Key Takeaways
1. Django is a popular web development framework, built on the Python language.
2. Benefits of hiring a Django developer including hiring a developer with a versatile skillset, enabling quick web app development, and the security features inherent in the framework.
3. When hiring a Django developer, it is worth considering international and remote hires to open up the potential talent pool as much as possible.
Django is a free and open source Python-based web framework for building web applications. It’s popularity comes from its versatility, ease of use and powerful Object-Relational Mapper (ORM): A mechanism that allows developers to map data without writing SQL queries.
Given its popularity, many businesses are interested in hiring Django developers. Here we look at the benefits of hiring a Django developer, and the key steps you should take when hiring one.
What is a Django developer?
What are the benefits of hiring a Django developer?
Hiring a Django developer means hiring someone proficient in a framework which is:
- Python-based
- Written entirely in Python, one of the world’s most popular programming languages, means developers hit the ground running. This means even if they are not initially familiar with Django, it is relatively easy for them to get up-to-speed.
- Versatile
- As mentioned, a wide range of the most popular websites and apps in the world were built with Django. This means that an experienced Django developer is likely to have experience with creating apps and programs in a range of different areas.
- The basis for REST
- REST means the ‘Representational State Transfer framework’. This is a famous toolkit, built through Django, used for creating web APIs. It is an extremely powerful tool that can build a full API quickly and efficiently. REST is also a flexible framework, untethered from any particular protocol, and returning multiple data formats.
- Open source
- As an open-source framework, Django means a large community of helpful developers with knowledge of the framework. This makes it easier to solve any problems that arise as, chances are, someone else has come across the same problem and documented a solution for it.
- Secure
- Django is constantly updated, and has security at its forefront. Key security features include click-jacking protection, enforcing HTTP (redirects HTTP requests over HTTPS), and access to the extensive Python security libraries for Django. The security emphasis is something that is not inherent in other tools such as node.JS.
How to hire a Django developer
When hiring a Django developer we recommend following the steps set out below:
- Understand the project requirements in detail: Before beginning your search for a Django Developer, you need to know that that is the type of software engineer you are truly after. For example, if you are developing an API backend, need rapid development of a web app, or are looking for a sophisticated Object-Relational Mapper (ORM), a Django developer would be ideal.
- Source potential candidates: Once you have your candidate profile and job description, it is time to initiate recruitment. You could lead this yourself, or you could outsource recruitment and enable the talent search to cast the widest net. In a tight employment market it may also be advisable to open up applications internationally. If remote work is permitted, it will usually be possible to hire that employee overseas, in a straightforward manner, through an Employer of Record (EOR) solution.
- Conduct interviews: It is worth considering remote interviews for Django developers to widen the pool of applicants interested in interviewing.
- Test their skills: Candidates should be given a short coding trial project to test their technical proficiency in Django.
- Decide on your hire and onboard the developer. Once you have made your decision, ensure contracts are signed and new hires are provided with everything they need for an effective onboarding, such as physical computers and access to relevant accounts.
Video — a Django skills roadmap
Hiring a Django developer — globally
Frequently Asked Questions
Reports vary on how much exactly Django developers earn. Glassdoor reports that Django developers earn an average of $73,309 per year, but this seems rather low.
Talent.com, for example, states that rates range from $100,000 per year to $153,533 per year. Ziprecruiter states that the national average in the US is $105,629.
