What does a developer/consultant do?
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
Developer/consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real developer/consultant resumes:
- Manage SDLC development including analysis, writing technical documentation, design, coding, testing.
- Lead the project, development and architecture of an innovative SharePoint contract warehouse, including designing several process improvements.
- Interpret, develop, and enhance graphic, visual & interaction designs in HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Work with other web technologies such as AJAX, jQuery, and PHP throughout this redesign.
- Work with AJAX data consisting of JSON responses parsing the same and presenting on the UI layer.
- Coordinate new test environment builds with CICS & DB2 support teams, streamline existing test environments by identifying and eliminating redundancies.
- Convert server side post back events to JavaScript functions.
- Develop departmental guidelines to J2EE standards and industry best practices.
- Utilize a master page and CSS file for website consistency.
- Develop various style sheets using CSS for formatting ASP.NET Pages.
- Create a fluid and dynamic front-end application using AngularJS and elements of JQuery.
- Create basic WFL command scripts for the compilation and execution of COBOL programs.
- Develop a script that accept a slang data structure and displays it using HTML.
- Create websites and website applications for varying clients utilizing HTML, PHP and MySQL.
- Create normalized logical data models from physical IMS and DB2 customer and billing databases.
Developer/consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Developer/Consultants are proficient in Java, Project Management, and JavaScript. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Developer/Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 8%
Provided clients industry-guaranteed knowledge; endorsed as a Microsoft Certified Professional and a Sun Certified Java Programmer.
- Project Management, 6%
Created custom PMO (Project Management Office) and Portfolio Overview homepages for management, with all relevant configuration management documentation.
- JavaScript, 6%
Developed Server-Side JavaScript code as well as JavaServerPages.
- HR, 6%
Collaborated with business unit executives and HR Managers on specific talent development plans and initiatives.
- Microservices, 4%
Used Spring Boot which is radically faster in building cloud MicroServices.
- JQuery, 4%
Designed and developed Attack Chess, A chess training game for Teachable tech utilizing jQuery and responsive design.
Most developer/consultants use their skills in "java," "project management," and "javascript" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential developer/consultant responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a developer/consultant to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what developer/consultants do because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Additionally, a developer/consultant resume shows how developer/consultants use detail oriented: "developed object oriented api libraries (c/c++, mfc/sdk). "
Interpersonal skills. Many developer/consultant duties rely on interpersonal skills. "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.," so a developer/consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways developer/consultant responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "mentor and coach entrepreneurs in areas of interpersonal skills, personal finance, business development & leadership. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of developer/consultants is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday developer/consultant duties, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "supported third-party business partners implementing solutions based on ibm's sanfrancisco java based distributed business application framework. "
Analytical skills. A big part of what developer/consultants do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to developer/consultant responsibilities because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical developer/consultant tasks: "created a generic prototype api to allow other applications to communicate to the scheduler through dynamic data exchange. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in developer/consultant job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what developer/consultants do. Developer/consultant responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." You can also see how developer/consultant duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "provided additional customer service, communications, conflict resolution and hr related training program recommendations and materials. "
Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to developer/consultant responsibilities. Much of what a developer/consultant does relies on this skill, seeing as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of developer/consultants: "leveraged java to design a creative applet that allowed customers to see apparel features and specific color choices. "
The three companies that hire the most developer/consultants are:
- Deloitte420 developer/consultants jobs
- Lincoln Financial Group99 developer/consultants jobs
- Oracle92 developer/consultants jobs
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Compare different developer/consultants
Developer/consultant vs. Applications developer
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, developer/consultant responsibilities require skills like "project management," "hr," "mvc," and "business development." Meanwhile a typical applications developer has skills in areas such as "database," "regression," "scrum," and "git." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Applications developers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,905. In contrast, developer/consultants make the biggest average salary, $101,340, in the technology industry.On average, applications developers reach similar levels of education than developer/consultants. Applications developers are 3.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Developer/consultant vs. Contract developer
Contract Developers develop secure web applications for data collections, quality measurement efforts, and reporting purposes for large-scale performance, wireframes and UI specifications for interactive and static reporting and analysis features, and developing UI to interact with reporting engines. They are involved with system design and technical documentation and responsible for dot net development. In this position, contract developers must excellent in problem-solving, analytical skills and attention to detail, display and manipulate performance metrics, and highly confident dealing with internal and external clients.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real developer/consultant resumes. While developer/consultant responsibilities can utilize skills like "project management," "microservices," "data analysis," and "sql server," contract developers use skills like "aws," "git," "net core," and "ui."
On average, contract developers earn a lower salary than developer/consultants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, contract developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $103,060. Whereas developer/consultants have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $101,340.In general, contract developers achieve lower levels of education than developer/consultants. They're 7.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for developer/consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Developer/consultant vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a developer/consultant is likely to be skilled in "project management," "hr," "mvc," and "business development," while a typical software developer is skilled in "software development," "database," "git," and "scrum."
Software developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $96,138. Comparatively, developer/consultants have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $101,340.software developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to developer/consultants. Specifically, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Developer/consultant vs. Database developer
A database developer specializes in designing and creating storage programs according to a client's needs. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their preferences and requirements, coordinating with other teams, identifying errors or inconsistencies by conducting regular maintenance tests, and monitoring its performance to ensure smooth workflow. A database developer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, provide corrective measures, produce instructional materials for the database users, and develop strategies to keep the data safe and secure.
Types of developer/consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
