Finding A Great Cobol Role is A Quest - We're Here to Help with that
Quest is a specialist Cobol developer recruitment agency based in WeWork on Poultry in London.
Why Cobol?
Cobol, the venerable programming language, remains a vital part of the technology landscape. Despite its age, Cobol's robustness, reliability, and widespread adoption across industries make it an invaluable asset for businesses.
From managing critical financial systems to powering mission-critical applications, Cobol's enduring presence is a testament to its continued relevance in the modern digital age.
Typical Cobol Development Roles
Application Development
Cobol developers are experts in building and maintaining mission-critical business applications, often integrating with legacy systems and databases.
Systems Programming
Cobol programmers are highly skilled in developing and optimising system-level software, ensuring the smooth operation of enterprise infrastructure.
Maintenance and Support
Cobol professionals play a crucial role in providing ongoing maintenance and support for existing Cobol-based applications, ensuring their reliability and performance.
Modernisation and Migration
Cobol developers are in high demand for their expertise in modernising legacy Cobol systems and migrating them to new platforms and technologies.
Cobol Career Opportunities
The enduring demand for Cobol expertise presents a wealth of career opportunities for skilled professionals. Cobol developers are sought after to maintain critical enterprise systems, modernize legacy applications, and integrate cutting-edge technologies with robust Cobol infrastructure.
Diverse Roles
Cobol skills are valued across industries, from finance and banking to government and healthcare, offering a wide range of job prospects.
Career Advancement
Cobol expertise can serve as a springboard for professional growth, with opportunities to take on senior development, architecture, and leadership positions.
Continuous Learning
The evolving Cobol landscape presents constant opportunities for upskilling and staying ahead of the curve, keeping Cobol careers dynamic and engaging.
Cobol Job Market Insights
The Cobol job market continues to thrive, with a steady demand for skilled Cobol developers across diverse industries. Despite the language's age, companies remain reliant on Cobol-powered mission-critical systems, driving the need for professionals who can maintain, modernize, and integrate these legacy applications.
The chart highlights the robust Cobol job market, with the banking and insurance sectors leading the demand for Cobol expertise, followed by the public sector and various other industries.
Cobol Salary Trends
£100K
Average
Cobol Developer Salary
15%
Growth
Over Past 5 Years
£120K
Top Earners
In Financial Services
Cobol developers command competitive salaries, with the average annual pay reaching over £120,000.
The demand for Cobol expertise has driven a 15% growth in compensation over the past five years, particularly in industries like financial services where top earners can reach £150,000 or more.
Cobol Skill Requirements
Technical Expertise
Cobol developers must possess deep technical knowledge of the language, including proficiency in data structures, control flow, and advanced programming concepts.
Problem-Solving Skills
Cobol professionals are adept at tackling complex challenges, leveraging their analytical abilities and attention to detail to devise effective solutions.
Knowledge Transfer
Cobol experts are often required to mentor and train junior developers, passing on their valuable knowledge and experience to the next generation.
Cobol Developer Hiring Process

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Screening
Our rigorous screening process evaluates candidates' technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and suitability for Cobol development roles.

2

Coding Challenges
Applicants complete hands-on coding tests to demonstrate their Cobol proficiency and ability to tackle complex programming tasks.

3

Technical Interviews
In-depth technical interviews assess candidates' understanding of Cobol language constructs, design patterns, and best practices.
Cobol Developer Assessment
Our evaluation process ensures we identify top-tier talent with the necessary technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit to thrive in our Cobol-focused roles.

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  • Technical Evaluation: Applicants complete a series of hands-on coding challenges and algorithms to demonstrate their proficiency in Cobol programming, data structures, and software design principles.
  • Interview Panel: Candidates undergo a panel interview with our Cobol experts, who delve deep into their technical knowledge, industry experience, and problem-solving acumen.
  • Soft Skills Assessment: We also evaluate candidates' communication skills, collaboration abilities, and adaptability to ensure they are a cultural fit for our dynamic, fast-paced Cobol development team.
Cobol Developer Interviews
At Quest, we conduct a interview process to identify the most talented Cobol developers.
Our experienced team of Cobol experts thoroughly assess candidates' technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit to ensure we find the right individuals to join our dynamic, fast-paced Cobol development team.
The interview process begins with in-depth technical interviews, where we delve deep into the candidates' understanding of Cobol language constructs, design patterns, and best practices.
Candidates are challenged with complex coding exercises and problem-solving scenarios to demonstrate their practical expertise in Cobol programming.
Cobol Developer Onboarding
At Quest, we understand the importance of a seamless onboarding process for our Cobol developers. We've designed a comprehensive program to ensure new hires are fully equipped to thrive in their roles and contribute to the success of our Cobol-focused initiatives.

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  • Comprehensive Training: New Cobol developers undergo an extensive training regimen, covering the latest Cobol techniques, industry best practices, and our proprietary development frameworks.
  • Mentorship Program: Each new Cobol developer is paired with an experienced mentor who provides guidance, support, and valuable insights to help them navigate the challenges of the Cobol landscape.
  • Collaborative Environment: We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, enabling our Cobol developers to work closely with cross-functional teams, share knowledge, and learn from each other's expertise.
Cobol Developer Job Opportunities
In-Demand Roles
Cobol developers are highly sought after for roles in banking, insurance, government, and other industries relying on legacy systems. Opportunities range from modernising applications to maintaining critical business operations.
Competitive Compensation
Cobol expertise commands premium salaries, with experienced developers earning top pay in recognition of their specialised skills and ability to work with complex enterprise software.
Career Advancement
Cobol developers can progress into leadership positions, overseeing teams, spearheading modernisation projects, or even transitioning into software architecture and strategic IT roles.
Global Opportunities
As Cobol remains a crucial language in many regions, Cobol developers can find exciting job prospects worldwide, from major financial hubs to niche industry centres.
Contact Quest
At Quest, we're here to help you find the best Cobol development talent or take your Cobol career to new heights. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalised support and guidance every step of the way.

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  • Email: hello@cobol.quest
  • Address: WeWork, 1Poultry, London EC2, United Kingdom