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Introduction
No-code development is becoming a popular choice for startups, small businesses, and enterprises looking to quickly build and scale products. It is a cost-efficient and fast method for MVP development and complex software solutions.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a collection of remote computing services (also called web services) that make up a cloud computing platform, offered by Amazon.com. These services operate from 12 geographical regions across the world. They provide a variety of services such as storage, networking, database, application services, developer tools and more. These services can be used together or individually and are accessed over the Internet. AWS is widely used by businesses of all sizes, and is considered to be one of the most widely adopted cloud computing platforms. It allows companies to run their applications and services in the cloud, reducing the need for expensive and hard-to-manage on-premises infrastructure.
This guide covers all the information needed to hire the right AWS developer, including what to expect and how to onboard your new team member. Additionally, it covers the capabilities of the platform, what can be built with AWS and potential limitations that you may encounter.
With the information provided in this article, you will be better equipped to find the candidate who can take your ideas from design concept to product. And if you are ready, WeLoveNoCode can match you with the most skilled AWS developer for your needs. Let's get started!
Things to Consider When Choosing AWS
While AWS offers many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Complexity: AWS offers a wide range of services and can be difficult to navigate for beginners. It can also be challenging to understand how to properly configure and secure your resources.
- Cost: AWS can be expensive, especially if you are not careful with your usage. There are many services and options, and it can be easy to accidentally incur unnecessary costs.
- Limited vendor lock-in: AWS is a proprietary platform, so you may face vendor lock-in if you choose to use it. This can make it difficult to switch to a different provider in the future.
- Limited customization: AWS offers a wide range of services, but it may not be possible to customize certain features to fit your specific needs.
- Limited support: While AWS offers a lot of documentation and resources, its customer support can be limited and may not be as responsive as some users would like.
- Limited control over the infrastructure: AWS is a fully managed service and the user does not have full control over the underlying infrastructure.
It's important to weigh these potential drawbacks against the benefits that AWS can provide before making a decision about whether to use it for your project.
What you can build with AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a wide range of services that can be used to build a variety of different types of applications and systems. Some examples include:
- Web and mobile applications: AWS offers services such as Elastic Beanstalk, Lambda, and Amplify that can be used to build web and mobile applications.
- Backend services: AWS offers services such as DynamoDB, SQS, and SNS that can be used to build backend services such as databases, message queues, and notifications.
- Big Data and analytics: AWS offers services such as Redshift, EMR, and Kinesis that can be used to process and analyze large amounts of data.
- Machine learning and AI: AWS offers services such as SageMaker, Rekognition, and Transcribe that can be used to build machine learning and AI-powered applications.
- IoT: AWS offers services such as IoT Core, Greengrass, and IoT Analytics that can be used to build IoT-enabled applications.
- Gaming: AWS offers services such as GameLift and AppStream 2.0 that can be used to build, deploy and scale online games.
- Media and Entertainment: AWS offers services such as Elastic Transcoder, MediaConvert and MediaLive that can be used for video transcoding, streaming and live broadcasting.
- Backup and Recovery: AWS offers services such as Backup, Storage Gateway and Snowball that can be used for backup and disaster recovery.
These are just a few examples of the types of applications and systems that can be built using AWS. The platform is extremely versatile and can be used to build a wide variety of different types of projects.
Hiring AWS Developer Skills Checklist
Hiring a skilled AWS developer can be a complex and time-consuming task, but proper planning and preparation can make the process more manageable. To assist with this, it's helpful to create a checklist of both soft and hard skills to consider when recruiting an AWS developer.
These skills can include:
Hard skills:
- Familiarity with AWS services and tools such as EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and CloudFormation.
- Experience with cloud infrastructure and deployment.
- Understanding of security, compliance and networking.
- Experience with programming languages such as Java, Python, and JavaScript.
- Understanding of databases, such as MySQL and MongoDB.
- Familiarity with containerization and container orchestration.
Soft skills:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Strong ability to learn new technologies quickly.
- Understanding of Agile methodologies and practices.
- Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
- Strong ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
By using this list as a guide, you can more effectively identify and evaluate potential AWS developer candidates to ensure that they have the necessary skills and qualifications for the role.
What Type of AWS Developers Do You Need?
Determining the specific skill set required for an AWS developer is an important step in the hiring process, but it's not the only one. It's also important to consider the type of employment that would best fit your project. There are three main options to choose from:
- In-house AWS developer: This option involves hiring a full-time, in-house AWS developer to work on your project. This can be beneficial if you have a long-term project that requires a dedicated developer who can work closely with your team.
