Dear recruiting managers, 

Your developing team might be in need of a Node.js developer. Now you may be wondering where to find this specialized group of people and how to hire them. Well, you are in the right place. In this blog, we are going to address your needs for a Node.js developer. We are going to talk about the ways to not just hire but also identify the type of Node.js developers you need. If you haven’t considered hiring one yet, don’t worry, we will talk about how to make that decision as well. 

Allora, andiamo!

Now before we get into hiring Node.js developers, let’s understand what Node.js is. (We promise this will come in handy)

Think of JavaScript as a system that is used to build web applications and websites. 

And in the center of this system lies the processing unit. To put it simply, Node.js is the brain of the system that runs it. 

JavaScript was originally designed for client-side scripting. It had its own limitations but it was created for a specific use in mind. As the community expanded and technology evolved, developers wanted more.

They could envision autonomous applications on Java but the language came with certain bottlenecks in that direction. It was in 2009 that Ryan Dahl, a software engineer, created Node.js to address the limitations of traditional server-side technologies. 

Node.js came with core functions of server-side JavaScript development, which meant that scalable and complex web applications could be built that could also handle a massive quantity of concurrent connections. 

Importance of Hiring the Right Node.js Developer

To understand how having kickass Node.js developers can help your organization, let’s first learn what makes Node.js itself so extraordinary. 

In traditional server-side technologies, connections run in a single file. Each connection would block the execution process until it was complete. This tedious process slowed down response times and restricted resource utilization. With the introduction of Node.js, developers can create simultaneous connections and have them run at the same time. 

This feature alone makes Node.js the perfect fit to handle real-time applications and scenarios that require multiple connections to work in parallel. 

In today’s world, that’s most of the applications we use including chat applications, streaming platforms, multiplayer games, and collaborative tools; LinkedIn, Netflix, PayPal, Trello, and Uber are a few examples. Aside from that, Node.js comes with its dynamic community, inexhaustible libraries and packages, and consistent growth and evolution. 

This feature, known as asynchronous programming, makes Node.js the perfect fit to handle real- time applications and scenarios which require multiple connections to work in parallel. In today’s world, that’s most of the applications we use including chat applications, streaming platforms, multiplayer games, and collaborative tools; LinkedIn, Netflix, PayPal, Trello, Uber are a few examples.

The developers that work with Node.js are responsible for writing server-side applications and working on back-end, API development and working closely with front-end developers for an efficient integration of the front and the back end of web applications. 

This smooth functioning leads to the development of a more user-friendly application and quicker development time to deploy one codebase. Node.js holds benefits for startups in particular with limited resources by leading to optimized productivity in development hours and manpower. 

Not just this, here are some other reasons you should hire a Node.js developer:

• Higher Chances of Success: Node.js developers will possess the necessary wherewithal to work with Node.js development which will in turn lead to better management of large-scale applications, better maneuvering of real-time data, and further integration with APIs. With their skill, you can rest assured that your projects will be delivered on time and once delivered, that they will perform well, even under heavy loads. 

• Code Maintainability: ‘Maintainability’ is one of the most ubiquitous words used in tech when it comes to code. When there is the transfer of ownership, both parties need to ensure that the code will be easy to maintain and modify with growing demands. Your experienced Node.js developers will follow best industry practices, design patterns and coding standards which will lead them to writing a clean and well-documented code. This makes it easier for future developers to extend the code as they’re met with more modification needs over time. 

• A Stronger Sense of Team Collaboration: One of the key aspects of a skilled Node.js developer’s job is that they can work hand in glove with different teams. Even though the environment of Node.js remains the same, developers can do multiple things in different projects. This makes them experienced collaborators who work well with your other teams of frontend developers, database administrators and DevOps engineers. As a consequence, this leads to a better team culture as a whole where the team shares knowledge and fosters a more supportive work environment. 

The Demand for a Node.js Developer

JavaScript continues to become one of the most widely used languages in technology and Node.js is a developer favorite because of its ease and complexity. As more and more people see potential in tech, startup culture is also becoming strong and again, Node.js is great for leveraging money and manpower for smaller tech companies. 

According to a report on Node.js developer productivity, respondents used words like “easy”, “awesome”, “fast”, “easy”, and “powerful”. The demand for a skilled Node.js developer is at an all-time high with the growing industry.

