Soft Skills in Remote Software Development: A Comparative Study Between the Demands of the Biggest and the Best to Work IT Companies

This Research Full Paper delves into the competencies essential for remote software development, specifically focusing on the soft skills demanded by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies, drawing insights from real-world job market data. In remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, non-technical proficiencies have emerged as pivotal due to the inherent challenges in communication, collaboration, time zone disparities, and project management complexity. The paper emphasizes the significance of technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills for software professionals operating remotely. While technical prowess with software languages and platforms remains crucial, soft skills such as effective communication, collaboration, innovation, business-oriented, and problem-solving are indispensable for navigating the intricacies of remote work environments. Clear communication fosters mutual understanding; collaboration facilitates remote teamwork and problem-solving, and critical thinking enables developers to address challenges creatively. The growing importance of soft skills is evident in global job advertisements within the Software Industry. However, despite their significance, there's a lack of explicit emphasis on soft skills in computing curricula. The study defines the research domain to address this gap by analyzing job demands from leading ICT companies worldwide, referencing Forbes Global 2000 ranking (Forbes, for short) and Good Place to Work (GPTW) companies. Through a detailed analysis of over 700 job vacancies from Forbes and GPTW companies on the LinkedIn platform in March 2023, the study identifies and evaluates the most sought-after soft skills, categorized by company rankings, career paths, and a comparative overview between the two rankings. The research methodology combines a literature review method, thematic analysis, taxonomy synthesis, and data collection through the LinkedIn platform. Overall, the paper sheds light on the evolving landscape of remote software development, highlighting the critical role of soft skills alongside technical competencies, and provides valuable insights for industry practitioners and academia in understanding and addressing the demands of the digital workplace.