Developers are often associated with poorly lit rooms, locked away deemed unfit for human company, but Sabre says it requires more of its employees these days.
It's an interesting development and change in mindset in recruitment because you're asking for coders, developers and engineers who are also effective communicators.
At a session hosted by Streamline Connections and Tnooz in London this week, Madhavan Kasturi, Sabre Travel Network director of online technical sales EMEA, said the company seeks people that can go across sales, marketing and technical areas of the business.
Kasturi says candidates that understand the technology is a given adding that the company also needs people "who can sit in front of the customer, make a presentation and inspire them."
"It's people who can explain an API. The gift of the gab is equally important today."
Questioned on managing the risk of putting developers in front of customers, Madhavan says it took a certain amount of coaching and initial hand-holding.
Others on the panel, which was discussing changes in travel technology recruitment, said they look for different elements or specific skills required for their businesses.
For example, Charlie Osmond, co-founder of Triptease, asks potential recruits what the latest thing they have learnt is because the startup needs a "learning culture."
He also says one mistake made is to favour people with travel industry experience whereas what's more "relevant is the right drive and right attitude."
Osmond adds people who are able to "operate or bring on new technology and get it adopted across the business" are in high demand now - those individuals who can "analyse, optimise and constantly improve it."
Bruce Martin, founder of Ginger Juice and formerly involved in travel recruitment, pointed out that there's a trend towards technical expertise from outside the industry and less so travel experience currently.
NB: Recruitment image via Shutterstock.