It’s no secret that the world of web development is constantly changing. New technologies and frameworks emerge every year, and keeping up with the latest trends can be a full-time job in itself. For businesses that rely on JavaScript development, it’s important to know which skills will be in demand in the coming years so you can make sure your team is prepared.
If you’re looking to hire a JavaScript developer in 2022, there are 10 skills that will be absolutely essential. This article gives an insight on what you should be looking for.
Proficiency in data structures
Table of Contents
In order to write efficient code, developers need to be well-versed in algorithms and data structures. If you are a non-technical recruiter, you should understand data structures.
Simply put, it is used to store and organize data in a way that is easy to access and manipulate.
Solving a problem is one thing. But, solving it with efficiency in mind is another level entirely. Different data structures have different trade-offs in terms of time and space complexity. Developers should be aware of the most common data structures and their use cases. This way, they can choose the best data structure for a given problem.
Understanding of DOM
JavaScript developers need to have a good understanding of the Document Object Model (DOM). The DOM is basically a representation of the HTML elements on a web page.
If you are hiring developers specifically for web development, ask questions about the DOM.
It is important for developers to be able to manipulate the DOM so that they can create dynamic web pages. Test if the developers have an understanding of how to toggle classes, manipulate HTML structures and updating styles.
Asynchronous programming
Asynchronous programming is a technique that allows code to execute without blocking the main thread. This means that the code can continue to run even if there are asynchronous tasks that have not yet been completed.
When working alongside a team of developers, asynchronous programming can make a big difference in the overall performance of the application.
Asynchronous programming is essential for building an application. It is also a difficult concept to grasp, which is why it’s important to hire developers who have a good understanding of it.
Experience with Node.js
Node.js is a runtime environment that lets developers write server-side applications in JavaScript. It’s become increasingly popular in recent years, so any prospective JavaScript developer should have some experience with it.
Since Node.js was designed to create scalable network applications, it’s a good idea to ask prospective developers about any large-scale projects they’ve worked on in the past. An even better idea is to conduct a trial test to gauge their ability. Learn more Node.js online tests that you can conduct to shortlist exceptional developers.
Object-oriented programming
JavaScript is an object-oriented programming language, meaning that code is organized around objects rather than functions. OOP makes code more modular and easier to maintain. It is a good idea to hire developers who have a good understanding of OOP concepts.
Developers should be familiar with the various design patterns that are used in object-oriented programming.
OOP makes it easier to reuse code, including classes that have already been defined. If developers are aware of OOP, it means they are able to save time. With more time on their hands, more projects can be handled. This, in turn, means more money for your company in the long run.
A good understanding of HTML and CSS
While the focus of this article is on JavaScript, it’s important to remember that no language exists in a vacuum. Any good JavaScript developer should also have a strong foundation in HTML and CSS.
With HTML, they should be well-versed in the various elements and how to use them semantically. This will come in handy when they need to create dynamic video content that is responsive and accessible. With CSS, they should know how to write clean and maintainable code that can scale as needed.
Having a strong understanding of HTML and CSS will also come in handy when it comes to debugging code. If there’s a problem with how something is being displayed, a good developer will be able to track down the issue and fix it.
Familiarity with Git and GitHub
Git is a version control system that lets developers keep track of changes made to their code over time. GitHub is a website where developers can share their code repositories with other developers. As an employer, you can expect potential hires to be familiar with both Git and GitHub.
Depending on your company, the developer will be working with a team of developers on a large project. There will inevitably be times when different developers are working on different parts of the codebase. Git lets developers keep track of these changes and merge them together when necessary.
Additionally, GitHub provides a platform for developers to share their code repositories with others. This makes it easy for developers to collaborate on projects and stay up-to-date on the latest changes.
An understanding of browser compatibility issues
Front-end development is ensuring that your code works across all browsers — not just the ones you personally use.
Before extending an offer to a prospective hire, ask them about how they approach browser compatibility issues and what strategies they use to ensure that their code works equally well in all browsers.
Ask if they have a basic understanding of the compatibility issue. Although it is not a must-have skill, it is important if the prospective developer will use modern JS features (that might not be supported with older versions). Versions keep on updating frequently, so this is a skill that is bound to come in handy.
Soft skills
Having hard skills is essential. Even if a candidate doesn’t have all the hard skills, it’s not a concern. The reason is that when programmers are faced with a difficult problem, Stack Overflow comes to their rescue. There’s hardly a programmer who doesn’t know about Stack Overflow. It has answers to everything related to the development and you can get programming help from each other in the community.
The point is that hard skills can always be acquired. The focus should be on whether the candidate has soft skills such as the aptitude to quickly adapt. Therefore, be sure to search for both soft talents and hard skills whenever you hire a freelancer or any other type of programmer, for that you can use skill assessment tests
One of the challenges of modern-day programming work is that it can be overwhelming. The ideal developer should have the ability to manage deadlines and not to stress out. It is one of the soft skills you should look out for when hiring. Being able to communicate well is an underrated skill, but it is as important as ever.
If the developer is going to be working in a team, then it is important that they have the ability to work well with others using a wide suite of cloud-based tools, from spreadsheet software to project management solutions. This includes being able to communicate effectively and work towards common goals.
The ability to write clean code
As the complexity of web applications has increased, the importance of clean, well-written code has only become more important. When reviewing a prospective developer’s code samples, pay close attention to how well-organized and easy to understand they are.
This point is not of much importance if the developer is going to be working alone. However, if the developer will work as part of a team, then it is crucial that they are able to write clean code so that the team can work together efficiently.
Lastly, ask potential candidates if they know the different IDE for JavaScript. A good developer will know how to work with different code editors.
Summing up
Keeping up with the latest trends in the JavaScript programming language can be difficult, which is why it’s important to have a team of developers who are always on top of their game. New skills and technologies are becoming essential for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.
So, if your goal is to find the best JavaScript developer talent out there, these are the 10 skills that you can’t afford to overlook. Make use of testing software that can help shortlist candidates based on their skills so you can focus on interviewing the most promising developers.
Remember, when looking for a JavaScript developer, don’t forget to check out their previous coding work. This will give you an idea of their coding style and abilities.
————————————————-
Author Bio:
Osama Zahid is a technology content strategist who is passionate about content marketing and all things SEO. He has helped various companies rank their content on the first page of search engines. In his free time, Osama loves to play football and travel.