COBOL PROGRAMMER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Reviewed by Lam Nguyen under Editorial Standards

Updated: Dec 09, 2024 - The COBOL Programmer excels in high levels of customer interface and demonstrates exceptional soft skills for seamless communication with all areas and levels of management. Possessing strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and a knack for innovativeness, the role requires tolerance of ambiguity and flexibility. Extensive experience in development, IMS (Information Management System), COBOL/JCL Mainframe, and online processing systems is essential.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout COBOL Programmer Resume

  • COBOL Programming
  • Job Control Language
  • Information Management
  • Mainframe Systems
  • Online Transaction Processing
  • DB2 Databases
  • Mainframe Tools
  • Batch Jobs
  • VSAM Datasets
  • App Development
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Time Management
  • Flexibility
  • Client Interaction
  • Creativity

Summary of COBOL Programmer Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Computer Science with 3 years of Experience

  • Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Proven Ability to both write new and analyze existing programs
  • Strong SQL experience and proven Ability
  • Experience in MF COBOL and Python
  • Effective in team setting or as individual contributor
  • Ability to multi-task -strong documentation skills
  • Working experience in the related field is required for this position.
  • Experience with debugging technologies 

2. BS in Information Technology with 6 years of Experience

  • In-depth experience in COBOL and JCLs
  • Knowledge in Easytrieve Plus & NDM (file transmission)
  • High levels of customer interface
  • Have soft skills for easy communication with all areas and levels of management.
  • Problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovativeness
  • Tolerance of ambiguity & flexibility
  • Experience in development
  • Experience in IMS (Information Management System)
  • COBOL / JCL Mainframe experience
  • Must have experience with Online processing system

3. BS in Software Engineering with 4 years of Experience

  • In-depth expertise in Cobol
  • In-depth expertise in Easytrieve Plus
  • In-depth expertise in NDM (file transmission)
  • Problem-solving, critical thinking and innovativeness, systematic problem solving
  • High level of customer interface experience
  • Prior experience with Cobol programming testing program changes by setting up JCL, updating test files, running tests, reviewing results, and determining the correctness of the program changes based on the requirements provided bull
  • Strong skills and understanding of Cobol programming and JCL bull
  • Experience with IMS databases is highly recommended
  • A platform to unleash skills and transform the world around 
  • A team of like-minded professionals

Professional Skills FAQs

What are professional skills?

Professional skills are abilities that help individuals perform tasks effectively in a workplace environment. These skills include both technical competencies required for specific roles and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.

What is the difference between hard skills and soft skills?

Hard skills are technical abilities learned through education or training, such as programming, data analysis, or laboratory testing. Soft skills refer to interpersonal abilities like communication, leadership, adaptability, and teamwork.

Why are professional skills important for careers and resumes?

Professional skills help employers evaluate whether a candidate can perform job responsibilities effectively. Listing relevant skills on a resume demonstrates qualifications and helps applications pass Applicant Tracking Systems used in modern hiring processes.

What professional skills do employers look for?

Employers usually value a combination of technical expertise and transferable workplace skills. Common examples include analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, adaptability, and digital literacy.

How can professionals develop professional skills?

Professionals can develop skills through continuous learning, training programs, certifications, mentorship, and practical work experience. Staying updated with industry trends also helps individuals maintain relevant and competitive skills.

Editorial Process

Lamwork content is developed through structured review of publicly available job postings and documented hiring trends.

Editorial operations are managed by Thanh Huyen, Managing Editor, with research direction and final oversight by Lam Nguyen, Founder & Editorial Lead. Content is periodically reviewed to reflect observable labor market changes.

Relevant Information

COBOL Developer Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements