Hire the Top 3% of Freelance Azure Developers

How to Hire Top-tier Azure Talent in a Competitive Market

With benefits that include scalability, reliability, and security, cloud computing is steadily pulling market share away from dedicated IT infrastructure solutions. The most dominant player in the cloud computing space is Microsoft, with Azure, its comprehensive Cloud Service Platform (CSP). Its available services span a wide range, from IT infrastructure, such as databases and containerization, to technology that enables generative AI, data analytics, and machine learning.

Whether developing a new project or maintaining an existing infrastructure, hiring the right engineer is a key decision. The increase in demand for the platform’s services has made it challenging to find skilled developers. The large number of evolving technologies and services it offers contributes to the difficulty in selecting the right candidate for the job.

This guide simplifies the hiring process, providing insights into what an Azure certified developer does and what to look for when hiring consultants. It also covers how to identify key skills and write an effective job description, in addition to what interview questions to ask when evaluating candidates.

What Attributes Distinguish Quality Azure Developers From Others?

Azure specialists have a unique blend of skills and qualities, which encompass all aspects of an application. They aren’t just coders: They’re cloud architects, and they play a pivotal role in not only development but infrastructure as well. They have a background that includes:

A deep understanding of cloud computing – The benefits of cloud computing come with a steep learning curve. Quality developers understand the nuances of developing for and deploying on the cloud, which include modern concepts such as serverless architectures, as well as hybrid and multicloud environments. This knowledge lets them take advantage of the full breadth of the platform’s capabilities, ensuring scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.

Expertise in Azure services – Proficiency in a range of the platform’s services is paramount to what an developer does: from cloud infrastructure management to application development. This requires familiarity with core services such as virtual machines, SQL Database, and Active Directory External Identities. For AI-driven projects, competency in the platform’s rich AI tools, such as Machine Learning Studio, enables developers to build and deploy machine learning models efficiently.

Expertise in Azure architecture – Experienced architects can quickly analyze an existing architecture and recommend and implement future architecture enhancements. Industries that have regulated sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, or government, might require data to be stored on-premises. In these scenarios, implementing a hybrid cloud infrastructure with tools such as Azure Arc and Stack would provide the benefits of cloud computing while remaining in compliance with regulations.

Programming skills – Candidates should be skilled in coding with supported programming languages, such as Microsoft-developed C# and F#, in addition to popular languages like Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, Go, and Python. Some services, such as Azure Functions, allow custom runtimes to be installed, expanding the list of languages that can be used.

DevOps and automation – Because they have a hand in software development, as well as architecting the underlying infrastructure, Azure specialists are frequently called upon to bridge the gap between the two. They are often responsible for automating and streamlining the software development process. This includes source control, automated testing, and continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), all of which enable more efficient processes for software deployment.

Security and compliance knowledge – With the rise of cyberthreats, all developers should have an understanding of security best practices and compliance requirements. Microsoft offers an extensive range of security tools and features, such as Sentinel and Entra ID, which help developers build and maintain secure and compliant applications.

Problem-solving and analytical skills – Every project comes with its own set of challenges. Any effective developer or engineer is adept at problem-solving and capable of adapting to any situation or environment. They are able to analyze complex requirements and devise innovative solutions that align with business objectives. One of the challenges familiar to many software engineers is scalability: Speed and performance must be maintained in the face of large spikes in traffic. While Azure Load Balancer or Front Door represent effective immediate solutions, an experienced developer might dive into the code and configuration on the lookout for bottlenecks.

Prototyping skills – One of the benefits of cloud computing is the availability of a wide range of services in one place. This gives developers the ability to test new services and architectures, and quickly build prototypes and proof of concepts.

Governance and compliance expertise – Understanding governance and compliance is crucial, especially when managing cloud environments that handle sensitive data. Skilled developers leverage tools like Azure Policy and Security Center to establish robust governance frameworks and ensure regulatory compliance across cloud resources. This expertise helps implement consistent security policies, automate compliance assessments, and streamline auditing processes so that applications adhere to both corporate and legal standards.

Cost management and resource optimization – Effectively managing costs and optimizing resource allocation are key to successful cloud projects. Skilled developers use tools like Azure Cost Management and Advisor to monitor and manage spending efficiently. This enables companies to optimize resource usage, select budget-conscious service options, and maximize the financial value of their projects.

How Can You Identify the Ideal Developer for You?

With so many different technologies available, identifying the skill sets you should focus on can be overwhelming. The first step in identifying the right developer is acquiring a deeper understanding of your needs as they relate to your specific products and services.

Assess your project’s requirements, focusing on identifying your skills gap. Try to articulate a clear problem statement. Are you looking for someone to manage your cloud infrastructure, develop a new application, or integrate AI capabilities into your existing systems?

