Why ‘Years of Experience’ is Dead: The spertaro Way to Land Top Software Engineer Jobs

In the fast-paced world of software development, the way we evaluate talent is evolving. The old practice of asking for "X years of experience" in a particular framework, like React or Angular, is rapidly becoming outdated. Why? Because it's not the number of years that matters—it's the depth of knowledge and ability to adapt that truly counts.

Instead of searching for candidates with “5+ years of React experience,” companies should focus on broader skill sets. Recognizing someone with experience in React, artificial intelligence, and a solid background as a software engineer is far more valuable than sticking to arbitrary time-based criteria. Why ask for 5 years of experience in React? Why 5 and not 6, or even 4?

What Skills Matter Today

When thinking about building a resume that stands out, it’s important to go beyond simply listing years of experience. Companies are looking for candidates with a solid grasp of design patterns, data structures, and the ability to analyze algorithms using Big-O notation. It’s not about memorizing specific algorithms—it’s about understanding concepts and being able to apply them in real-world situations.

That's why coding challenges that demand candidates to implement algorithms in the shortest time possible are falling out of favor. Instead, companies are shifting towards tasks that better reflect real-world development. For example, evaluating how a candidate uses GitLab in team-based scenarios or how they collaborate during a project is far more indicative of their capabilities. A tech talk or team-oriented exercise is often a much better gauge of a candidate's potential.

Simplifying the Hiring Process at spertaro

At spertaro, we believe in fostering genuine communication between contractors and companies. There are no unnecessary limitations on how many messages you can exchange or how you can interact. The goal is to build strong working relationships without unnecessary roadblocks.

We also recognize that skill matrices, often filled with endless rows of boxes to tick, are an inefficient way to measure expertise. Not only are they time-consuming to fill out, but they often fail to accurately reflect a candidate’s true abilities.

That’s why we’ve simplified things. On spertaro, users can express their experience in any skill using just three levels: "developing", "advanced", or "expert". It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. This straightforward approach makes it easy to match the right talent with the right projects, saving both contractors and companies valuable time.

Simplified Salary Matching

At spertaro, we also take a fresh approach to salary negotiations. Each contractor sets their desired wage, while companies set a maximum wage they are willing to offer. None of this information is public, but the platform intelligently matches contractors and companies that have compatible wage expectations. This system adds another layer of simplification and increases the chances of establishing a successful collaboration.

The Future of Hiring is Here

As we move forward, the focus should be on adaptability, collaboration, and practical skills—not arbitrary time metrics. Platforms like spertaro are leading the charge in changing the way we evaluate and connect tech talent. By simplifying the process and encouraging open communication, we can focus on what truly matters: finding the right fit for the job, not just the right number of years on a resume. This shift is supported by broader industry trends, as discussed here by Salesforce, which highlights how leading companies are moving away from traditional resumes and prioritizing adaptability and real-world skills.