“Good source code comments are not “excellent communications
skills.”
“When searching for that chance to work at the ideal Linux job,
we often concentrate on the technical skills we will need. But
there is an entirely different issue to be concerned with: soft
skills. Soft skills are all of those wonderful things you won’t
learn in engineering courses. Subjects like teamwork, work ethic,
honesty, and motivation are usually peripheral to the algorithms
and equations of engineering and therefore typically receive less
emphasis in the curriculum. Sure, you’ll pick some of this up but
it won’t be intentional. The reason for this may be because they
are subjective, rather than objective. This subjectivity can seem
too “touchy-feely” for engineering types more comfortable with
concrete rules.”
“While the Linux community values technical reputation as a
measure of success, the rest of the world demands a more rounded
approach. Essentially an employer wants a complete employee,
balancing the Yin and Yang of technology and people skills. A
recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers
describes some of the attributes that employers desire beyond
technical skills. In order of importance, the survey cited:
communication skills, honesty, teamwork, relating well to others,
motivation and initiative, strong work ethics, analytical skills,
flexibility, self confidence, leadership skills, organization,
attention to detail, friendly or outgoing personality, tact,
politeness, creativity, risk taking skills, and a sense of
humor.”