Top 9 Hottest Tech Skills to Hire for in the Industry

The benefits of honing technical skills go far beyond the Information Technology industry. Strong tech skills are essential in today’s changing world, and if your employees consistently and proactively enhance their IT skills, you will help them improve both personally and professionally. This, in turn, will help your business grow.

Yes, it may feel overwhelming. However, with the right attitude and flexibility of mind, it can also be a tremendous opportunity for your employees to learn and grow. Here are some of the hottest tech skills (a mix of programming languages, tools, and frameworks; in random order) to hire which will help you thrive in the workplace of tomorrow.

1. JavaScript

JavaScript has been the fastest-growing and the most sought-after programming language for years. It is considered as one of the smartest choices for building interactive web interfaces as all modern browsers support JavaScript.

Hottest tech skills to hire - Javascript

Source: Twitter

The Stack Overflow developer survey results show that about 69.7% of 90,000 professional developers stated JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language. The same survey reveals that JavaScript is one of the most desired languages. This means that 17.8% of respondents have not yet used it but want to learn it.

The language is at the heart of several prominent tech companies, such as Netflix, PayPal, Groupon, LinkedIn, and Walmart. Additionally, studies reveal that JavaScript is among the most in-demand programming language used in the top privately-held startups valued at over $1 billion in the US. Hence, JavaScript will remain one of the hottest tech skills and it is unlikely that it will go off the grid in the near future.

Common job roles requiring JavaScript

Some of the common job roles requiring JavaScript as a skill are:

Frontend web development
Full-stack web development
Information security software developers
WordPress developers
PHP and JS developers

2. Python

Released in 1991 and created by Guido van Rossum, Python was and is still extremely relevant for all developers to learn and grow. It is interactive, dynamic, versatile, and remains one of the most relevant languages.

Source: Coding Dojo

Also, it is one of the most popular programming languages used by the top 25 unicorn companies in the US.

It is an all-time favorite of beginners and experienced developers alike, mainly for its ease of use and simple syntax. Right from programming projects such as data mining and Machine Learning, Python is the most favored programming language.

Also, read The complete guide to hiring a Python developer.

Common job roles requiring Python

Some of the common job roles requiring Python as a skill are:

Data scientists
Data analyst
Software engineer
Machine Learning engineer
Research analyst
Python developer

3. Java

It is no surprise to see Java as one of the hottest tech skills. Introduced in 1991 by James Gosling, Mike Sheridan, and Patrick Naughton, it is a robust, general-purpose programming language that is object-oriented and class-based. It was designed in such a way that it is easy to use, write, compile, debug, and learn, and have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

Studies reveal that Java is one of the most popular programming languages used by developers.

This can be attributed to the fact that Java is widely used in industries such as financial services, Big Data, stock market, banking, retail, and Android. It is present everywhere! Whichever domain a developer works in, he/she will surely come across Java Programming.

An article by the Dev Community speaks about how Java is unarguably one of the most popular programming languages in the world today and how tech giants are using the language to build large portions of their infrastructure and backend services.

Also, read The complete guide to hiring a Java developer.

Common job roles requiring Java

Some of the common job roles requiring Java as a skill are:

Java developers
Java architects
Backend developers
Fullstack developers

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4. Rust

For the fourth year in a row, Rust has been voted as the most loved programming language in a StackOverflow report, followed by Python. This meant that more developers want to continue working with Rust than other languages.

Also, as shown by Google Trends, Rust has been gaining tremendous popularity over the years and its adoption is expected to grow.

Tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have invested in Rust as a long term system programming language because it is expected to replace a lot of C and C++ development. In fact, PyPl has ranked Rust 18th in the Popularity of Programming Language Index, with an upward trend.

It makes a little more sense when you find out that the language was created at Mozilla, giving web developers a chance to write code that’s more performant than Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, or Python.

Common job roles requiring Rust

Some of the common jobs requiring Rust as a tech skill are:

Backend developers
Embedded system engineers
Network engineers

5. ReactJS

Released in 2013, ReactJS is essentially a front-end library created by Facebook for building user interfaces. It serves as an excellent tool for the development of full-scale, dynamic applications.

