The problem is the term software developer, programmer, engineer and even CTO is thrown around too loosely.

Everybody claims they know the employee that they want but their terms are as vague as a child describing farm animals. Four leg and produce milk.

The obvious answer cow is true in some places. In others, it is goat. There are cultures that drink milk from horses. And then people get upset when the camel walks through the door.

Guess what happens when non tech people (read HR, CEO or people who had a passing acquaintance with IT) try to hire the same employee. Produce eggs will result in crocodiles walking through the door.

Of course the downside of being too specific is that the description will end up matching endangered or extinct species.

I am sure there was a fair amount of trial and error domesticating animals in the early days.