Developer Experience Levels

After defining the project’s requirements, the next step is finding a developer with the right level of experience. The developer’s skill sets can vary significantly based on their experience level.

Junior developers have basic knowledge of the platform’s services and can program in one or two languages. While they know how to develop applications using relevant services, they may not be familiar with the nuances of using and configuring them for more complex situations. Junior developers typically have one or two years of experience, and work on tasks that are less complex, including debugging and maintenance of existing systems.

Mid-level developers have a more comprehensive understanding of Azure services and are proficient in multiple programming languages. With roughly three to five years of experience, they are capable of handling more demanding projects, such as the development of new functionalities or system optimization.

Senior developers have been working with the platform for more than five years, and possess in-depth knowledge of the platform and its cloud architecture. They typically have experience developing intricate cloud platforms and solutions, including the implementation of applications that are scalable, secure, and capable of supporting a large amount of traffic. Their familiarity also enables them to optimize cost, choosing services that are not only effective and reliable, but also cost-efficient.

For more straightforward tasks or projects with limited scope, hiring a junior or mid-level developer can be more affordable. For complex, high-stakes projects, a full-time senior developer is well worth the added expense. Expert developers bring strategic insights and can navigate difficult challenges, such as complex migrations, cost optimization, and implementing high-traffic applications that are secure and reliable. Expert developers are also instrumental in the training of other team members. The best candidates often showcase a blend of deep technical skills and a track record of successful projects.

When evaluating a candidate’s résumé, keep an eye out for experience in the most relevant technologies. For example, projects that involve developing AI-driven applications will benefit from a developer with experience in Azure Machine Learning Studio, while expertise in networking and security is required for cloud infrastructure management.

Company Culture and Soft Skills

While technical skills are essential, the right developer should align with your company’s culture and values. Technical prowess should be balanced with soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Developers who are capable of presenting technical concepts to engineers and nontechnical team members alike help to remove barriers in communication, facilitating smoother development cycles and teamwork.

Additionally, new products and updates to existing products are regularly being introduced, especially in the constantly evolving field of security. As new cyberthreats emerge, administrators and developers must keep up with the configuration and coding changes that keep their applications secure. Commitment to ongoing learning and adopting new technologies and practices is a requirement.

Complementary Technology Skills

The best developers are generally well rounded and have technology skills that are complementary and relevant to their knowledge in Azure.

Understanding of software design principles and patterns – To hire the best candidates, ensure developers are familiar with the principles and patterns that provide a framework for writing maintainable and efficient code. Developers often reference the SOLID principles, a set of coding best practices that help promote modularity, decoupling, and code reusability:

• Single-responsibility principle
• Open-closed principle
• Liskov substitution principle
• Interface segregation principle
• Dependency inversion principle

Design patterns are similar to templates in that they are reusable, preset solutions to common design problems. Examples include the Observer pattern for event notification and the Singleton pattern for ensuring that only one instance of a class exists (for example, a global-settings class).

Facility with testing and debugging – A well-rounded candidate will be able to identify and design effective tests for applications. These include unit, integration, and functional tests and should include test cases that cover every possible scenario, including edge cases. Hiring a developer with knowledge of automation frameworks and tools, such as Selenium and Azure Pipelines, is beneficial because these services can automate the testing process and help deploy applications via CI/CD.

Experience with containers – Many modern solutions are bundled and deployed using containers, portable packages that hold everything the application needs, including the code, libraries, and runtime environment. Containers enable the deployment of applications across different platforms, without worrying about dependencies or conflicts. Experienced candidates will have experience with containerization, having used tools like Docker and Kubernetes, as well as Azure Service Fabric, a platform for packaging and deploying containers and microservices.

Knowledge of legacy or noncloud infrastructures – Specialists are often tasked with overseeing the migration of complex legacy infrastructures to the cloud or hybrid cloud environment. Hiring consultants with an understanding of traditional IT environments will increase the likelihood of a smooth and efficient transition.

How to Write an Job Description for Your Project

A job description should be detailed and clear, with a focus on the specific skills that the project will use. Azure engineers are involved in every aspect of the cloud development lifecycle, with roles that include cloud architect, DevOps engineer, data scientist, security architect, and database administrator. All relevant programming languages should be identified, along with any additional skills that are required.

Project Planning

Before drafting the job description, be thorough with project planning. Outline your project’s parameters, including the expected timeframe, budget, goals, and scope. Clearly defining these elements will help determine the required skill sets for the developers you seek to hire. Planning helps align expectations among stakeholders so the project’s objectives are both realistic and achievable.