As per a Stack Overflow report, ReactJS is the most wanted and most loved web framework.

A great performance benefit of ReactJS is its ability to update virtual DOM. As Virtual DOM is rendered from the server-side as well as the client-side, it offers a high-performance rendering of complex user interfaces. This is why ReactJS is fast. Other than Facebook and Instagram, ReactJS is adopted by the BBC, Netflix, and PayPal.

Common job roles requiring ReactJS

Some of the common job roles requiring ReactJS as a skill are:

Frontend developers
Full-stack developers

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6. Docker

Docker is a tool that creates, deploys, and runs applications within containers.

Containers store up code and all its dependencies so that an application runs fast and reliably on any other Linux machine. The prevalence of Docker in the job market is incredible. In a Stack Overflow survey, developers ranked Docker number 2 in the “Most Loved Platform” category and number 1 in the “Most Wanted Platform” category.

With cloud and Docker becoming significantly linked every day, the demand is only expected to grow. Therefore, if your employees want a wonderful future in DevOps, they need to have a strong understanding of Docker tools.

Common job roles requiring Docker

Some of the common job roles requiring Docker as a skill are:

Software developers
Backend engineers
DevOps engineers
Python developers
Site reliability engineers
Database administrators

7. NumPy and Pandas

There would be no Data Science in Python without NumPy and Pandas (this is also one of the reasons why Python has become widely popular in Data Science.) As per GitHub, among the most popular public repositories labeled with topics like “Deep Learning,” “Natural Language Processing,” and “Machine Learning,” over half of them are built on NumPy. Pandas is a widely used tool, particularly in data munging and wrangling. It is available for everyone as an open-source, free-to-use project. Hence, NumPy and Pandas are expected to be in the race of tech skills to hire for.

Common job roles requiring NumPy and Pandas

Some of the common job roles requiring NumPy and Pandas as skills are:

Data scientists
Python developers
Machine Learning developers
Software engineers
Algorithm developers
Tech leads

8. Kotlin

Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language that effortlessly combines object-oriented and functional programming features within it. In a Stack Overflow report, Kotlin made its way into one of the most loved and most wanted programming languages.

Kotlin was designed to be interoperable with Java which makes Android development faster and enjoyable. Also, Kotlin addresses the major issues that surface in Java. Hence, several Java apps are rewritten in Kotlin. Brands like Pinterest and Coursera have already moved to Kotlin due to its strong tooling support. It receives a lot of interest from developers and companies alike. The job postings for Kotlin increased over 15X, from the second quarter of 2016 to the second quarter of 2018, and the trend is only expected to grow.

Source: Dice

Hence, Kotlin is a hot tech skill that programmers and Android app developers should learn.

Common job roles requiring Kotlin

Some of the common job roles requiring Kotlin as a skill are:

Android developers (junior, mid, senior)
Kotlin developers
Software engineers—Android platform

9. Django

Django is one of the most versatile and popular Python web frameworks that encourages rapid development and pragmatic, clean design of web applications. This can be attributed to Django’s open-source nature—the community is constantly releasing new code and plug-ins to simplify the process and keep up with the demand. It grabbed eyeballs right from the start when it was positioned as Python’s answer to Rails.

Many Python development services, as well as major companies such as Spotify and YouTube, use Django. Developers describe it as “batteries included”, which means that it comes with a variety of third-party libraries.

Django’s user base is expected to grow as more developers embrace Python for emerging technologies such as Machine Learning and Big Data. It is ridiculously fast, reassuringly secure, and exceedingly scalable.

Note: We recommend using the latest version of Django, which is currently 3.0.2.

Common job roles requiring Django

Some of the common job roles requiring Django as a skill are:

Python-Django developers
Python software engineers
Full-stack Django developers
DevOps engineers
Frontend Django developers
Django software engineers

Summing up…

All developers have a thirst for learning new skills. However, knowing which skills are gaining popularity can ensure better career growth and help developers prioritize learning them first. Recruiters and developers can use the information shared in this post to make informed decisions in this matter.

