Beyond Code: Soft Skills to Look for When You Hire a Web Developer

Ralph Sanchez

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Fullstack Engineer

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Beyond Code: Soft Skills to Look for When You Hire a Web Developer

I’ve hired a lot of developers over the years—full-stack, frontend, backend, you name it. And while I always start with the portfolio and technical chops, the projects that actually go smoothly? Those are the ones where the dev knows how to talk to people, handle curveballs, and not ghost me halfway through a sprint. If you need to hire a web developer, remember that soft skills can be the key differentiator.

Working freelance means I’m constantly collaborating with new teams, new personalities, and new workflows. It’s not just about whether someone can write clean JavaScript—it’s about whether they can explain their blockers without a TED Talk or silently disappearing for three days.

So when I get on a call with a developer, I’m listening for more than just tech jargon. I’m watching how they explain things, how they react to feedback, and whether they ask thoughtful questions. Those soft skills don’t show up in a GitHub repo—but they show up in every single project deliverable.

Soft skills aren’t fluff. They’re the glue that holds the technical work together.

Why Soft Skills Matter

Web development today is rarely a solo act. Most projects involve multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and changing requirements. Soft skills help developers navigate those moving parts without friction.

When soft skills are missing, communication breaks down. A developer might misunderstand the project scope, avoid flagging issues early, or struggle to collaborate with web designers or PMs.

This can lead to missed deadlines, feature creep, or entire rebuilds—none of which are technical problems. They’re people problems.

Developers with strong interpersonal skills tend to catch misunderstandings early, ask clarifying questions, and keep everyone in the loop. That reduces the risk of rework and scope confusion.

Without emotional intelligence, even technically excellent developers can create tension. Misinterpreting feedback or reacting defensively can slow momentum and damage trust within a team.

Soft skills like adaptability also matter when priorities shift mid-project (which they often do). Developers who resist change or lack flexibility can hold up progress.

"It’s not just about how fast they code—it’s about how fast they adapt when something breaks at 4pm on a Friday."

Ignoring soft skills during hiring can result in developers who deliver technically, but at the cost of team morale or project clarity.

Top Soft Skills for Web Developers

These six soft skills often make the difference between a developer who delivers code and one who contributes meaningfully to a project. Each one plays a distinct role in how work gets done, especially in remote or fast-changing environments.

1. Communication

Clear communication allows a developer to explain technical problems without overwhelming non-technical teammates. This includes breaking down jargon, summarizing progress updates, and clarifying next steps.

Active listening is equally important. Developers who listen closely to product owners or clients tend to catch small details that impact the final build. Misunderstood instructions often result in avoidable rework.

“Explaining an API to a stakeholder isn’t the same as explaining it to a backend dev—same endpoint, different conversation.”

Communication also shows up in written form. Comments in code, Slack updates, and documentation all reflect how well a developer communicates in asynchronous environments.

2. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving in web development isn’t only about fixing bugs. It includes identifying root causes, proposing multiple solutions, and evaluating trade-offs.

For example, if a page is loading slowly, a developer might analyze server response times, front-end rendering, or image compression. Each path requires a different kind of thinking.

Composure matters here too. Developers who stay calm when a deploy breaks tend to recover faster and avoid escalating problems.

3. Adaptability

Requirements change. Codebases evolve. Frameworks get abandoned. Developers who can adjust with minimal friction help teams stay productive.

This includes learning new tools, switching tech stacks mid-project, or rolling with shifting business priorities. Adaptability also shows up when team structures change or projects pivot after feedback.

“Today’s MVP might be tomorrow’s deprecated module.”

Adaptable developers tend to experiment and rework without getting stuck in old patterns.

4. Accountability

Accountability means showing up on time, updating the team when blocked, and owning tasks through to completion. It also includes acknowledging missteps without deflecting blame.

Developers who clarify their responsibilities early on reduce confusion later. This helps distribute work fairly and avoids duplicated efforts or missed deadlines.

Meeting deadlines consistently—even if it’s just delivering a rough draft—builds trust across the team.

5. Empathy

Empathy helps developers understand how users experience a product. This affects everything from layout choices to error messages.