- AWS freelancer: This option involves hiring a freelancer who specializes in AWS development. This can be a cost-effective option for short-term projects or for specific tasks that require specialized skills.
- AWS agency: This option involves working with an agency that specializes in AWS development. This can be beneficial if you need a team of developers with a wide range of skills and experience.
Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons, and the best choice will depend on the specific needs of your project. By considering the skill set required, the size and duration of the project, and the resources available, you can determine which type of employment will be the best fit.
Conclusion
If your project is small and short-term, hiring freelancers or project-based teams may be the best option for hiring AWS developers. These individuals or teams can provide specialized skills and flexibility in terms of project duration.However, if your business is established and looking to grow an existing product, hiring an in-house team of permanent developers or development partners would be a more logical choice. This allows for a more dedicated and consistent approach to development and can be beneficial for long-term projects.For start-ups looking to build and scale their product quickly, working with a company like WeLoveNoCode that offers pre-vetted AWS developers with management support can be a great option. They can provide the necessary expertise and resources to help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively.
How can you identify the right candidate?
Hiring the wrong person or working with a questionable agency can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, focus on finding a candidate who not only has the necessary technical skills but also fits well with your company's culture and aligns with the phase of your business. This includes limitations such as budget. Keep in mind that the most skilled AWS developer may not necessarily be the best fit for your specific business needs.
Step 1: Assess them before the first call
To streamline the process, it's important to establish a filtering process that allows you to assess and shortlist potential candidates before the first interview. This can include reviewing resumes and portfolios, conducting initial phone screens or online assessments, and getting referrals or references. By implementing a filtering process, you can more effectively identify qualified candidates and save time during the interview process.
CV sifting
When hiring an AWS developer, it's important to have a clear understanding of the essential criteria for the role. To streamline the process, create a list of these criteria and use it as a reference when reviewing resumes and portfolios. Any candidate who does not meet the minimum requirements should be removed from the list. This approach allows you to focus on candidates who meet the essential qualifications for the role.If the shortlisted candidates meet the minimum requirements, move forward to the next stage which is testing technical capability and cultural fit. This can include conducting technical assessments, asking behavioral and situational questions and also doing background checks, references or even a trial period. By evaluating candidates based on both their technical skills and cultural fit, you can ensure that you find the best fit for your team and company.
Check their portfolio
When evaluating the technical skills of potential AWS developers, a candidate's portfolio website can be an invaluable resource. Reviewing the projects they have worked on in the past can provide valuable insights into their experience and capabilities. Look for projects that are relevant to the role and focus on the specific skills that are required, like proficiency in AWS services, ability to work with different languages and frameworks, experience in cloud infrastructure and deployment, and more. A well-maintained portfolio website can provide a wealth of information and can be a great way to quickly assess the candidate's technical skills without the need for additional testing or assessments.
Ask for a cover letter
Asking a candidate to apply with a cover letter can provide additional insight into their qualifications and interest in the role. It gives them an opportunity to express their interest and qualifications in their own words and can demonstrate that they have taken the time to read the job posting and understand the requirements.However, requiring a cover letter can also serve as a barrier to entry for some candidates, especially those who may not have strong writing skills or who may not be familiar with the process. Additionally, reviewing cover letters can add an extra layer of work to the hiring process, and it's important to weigh the potential benefits against the added time and effort required.It's a good idea to make it optional, but also to make it clear that you are open to receive one, and you can also make it clear that the cover letter is not a requirement but it will be appreciated if one is sent and it would be taken into consideration during the selection process.
Reviews
When considering hiring a freelancer for an AWS development role, platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be a useful resource. These platforms often include reviews and ratings from previous clients, which can provide valuable insights into a freelancer's work history, reliability, and communication skills. Going through these reviews can help you assess and filter candidates, making it easier to identify qualified and trustworthy freelancers.
Step 2: Set up an interview process.
When conducting interviews for an AWS development role, whether in-person or via video conference, preparation is key to ensuring you find suitable candidates. Having a set of consistent questions ready allows you to compare responses from different candidates and make informed decisions. Additionally, it is important to have the right people in the room, ideally including fellow developers, as they will be able to provide valuable insights into the candidate's technical abilities and cultural fit.
It's important to have a good balance of perspectives during the interview, and it's not recommended to only have one person conducting the interview. A team of 2-5 people is ideal, with at least one of them having technical understanding of the role and the AWS platform.
