Database developers have a pivotal role in managing extensive data, and non-technical hiring managers and recruiters may find it challenging to hire a suitable team. In this article, experts from the software development company Belitsoft will guide you in crafting a compelling job description, conducting interviews, and evaluating skills to ensure the hired database developers align entirely with the project requirements.
Database Developers are professionals who are in charge of designing and developing database management systems (DBMS). Their knowledge and skills are essential as they assess user needs and enhance existing databases by increasing their effectiveness or integrating new technology.
When you need a database programmer
Some organizations have developers who handle database management. However, it is worth taking specific factors into account before deciding whether to hire a dedicated database developer.
- Downtimes impact essential business applications
With our world being increasingly interconnected, long downtimes are not acceptable. It’s important to routinely verify recovery and availability after any downtime to ensure database availability. If your business depends on data availability up to the very last moment, it’s necessary to hire database developers. For instance, banks, financial companies, stock market applications, and emergency medical services cannot tolerate downtime, delays, or lost transactions.
- Problems with latency that can result in inadequate performance
When an application experiences performance issues, it may be an indication that a database developer is necessary. These problems can directly impact the user experience and harm an organization’s commercial and brand image. If your application is encountering latency problems, multiple factors can be at play: software, hardware, and infrastructure constraints, but often it’s due to suboptimal database optimization.
- Advanced hacking attacks
As hacking tools and attacks become more complex and advanced, the security realm is continuously evolving. Guaranteeing security and data availability are crucial elements that require specialized expertise and constant monitoring.
- The swift growth of data hindering business scalability
When dealing with a large number of transactions that require deletion, modification, or index rebuilding, it’s necessary to perform these tasks regularly. As data and transactions increase, so do the database log files. These files are critical for maintaining transactional consistency, resolving deadlocks, and rolling back transactions. However, as the log file size expands, the response time for each transaction decreases.
Essential skills for database developers
Hard skills
- Proficiency in data modeling
Database developers must know data modeling, benchmarking for performance, and validating user requirements. They must also prevent data redundancy, zero saturation, tight coupling, and other related issues.
- Understanding of query and programming languages
Website database developers should have a strong grasp of SQL, the most prevalent querying language for datasets. SQL offers a range of functions. They enable users to access and manipulate data according to their unique requirements. It is the standard language employed with relational databases and performs three primary operations on data, including DDL, DML, and DCL. Hence, it’s critical to employ database developers or administrators with advanced knowledge of the SQL language.
Database developers should have expertise in multiple programming languages. For example, Python, Java, and C#. Therefore, when hiring a database programmer, it’s crucial to evaluate their familiarity with these languages and their capacity to learn new technologies to scale up the company’s framework as needed.
- The ability to efficiently work with different Database Management Systems
A DBMS is a type of software that helps manage data storage, retrieval, and updates. This software enables multi-user access to data, and organizations of various sizes use it to fulfill their data requirements. DBMS ensures data consistency, eliminates redundancy, and adheres to the ACID model for transactions, which helps maintain data integrity.
When hiring a database developer, it’s essential to consider their familiarity with popular DBMS software systems such as Oracle, MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft Access, PostgreSQL, and dBASE, among others. A proficient candidate should be familiar with more than one type of DBMS.
- Knowledge of database security measures
Database developers must possess skills in data security to guarantee the continuity of a business. They should be proficient in developing and implementing security measures to protect data from unauthorized changes and theft, ensuring data integrity over time.
Soft skills
In addition to technical expertise, soft skills are also important for the success of database developers. Good communication helps in collaborating with team members and clients. Problem-solving is essential for identifying and resolving issues. Time management ensures timely project completion. Attention to detail helps to avoid errors. Finally, adaptability is necessary to keep up with the latest technology and requirements.
3 methods for hiring database programmers
1. Outsourcing database development
IT outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring skilled professionals who possess the necessary expertise to complete IT projects within a set timeframe.
By hiring software development companies, businesses can focus on their core operations and leave the hiring, management, and monitoring of database developers to the outsourcing company.
Advantages of outsourcing:
- Optimizing the development budget.
- Enabling clients to have more authority in managing the project.
- Quick time-to-market because of the availability of developers.
- Outsourcing agencies hire skilled database programmers and integrate them into project teams for a better recruitment process.
- Offering the required infrastructure to the project.
Using outsourcing for database development has some disadvantages, such as potential communication issues when working with an unfamiliar team. However, an experienced vendor can mitigate this issue by ensuring that the team members have a high level of English proficiency and soft skills.
2. A freelance database programming developer
Employing a freelance database developer can be a budget-friendly choice if a company cannot afford a full-time worker. There are various skilled freelance programmers available in the market. But to find the right fit, you should thoroughly explore their expertise and portfolio.
Hiring a freelancer for database development gives several benefits, including less financial risk and recruitment flexibility. You can hire freelancers on an hourly or project basis, which allows for better cost management and workload adjustment.
Although hiring a freelance database developer can be flexible and affordable, there are also some potential drawbacks to keep in mind.
Below are some of the cons to consider:
- Freelancers may not have the same level of accountability as full-time employees which leads to a risk of negative consequences for the project or business.
- When collaborating with a freelancer, assess the cybersecurity risks in handling sensitive data. To keep data safe, to ensure the appropriate security measures.
- Freelancers operate independently, which may result in less supervision and coordination.
- Freelancers may have unpredictable work quality as they work on their own terms and schedules.
3. Cooperating with a recruiting agency
A staffing agency is a service that helps companies hire both temporary and permanent employees.
Usually, staffing agencies have a database of job seekers who are interested in working for different companies. They will screen and evaluate these candidates and match them to relevant job openings based on their skills and experience.
Advantages of hiring agency services:
- They can boost the recruitment process.
- Staffing agencies have access to a wide range of skilled professionals.
- Hiring agencies possess specialized knowledge and expertise in identifying candidates who align with a company’s culture.
Drawbacks:
- Agency’s priorities may not align with the company’s needs, which can cause staffing issues.
- Hiring a staffing agency to handle recruitment may be more expensive than managing the recruitment process in-house.
In conclusion
Hiring a database developer is essential to maintain an organization’s data availability, enhance data management, and ensure the security of data. When recruiting database developers, non-technical hiring managers and recruiters should consider the necessary hard and soft skills, including proficiency in data modeling, familiarity with query and programming languages, knowledge of database management systems, and data security measures. Additionally, companies can choose to outsource database development, employ freelance database developers or conduct the recruitment process in-house. A thorough evaluation of a candidate’s expertise and portfolio is essential for finding the right fit.
