The Ultimate Guide: How to Hire Node JS Developers for Your Project

What Do Node JS Developers Do?

What is Node JS? To execute web applications outside the client’s browser, Node.JS is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment and library. As more companies use this runtime to support their JavaScript code, Node JS developers have grown in popularity.

A Node.js developer is a software engineer specializing in creating web applications using the Node.js platform. They possess deep knowledge of server-side development, web protocols, and JavaScript. Collaborating closely with project managers, front-end developers, and other relevant stakeholders, Node.js developers play a crucial role in developing high-quality web applications that meet both business needs and user requirements. They are responsible for:

• Deploying various network applications
• Developing server-side components
• Monitoring the core database
• Designing the user interface
• Collaborating with front-end developers for seamless integration
• Diagnosing and executing necessary repairs or updates

Overall, Node.js developers are expert software engineers who leverage the capabilities of the Node.js platform to craft high-performing web applications tailored to fulfill the unique needs of businesses and users.

How to Hire Node JS Programmers: Step-By-Step Guide

After building a solid foundation about Node.JS, including understanding what a Node JS developer does and how the team can benefit your company strategically, it is time to start your hiring process. To proceed smoothly during the process, it is a good idea to have other crucial documents ready, i.e., the scope of work document and budgeting file.

Job Description

Every hiring process starts with a good job description.

• Outline the responsibilities, qualifications, and project demands.
• Indicate any further prerequisites, such as familiarity with well-known Node.js frameworks (like Express, Koa) or database technologies (like MongoDB, PostgreSQL).
• Mention the required skillsets, which we will dive deeper into in the following part.

Key Skills to Look for

Every job description needs to state its requirements, especially when you are sourcing for the top tech candidates. Here are the top required technical skills and soft skills of a potential Node developer.

Technical Skills

• Understanding of asynchronous programming. With the use of asynchronous programming, an application can focus on its main or fundamental activity while simultaneously executing a second set of instructions. Asynchronous programming is a relatively new technology, so candidates should fully grasp the concept to confidently work with async/ await, promises, and callbacks to build scalable and responsive web apps.
• Have a solid knowledge of frontend technologies like HTML and CSS.
• Node JS frameworks play a crucial part in the software development process. They are essentially extended functionalities of the framework itself. So, to choose one that fits the specific needs of a project, developers need to first have a general understanding of frameworks like Express.JS, Koa.JS, or Socket.io.
• A solid grasp of API communication. Node developers need to know the differences between each kind of API function. For example, the candidate should understand the differences between REST and SOAP.
• The ideal candidate also has the ability to work with cloud platforms to manage, scale, and deploy the applications. Examples of such platforms are Azure and AWS.
• A proficient Node.js developer is capable of securely enabling authentication in your web application and encrypting critical data.
• Basic error-handling skills, e.g., syntax manipulation or troubleshooting, are a must for every web developer. Make sure your candidate knows how to handle crashes, error registers, and when to stop trying or try again.
• Another technical expertise to look for is database management. This is an especially sought-after skill for a senior software developer. Your developer should be able to manage, maintain, and even integrate multiple databases.
• Another ability that Node.js engineers should possess is writing programs that are legible, efficient, and compatible so that everything can coexist peacefully and without potential danger.

Soft Skills

Building web applications does not rely solely on technical skills but soft skills as well.

• Problem-solving: The program doesn’t always function as planned. When a problem comes up, any developer should be able to keep calm and look for creative solutions to the problem.
• Time Management: As each developer is a link in a larger chain, time management is a desired skill to keep the team and software development process running smoothly.
• Communication: All jobs require effective communication skills. Effective communication guarantees that all parties are in agreement have a common objective and act accordingly.

Where to Find Your Candidates

Whether you are looking for Node JS developers specifically, Vue.js developers, Xamarin developers, full stack developers, or any other type of developers, here are suggestions to help you find the right talents efficiently.

• LinkedIn: It is a professional network that enables you to quickly source tech talents.
• Job Boards: Indeed, Crunchboard, Monster, or Stack Overflow are good places for you to start sourcing talents.
• Social Media: Advertising on social media groups can be very effective, but watch out for the restrictions. To blend in and remain relevant, do some research on your target group and participate in conversations.
• GitHub and GitLab: GitHub is the most popular site for hosting Git repositories. Finding Node.js developers on GitHub is simple, but check if the repo is about the back-end code.

Salary

In the USA, an expert developer makes between $50 and $90 per hour, whereas an intermediate-level developer makes between $20 and $60. The compensation is $110,000 on average each year.

In Western Europe, $30–50 per hour is the average yearly pay, ranging from $30,000 to $50,000.

The typical wage in India ranges from $9 to $29 per hour, with an annual salary of $15,000.

All in all, the salary range of Node JS developers varies depending on the country and level of expertise. Check the salary ranges worldwide and see if the numbers meet your expectations.

Other Things You Need to Pay Attention to

Be Aware of Biases

It’s common for humans to make quick judgments based on subconscious biases, which can lead to unfair hiring decisions. To overcome this trap, here are a few strategies:

• Identify the essential traits required for the role and test candidates on those specific traits.
• Create a consistent evaluation scale - ideally on a scale of one to six, for each aspect and assess the candidate based on it to ensure unbiased comparisons.
• It’s best to have multiple people assess the candidates on the same scale to avoid individual biases.
• Sum up all the scores and assign the highest grade to the candidate with the most potential to excel in the role.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the hiring process is fair and objective, helping you to select the best candidate for the job.

Portfolio Review

Reviewing a Node.js developer’s portfolio is a crucial part of the hiring process. By evaluating their previous work and client testimonials, you can access insights into their skills, experience, and approach to web development. This allows you to make an informed decision and hire a developer who is the right fit for your project.