Believe it or not, Indeed reported that the number of job searches for Node.js rose by 57% last year. It just goes to show how quickly the popularity of Node.js has shot up.
The problem, however, is that the demand for Node.js developers has actually made it harder for CTOs to hire their own.
Finding a good developer is already challenging enough because you have to ensure that they have relevant experience and the background necessary to be a good fit.
In addition, each Node.js developer has different supporting skills, and you have to find the one whose skills best match your needs.
Regardless, everyone still wants a Node.js developer, and for good reason. It's one of the most popular backend technologies and can be used to create applications for social media, messaging, business tools, online gaming, and more.
Want to join the ranks of successful companies using Node.js? Read on to learn all you need to know when hiring a Node.js developer, including top Node.js developer skills.
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What Does It Take to Become a Node.js Developer?
To become a Node.js developer, it helps to have background knowledge of coding, debugging, and front-end development. An educational background in computer science or familiarity with HTML5 and CSS goes a long way.
The js in Node.js stands for JavaScript – the language used. As such, Node.js users should be well-acquainted with the JavaScript programming language.
And, like all developers, they need to remain up-to-date on all the software involved in their projects.
As a result of Node being open-source, many colleges don't teach it. To overcome this barrier, developers interested in learning Node.js often have to educate themselves with online sources. Once they feel proficient in Node, they can take an online certification exam to become an official Certified Node Developer.
Committing to this path does take a lot of hard work and motivation, making it ideal for self-starters.
The 6 Node.js Developer Skills Most Wanted By CTOs
Not all Node.js developers are made equal. While all are required to have some Node.js skills, others have areas of expertise or extra skills that help them stand out from the crowd. Here are 6 Node.js developer skills that the best and most competitive Node.js developers have.
1. Valuable Experience
Experience functions as proof that a developer has been in the field long enough to be familiar enough with the skills, knowledge, and processes necessary to be a good employee. The more experience a developer has, the more employers can trust that they have senior Node.js developer skills, and it's a good investment to pick them.
Several years in the career, though, isn't the only way to show off experience. A developer can also utilize a portfolio to showcase their best and most impressive projects.
2. Database Management
Database management is an important skill set, especially when working with businesses or applications that take in a lot of data. Node.js developers should be able to handle several databases and even integrate them if necessary. Perhaps most importantly, they need to be able to maintain database security the entire time.
3. Managing Errors
One of the biggest skills required for Node.js developers is error handling. Errors will always occur no matter what. Great developers have problem-solving skills and know how to handle minor and major errors and bugs quickly and efficiently.
4. Time Management
Time management is vital to every project. Developers especially need this skill because they work on many projects or many parts of the puzzle for one project, all at once.
A good Node.js developer will know how to prioritize their tasks, provide accurate time estimations until completion, and get things done by their deadlines.
5. Efficient, Readable, and Compliant Code
Code should be efficient and compliant so that it works quickly, effectively, and doesn't pose threats. Non-bloated code will also help applications run their best.
Readable code is important so that other developers can edit the code if necessary.
6. Understanding of API Communications
No development environment is 100% perfect on its own, and every business and application has different needs. These needs also change over time.
This is why developers with an understanding of API communications are in high demand. They can use APIs to integrate tools and projects into Node that will make development more efficient, saving time and effort.
Can a Node.js Developer Work on Projects Not Based on Node?
Node.js is faster than other JavaScript languages and is more agile and versatile than many options. Even so, sometimes your project requires a different language or environment.
Fortunately, a good developer is always educated in multiple languages. Studies show that 60% of developers spend their time in Node.js. This percentage is because the other 40% is spent in other languages or environments. Developers also need to be informed about software updates and other tools because the field is always changing.
This all goes to show that any good Node.js developer will still be able to handle projects that don't use Node.js. Of course, whether they have the background in the tools you need will depend on the developer.
Hire the Right Node JS Developer
Hiring Node.js developers is tough to do because the demand is high and the supply is low. It's also hard because developers have such wide-ranging skills and scopes of knowledge, so it's difficult to ensure you're picking the one perfect for your projects.
While there are Node.js developer skills that make a Node.js developer a particularly strong candidate, you want to ensure they can also handle other tools when needed. If you're looking to hire Node.js developers, we help companies hire the best talent in software development. Check out our services for hiring enterprise talent or hiring startup talent today.
