Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)
SQL is an acronym for Structured Query Language. It allows a developer to store and manage data. The language is specifically aimed at handling and communicating with databases.
The advantages of SQL include portability, speedy processing of queries and interactivity. SQL also contains open-source code. Further, the language is considered user-friendly as it is standardised and involves using basic keywords. An SQL developer is someone who can write queries and use the language to communicate with application databases.
What You Need to Know Before you Hire SQL Developer
Before you hire a SQL developer, you would need to be clear about the features of SQL development. SQL’s relevance will only grow as industries and companies turn data-driven. SQL plays an important role across industries. If you have clients in a variety of sectors, make sure to hire SQL developer who is comfortable with the needs of the end user.
Staying aware of trends is also important for both a recruiter and SQL developer. For instance, cloud computing is a key trend. SQL servers can be run in the cloud for greater speed and efficiency.
How to Hire Top SQL Developers
Considering the project’s scope, screening and assessing candidates all forms part of the hiring process. Here are some steps that help you hire SQL developer:
Understand Project Requirement
It is important to understand the scope of the project when you hire SQL developer. For instance, you would need to assess if it’s a long-term or short-term requirement. You may also need to assess if you need an SQL developer on a permanent or freelance basis.
Prepare Job Description
Having understood the scope of the project, it is time to write a clear job description outlining roles and responsibilities. A job description that is well drafted helps the candidate understand if they are the right match. As a recruiter, it is important for you to list out precisely what you are looking for, to save time during the later stages of hiring.
Candidate Screening
It is time to screen candidates to see if their expectations match with the project’s needs. Screen candidates to see if the job description matches their skill sets.
Experience wise Technical Screening of SQL Skills
Screen the candidates for their SQL skills and whether they have adequate experience. You could interview and ask them if they have experience handling specific SQL tasks.
Online SQL Skills Assessment
Test the skills of the SQL developer by setting an online test. The test could be for a specific duration so you can evaluate their ability to solve problems within a deadline.
Final Decision
Send out an offer letter if the candidate has ticked all the boxes. The letter should state details of employment and salary structure.
Must Have Skills for SQL Developers and Programmers
SQL Programming Experience
Knowledge of SQL programming with hands-on experience in doing so is essential. SQL has elements like clauses, keywords and queries. Knowledge of these is important.
Database Knowledge
Knowledge of how databases work is important to work with SQL better. SQL is a language that deals with databases. You can use it to communicate with databases, create data, alter or delete it as well.
Procedures
Procedures, also called stored procedures, are stored in the database. They may be used to query updating or transforming data. Stored procedures are also used to boost app performance and security of databases. Hire best SQL developer who has a thorough understanding of procedures.
ETL - H3
Familiarity with ETL, which stands for extract, transform and load. This process is used to gather data from multiple sources, transform the same and load to a database. ETL is useful for data integration, warehousing and migration.
Business Process
Familiarity with business process is important when using SQl. Business process is a transaction that seeks information from a database or even changes data.
Knowledge of Types of SQL Systems
There are different types of SQL systems, including Microsoft SQL server, MySQL, PostgreSQL and Google BigQuery standard SQL. Familiarity with the different types helps.
SQL Joins Skills
SQL joins are clauses used to combine data sets by using values that can be common to all the sets. This knowledge helps the SQL developer to combine data from different tables. An SQL developer needs to know how to use joins because databases are involved. There are different kinds of joins such as left, right, inner, outer and cross. A developer should know when to use these joins to combine data.
Indexing Skills
Understanding of indexing is useful because with it, queries bring the right information at the right time. An index is a quick table used to find records that users need to look up often. Without an index, the database scans each row and with innumerable records, it consumes more time. Applications may turn slow without creating an index so knowing how to use indexing is important.
OLAP Skills
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) is a database type which has a quicker data analysis process. OLAP helps companies store and process data, apart from using the insights it provides for various business functions like sales, marketing etc. Knowledge of OLAP is important for an SQL developer.
Technical SQL Data Analysis
Data analysis is a key aspect of marketing and also understanding a target audience. SQL is widely used in data analytics because it can create dashboards to display data in multiple ways. Knowledge of SQL queries, data definition language (DDL) command, data manipulation language (DML) command, and SQL aggregations all help in data analysis.
Managing Database Architecture
Knowledge of MySQL, Windows, PHP and Apache can be useful as a stack to speed up the creation and management of websites. Knowledge of the stack, also called WAMP, along with SQL skills helps in managing data and websites.
Problem-solving
Apart from core technical skills, the ability to solve problems is handy for an SQL developer. A developer would have to think on their feet and resolve issues such as errors or bugs in applications or programs. The ability to troubleshoot and fix problems is very important for the project’s progress.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking involves applying the mind to choose the right processes for the right outcomes. It is the ability to think out of the box and come up with solutions. Critical thinking also helps the developer decide on what step to take at each stage of the project.
Decision-making
When you look to hire best SQL developer, look for a developer who has decision making skills. Making a decision so as to take a task to its completion and thinking on one’s feet is very important.
Precision and Detail-oriented Skills
Hire SQL developer who pays attention to detail and is meticulous so your projects are error-free. An SQL developer should have the ability to look at every aspect of the project and not just the big picture. Catching errors or bugs and fixing them before they hamper the project is crucial.
Collaborative Skills
An SQL developer should also have the ability to collaborate with other teams and clients for best outcomes. The developer should also have the ability to gel with team members and have a good rapport with them. This will ensure that projects progress smoothly and the communication lines are always open.
How to Identify Reliable and Experienced SQL Developer
Ask for references from previous employers and team members. This will help you understand how well the SQL developer worked in the team.
You may also find out more about their ability to handle challenges. Further, talking to former employers or colleagues also helps you understand the candidate’s ability to meet deadlines.
Ask for their portfolio to assess the SQL developer’s quality of work and level of experience.
