6 Things I Wish I'd Known About Cobol Programmers Before Hiring One
The arena of Cobol programming, an enterprise mainstay since its inception in 1959, is a unique and challenging field. Many businesses, particularly in finance and insurance, still rely on this stalwart language for their daily operations. As a result, the value of a proficient Cobol programmer in your organization can be immeasurable. However, there are certain factors about hiring a Cobol programmer that I wish I had known beforehand, which, had I known, would have significantly influenced my hiring process. These six insights are based on my experience and may serve as a beacon when navigating the complex waters of Cobol programming recruitment.
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Expertise in Cobol doesn't necessarily imply knowledge of contemporary technologies: Cobol, or Common Business-Oriented Language, is a veteran within the programming space. While its durability is a testament to its profound utility, it also means that some Cobol programmers may be less conversant with newer technologies. A programmer might be exceptionally adept at Cobol, but their skills in Python or JavaScript, for instance, may be rudimentary. The tradeoff here is between the specific expertise and broader technological fluency. Knowing this, it's important to clearly define one's expectations and needs before the onset of recruitment.
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Understanding of Legacy Systems: Cobol programmers typically work with legacy systems, which are older methods, technologies, computer systems, or application programs. These systems often remain in use because they continue to perform the necessary task despite their age. The importance of a Cobol programmer's knowledge of legacy systems cannot be overstated. Familiarity with these systems means an understanding of their intricacies, peculiarities, and potential pitfalls. This understanding is crucial in maintaining, modifying, or upgrading these systems without causing disruption or system failure.
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Cobol Developers are Rare: Unlike languages such as Python, Java, or C++, Cobol isn't typically a part of the modern computer science curriculum. This absence has resulted in a scarcity of Cobol programmers, making them somewhat of a rare breed. This rarity can influence both the hiring process duration and the remuneration expected by these programmers, both of which are likely to be higher than for other languages.
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Importance of Business Acumen: Cobol is, by its very nature, a business-oriented language. It was created with the intention of bridging the gap between business problems and computational solutions. Therefore, a proficient Cobol programmer should not only be adept at coding but also possess an understanding of the business landscape in which the code will function. This dual requirement of technical and business acumen significantly influences the recruitment process.
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The issue of Future-Proofing: While Cobol has maintained its relevance over decades, it is worthwhile to consider how long it will continue to do so. Investing in a Cobol programmer without a roadmap for future migration or without a plan to modernize your technology stack could be a strategic oversight. Hence, the hiring decision should be part of a broader strategic plan rather than a reaction to immediate needs.
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Cobol Programmers and Maintenance Work: A significant portion of a Cobol programmer's role consists of maintaining and upgrading existing systems, as opposed to developing new ones. This fact is related to Cobol's role as a legacy language and its primary use in older, established systems. Potential hires should be comfortable and familiar with this aspect of the role.
In conclusion, the hiring of a Cobol programmer is a nuanced process that requires a clear understanding of the specific needs of your organization, the nature of Cobol programming, and the landscape of the programming market. With these six insights in mind, you can ensure that your recruitment process is informed, effective, and aligned with your strategic goals.
The value of a proficient Cobol programmer in your organization can be immeasurable, but there are certain factors about hiring a Cobol programmer that I wish I had known beforehand, which, had I known, would have significantly influenced my hiring process.
