Demand for SharePoint Developers Is Steadily Increasing
With companies increasingly relying on collaborative tools to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, SharePoint developers are in high demand. As a key platform for document management and team collaboration, SharePoint is crucial in driving innovation and improving organizational efficiency.
However, finding a developer with the right combination of technical expertise and business acumen can be challenging. Candidates must navigate a complex ecosystem of tools, frameworks, and integrations, making the hiring process challenging.
Hiring guides help managers pinpoint the expertise and qualities required to build a capable team and achieve business objectives. This guide will enable you to identify the skills, attributes, and strategies you need to hire a developer to unlock the platform’s full potential.
What Attributes Distinguish Quality SharePoint Developers From Others?
The best SharePoint developers have experience building and maintaining SharePoint environments, applications, and custom solutions. They are involved in multiple stages of the development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, architecture, development, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. Hiring managers should look for developers with these essential skills:
Proficiency in SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
Proficiency in SPFx is critical for building modern, responsive solutions. Developers with proven experience in SPFx can create custom web parts and extensions using TypeScript, React, REST APIs, and Microsoft Graph, enabling seamless integration with Microsoft 365 tools like Teams and Viva Connections. Their expertise ensures solutions are responsive and optimized for performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio of SPFx projects, including modernizing legacy systems or developing scalable applications. Familiarity with best practices like modular design, accessibility standards, and performance optimization is also essential for delivering high-quality SharePoint solutions.
Microsoft 365 Ecosystem Expertise
Beyond SPFx knowledge, experts in their field will also have a thorough understanding of the broader suite of Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, OneDrive, and Power Platform. By leveraging this information, they will be able to design seamless workflows and integrations that will enhance productivity and collaboration. Find developers who can connect SharePoint lists with Power BI for real-time analytics, embed Power Apps for interactive forms, or automate business processes using Power Automate. Having familiarity with these tools ensures that the solution works as part of an integrated ecosystem that meets the needs of diverse businesses.
Strong Programming Skills
Expert SharePoint developers are proficient in programming languages such as C#,.NET, JavaScript, and frameworks like React. With these capabilities, they can expand the platform’s functionality by creating complex workflows, developing custom APIs, and developing automation scripts that meet the needs of specific businesses. In addition to using emerging technologies, advanced developers can integrate Azure AI and machine learning capabilities to incorporate new innovations, such as intelligent search, automated tagging, and predictive analytics. A proficient developer can provide bespoke, future-proof solutions that enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Governance and Compliance Knowledge
A thorough understanding of governance frameworks enables developers to ensure the platform adheres to legal regulations and organizational requirements. A hiring manager should seek candidates with expertise in these policies who can implement data retention rules, configure compliance settings, and audit access logs to maintain security and compliance standards.
Experience with User-centered Design Principles
Although most development work will take place on the back end, applicants who also understand best practices for user experience typically deliver intuitive and user-friendly solutions. For instance, developers with experience in UI/UX can design dashboards and navigation structures that simplify complex tasks, which can increase user adoption rates.
Familiarity with Content and Document Management Systems
By utilizing specialized content management systems, businesses can efficiently manage their content from creation to publication. A candidate with this experience can implement systems that streamline content creation, approval, and publication, ensuring content remains relevant and aligned with the business objectives.
Furthermore, applicants who have developed robust document management systems can provide companies with scalable solutions for managing and organizing data. These systems are capable of improving search functionality, enhancing data security, and improving workflows.
How Can You Identify the Ideal Sharepoint Developer for You?
To select the best developer, evaluate their technical skills, problem-solving style, and experience level. Review their portfolios for examples of previous SharePoint projects, such as intranet design and automated workflows. Emphasizing high-quality deliverables will help you attract detail-oriented developers focused on delivering exceptional results.
Additionally, their ability to communicate technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders is crucial, ensuring all teams, such as project management and design, can align on business processes.
Keep in mind that not all projects require the same level of experience. Depending on the complexity and scope of your app development project, you may need a more experienced developer.
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Junior developers are ideal for small-scale customizations or straightforward configurations. These applicants should demonstrate foundational knowledge of SharePoint and basic coding skills. They often work under the guidance of senior development team members to execute defined tasks. Look for candidates with at least one or two years of experience in SharePoint, ensuring they have the foundational skills to perform well-defined tasks.
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Mid-level developers have the expertise to independently manage more complex projects, such as designing workflows or enhancing data management capabilities. Their ability to work seamlessly with tools like SharePoint Online makes them an excellent fit for most business scenarios.
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Senior developers bring strategic insight alongside technical expertise. They can oversee large-scale deployments, lead cross-functional teams, and align SharePoint’s capabilities with business objectives. Seek out a senior developer if your company aims to drive significant improvements in its digital initiatives.
Hiring managers will also need to determine whether they are looking for a full-time or part-time developer who will either join the in-house team or contribute as a freelancer. Flexible hiring models help align developer engagement with project needs. Businesses can choose from various hiring options, such as fixed-cost, weekly/monthly, on-demand, or flexible models. This approach ensures cost-efficiency and adaptability in dynamic project environments.