It also supports better teamwork. A developer who considers how their code affects QA or design handoff is easier to work with.

In remote teams, empathy bridges communication gaps. It reduces friction when tone, timing, or context might otherwise cause misunderstandings.

6. Business Awareness

Business awareness connects the code to the client’s goals. Developers who understand the product’s purpose make better architectural decisions.

This includes recognizing what features generate revenue, what metrics matter, and how users interact with the product.

A developer with business context might push back on a feature that adds complexity without improving outcomes, or suggest a shortcut that still meets the project’s core goal.

How to Evaluate Each Skill

Soft skills can’t be measured with a take-home coding test. They show up in how a developer explains their work, navigates ambiguity, or responds when things don’t go as planned. Screening for these skills requires a shift in how conversations are structured during the hiring process.

The goal is to create space for developers to share how they think, interact, and problem-solve—not just what they’ve built.

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions allow developers to explain their approach without being steered toward a specific answer. These types of questions invite stories, not rehearsed responses.

Instead of asking, “Are you a good communicator?”, ask:

“Can you tell me about a time you had to explain a technical issue to someone without a technical background?”

“Walk me through how you typically handle miscommunication during a project.”

“What’s your process when a client keeps changing their mind about features?”

These responses reveal more than communication—they show adaptability, patience, and problem-solving under soft constraints.

"If the answer sounds like a Slack message, it’s probably rehearsed. If it sounds like a messy team meeting, you’re getting the real story."

Use follow-up questions to go deeper. For example, if a developer mentions a team conflict, ask what they learned from it or how it was resolved.

Avoid hypothetical questions like, “What would you do if…” unless followed by real-world comparisons. Developers tend to default to ideal scenarios in hypotheticals.

2. Check Past Project Feedback

Reviewing past project feedback exposes how a developer’s soft skills played out in real collaborations. Look for patterns that show how they handled pressure, deadlines, or team dynamics.

Ask for:

Portfolio pieces with context: What was the scope? Who else was involved? What changed over time?

Testimonials or client reviews that mention communication, reliability, or teamwork.

References who can speak to how they worked, not just what they delivered.

When reviewing a portfolio, don’t just look at the final product. Ask what trade-offs were made. What didn’t go as planned. What feedback they received and how they acted on it.

“A polished landing page is great. But the story behind how it got there? That’s where the soft skills live.”

If the developer worked in a freelance or remote capacity, pay attention to how they kept stakeholders updated and aligned. Asynchronous work requires discipline and clarity.

Collaboration Scenarios That Reveal Soft Skills

Soft skills often surface during active collaboration, especially when developers are placed in unscripted, shared work environments. These scenarios help reveal how a developer communicates, adapts, and supports others when things aren’t fully in their control. For remote teams or asynchronous projects, these moments can be even more telling than a resume or portfolio.

1. Group Brainstorm Sessions

In brainstorms, developers are expected to contribute ideas without dominating the conversation. This tests their ability to listen, speak clearly, and respond to others respectfully. Developers who wait for their turn, build on others’ suggestions, or ask clarifying questions often demonstrate both communication and adaptability.

For example, in a recent kickoff I ran over Zoom, one developer used the chat to supplement their ideas so they wouldn't interrupt the flow of the call. That quick move showed both initiative and awareness of group dynamics.

“It’s not just who speaks the loudest in a brainstorm—it’s who helps the conversation move forward.”

Another signal: how they respond when their idea isn’t chosen. Developers who stay engaged and support the selected direction—even if it wasn’t theirs—tend to work well in teams.

In hybrid or remote brainstorms, developers with strong asynchronous habits (e.g., writing clear summaries or commenting on shared docs) often stand out. Emojis 👍 and thoughtful reactions in tools like Notion, Slack, or Figma signal quiet collaboration that’s easy to overlook.

2. Handling Unexpected Changes

Scope shifts and timeline crunches are common in web development. Developers who stay focused and communicate clearly when priorities change are easier to work with and keep momentum steady.

