What does a software consultant do?
A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
Software consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software consultant resumes:
- Develop a tool under Linux using C/C++ and raw network sockets to automate testing and for bench marking.
- Develop and implement Unix and Perl shell scripts to automate application support process and to minimize troubleshooting latency.
- Develop UI using HTML, JavaScript, JSP, DHTML, CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
- Design and review Java application architecture; analyze software development process and suggest alternative technologies.
- Used Java, JavaScript, HTML, store procedures, cursors, complex joins, etc.
- Live supplier data and distributor information are fed into the system via BizTalk server using XML web services as external subscriptions.
- Perform requirement analysis design user interfaces, java objects and database schema.
- Develop MVC templates to assist and speed up development.
- Monitor and troubleshoot T1 and OC3 connections, digital cross connects, fiber cuts.
- Port security software system to Win7/x64, implement credential provider API to replace outdate GINA customization.
- Used JSON to deliver results in a compact format which can easily be parse by JQuery.
- Develop an ecommerce marketplace using python, pyramid, mysql, sqlalchemy on a AWS ec2 server.
- Create complex PL/SQL, SQL codes and the filter conditions for the queries are dynamic in nature and0 include lexical parameters.
- Develop JavaScript and jQuery client-side functionality.
- Develop data handler using asynchronous, socket-base API library.
Software consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Software Consultants are proficient in Web Application, Database, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Web Application, 9%
Assisted in development of various customer facing and internal use asp.net web applications utilizing a custom business layer.
- Database, 7%
Developed spreadsheet and database solutions based on customer requirements to address specific issues related to cash flow management and order tracking.
- Java, 6%
Performed requirement analysis designed user interfaces, java objects and database schema.
- PL/SQL, 5%
Handled finance application on Risk Analysis as SME (Subject matter expert) in Unix, Unix Shell Scripting, PL/SQL.
- SQL Server, 5%
Inventory and accounting system package conversion from Data General/FORTRAN to web based application utilizing Microsoft SQL Server back-end.
- Software Development, 3%
Assist Citibank business managers locally, nationally or internationally providing business advice and software development consulting services to different Citibank projects.
"web application," "database," and "java" are among the most common skills that software consultants use at work. You can find even more software consultant responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a software consultant to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what software consultants do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software consultant resume shows how software consultants use analytical skills: "create j2ee based applications to retrieve and update data in the data warehouse. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software consultant duties is communication skills. Software consultants responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Software consultants also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "tested and created a craft interface terminal for nms communication's hearsay product using java swing and snmp. "
Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software consultants is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday software consultant duties, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "develop applications(vba automation) and tools to aid the creative designteam to automate tedious tasks and presentations"
Detail oriented. software consultant responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "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." This resume example shows what software consultants do with detail oriented on a typical day: "prepared detailed test scripts, attended daily scrum meetings. "
Interpersonal skills. A commonly-found skill in software consultant job descriptions, "interpersonal skills" is essential to what software consultants do. Software consultant responsibilities rely on this skill because "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." You can also see how software consultant duties rely on interpersonal skills in this resume example: "generated a map of interpersonal relationships from an xml file. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a software consultant does. Software consultant responsibilities require this skill because "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 resume example highlights how software consultant duties rely on this skill: "performed integration between metasolv solutions and third party applications using j2ee standards. "
The three companies that hire the most software consultants are:
- Kion Group22 software consultants jobs
- Honeywell4 software consultants jobs
- Saggezza
3 software consultants jobs
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Compare different software consultants
Software consultant vs. Consultant database administrator
Consultant database administrators maintain and monitor the health and security of the database systems used in different applications utilized by international offices. They create database management procedures including, backup programs, server maintenance, and program updates. These administrators also provide technical support for programs and design a disaster recovery protocol in case of a security breach. They are also in charge of creating accounts and assigning the security level of access for all the users in their network.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between software consultants and consultant database administrator. For instance, software consultant responsibilities require skills such as "web application," "database," "java," and "sql server." Whereas a consultant database administrator is skilled in "project management," "database administration," "microsoft sql server," and "dba." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Consultants database administrator tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $105,138. In contrast, software consultants make the biggest average salary, $95,230, in the health care industry.The education levels that consultants database administrator earn slightly differ from software consultants. In particular, consultants database administrator are 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a software consultant. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software consultant vs. Contract software engineer
Senior software engineers are experienced employees who would usually take the lead in projects related to software development. They are in charge of determining the needs of the organization, checking whether there are feasible solutions to challenges, and creating plans for the development of a software solution. They provide a sound analysis of data collected during the testing phase of the software and address any problems during the software development phase. Once the software has been developed, they then ensure that it works well and that it addresses the needs and expectations of the users.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that software consultant responsibilities requires skills like "architecture," "windows nt," "test scripts," and "front end." But a contract software engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "javascript," "http," "git," and "spring boot."
Contract software engineers earn similar levels of education than software consultants in general. They're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Software consultant vs. Senior software engineer
A Staff Software Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and repairing company software for maximum efficiency and usability. They instruct and mentor their team members in software development techniques and cloud development.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software consultants are more likely to have skills like "software development," "windows nt," "test scripts," and "asp." But a senior software engineer is more likely to have skills like "javascript," "git," "scrum," and "object oriented programming."
Senior software engineers earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $128,740. Comparatively, software consultants have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $95,230.Most senior software engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to software consultants. For example, they're 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software consultant vs. Staff software engineer
Types of software consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
