Data scientists are some of the most sophisticated professionals in the technology sector. It can be difficult for them to admit that they have certain limitations. Although they may be highly intelligent and analytical experts with unique skill sets, they are not qualified to handle every element in the digital business sphere. Web development is a prime example. Although a small percentage of data scientists have backgrounds in JavaScript, Perl and other web development languages, the majority do not.
This means that they are going to need to outsource web development functions. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to choose the right web developer for your team. Here are some traits that you should look for.
A background in web languages that are compatible with data programming
There are dozens of different web programming language is available. However, some of them are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of big data. According to tsh.io, if you try outsourcing your web development responsibilities to someone that is only experienced in these languages, then they will probably not be able to deliver on your expectations.
You should take the time to understand the different languages that big data projects will depend on. Some of the best web development languages for big data are:
- Java
- R
- Python
- MATLAB
- Julia
Python and Java are fairly common languages, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a developer with experience in them. They are also two of the best for big data. However, the other languages are more specialized. Do your due diligence and make sure that you know which languages are ideal for the specific data project that you have in mind.
Look for experience in other big data projects
It isn’t uncommon for web developers to embellish their credentials while trying to work with a new client. Some of them will outright lie about their skill sets and hope that they can develop the necessary competencies along the way. Others will be honest when they claim that they have formal training in programming languages that involve big data applications. However, they will not have any real-world experience that will be valuable to you.
The best way to filter out these types of developers is to ask for references from the types of companies they have worked with in the past. You don’t necessarily need to actually contact those previous clients. However, you should at least make sure that you know that the developer has actually done this type of work.
Don’t overlook the importance of professionalism!
When you are looking to hire any new professional, it is easy to get bogged down in evaluating their technical abilities. Unfortunately, you will only be seeing a small piece of the picture if you are looking at their general skill set.
You also need to know how responsible and professional they are. You can hire the smartest web developer in the world, but if they can’t follow instructions or meet your deadlines then they won’t be much good to you.
Sometimes, it is best to hire a slightly less qualified web developer that has the work ethic you need. They may surprisingly create far fewer headaches. Of course, you still need to make sure that they have the minimum competencies that you were looking for.
Image Credits: Data Scientists from Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock