A guide to hiring JavaScript developer

As the world undergoes rapid digitalization, every business needs to maintain an online presence through websites or mobile applications. JavaScript provides an easy-to-use, robust, and lightweight scripting language to create web pages and apps. Hence, it has become a popular language for web app creation, game development, and many more. A Statista report shows that around 65% of respondents utilized JavaScript, which makes it one of the most widely and commonly used languages by programmers.

With the rising demand for JavaScript developers, selecting the best one for the company takes careful research and evaluation. This article covers details about hiring JavaScript developers and how Mercer | Mettl can assist.

JavaScript developers additionally collaborate with front-end web developers for markup and styling of the web app and back-end developers to improve the website’s functioning and speed. Hence, JavaScript developers need to know not only JavaScript programming but also have a fundamental understanding of different frameworks.

JavaScript developers are responsible for completing the design of applications and software using Java programming language. They carry out many roles based on their critical duties in organizations, which are broadly categorized as front-end, back-end, or full-stack.

1. Front-end JavaScript developer

The primary function of a front-end JavaScript developer is to create a visual website interface, such as animations, buttons, carousels, drop-down lists, and other elements. They must create feature-filled functional websites and online programs to improve user experience.

2. Back-end JavaScript developer

Back-end JavaScript programmers improve the site’s function and create an intuitive and responsive website. They optimize the website’s performance and ensure that it runs at its best under various load conditions.

Together with front-end developers, back-end JavaScript developers are accountable for analyzing workflows, writing code to implement server-side website functionality, producing reusable code, safeguarding website data and user privacy, and putting storage solutions in place.

3. Full-stack JavaScript developer

Full-stack JavaScript developers design both the front and back end of a website. They have excellent programming skills in various languages, such as C#, CSS3, HTML5, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Perl, Ruby, and others.

These professionals utilize front-end technologies and frameworks like AngularJS, JQuery, and REACT and create databases using SQL, Oracle, MongoDB, and Redis servers.

JavaScript is among the fastest-growing programming languages, and many organizations create and manage their website pages through JavaScript.

Some technical skills that every JavaScript developer should possess are:

Technical skills of a JavaScript developer

Front-end JavaScript developer

Back-end JavaScript developer

Soft skills of a JavaScript developer

When hiring a JavaScript developer, HR managers should consider prior experience, work portfolio, and technical skills. Some tips for hiring a JavaScript developer are:

The candidate’s portfolio helps evaluate the technology stack the candidate has previously worked with. It further explains the applicant’s involvement in overall software or app development, which clearly indicates their knowledge and skills.

For example, when hiring a full-stack developer, you need to know that the candidate has worked on both front-end and back-end development in the past and not just front-end development. The candidate’s portfolio can help you analyze their expertise and the quality of their work.

A candidate’s experience is a learned skill developed through the years. Therefore, an entry-level JavaScript developer may exhibit different skills than an advanced-level developer.

Hire experienced professionals for crucial roles, as it improves the core competencies of the developer and helps them resolve real-world problems quickly. These professionals are better equipped to find flexible solutions to critical issues.

Hiring managers may receive various applications for the JavaScript developer role. However, shortlisting these resumes and finding valuable portfolios is time-consuming and hectic. Including a Technical Assessment at this stage may help select the strongest candidates from the list.

Open-source projects give an insight into the developer’s innovation acumen. Anyone from the developer community can access these code files or software to suggest changes and improvements. Therefore, developers learn about multiple hidden and unknown details of code.

Hiring a JavaScript developer with open-source experience can help you ensure efficient software development.

JavaScript developers should understand the increasing importance of data privacy. It means they should know government regulations and ongoing cyber threat methods to eliminate potential loopholes in the code.

Hiring a developer with relevant website or app privacy knowledge helps you safely manage regulations and protect your users’ sensitive information.

When hiring a JavaScript developer for a senior job role, evaluate the references offered by the candidate. Know what previous clients, bosses, and team members think of their work experience and workplace efficiency. It will help you analyze whether the candidate is a good fit for the future.

It is necessary to ask non-technical questions in the interview to understand the candidate’s interpersonal and soft skills.

1. What is their expertise in MEAN (MongoDB, Express, AngularJS, and Node.js)?
2. What is the difference between the one-way flow of data and two-way data coupling?
3. Which platforms are you most experienced with?
4. Give an example of the use-case of Prototypal OO in JavaScript.
5. Give an example of the use-case of functional coding in JavaScript.
6. What is the difference between classical and prototypal inheritance?
7. What are the drawbacks of using JavaScript?
8. What are the benefits of using JavaScript?

Mercer | Mettl’s online examinations, simulations, and interviewing platforms help hire developers, programmers, and coders. With the right assessment, you can ease the process of hiring JavaScript developers and find a good fit for your company. Some assessments that Mercer | Mettl offers to hire the best JavaScript developer are:

Mercer | Mettl Codelysis

Mercer | Mettl Codelysis is a powerful, customized coding simulator that assesses hands-on experience and abilities in real-world circumstances. It can assist in hiring JavaScript engineers based on critical factors such as:

• Structure of the code
• Code replay to better comprehend the test-cognitive taker’s flow
• Measure of software similarity (MOSS)
• Assessment of hands-on coding skills

Mercer | Mettl Xathon

Xathon is a virtual hackathon system. It provides high flexibility in recruiting, learning and development, and organizational management. When used to hire JavaScript developers, it is a useful tool for:

• Problem-solving and innovation competitions
• Brainstorming training to generate new thought patterns
• Case study contests

Mercer | Mettl I/O

It is a one-of-a-kind system for role-based, real-time coding initiatives across several prominent roles and technologies. It provides a virtual platform for coding and programming positions, data scientists, and quality assurance engineers. Mercer | Mettl I/O is suitable for evaluating both front-end and back-end programmers.

There is a growing need for JavaScript developers and front-end engineers. JavaScript is a lightweight programming language, which is why it is widely used for front-end development and server-side scripting.

Hiring the right JavaScript developer is the key to improving productivity and reducing time/money spent on development. Therefore, we have discussed valuable tips and details in this blog to help you with JavaScript developer recruitment.