The developers being on demand, also seek a reasonable pay, other benefits and growth opportunities when they are considering a job. And this is why it’s essential that you know your exact needs in terms of hiring one. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on arriving at your final requirements: 

• Step 1: You first need to understand the scale and goals of your project to be specific in your requirements of a Node.js developer. 

• Step 2: Understanding the specific skill and experience needed for the role will also help you determine at what capacity you will need a Node.js developer whether it’s as a full-time developer, freelancer or as an outsourcing agency. 

• Step 3: According to a report by Node.js, developers speak at least 60 languages and are from 100+ countries. It’s imperative you understand this culture fit in relation to your organization while making the choice. For example: if you think that your company culture still needs time to form, you are better off hiring a remote Node.js developer. 

How to Write an Effective Job Description?

Hiring a competent Node.js developer will require you to write a good job description for a Node.js developer. A generic job description will hire droves of developers who may or may not have the skills you need for your specific project. 

The major catch is that Node.js is based on the same languages and technology used for building front-end development, making it difficult to differentiate between the two areas- front-end and back-end. 

You also need to specify other factors when you’re writing an effective job description to hire a skilled Node.js developer. Here’s a list of essential elements for writing one: 

• A concise job title along with a summary: such as “ We are looking for a Node.js developer to optimize the interchange of data between the users and our servers. 
• The key responsibility and project scope: like “ You will be in charge of building server-side logic and maintenance of the code base while ensuring quick responsiveness from the front end.” 

Here, you have highlighted the primary role along with the scope of ensuring the workflow with the front-end team. 

• Any desired skills: “The right candidate for the job would be an analytical problem solver with deep Node.js knowledge and a knack for teamwork” could be an example. You can also highlight technical skills here like proficiency in Node.js frameworks (e.g., Express.js), and knowledge of databases (such as MongoDB).
• Company culture and values: This is where you give them a brief picture of what it’s like working with you. You can talk about your company and your work culture to help them understand you better. 

Ensure that you also include daily responsibilities and expectations in your job description so that the Node.js developers you seek can reach you. It could be front-end development, API development, database integration, or collaboration with the front-end team among others. The clearer your job description, the better the filter of leaving all the irrelevant candidates behind. A clear job description will accelerate your hiring process by communicating clearly and directly with your desired pool of candidates. 

Now that you have spent enough time writing a concise and clear job description, let’s consider the right channels to spread the word. 

Here’s a list of multiple ways you can use to ensure that your desired Node.js developers see your job description: 

• Use online platforms categorically designed for sourcing tech talent like LinkedIn, Workfall, and Github. Don’t refrain from leveraging job boards either. While you’re at it use relevant keywords, job titles, and location filters to reach a refined group. 

• Amplify your search by tapping into your existing team of developers. Seek referrals or recommendations from your colleagues, peers or industry contacts who might have useful insights or core connections in the industry that may lead you to the most kickass Node.js developer. 

• Every social media platform has sub-communities that specialize in Node.js. Reach out to Facebook groups, or subreddits, and amplify your search through hashtags on Twitter and Instagram to reach a niche group. Share knowledge and interact with them, online and offline; conduct webinars or seminars, attend real-time events, and create and share resources. Stay connected with them, and when you need to find the right developers, you can tap into this power of communities. 

• Recruitment platforms like Workfall spend a lot of time understanding developers’ skills and requirements and can connect you to an exclusive group of candidates reaching whom would be a long process if you had to do it yourselves. Workfall has an elaborate six-step process with exhaustive technical assessments and background checks to ensure that you hire a trusted group of the most kickass developers. Reach out to such recruitment agencies to further refine your Node.js developer needs and communicate them in the most effective way to the right people.

Conclusion

Node.js is an industry darling owing to its high performance, yet reliable attributes that make working with it in the future only easier. 

And the skilled team of developers who can maneuver this sophisticated space to create futuristic and advanced applications is the industry demand. 

This competitive scenario requires you to raise the bar of hiring and recruitment processes by being extremely meticulous during each step. 

We hope that the above guide helps you understand the world of Node.js and its drivers and that you can find the right team of developers who can contribute to the progress of your business.