room tablet with a variety of services, an admin panel for hotel staff and service providers, and
a backend system that connects everything together. This approach makes things easier for guests and staff,
improving both convenience and efficiency.
Existing Customers First: Building Loyalty with
Personalized Touchpoints
Keeping existing customers is not just a strategy; it’s well-known that
retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. In fact, research shows that it costs
five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. KPMG named customer retention as the
number one revenue driver for the company.
Moreover, a 5% increase in customer retention can
lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits, showing the significant impact loyal customers can have on a
business’s bottom line. Retention strategies, like personalized experiences and loyalty programs, can foster
long-term relationships and generate recurring revenue, ultimately making them an invaluable part of any business
model.
Personalization: How Technology Can Help?
Everyone loves to feel special—it’s
part of being human. In hospitality, personalization has evolved from being a luxury to an essential standard. With
the right technology to manage your data effectively, you can deliver those “wow” moments that guests won’t
forget.
More than half of hotel chains are already using personalization features on their websites, booking
platforms, and apps, and another 39% are planning to follow suit soon. They’re tailoring experiences to fit guest
preferences perfectly.
Source: Deloitte
How does
technology make it happen?
CRM Systems: They help you keep track of guest preferences, booking history, and special
requests so you can offer services tailored just for them.
Loyalty Programs: Personalized rewards and offers show your guests that you value them, keeping
them coming back for more.
AI Personalization: AI analyzes guest data to predict what they’ll love (from room upgrades to
local recommendations) before they even ask.
IoT Gadgets: Smart room features like voice-activated assistants, or temperature controls
adjust to your guests’ preferences, making their stay more comfortable.
With tech-powered personalization, you’re building loyalty and maximizing the lifetime value of every
customer.
Our Case Study: Smart Hotel Management & Loyalty Program
For one of our
clients, we created a smart room solution, complete with a custom IoT system. Guests can use a mobile app to
control services, explore amenities, and find resort information-- with a special touch to their suite type. For the
client’s entertainment business, we improved their legacy software by running a full IT and code check, fixing
issues, and making the system better for customers.
Along with that, we developed a mobile app for the loyalty
program, allowing businesses to effortlessly reward their customers and keep them engaged with exclusive
benefits.
Our solutions not only helped the client with special experiences for guests; it also improved
operations, cutting costs by eliminating inefficiencies. Here's what our experts shared:
"We
transitioned away from ESB (Enterprise Service
Bus) systems, which previously cost millions, and replaced them with more efficient, self-managed solutions.
Similarly, we’ve implemented Device Farms that improved operations
and saved resources."
Leveraging Software to
Increase Upsell Opportunities
Here are some examples of tech tactics that will help your team sell more and
introduce new offerings to existing customers, improve overall efficiency leaving your team grateful:
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
For finance and marketing teams, manually calculating pricing by segment to
introduce your clients can be incredibly challenging. AI-powered tools can strongly optimize these strategies by
analyzing your database in detail.
Upselling via Apps
Boosting revenue in the
hospitality business often comes down to personalized experiences. Imagine this: a guest books a room, and then your
app suggests a spa package or a room upgrade at just the right moment. Later, it nudges them to book a dinner
reservation or a guided tour designed to their preferences. With apps offering these personalized recommendations
during and after bookings, you’re not just increasing your revenue per guest but also skyrocketing their experience.
And you do it in a sustainable way, not by speculating, but by offering what your customers desire based on their
previous experiences. It’s a win-win: seamless, helpful, and far from pushy.
Inventory and Resource
Management Software
Making every resource count in your hospitality business is key. Inventory and
resource management software allows you to effortlessly track everything from linens to room availability, ensuring
nothing goes to waste. Having real-time insights to reduce overstock, avoid shortages, and optimize operations
assists sustainably keep everything under control and know what you need to focus more. It helps maximize room
occupancy by aligning bookings with available resources, ensuring every room and item is used effectively. This
approach leads to smarter management, better guest experiences, and a noticeable boost to your bottom line.
Adopting these strategies not only optimizes your operations but also drives business growth. Ready to discover how
technology can elevate your goals? We’re here to create a tailored solution for you.
Steps For Implementing a Customer Service
Technology Solution
Improving customer service in hospitality doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the
right technology, you can smooth the path of your operations, speed up response times, and elevate the overall guest
experience. Here’s where you can make it happen:
1. Understand Your Needs
Start by
identifying the challenges your business is facing. Are you struggling to manage high volumes of inquiries, track
customer feedback, or personalize the guest experience? Pinpointing your needs will guide you to the best
solutions.
2. Pick the Right Tools
Choose technology that aligns with your goals. Look
for solutions that are scalable, easy to use, and integrate effortlessly with your current systems. Options like CRM
software, live chat tools, or a guest experience app can make a difference.
3. Equip Your
Team
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Train your staff to make the most of the
new tools, so they can deliver exceptional service and resolve issues quickly. Confident, well-equipped staff
creates happy, loyal customers.
4. Keep Improving
Once implemented, monitor how well
the solution works. Are response times improving? Are customers more satisfied? Regular evaluations will help you
fine-tune your approach and keep things running harmoniously.
Some Tech Ideas for Hospitality
Businesses
CRM Software: Manage customer interactions and preferences.
Guest Experience Apps: Delight guests with personalized experiences right at their fingertips.
Amenity Management Systems: Simplify operations for everything from room service to facility
bookings.
Live Chat Tools: Offer instant support and answers.
Social Media Management Tools: Keep customer interactions engaging and organized.
Integrating these strategies will not only improve your customer service but also deliver unforgettable customer
satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, your bottom line. Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our
experts.
Conclusion
To wrap up everything we've discussed, customer satisfaction and
experience are at the heart of hospitality. Retaining customers is more than just keeping them around—building
strong, long-lasting relationships and consistently meeting their evolving needs. By understanding their pain points
and offering personalized solutions, you can inspire loyalty and drive progress. With the right technology and
continuous improvement, your business can stay ahead, let go of what no longer serves you, and keep growing.
At Intellectsoft, with over 17 years of experience in software
development, our expert team is ready to help. We create everything from mobile apps to full-fledged portals and
systems, leveraging the latest technologies like AI, Cloud, and Machine Learning. With deep experience in the
hospitality industry, we’re here to craft personalized solutions that bring your business unforgettable customer
experience and retain your valuable clients.
Ready to double your revenue and level up your customer retention
strategy with personalized technology? Contact our experts, and
we look forward to working hand in hand with you to build or revitalize the perfect app or system for you.
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