JavaScript: What’s It All About
JavaScript is a widely used language to create interactive web applications, pages or browsers. Along with markup language, HTML and style sheet language, CSS, it forms the three technologies that are crucial to build web pages or apps.
A JavaScript developer is a tech professional who uses JavaScript to design websites or other web applications. The JavaScript developer may be a front-end, back-end or full-stack developer. The front-end developer caters to the front-end part of a web site or app. A back-end JavaScript developer handles back-end functions like data storage. A full-stack developer handles both front-end and back-end roles.
How Do I Hire JavaScript Developer
Hire JavaScript developer after taking into account their skill sets, academic qualifications and work experience. Screening of candidate resumes and face-t0-face interviews are all part of the process. However, hiring a JavaScript developer also means you need to know about the field. This helps you assess skills and hire the right person for the role.
What do You Need to Know Before You Hire JavaScript Developer
Before you hire JavaScript developer, ensure you have clarity about why you are hiring them. JavaScript is used largely for front-end development but it can be used for back-end development as well. So, decide whether you want to hire a full-stack JavaScript developer for your team.
Further, understand the industries your clients operate in so you can hire a developer accordingly. Hiring a JavaScript developer who understands the end-user or target audience is helpful.
Also, ensure you have a pulse on the features and trends of JavaScript development. For instance, there are many JavaScript frameworks that developers use. React, Angular, Node.js and jQuery are some of them. Ensure you know the latest in frameworks and which ones are used by developers.
Web components are an emerging trend. They are a set of technology that lets you build elements that can be customised and reused. They cut down costs and time taken to build a web app. JavaScript supports web components well.
Skills to Look for When You Hire Best JavaScript Developer
Technical and soft skills are the most important aspects to consider when you hire best JavaScript developer. Here are some skills to consider:
- JavaScript
A thorough understanding of JavaScript language is important if you wish to hire JavaScript developer. Knowledge of JS concepts like prototype, class and scope, among others, is essential.
- JavaScript Frameworks
Familiarity and experience working with JavaScript frameworks like Angular, React, Ember, Node.js and Vue.js is good to have.
- HTML, CSS
Knowledge of HTML and CSS is important for app and web page development. While HTML is a markup language, CSS is a style sheet language. Knowledge of the two is essential.
- CSS Preprocessors
CSS (cascading style sheets) preprocessors are extensions of CSS. They help automate tasks that are repetitive, thereby minimising chances of error. Knowledge of CSS preprocessors is helpful.
- Asynchronous JavaScript Code
Typically JavaScript developers write synchronous code, where one line is executed at a time. However, if you wish to hire best JavaScript developer, look for a candidate who can write asynchronous code. Asynchronous JavaScript code helps in executing operations at the same time, not one at a time.
- TypeScript
Familiarity with TypeScript is helpful. It is a superset of JavaScript, and adds classes, modules, types to JavaScript.
- Git Version Control
Git helps JavaScript developer track changes to code and retrieve a version at any time.
Steps to Hire JavaScript Developer
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First, write a clear job description outlining roles and responsibilities of the JavaScript developer. Some of the responsibilities include:
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Create web pages which have good user interfaces
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Boost speed and efficiency of web pages or applications
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Perform testing and debugging
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Build code that’s reusable
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Once you write a job description, you would need to screen candidate resumes. Check if skill sets and experience match your business needs.
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Conduct interviews to assess not just the technical knowledge of the candidate but also soft skills. Evaluate the communication and presentation skills of JavaScript developer.
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Conduct a skill assessment test to analyse their technical skills and problem-solving ability. This also helps you assess if the JavaScript developer can work under tight deadlines.
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Next, decide if the JavaScript developer fits your requirements. If so, send out an offer letter with terms of employment.
How to Identify a Reliable and Experienced JavaScript Developer
Ask for references from ex-colleagues and team members. Find out if the JavaScript developer can work in a team and lead, if need be.
Also, find out if the developer has good interpersonal skills.
Check the candidate’s time management skills by asking former colleagues and employers. Also, ask for the developer’s portfolio and see if they managed to complete projects on time.
If you wish to hire best JavaScript developer, take a look at the candidate’s work. Assess if they have an eye for detail and ability to innovate.
