Tech recruitment is more competitive than ever, with businesses of all sizes fighting for the same talent and skillsets. A full-stack developer is currently one of the most in-demand roles for scaling tech businesses and growing startups. According to a recent survey, 48.2% of developers have now decided to upskill to become full-stack developers due to an increasing demand for all-rounders in the information and technology industry. It’s true; recruiters are continually posting open positions for full-stack developers. However, as we all become more reliant on tech (working remotely and enjoying advances in technology) demand for talented full-stack developers is set to grow even more.
For those of you thinking of hiring a software developer for your business, a full-stack developer could be the best solution. Why? Because they do it all.
However, if you’re new to the world of tech talent acquisition and recruitment, we anted to outline what a full-stack is developer, and how they can benefit your business. This way you’ll be better prepared to hire one.
Our latest blog investigates one of the most in-demand roles for 2021, answering any questions you may have.
What is a full-stack developer?
To put it simply, a full stack web developer is a coder who can work simultaneously with both front-end and back-end technologies. They are a technology expert and can be described as an all-rounder in the world of developers. A full-stack developer is an ideas person and critical thinker who has the skills to make a whole project functional on their own.
Any website or application has different layers to it from its visuals and usability to databases and overall infrastructure. A full-stack developer can deal with all of those tasks and more, therefore reducing the need to hire multiple developers. They understand presentation, business logic and behind the scenes databases.
Of course, no developer can be an expert at all aspects of code, but a full-stack developer can do most elements to a high standard.
What does a full-stack developer do?
In short, everything. Or at least everything that falls under the umbrella of software development. A full-stack developer or engineer can work on website development, application building or other web-based services from both a front-end and back-end perspective. Which means making visually pleasing, user-friendly applications which also function correctly and in most cases have complex back-end databases and systems.
A full-stack developer can just as efficiently work with clients in the planning stages of a website build as they can create a complex back end database. A full-stack web developer is a person who can develop both client and server software as well as master HTML and CSS, use JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, ASP or Python.
Which industries do full-stack developers work in?
As we move into the digital age, more and more industries require full-stack developers. If a company manages its website and digital functions in-house, they may need a full-stack developer to build, maintain and manage their websites. Full-stack developers are especially vital if a business can only afford a limited number of tech workers; as larger companies may choose to hire specialist developers with specific skillsets.
Industries like fintech, tech startups and internet businesses obviously need skilled developers to be able to function. For many, it’s probably the most vital role within the company. Developers bring their ideas and business to life, and having a developer who is literate in many forms of code and can work on both front end and back end development, is a great cost-effective hire.
Any industry in the digital era can benefit from having an in-house developer from healthcare, biotech, marketing and advertising, e-commerce and any other business that relies heavily on technology.
Why should you hire a full-stack developer?
Firstly, hiring a full-stack developer can be incredibly cost-effective. Having a developer who is proficient in different coding languages, front end development and back end development means you require less resource and human resources overall. It can cut your recruitment costs significantly while ensuring you still have the required skill set to adapt to new requirements.
Full-stack developers are versatile and have a vast range of skills and experience which can help your business as you scale. Hiring one developer with many skills means your business can be more flexible and is not limited in its approach to creating web infrastructure. If times and trends change, your business can stay ahead of the curve, without you having to hire another individual. Your business can remain agile.
They can troubleshoot any issues quickly regardless of whether it’s a front end or back end problem; meaning if your businesses’ website or app is down, it can be fixed promptly by someone in-house. This could save valuable time and money in the early stages of a business.
A full-stack developer is always incredibly experienced; they have to be so proficient in different coding languages and have the ability to carry out a range of tasks. Your business can benefit hugely from having this knowledge and expertise on board; you can trust them to get the job done. However, in an industry as fast-paced as tech, there’s always room to improve, and they can grow as your business does. To stay on top of their game, full-stack developers have to keep up with updates and improvements continually, so they’re committed to learning and growing with you.
When should you consider hiring a full-stack developer?
In a scaling business, a full-stack developer could be a key hire. Companies tend to hire full-stack engineers to work on smaller projects or to help scale their startup and cover all bases. This is a logical way to meet demand with just one or two specialists. Larger companies with richer resources and higher budgets, usually hire one-field specialist developers. They can afford to have more than one developer on their team and may benefit from the expertise that comes with specialising in one type of coding language or area.
The more complicated projects become or, the larger your business is, having more skilled experts will be beneficial. New tech projects require a solution-finder and a developer that can wear as many hats as possible.
What qualities should you look for when hiring a full-stack developer?
When hiring a full-stack developer you must look for someone fluent in HTML and CSS, JavaScript, Back-end languages such as PHP, Python and Ruby, web architecture, database storage, HTTP and REST as well as Git and GitHub. These are fundamental elements of coding and should be a non-negotiable requirement when hiring a full-stack developer.
It’s also helpful if you hire a full-stack developer has a basic knowledge of design, particularly web design. Having fundamental design skills and knowledge of crucial front-end design practices will assist with building websites, helping developers to create a better user experience and user interface.
Finally, full-stack developers, as with all tech talent, need to have excellent soft skills like communication, time management, creativity and attention to detail. They should be analytical thinkers, not just doing what’s asked but looking at the greater problem and finding effective ways to solve it.
Talent Works are experts in sourcing full-stack developers for scaling tech businesses. We specialise in adjusting employer brand messaging to resonate with tech talent, as well as directly sourcing leading tech candidates. As a flexible If you’d like our help sourcing a developer of any calibre for your business, then get in touch with our sourcing team today.