As a recruiter, you need to keep yourself abreast of the above-mentioned skills to stay ahead of your competitors in hiring stellar talent.

Not sure about how to assess technical skills? HackerEarth provides accurate technical screening and helps you hire the best. Start your 14-day free trial today.

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Hackathons

Vibe Coding: Shaping the Future of Software

A New Era of CodeVibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today,...

A New Era of Code

Vibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today, when code is produced quickly through AI, the true value lies in designing, refining, and optimizing systems. Our role now goes beyond writing code; we must also ensure that our systems remain efficient and reliable.

From Machine Language to Natural Language

I recall the early days when every line of code was written manually. We progressed from machine language to high-level programming, and now we are beginning to interact with our tools using natural language. This development does not only increase speed but also changes how we approach problem solving. Product managers can now create working demos in hours instead of weeks, and founders have a clearer way of pitching their ideas with functional prototypes. It is important for us to rethink our role as developers and focus on architecture and system design rather than simply on typing code.

The Promise and the Pitfalls

I have experienced both sides of vibe coding. In cases where the goal was to build a quick prototype or a simple internal tool, AI-generated code provided impressive results. Teams have been able to test new ideas and validate concepts much faster. However, when it comes to more complex systems that require careful planning and attention to detail, the output from AI can be problematic. I have seen situations where AI produces large volumes of code that become difficult to manage without significant human intervention.

AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and AWS’s Q Developer have demonstrated significant productivity gains. For instance, at the National Australia Bank, it’s reported that half of the production code is generated by Q Developer, allowing developers to focus on higher-level problem-solving . Similarly, platforms like Lovable enable non-coders to build viable tech businesses using natural language prompts, contributing to a shift where AI-generated code reduces the need for large engineering teams. However, there are challenges. AI-generated code can sometimes be verbose or lack the architectural discipline required for complex systems. While AI can rapidly produce prototypes or simple utilities, building large-scale systems still necessitates experienced engineers to refine and optimize the code.

The Economic Impact

The democratization of code generation is altering the economic landscape of software development. As AI tools become more prevalent, the value of average coding skills may diminish, potentially affecting salaries for entry-level positions. Conversely, developers who excel in system design, architecture, and optimization are likely to see increased demand and compensation.
Seizing the Opportunity

Vibe coding is most beneficial in areas such as rapid prototyping and building simple applications or internal tools. It frees up valuable time that we can then invest in higher-level tasks such as system architecture, security, and user experience. When used in the right context, AI becomes a helpful partner that accelerates the development process without replacing the need for skilled engineers.

This is revolutionizing our craft, much like the shift from machine language to assembly to high-level languages did in the past. AI can churn out code at lightning speed, but remember, “Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.” Use AI for rapid prototyping, but it’s your expertise that transforms raw output into robust, scalable software. By honing our skills in design and architecture, we ensure our work remains impactful and enduring. Let’s continue to learn, adapt, and build software that stands the test of time.

Ready to streamline your recruitment process? Get a free demo to explore cutting-edge solutions and resources for your hiring needs.

Tech Assessment

Guide to Conducting Successful System Design Interviews in 2025

What is Systems Design?Systems Design is an all encompassing term which encapsulates both frontend and backend components harmonized to define the overall architecture of a product.Designing robust and scalable systems requires a deep understanding of application, architecture and their underlying components like networks, data, interfaces and modules.Systems Design, in its...

What is Systems Design?

Systems Design is an all encompassing term which encapsulates both frontend and backend components harmonized to define the overall architecture of a product.

Designing robust and scalable systems requires a deep understanding of application, architecture and their underlying components like networks, data, interfaces and modules.

Systems Design, in its essence, is a blueprint of how software and applications should work to meet specific goals. The multi-dimensional nature of this discipline makes it open-ended – as there is no single one-size-fits-all solution to a system design problem.

What is a System Design Interview?

