MightyRecruiterIf your organization needs a new programmer, then you want to hire the best person for the job the first time. It is not in anyone’s best interest to compromise on quality and hire someone who ends up not being qualified for the job. You may have to let that person go and start the application process all over again. Instead, you should take the time during the initial hiring process by ensuring the best people apply to the position so that you have your pick of the lot. There are many ways to attract the best workers to your business, and one of them is writing an amazing job description that catches people’s attention. Are you wondering what constitutes an amazing job description? Take a look at this programmer sample job description to get ideas for your own.
Programmer Job Summary
You will be accountable for modifying and creating completely new computer programs to help the company in all its endeavors. A thorough knowledge of coding is essential, and you need to be a hard worker who can work independently to get the job done in a timely fashion.
Programmer Job Responsibilities and Duties
- Enter coded information in order to program software
- Review program objectives to complete a job by the deadline. This may require you to consult with the client, supervisor or analyst to make sure everything is correct
- Conduct tests to make sure the program is working as it should
- Maintain a historical record of all programs so that revisions or upgrades can easily be made in the future
- Maintain client confidentiality
- Write operating instructions so that other individuals who are not as familiar with coding can utilize the program
- Troubleshoot malfunctions and conduct repairs when necessary
Programmer Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science or a related field
- Minimum of two years of experience working as a programmer
- Strong technical and communication skills
- Quick learner and able to adapt
- Thorough knowledge of database development and design
- Able to work independently and meet deadlines
Company Profile
MAB Technology has been operating out of Chicago since 1967. We work hand-in-hand with the United States Army in order to provide first-class web applications, and we need experienced professionals to join our team. There are numerous opportunities to grow and hone your skills, so send in your resume today.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- Once you have the basic skeleton of your job description ready to go, there are a few things you should look out for as you are rereading it. Make sure it follows this list of rules so that it is fully optimized to capture the attention of job hunters.
- Do talk with people in your company who currently work as programmers. They might be able to tell you about a responsibility they do regularly that you left out. They may also tell you if there are any skills that should be added.
- Do make sure you are at liberty to discuss salary within your job description. If your company does not care, then feel free to add it. However, policies may be in place that forbid it. If that is the case, then leave it out. You should also check and see what benefits or additional perks can be mentioned that could be helpful in making candidates interested.
- Do mention what department the person would be working in and if the programmer would have any supervisors.
- Do include links to your company’s website and social media pages so that interested candidates can seek out extra information if they want.
- Do mention the location of your business. It is generally helpful to include an address so that candidates can get a sense of what the commute would be like. If you do not want the address in the description, at least mention what city and state you reside in.
- Do focus on the most important requirements for the job. Do not mention responsibilities that the programmer would only have to do every once in a while. Additionally, do not overly emphasize skills that are not absolutely essential. You only have so much space, so you need to make it count.
This programmer sample job description is a superb example of what you need to do for your own listing. With a few alterations to what is provided above, you should have no problem attracting the best programmers in your area.
Programmer Job Responsibilities
In any job posting, the list of job responsibilities does the heavy lifting; ideally, your programmer job description will use it to draw a clear picture of the position’s day-to-day tasks. When done correctly, it can save time and frustration by helping applicants accurately gauge their fitness for and interest in the position. A great list of programmer job responsibilities can help attract higher quality candidates and prevent your inbox from filling up with unsuitable resumes.
The job responsibilities should be listed in bullet points so they will stand out and be easy to absorb. If you find yourself with more than 6-8 bullets, consider dropping some of them; you can always fill in the picture of minor tasks at an interview. You’ll find some examples of common responsibilities used in a programmer job description below. Be sure to customize them to fit the position you’re trying to fill.
- Design, develop and code assigned projects while working independently to deadlines
- Collaborate effectively with other members of the programming team and project managers
- Learn new programming languages as needed
- Create and maintain forms and applications with Symform, Javascript, PowerOn and other languages in Symitar Core System
- Suggest process improvements as needed based on expertise
Programmer Job Specifications
Don’t neglect the job specifications in your programmer job description. This part of the job description may be short, but it’s crucial; a single year of experience can more or less add large groups of applicants to your pool, or disqualify them. The last thing you want is to attract overqualified jobseekers who won’t retain the position long and move on to more satisfying roles—or to get inundated with entry-level applications that won’t be able to handle the job you’re offering.
Your programmer job specifications should lay out specific programming languages that your new hire will need to know before they come on board. After you’ve put together your minimum requirements, you may also want to make a list of preferred skills. This can include extra programming languages, certifications, degrees or people skills. Keep it specific; the communication skills needed to handle customer service can be very different from the skills needed to lead a team or collaborate on projects. Check out the following examples to help you get started on an effective programmer job description:
- 1-2 years of experience in a programming role using JAVA
- Thorough familiarity with SQL/SSRS and XML
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Computer Science or equivalent education and experience
- Aptitude for learning new coding languages quickly
