Irrespective of where you work, be it testing, engineering, DevOps, or any other IT vertical, certain requirements existed for you to obtain success. 

However, as an iOS application developer, in addition to hard skills such as coding knowledge, programming prowess, understanding of multiple frameworks, and constant upskilling to remain relevant and marketable, it takes more than just a left-brained approach to becoming a valued contributor. 

Diverting from the norm in terms of technological skillsets, I have touched upon the ten non-technical skills required for a successful career in iOS development in this article. So let’s put the pedal to the metal and dive right in-    

1. Communication skills 

Lucid communication capabilities are the most desired non-technical skill for a person desirous of creating a career in the tech sector. IOS development encompasses diverse roles and departments, and each team must fit together like clockwork if they aim to produce a high-quality product. To facilitate collaboration, lucid communication amongst teams is a prerequisite. If you happen to be appointed as a point-of-contact for your team, having strong communication skills could prove to be a massive asset. 

2. Time management 

All through the SDLC, things run at the speed of light, with teams being bombarded with ever-changing requirements, integrations, feature requests, bug removals, and so on. This means that as an application developer, you need to understand the importance of time management and prioritization to remain productive and evade the possibility of falling out of step with teammates.   

3. Empathy  

Probably the most underrated and yet crucial non-technical skill that every iOS app developer must have is empathy. Applications are always aimed at a specific audience, and therefore a clear understanding of how that audience thinks and behaves is a must. Data and metrics can prove to be of assistance. Still, the emotion of empathy truly makes the difference between a good product and a great product while choosing iOS development services. 

4. Logging and documentation skills 

People often make the mistake of considering organizational skills a skillset meant for those on the higher side of the enterprise’s hierarchy. However, this is not true. Strong documentation and reporting skills that can help you as an iOS developer organize your efforts for optimal results are another must-have and boost your value when a client comes knocking to hire iOS developers. 

Running in-depth tests and the integration of innovative features can on face-value seem to be all one needs for a quality product; however, if a developer does not log his work and his team is out of the loop, all his efforts are, for lack of a better word, wasted. Follow these tips to hire mobile app developers if you plan to smooth the execution of your app development initiative. 

5. Creativity 

Computer science is built on a foundation of subjects like science and math. It is generally perceived as a field that does not require creativity and an active imagination. However, this cannot be further than the truth. Out-of-the-box thinking and just a smidge of creativity thrown in can make an average application a worldwide sensation. If you wish to be seen as an innovator (which will mean massive props to your career graph), nurturing a creative mindset is strongly suggested. 

6. Actionable insights 

Today sources of data and metrics are a dime a dozen. You can have all the data globally, but if you do not know how to leverage that data to come up with actionable insights, then your databases are not of any value. As a technology professional, you must have the zeal to go beyond your regular job functions, decipher hidden insights from your data assets, and contribute to the project’s applicability and relevance.  

7. Innate curiosity  

A curious mind is never bored. This adage is true in almost every profession, inclusive of iOS development. Curiosity enables application professionals to consistently learn and build based upon the latest iOS development tool and techniques. This means that a curious mind is consistently improving, adding value to your career as an iOS app development professional. 

8. Open to change 

The way applications are developed is changing every day. Methodologies surrounding development, QA and testing, and even delivery are in constant flux. An open attitude towards feedback, consideration of opposing suggestions and criticism, and a ‘big picture perspective’ are highly desirable non-technical skills when you hire mobile app developers. 

9. Problem Solving Skills 

The definition of application lies in its utility, or in other words, its ability to solve problems with ease and elegance, offering not just a solution to the problem but a rewarding experience to the user who has leveraged the software. 

Given that applications are basically code created with the purpose of problem-solving, developers involved should also have strong problem-solving skills if they wish to create a product that understands and incorporates solutions to all possible problem scenarios. 

It is not uncommon for a team of developers to create an elegant application that checks all the boxes when it comes to UI and UX but fails miserably regarding the actual utility it was created to provide. 

An iOS developer needs to understand the issues that have arisen and even the ones that may arise in the future to create an application that fits billed use-cases with perfection. 

Luckily, problem-solving is a skill that development professionals can learn and hone over time to integrate intuitive functions and features into the application being developed, empowering it with optimal utility and thus creating a big impact on the end quality of their products.  

10. Agility 

Familiarity with the Agile principles of iOS development is also a very necessary non-technical skill every application professional should have in their arsenal. Most iOS development projects today are done based upon the agile methodology. 

Some of the few practices that add to the agile methodology’s value are frequent code releases, reduced documentation, self-organizing teams, enhanced collaboration, and lucid communication between stakeholders. 

Fortunately, agile skills can be learned and are imperative for a developer to remain relevant in the world of modern iOS development. 

In conclusion 

In recent years, IOS development has become one of the most impactful fields of business. Today, almost every product or service available sports a team of application development professionals behind it. Hire dedicated developers at the frontier of iOS development, where ideas turn into reality; While technical skills are a prerequisite for all application developers when added to the non-technical skills mentioned above, you get a development professional who, if I may borrow the term from the much-loved sport of cricket, is truly an all-rounder.