If technical requirements have yet to be determined, a description of the project and its projected end result will help to attract the right candidates and ensure the selected applicant is more prepared for their onboarding experience. Point out any necessary domain knowledge, as this can be substantial in fields such as finance and healthcare. Finally, list the important soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or adaptability. The more detailed the job description, the better luck you’ll have finding a developer with the right technical skills who also fits the company culture and business needs.

What Are the Most Important Technical Interview Questions?

An effective interview consists of questions that assess a candidate’s technical expertise, as well as provide insight into their practical experience and problem-solving approach. Technical questions should be tailored to the required skill set; however, starting with more general questions about the cloud platform can reveal the experience level of a developer and help set the course for the conversation. Bringing up a current or recent problem faced by your team is an approach that often leads to relevant discussion in the context of a familiar issue.

The interview questions that follow will yield insights into the technical skills of developers and administrators. Skilled candidates will be able to provide detailed accounts of their experiences using these technologies, and may even provide personal anecdotes of optimizations and enhancements beyond what is typical.

Discuss some of the projects you have worked on in the past. Explain the different products you incorporated and why.

Because the platform has such a vast range of products and services, determining which ones the candidate has experience with is important. Diving deeper into their roles on specific projects will enable candidates to highlight their hands-on experience and practical knowledge.

What are the differences between Azure App Service and Azure Functions?

These services are related; however, they perform different functions. Asking candidates how they would use each service will reveal the depth of their understanding.

Azure App Service is a complete hosting environment that is used to build web, mobile, and API applications. While Azure Functions is built on top of the App Service infrastructure, it is designed for serverless computing, only hosting stateless functions that are triggered by an external event or timer.

Describe your experience working with Azure DevOps Services.

Azure DevOps Services provides tools that help developers collaborate and streamline development processes, including Boards for project management, Repos for source control, and Pipelines for CI/CD. In addition, sharing packages can be done with Artifacts, while testing can be automated using Test Plans. Experienced candidates should have experience working with one or more of these tools for project management, testing, and deployment.

How would you approach integrating an on-premises system with Azure?

This question lets a candidate demonstrate their knowledge about connecting the cloud platform with a local system. Their approach should consider security, data migration, and the goal of seamless connectivity. Tools such as Azure ExpressRoute and an on-premises data gateway are used to facilitate connections with an on-premises system.

Describe your experience with backup and disaster recovery on Azure.

In situations where data is corrupted or accidentally deleted, an experienced developer will have the ability to recover and restore services in a timely manner. Candidates should detail their experience using Azure Site Recovery and Azure Backup, touching upon their ideas concerning backup policies.

What databases have you used in the past?

Most candidates will have experience with a wide range of databases. Microsoft offers a variety of databases, including SQL, Cosmos DB, and Apache Cassandra, as well as Azure DB for MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Candidates should discuss when they might choose a NoSQL database over a relational database, in addition to techniques for optimization and improving the scalability of databases.

Discuss some of the tools and services that are designed to make applications on Azure more secure.

Microsoft offers a variety of tools and services that are designed to protect identity, data, and network infrastructure. Exploring a candidate’s experience with services such as Azure Firewall, Microsoft Entra ID, Security Center, Monitor, and Network Security Groups can provide a glimpse into their proficiency with the platform’s security tools.

Do you have experience with Azure Traffic Manager?

Azure Traffic Manager is a DNS-based traffic load balancer that optimizes the distribution of traffic in order to provide quick responsiveness and high availability. Candidates who have built and maintained high-traffic sites will have experience with Traffic Manager or similar load balancers.

Discuss some of your projects that used Azure Cache for Redis.

Redis is a popular open-source cache used to store frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the latency of data requests. Azure Cache for Redis can be accessed by any application and supports a wide range of data structures, including strings, lists, sets, hashes, and bitmaps. Azure Cache for Redis is frequently used by developers to improve the performance of high-traffic websites.

Why Do Companies Hire Azure Developers?

Cloud computing has many advantages when compared to a traditional IT infrastructure. Companies no longer have to worry about constant security updates or day-to-day maintenance. In many cases, cloud computing is also more cost-effective when scalability is a requirement because only the compute and memory resources that are used are paid for. Another benefit is the speed at which applications can be prototyped and developed when compared to a traditional infrastructure, where delays are often incurred due to licensing and provisioning. Because of these factors, many companies hire consultants and developers to deploy their applications on the cloud.

Microsoft’s Azure is one of the most popular CSPs due to its expansive portfolio of services and tools, as well as its reliability. Building and deploying an efficient and scalable application on the platform requires an experienced developer with a deep understanding of its underlying infrastructure and products. A skilled engineer will not only deliver a fully functional product, but also can help a company reduce overall costs while doing so.