What Developers Actually Want From Their Next Role

Attract top developers by understanding what truly matters to them. Discover key motivators beyond salary and how to craft irresistible roles.

Understanding What Developers Want in Their Next Role

Hiring developers is no walk in the park. It’s a highly competitive market, with businesses scrambling to secure the best talent. But here’s the thing—posting a job description and hoping for applications won’t cut it anymore.

Developers today have more choices than ever. To attract them, you need to understand what they’re looking for in their next role. If you’re not offering what matters most to them, someone else will.

So, what exactly motivates developers to say “yes” to a job offer? Let’s break it down.

Why Developers Care About More Than Just Salary

It’s tempting to think that a high salary is the golden ticket to hiring developers. While compensation is important, it’s far from the whole picture. Developers are looking for roles that align with their values and career aspirations.

Here’s what often matters more:

  • Growth Opportunities: Developers want to keep learning. Whether it’s access to training, certifications, or working with cutting-edge technologies, the chance to grow their skills is a major draw.
  • Meaningful Work: Writing code isn’t just about punching keys. Developers want to work on projects that solve real problems or make a difference in the world.
  • Work-Life Balance: Remote work, flexible hours, and avoiding burnout are high on their list of priorities.
  • Autonomy: Micromanagement is a deal-breaker. Developers thrive when they’re trusted to make decisions and manage their own tasks.

If your role doesn’t check these boxes, it’s likely to fall flat, even with a generous pay package.

Where Employers Often Miss the Mark

It’s not uncommon for businesses to underestimate what developers want, leading to job offers that fail to excite. Here’s where many go wrong:

  • Outdated Tech Stack: Developers don’t want to work with outdated tools. If your tech stack is out of touch, it signals a lack of innovation.
  • Generic Job Descriptions: Vague or buzzword-heavy job ads don’t resonate. Developers want clarity about the role and its impact.
  • Ignoring Culture Fit: A great developer isn’t just skilled—they also need to fit into your team’s culture. Overlooking this can lead to mismatches and turnover.

When these mistakes happen, it’s no surprise that offers go unaccepted or roles remain unfilled for months.

How to Make Your Role Irresistible to Developers

So, how do you create a role that developers can’t say no to? Here’s the formula:

  • Focus on Growth: Highlight opportunities for learning and development. Mention specific technologies, projects, or mentorship programmes that your company offers.
  • Emphasise Impact: Show how their work will contribute to the company’s goals or solve meaningful problems. Developers want to see the bigger picture.
  • Offer Flexibility: Provide options for remote work, flexible hours, or a hybrid setup. These perks are no longer optional—they’re expected.
  • Showcase Autonomy: Explain how developers will have the freedom to approach problems and make decisions without being micromanaged.
  • Be Transparent: Share as much detail as possible about the role, the team, and the company culture. Developers value honesty and clarity.

By addressing these factors, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of attracting top-tier talent.

How Coburg Banks Can Help You Hire Developers

Creating an appealing role is one thing, but finding the right developers to fill it is another challenge altogether. That’s where Coburg Banks comes in.

Since 2002, we’ve specialised in IT recruitment, helping businesses like yours secure the tech talent they need. Our expert team understands what developers are looking for and how to match them with opportunities that excite them.

Why Choose Coburg Banks?

  • Deep Industry Knowledge: We know the IT space inside out, from software development to data science and beyond.
  • Customised Solutions: Whether you’re hiring for permanent positions or contract roles, we tailor our approach to meet your needs.
  • Extensive Network: Our connections in the tech industry give you access to a wide pool of skilled candidates.
  • Cultural Fit Expertise: We don’t just focus on skills—we ensure candidates align with your team’s values and work style.

With Coburg Banks, you’ll not only attract the best developers, but also hire them faster and with less hassle.

Learn more about our IT recruitment services or book a call today.

Building a Stronger Team Starts Here

Imagine having a team of developers who are not just skilled but also deeply engaged with their work. They’re excited to tackle challenges, grow their expertise, and contribute to your company’s success. That’s the kind of talent Coburg Banks can help you find.

Don’t let the competition outpace you in the race for top developer talent. Partner with Coburg Banks and transform the way you hire, one exceptional candidate at a time.

Coburg Banks IT Recruitment
We help outstanding IT professionals get brilliant jobs in top companies.

Continue reading

View all
Category one
Category two
Category three
Category four
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

What Football Can Teach You About Tech Hiring

Building a tech team is like creating a winning football squad—strategy, role clarity, and teamwork are essential. Learn how football-inspired hiring principles can transform your recruitment success.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Technical Ability Isn't Enough in Developer Hiring

Technical skills alone aren’t enough when hiring developers. Discover why prioritizing soft skills like communication and adaptability is key to building stronger, more efficient teams.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

The Real Reason Your Development Team Is Underperforming

Struggling with underperforming developers? Discover the hidden hiring mistakes holding your tech team back and how to fix them.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Your Sourcing Channels Might Be Too Narrow

Struggling to find top tech talent? Discover how relying on narrow recruitment channels could be holding you back—and what to do about it.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Hiring for Potential Is a Must in Today's Market

Struggling to fill IT roles? Hiring for potential, not perfection, can solve your skills gap and drive growth. Discover how this mindset shift transforms recruitment success.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Tech Leaders Are Burning Out Trying to 'Fill the Gaps'

Tech leaders are burning out from juggling too many responsibilities. Discover how hiring gaps are stifling innovation and what you can do to fix it.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How to Engage Passive IT Talent Without Scaring Them Off

Struggling to engage passive IT talent? Learn proven strategies to craft outreach that captures their attention and sparks meaningful conversations.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How to Fix Your Offer-to-Acceptance Drop-Off

Struggling with candidates rejecting job offers? Learn the key reasons behind offer drop-offs and how to create a process that secures top talent.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How to Use Scorecards to Align Your Tech Team on Hiring

Struggling to align your tech team on hiring decisions? Discover how scorecards can simplify recruitment, reduce bias, and help you hire the right candidate faster.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Our Onboarding Process Helps Clients Hire Faster

Struggling to hire IT talent quickly? Discover how a streamlined, specialised process can cut delays, attract top candidates, and keep your projects on track.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Our Clients Trust Us With Senior Dev Roles

Struggling to hire senior developers? Discover why traditional methods fall short and how tailored IT recruitment can help you secure top talent effortlessly.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

Why Hiring Managers Love Our Pre-Screened Devs

Struggling to hire the right developers? Discover how pre-screened IT candidates can save you time, reduce turnover, and ensure the perfect fit for your team.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How We Work With Fast-Growth Tech Teams

Struggling to scale your tech team as your business grows? Discover smarter hiring strategies to keep pace with demand and drive success.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

What Sets Our Dev Shortlists Apart

Struggling with shortlists full of mismatched candidates? Learn how high-quality IT shortlists save time, cut costs, and deliver the perfect fit for your team.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How We Align With Your Internal Tech Hiring Goals

Struggling to hire the right IT talent? Discover how aligning recruitment strategies with your goals can transform your hiring process and drive success.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How We Work With Fast-Growth Tech Teams

Struggling to scale your tech team as your business grows? Discover smarter hiring strategies to keep pace with demand and drive success.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

What Sets Our Dev Shortlists Apart

Struggling with shortlists full of mismatched candidates? Learn how high-quality IT shortlists save time, cut costs, and deliver the perfect fit for your team.
Coburg Banks IT Recruitment Agency

How We Align With Your Internal Tech Hiring Goals

Struggling to hire the right IT talent? Discover how aligning recruitment strategies with your goals can transform your hiring process and drive success.