For instance, I once had a developer working on a custom form builder. Mid-week, the client decided to add multilingual support. Instead of pushing back, the developer walked through the implications, re-estimated the effort, and noted which parts of the codebase would need modular changes for future updates. No drama, no delay.

“If a developer says ‘Let’s figure it out’ instead of ‘That’s not my job,’ that’s usually a good sign.”

On Apr 16, 2025, I was reviewing a sprint where a third-party API sunset its endpoint overnight. The developer flagged it first thing in the morning, proposed a patch, and offered a short Loom video walking through the workaround. That action bundled together problem-solving, ownership, and communication without needing a meeting.

Whether it’s a last-minute feature drop or an unexpected bug from a dependency update, developers who stay calm and solution-focused tend to keep the entire project on track—even when the plan changes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Soft Skills

How do I test soft skills without a lengthy interview process?

Start with async communication. If you're hiring through a freelance platform, pay attention to how they respond to your first message. Clear answers, timely follow-ups, and thoughtful questions are early signals.

During a short video call, ask about their last project and how they handled a change or disagreement. If your organization relies on meeting software, explore how the developer coordinates and communicates in that environment. The way they describe working with others—without blaming, skipping details, or going off-topic—can reveal their communication style.

Also, try small paid trial tasks. Even over 2–3 days, you can observe how they communicate updates, ask clarifying questions, or handle feedback.

“If someone disappears during a two-day trial, imagine week four.”

Short Loom videos or voice notes can also substitute for live calls. These show how well someone organizes their thoughts and delivers information without relying on back-and-forth.

Are soft skills less necessary in short-term freelance projects?

No. Even in a two-week sprint, soft skills affect how quickly a developer gets aligned, delivers updates, and wraps up handoffs. Miscommunication in short projects usually leads to rework, not just delays.

Onboarding, clarifying scope, and closing feedback loops all rely on communication—especially when timelines don’t allow for multiple rounds of revision. A developer who confirms details before building saves time, regardless of the project length.

“Short projects don’t have room for long explanations.”

Empathy also plays a role. Developers who understand the client's business context—even briefly—are more likely to make smart decisions without needing constant input.

What if the developer excels in tech but struggles to speak up?

Start by identifying the pattern. If they go quiet during meetings but write clear updates, they may just prefer asynchronous communication. That’s not a red flag.

Offer structure. Shared agendas, written prompts, or async feedback channels (like Notion, Slack, or Google Docs) can reduce pressure and give them time to respond more thoughtfully.

If the issue affects collaboration, consider pairing them with a teammate who can help translate blockers or raise concerns on their behalf. Mentorship or coaching can also help—with the right support, many introverted or quieter developers gradually become more confident contributors.

“Not everyone explains their ideas out loud. Some just commit the pull request and let the code speak.”

Avoid assuming a lack of voice equals a lack of insight. Some of the strongest technical contributors are just more effective in writing than in live conversation.

Moving Forward

Soft skills reduce friction in day-to-day collaboration. They make the difference between progress that flows and projects that stall in feedback loops or misalignment. Developers who communicate clearly, stay accountable, and adapt quickly tend to resolve blockers before they become delays.

Projects often shift mid-sprint—client goals change, a product owner updates priorities, or an unexpected dependency breaks in production. Developers with strong soft skills adjust their approach without losing momentum or creating confusion. This lowers the need for escalations or rework.

Even short-term engagements reflect these patterns. A two-week landing page build can involve last-minute copy edits, misaligned design specs, or a third-party script that breaks layout on mobile. If you use Webflow, Webflow developers for web design can help you address unexpected layout issues. Developers who stay calm, respond clearly, and take ownership of their role help teams move forward without bottlenecks.

"A missed deadline is often a missed message three days earlier."

Soft skills also show up in async tools—Slack threads, Figma comments, GitHub pull requests. Developers who write clearly and respond promptly keep remote teams aligned without extra meetings.

On Contra, you can find freelancers who already value this way of working. The platform supports commission-free hiring, so the focus stays on direct collaboration and clear communication—not platform overhead or lost context.

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Posted Apr 20, 2025

Beyond Code: Soft skills like communication, adaptability, and accountability help you hire web developers who deliver more than just clean code.

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