Part of the interview process is also about impressing the candidate and making them excited about the opportunity, it's important to remember that they may have other offers.
It can be challenging to compare candidates over time, especially if there is a significant gap between interviews. Introducing a simple scoring system and a technical AWS assessment can help with this. This approach involves stating precise requirements for the role and an agreed points system, weighted based on the most important criteria. This can provide a more objective and consistent way of evaluating candidates and making decisions.
When looking to hire an AWS developer, there are a few key skills and criteria to consider. Some examples include:
- Hard skills related to the AWS platform, such as experience working with AWS services and tools, and knowledge of cloud computing concepts.
- Understanding of development concepts, such as experience with programming languages, software development methodologies, and version control systems.
- Understanding of design concepts, such as experience with user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design.
- Cultural fit, such as the candidate's ability to work well in a team and their communication skills.
- Creative skills, such as the ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
- Problem-solving skills, such as the ability to troubleshoot and debug issues that may arise.
- Direct language experience, such as experience working with AWS in specific industries or on specific types of projects.
- Teamwork, such as the ability to collaborate effectively with other team members, including other developers, project managers, and stakeholders.
It's important to note that the weight you give to each criteria may vary depending on the specific needs of your project and your organization.
Examples of Good AWS Interview Questions
When it comes to interviewing AWS developers, it's important to ask questions that will help you understand how well a candidate fits the role. Here are a few examples of questions that can help you assess a candidate's skills and experience:
- "Can you give an example of a time when you had to work on a feature that wasn't well received by the client? How did you handle the situation and what did you learn from it?"
- "What steps would you take if you received a call at 7 am saying that your web application was not working? How would you troubleshoot the problem?"
- "Can you share an example of a time when you helped a team member with a difficult task or problem?"
- "Have you contributed to any open-source projects outside of work? Can you tell us about any projects you've been involved in outside of your job?"
- "If a bug appeared in a critical piece of code, how would you go about diagnosing and resolving the issue?"
It's also important to give candidates an opportunity to ask you questions. This not only allows you to learn more about the candidate, but it also gives them the chance to understand more about your company and the role they are applying for.
Step 3: Technical assessment
One way to conduct a technical assessment for AWS developers is to provide them with a specific task or project related to the job and ask them to complete it within a certain timeframe. This can give you a good understanding of their technical skills and abilities, as well as how well they can handle a real-world scenario. Another approach is to give them a series of technical questions or quizzes to gauge their knowledge of AWS and related technologies. Additionally, you can also ask for their previous work samples, review their Github profile, or ask them to perform a live coding test during an interview.
Step 4: References
Once you have completed steps 1 - 3 and shortlisted your preferred AWS candidate(s), it's important to reach out to their previous employer or client for a reference. This can provide valuable insight into the candidate's work ethic, ability to work in a specific type of work environment, and familiarity with certain AWS projects. Additionally, a reference check can help make the onboarding process smoother by providing more information about the candidate. If a candidate is unable or unwilling to provide a reference, it may be a red flag.
How to Onboard Your New AWS Developer
Once you have successfully hired a talented AWS developer, it's important to properly onboard them to ensure they can quickly become a valuable member of your team. This includes setting clear expectations, providing training and resources, and fostering a positive work environment.One way to onboard effectively is to create a comprehensive onboarding plan that covers everything from company culture and policies to specific training on tools and technologies the developer will be using. It's also important to assign a mentor or point of contact to guide the new developer through their first few weeks on the job.Another important aspect of onboarding is to ensure that the new developer has the necessary resources and tools to do their job. This includes access to necessary software, documentation, and any other relevant information.Finally, it's important to foster a positive work environment and promote open communication. This includes making sure the new developer feels comfortable asking questions and providing regular feedback on their progress. By following these steps, you can help your new AWS developer quickly become an valuable member of your team.
What should be a budget for a AWS Developer?
The average monthly salary for an AWS developer is around $8,500. However, the cost can vary depending on factors such as project complexity, specific requirements, scale, need for custom code, and location of the agency or developer. Working with a freelancer may result in a lower cost. An alternative option is a monthly subscription with WeLoveNoCode for approximately $1999 per month.
You can hire in a better way by using WeLoveNoCode
WeLoveNoCode provides a platform for connecting with pre-vetted and experienced AWS developers. Our platform allows you to easily find the right developer for your project, and begin building your application immediately.