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Job searchThe average tech user doesn’t think about the software building blocks in use when they perform their daily tasks on computers, smartphones and other portable devices. They don’t need to, of course, as selection of the software languages and tools needed to provide an attractive end-user experience is firmly in the domain of the software development team.
Financial Technology, or FinTech to those in the know, is a highly complex area for developers due to the security and data privacy required, the volumes of data involved, complex national and international networks, and , in recent years, the growing importance of mobile banking, Big Data, and digital marketing.
It is fair to say that the FinTech industry attracts professionals with a wide variety of expertise. Some skills are more important that others, which leads to confusion on what FinTech recruiters are actually looking for in a potential candidate.
A 2015 story on InfoQ cited multiple surveys that indicated the demand for JavaScript developers far exceeded the number of available candidates. Its popularity is in no small part due to its use in web and mobile apps, as well as in front and back-end server applications. It is primarily used to build websites and enhance the user experience and is not limited to a single platform and also essential in developing for Android. Combined with HTML5 and CSS, it has eliminated reliance on plugins such as Flash, now perceived as inherently insecure and blocked on many browsers. Java and J2EE are popular searches for FinTech recruiters.
Often referred to by recruiters as “building risk-weighted asset tools,” developers with C++ skills are in consistent demand, especially in high volume trading where volumes of data needs prompt processing. Like Java, C# is flexible and can also be used in simulation or modeling projects. It is the main development solution for Microsoft platforms and services.
Perhaps one of the easier languages to learn, Python is often selected as an alternative to C++ and is very powerful when linked to a relational database such as SQL or in Big Data when linked with Scala (an object-oriented language with inbuilt Java compiler.) In the Fintech sector, Python is often used to build platforms or interest rate derivatives but advanced skills are necessary to obtain a desired financial role.
When it comes to handling data, R language is a must. This integrated software suite is helpful for calculations and data analysis with big data, which is a staple in the Fintech sector. The popularity of R language has significantly increased recently, making this skillset one to set you apart.
ETL, Murex and Strata are also rising in popularity in recruitment searches, as are ASP.NET, XML, MVC , WebAPI, HTML5 and Visual Studio.
Candidates wishing to add to their skill set are not short of options. Most programming languages enjoy the support of a large community, access to scripts, tutorials and other information that will allow new users to learn and improve their coding skills.
When even seasoned pros use online resources to check their code, candidates seeking new skills have plenty of options. With ubiquitous broadband, any candidate can acquire new programming languages. By spending some time taking courses and completing assignments, skills that are lacking can be compensated for and perhaps even open up a whole new world of opportunities in FinTech. This diligence is also sure to impress recruiters and future employers.