Conducting a System Design interview requires recruiters to take an unconventional approach and look beyond right or wrong answers. Recruiters should aim for evaluating a candidate’s ‘systemic thinking’ skills across three key aspects:

How they navigate technical complexity and navigate uncertainty
How they meet expectations of scale, security and speed
How they focus on the bigger picture without losing sight of details

This assessment of the end-to-end thought process and a holistic approach to problem-solving is what the interview should focus on.

What are some common topics for a System Design Interview

System design interview questions are free-form and exploratory in nature where there is no right or best answer to a specific problem statement. Here are some common questions:

How would you approach the design of a social media app or video app?

What are some ways to design a search engine or a ticketing system?

How would you design an API for a payment gateway?

What are some trade-offs and constraints you will consider while designing systems?

What is your rationale for taking a particular approach to problem solving?

Usually, interviewers base the questions depending on the organization, its goals, key competitors and a candidate’s experience level.

For senior roles, the questions tend to focus on assessing the computational thinking, decision making and reasoning ability of a candidate. For entry level job interviews, the questions are designed to test the hard skills required for building a system architecture.

The Difference between a System Design Interview and a Coding Interview

If a coding interview is like a map that takes you from point A to Z – a systems design interview is like a compass which gives you a sense of the right direction.

Here are three key difference between the two:

Coding challenges follow a linear interviewing experience i.e. candidates are given a problem and interaction with recruiters is limited. System design interviews are more lateral and conversational, requiring active participation from interviewers.

Coding interviews or challenges focus on evaluating the technical acumen of a candidate whereas systems design interviews are oriented to assess problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Coding interviews are based on a right/wrong approach with ideal answers to problem statements while a systems design interview focuses on assessing the thought process and the ability to reason from first principles.

How to Conduct an Effective System Design Interview

One common mistake recruiters make is that they approach a system design interview with the expectations and preparation of a typical coding interview.
Here is a four step framework technical recruiters can follow to ensure a seamless and productive interview experience:

Step 1: Understand the subject at hand

Develop an understanding of basics of system design and architecture
Familiarize yourself with commonly asked systems design interview questions
Read about system design case studies for popular applications
Structure the questions and problems by increasing magnitude of difficulty

Step 2: Prepare for the interview

Plan the extent of the topics and scope of discussion in advance
Clearly define the evaluation criteria and communicate expectations
Quantify constraints, inputs, boundaries and assumptions
Establish the broader context and a detailed scope of the exercise

Step 3: Stay actively involved

Ask follow-up questions to challenge a solution
Probe candidates to gauge real-time logical reasoning skills
Make it a conversation and take notes of important pointers and outcomes
Guide candidates with hints and suggestions to steer them in the right direction

Step 4: Be a collaborator

Encourage candidates to explore and consider alternative solutions
Work with the candidate to drill the problem into smaller tasks
Provide context and supporting details to help candidates stay on track
Ask follow-up questions to learn about the candidate’s experience

Technical recruiters and hiring managers should aim for providing an environment of positive reinforcement, actionable feedback and encouragement to candidates.

Evaluation Rubric for Candidates

Facilitate Successful System Design Interview Experiences with FaceCode

FaceCode, HackerEarth’s intuitive and secure platform, empowers recruiters to conduct system design interviews in a live coding environment with HD video chat.

FaceCode comes with an interactive diagram board which makes it easier for interviewers to assess the design thinking skills and conduct communication assessments using a built-in library of diagram based questions.

With FaceCode, you can combine your feedback points with AI-powered insights to generate accurate, data-driven assessment reports in a breeze. Plus, you can access interview recordings and transcripts anytime to recall and trace back the interview experience.

Learn how FaceCode can help you conduct system design interviews and boost your hiring efficiency.

AI Recruiting

How Candidates Use Technology to Cheat in Online Technical Assessments

Impact of Online Assessments in Technical Hiring In a digitally-native hiring landscape, online assessments have proven to be both a boon and a bane for recruiters and employers. The ease and...

Impact of Online Assessments in Technical Hiring

In a digitally-native hiring landscape, online assessments have proven to be both a boon and a bane for recruiters and employers.