How to Write a Job Description for Your Project
In order to attract candidates with the necessary skills, ensure your job description reflects your specific technical requirements. Clearly define responsibilities, such as developing custom applications, managing configurations, and integrating third-party tools. Focus on skills like knowledge of SharePoint Framework, programming languages (C#, JavaScript), and Microsoft 365 tools.
To attract candidates with relevant experience, provide a detailed description of the scope of your project, such as improving workflows or building an intranet. Use key phrases like “SharePoint Developer—SPFx & Modern Solutions Specialist” to maximize visibility in your postings.
Additionally, you can ensure that candidates thrive in collaborative environments by mentioning soft skills like teamwork. In addition to these skills, great candidates also possess:
Communication Skills
Communicating effectively helps developers translate technical jargon into a language that stakeholders can understand. This skill is key for managing expectations, gathering requirements, and providing timely updates. A developer who communicates well also ensures that their work aligns with the company’s goals, fostering collaboration and a sense of trust among colleagues.
Problem-solving Ability
Software development projects often require creative solutions to unexpected challenges, such as integrating legacy systems or addressing performance issues. A strong problem solver can identify the root causes of problems, design practical solutions, and implement them with minimal disruption to business operations.
Adaptability and Continuous Learning
With frequent updates to SharePoint, developers must stay current on new features and best practices. Developers who actively pursue professional growth, such as attending Microsoft conferences or earning certifications, bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions that keep your business ahead of the curve.
What Are the Most Important Technical Interview Questions?
Asking the right questions will allow hiring managers to evaluate a developer’s proficiency and other requirements included in the job ad. Here are some key questions to include in the interview:
Can you describe a recent SharePoint project you worked on?
Candidates should describe their role, the project’s purpose, and the challenges they encountered. A strong answer will include specifics about the problem they solved, such as designing an intranet for a growing company or automating document approval workflows. Look for evidence of their ability to gather requirements, collaborate with stakeholders, and adapt their solutions to meet user needs.
The strongest applicants will explain how they used tools like SharePoint Framework or Power Automate to improve productivity or user satisfaction. In addition, candidates should describe how they have designed business workflow management systems that automate tasks, save time, and increase efficiency. You should look for examples of how these workflows have improved performance metrics.
How do you approach integrating SharePoint with other systems?
The ideal answer will include a step-by-step process, from understanding the integration requirements to implementing solutions. The candidate might describe using REST APIs or Azure Logic Apps to connect SharePoint with third-party tools like Salesforce or ERP systems. Good answers emphasize how they handled typical problems, including fixing authentication problems or guaranteeing data consistency. Candidates should also talk about testing their integrations to guarantee scalability and dependability.
To guarantee scalability and dependability, candidates should discuss how they tested their integrations, addressed performance under load, handled errors, and ensured smooth operation as SharePoint and connected systems evolved.
How do you design that software systems are secure and scalable?
The best answers will emphasize scalability and security. A candidate might mention factors such as configuring permissions, implementing role-based access control, or monitoring potential vulnerabilities. It is important that they explain best practices, such as adhering to Microsoft 365 security guidelines and using governance policies to maintain compliance. In terms of scalability, they may discuss optimizing workflows or leveraging Microsoft Azure for cloud-based enhancements. In addition, a top candidate will demonstrate how these security and scalability strategies enable the development of efficient, high-performing solutions, such as intranet portals or document management systems.
Choose candidates who can balance user access, data protection, and system performance while also providing ongoing technical support post-deployment. Developers should explain how they troubleshoot issues, implement regular updates, and improve the platform’s reliability.
When providing SharePoint consulting services to organizations, how do you maximize their potential?
To assess an organization’s needs, a strong candidate will explain how they create tailored strategies and provide ongoing support. Look for examples of how they’ve advised on best practices, enhanced existing setups, and addressed post-deployment challenges. From pre-deployment planning to ongoing governance, a strong answer illustrates how SharePoint can help companies grow and improve collaboration.
What steps do you take to minimize risks during a migration?
An effective migration requires managing a seamless transition during updates or deployment changes, minimizing downtime, and mitigating risk. Developers use tools like the SharePoint Migration Tool or third-party solutions to streamline the migration process. A strong response will include keeping stakeholders informed and testing migration paths. Furthermore, discussing post-migration support demonstrates continued stability and user adoption in the new environment. Developers must demonstrate proactive approaches to migration challenges and ensure business continuity.
Why Do Companies Hire SharePoint Developers?
SharePoint specialists help businesses realize the full potential of their SharePoint-based system by streamlining processes and improving collaboration. These experts increase productivity and employee engagement by creating customized workflows, integrating tools, and optimizing user interfaces.
Investing in the right talent can help decrease operational bottlenecks and promote innovation, ensuring that the platform meets company goals and produces measurable results.