Published on: 24 April 2025 How does one find the best developers that may not have a traditional degree?
Nowadays, the tech landscape is evolving very fast, so a computer science degree may no longer be the only or even the best indicator of great IT talent. The rise of self-taught developers, bootcamp grads, and career-switchers has reshaped what "qualified" looks like.
I've compiled 5 reasons as per why recruiters need to start hiring for potential rather than education:
1. Real-world projects are more relevant than diplomas
Often self-taught developers build the most impressive projects, whether open-source contributions, GitHub repos or freelance apps. Usually practical projects come a long way compared to academic theoretical knowledge. I do take into consideration the academic background, but as an IT recruiter I focus on what projects the candidates have worked on.
2. Hunger to learn = long-term value
Self-taught coders are statistically more curious and driven individuals. They bring a growth mindset and eagerness to increase competency which is exactly what a fast moving tech team wants and needs! As a recruiter I always recommend prioritizing learning agility over years of experience, especially for entry / mid-level roles.
3. Diversity of backgrounds means stronger teams
When hiring from traditional pipelines, the diversity is limited sometimes in terms of problem-solving methodologies, thought and experience. Self-taught developers have a fresh perspective and unique approach to challenges.
4. The skills gap is real, and solvable!
Tech moves faster than most degree programs. Many self-taught pros are already learning today what universities won’t teach until next year. They're often more up-to-date with tools, frameworks, and modern dev practices.
5. The best candidates might not know they are qualified!
Imposter syndrome is rampant in self-taught circles. Great talent may hesitate to apply unless a recruiter encourages them or job descriptions are written inclusively. In order to secure such talent, I recommend keeping job descriptions simple, no extras that are not a must!
Final Thought:
The future of IT is being built by those who didn’t wait for permission to start. If you’re only hiring from a narrow slice of the tech talent pool, you’re missing out.
Let’s redefine “qualified.” Hire for potential!