The ease and efficiency of virtual interviews, take home programming tests and remote coding challenges is transformative. Around 82% of companies use pre-employment assessments as reliable indicators of a candidate's skills and potential.

Online skill assessment tests have been proven to streamline technical hiring and enable recruiters to significantly reduce the time and cost to identify and hire top talent.

In the realm of online assessments, remote assessments have transformed the hiring landscape, boosting the speed and efficiency of screening and evaluating talent. On the flip side, candidates have learned how to use creative methods and AI tools to cheat in tests.

As it turns out, technology that makes hiring easier for recruiters and managers - is also their Achilles' heel.

Cheating in Online Assessments is a High Stakes Problem

With the proliferation of AI in recruitment, the conversation around cheating has come to the forefront, putting recruiters and hiring managers in a bit of a flux.

According to research, nearly 30 to 50 percent of candidates cheat in online assessments for entry level jobs. Even 10% of senior candidates have been reportedly caught cheating.

The problem becomes twofold - if finding the right talent can be a competitive advantage, the consequences of hiring the wrong one can be equally damaging and counter-productive.

As per Forbes, a wrong hire can cost a company around 30% of an employee's salary - not to mention, loss of precious productive hours and morale disruption.

The question that arises is - "Can organizations continue to leverage AI-driven tools for online assessments without compromising on the integrity of their hiring process? "

This article will discuss the common methods candidates use to outsmart online assessments. We will also dive deep into actionable steps that you can take to prevent cheating while delivering a positive candidate experience.

Common Cheating Tactics and How You Can Combat Them

Using ChatGPT and other AI tools to write code
Copy-pasting code using AI-based platforms and online code generators is one of common cheat codes in candidates' books. For tackling technical assessments, candidates conveniently use readily available tools like ChatGPT and GitHub. Using these tools, candidates can easily generate solutions to solve common programming challenges such as:
- Debugging code
- Optimizing existing code
- Writing problem-specific code from scratch
Ways to prevent it
- Enable full-screen mode
- Disable copy-and-paste functionality
- Restrict tab switching outside of code editors
- Use AI to detect code that has been copied and pasted
Enlist external help to complete the assessment

Candidates often seek out someone else to take the assessment on their behalf. In many cases, they also use screen sharing and remote collaboration tools for real-time assistance.

In extreme cases, some candidates might have an off-camera individual present in the same environment for help.

Ways to prevent it
- Verify a candidate using video authentication
- Restrict test access from specific IP addresses
- Use online proctoring by taking snapshots of the candidate periodically
- Use a 360 degree environment scan to ensure no unauthorized individual is present
Using multiple devices at the same time

Candidates attempting to cheat often rely on secondary devices such as a computer, tablet, notebook or a mobile phone hidden from the line of sight of their webcam.

By using multiple devices, candidates can look up information, search for solutions or simply augment their answers.

Ways to prevent it
- Track mouse exit count to detect irregularities
- Detect when a new device or peripheral is connected
- Use network monitoring and scanning to detect any smart devices in proximity
- Conduct a virtual whiteboard interview to monitor movements and gestures
Using remote desktop software and virtual machines

Tech-savvy candidates go to great lengths to cheat. Using virtual machines, candidates can search for answers using a secondary OS while their primary OS is being monitored.

Remote desktop software is another cheating technique which lets candidates give access to a third-person, allowing them to control their device.

With remote desktops, candidates can screen share the test window and use external help.

Ways to prevent it
- Restrict access to virtual machines
- AI-based proctoring for identifying malicious keystrokes
- Use smart browsers to block candidates from using VMs

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HackerEarth's AI-powered online proctoring solution is a tested and proven way to outsmart cheating and take preventive measures at the right stage. With HackerEarth's Smart Browser, recruiters can mitigate the threat of cheating and ensure their online assessments are accurate and trustworthy.

Secure, sealed-off testing environment
AI-enabled live test monitoring
Enterprise-grade, industry leading compliance
Built-in features to track, detect and flag cheating attempts

Boost your hiring efficiency and conduct reliable online assessments confidently with HackerEarth's revolutionary Smart Browser.