How to hire a Drupal developer

Drupal, an open-source content management system (CMS), is known for its flexibility and security, making it a top choice for building robust websites. The right Drupal developer can leverage this platform to enhance your online presence, creating dynamic, user-friendly sites. 

However, hiring someone lacking a deep understanding of Drupal can cause project delays, inflate costs, and hurt your team's morale. Poorly built Drupal sites can be buggy, user-unfriendly, and a nightmare to maintain. 

In this article, we'll guide you through the key aspects to focus on when hiring a Drupal developer, outlining where to find the best candidates, the skills you need to look out for, and how to select the right fit for your team.

What do you need to know before hiring a Drupal developer?

Here are some of the things you need to know before recruiting Drupal developers:

The advantages of Drupal

Drupal is a powerful open-source content management system recognized for its scalability, security, and flexibility. It’s an excellent choice for creating intricate and content-rich websites and applications. 

Hiring a Drupal developer can significantly improve your online presence by providing customizability and a wide range of features that cater to diverse business needs. 

Types of Drupal development

Drupal development can be broadly categorized into three types:

• Backend development: This focuses on server-side software, database management, and Drupal's core functionalities. Backend developers ensure the site runs smoothly and efficiently handles data and logic.

• Front-end development: Front-end Drupal developers work on client-side processes, dealing with themes, layouts, and user experience. They bring the visual aspects of a Drupal site to life, ensuring it's engaging and responsive.

• Full-stack development: Full-stack developers are proficient in backend and front-end tasks. They offer an all-encompassing approach to managing a Drupal site's overall development.

When writing your Drupal job description to attract developers, consider whether a backend, front-end, or full-stack developer will best aid your project.

Drupal developer specializations

In the field of Drupal development, individuals can specialize in various roles.

• Theme developers focus on the theme layer, handling the look and feel of the site.

• Site builders use Drupal's core and contributed modules to build and configure Drupal sites without extensive coding.

• Module developers specialize in writing custom modules to extend Drupal's functionality.

• Full-stack developers handle site-building and module development, offering comprehensive skills for complex projects.

Salary expectations and demand 

Drupal developers are in demand due to Drupal's popularity in building complex, secure websites. This demand translates to competitive salaries, with specialized roles like module developers or full-stack developers often commanding higher rates. 

ZipRecruiter reports the average Drupal developer salary in the US is $111,938. Research the current market rates in your area to set a realistic salary range that attracts top talent.

Skills and qualifications to look for in a Drupal developer

Drupal developers require technical proficiency and soft skills, such as effective teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Hard skills

• Proficiency in Drupal: A deep understanding of Drupal is fundamental. This includes knowledge of its modules and architecture.

• Programming languages: Skills in PHP are crucial, as Drupal is built with PHP. Additionally, familiarity with other languages like Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, and jQuery is a bonus.

• Web development skills: Expertise in HTML and CSS is needed for front-end development.

• Site building and theming: Capability in site building, backend/module development, and theming in Drupal is vital.

• DevOps and database management: DevOps practices and database management skills, especially MySQL, are important for efficient development and maintenance.

• Web services and security: Understanding web services and having a strong focus on security practices to protect data and privacy is necessary.

• Performance and testing: Ability to optimize performance and thoroughly test Drupal applications.

Soft skills

• Teamwork and communication: In Drupal projects, developers must often collaborate with other team members and communicate technical details clearly to both Drupal experts and non-experts.

• Creative problem-solving: Finding innovative ways to work within the constraints of Drupal's architecture demands creative problem-solving skills. For example, you might need a feature that doesn't exist in Drupal core or contributed modules. The Drupal developer must analyze the problem and devise a suitable approach.

• Critical thinking: Drupal projects often require strong analytical skills. For instance, when deciding how to integrate with third-party systems or optimize performance, developers must assess many factors, understand the potential impacts, and make smart, informed decisions.

Where to find a skilled Drupal developer

Finding skilled Drupal developers – given their niche-specific skills and high demand – can be challenging. Online resources for finding great Drupal developers include:

• Toptal: A talent service that attempts to match you with an elite Drupal developer in under 48 hours. It offers a money-back guarantee for first-time clients.

• Drupal Jobs: A specialized job board focused solely on Drupal roles, ideal for finding dedicated Drupal programmers, contractors, and full-time employees. Its niche focus ensures a more relevant and qualified applicant pool for Drupal-specific positions.

• Upwork: A vast freelance marketplace with thousands of contractors, including many Drupal developers. It allows for detailed profile reviews and a unified workspace for collaboration.

• Scalable Path: This platform matches web developers to projects, performing screening tasks for you. It’s ideal for hiring entire on-demand specialist teams, though it lacks the rapid turnaround of some other services.

• PeoplePerHour: An online marketplace of remote working developers, including Drupal experts.

• Authentic Jobs: A job board for web and creative talents, used by companies like the New York Times. It's a great source for finding front-end developers with creative and technical skills, offering remote and local job options.

Five creative ways to find Drupal developer candidates

• Explore Drupal community forums: Engage with the Drupal community by actively participating in discussions, asking questions, and sharing insights. This involvement helps you identify skilled developers who are active and knowledgeable in the community.

• Attend Drupal conferences and meetups: Networking at these events can connect you with experienced developers and those looking for new opportunities.

• Leverage social media: Platforms like Reddit, an online forum with communities dedicated to specific topics, can be used to reach out to Drupal developers and communities. Reddit's Drupal-related subreddits are great for posting job openings and engaging with potential candidates.

• Referral programs: Your current employees will often have connections to relevant communities. Encourage them to refer skilled Drupal developers.

• Remote talent acquisition: Consider hiring remote Drupal developers, which expands your talent pool significantly. Offering flexible working hours can be an attractive proposition for remote talent.

How to select the best Drupal developer candidates

Selecting the best Drupal developer candidates requires a meticulous approach, combining technical and soft skills and cultural add. Using TestGorilla, you can streamline this process with a suite of scientifically validated tests.

Establish project requirements

Understand your project's scope, specific features needed, and the timeline. This will guide the skills and experience level to look for in a Drupal developer. For instance, assessing a front-end developer will require different tests than assessing a back-end developer.

Technical skills testing

Pre-interview testing is crucial. TestGorilla offers a range of technical tests relevant to Drupal developer roles, which can help assess candidates' technical capabilities without bias, efficiently weeding out those who lack the necessary skills. Consider administering the following tests:

• Drupal test

• PHP (Coding): Entry-Level Algorithms test

• JavaScript (Coding): Data Structures and Data Types test

• HTML5 test

• CSS test

Assessing soft skills

Evaluate communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills. In Drupal projects, developers often need to work closely with various team members, including those who may not have technical expertise.

TestGorilla provides tests that can help assess these soft skills:

• Communication test

• Time Management test

• Critical Thinking test

• Attention to Detail (Textual) test

Personality tests

Understanding a candidate's personality and how they fit into your company culture is vital, especially in a collaborative environment like Drupal development. A developer's personality can influence how they approach problem-solving and teamwork.

TestGorilla offers several personality tests, including:

• 16 Types test

• Enneagram test

• Motivation test

Consider cultural add

Assess alignment with company values and adaptability to new technologies. Drupal developers must continuously learn and adapt to the platform's dynamics. TestGorilla’s Culture-Add test is useful here.

Custom questions

Tailor your assessment with custom questions to fit your specific business needs. TestGorilla generates comprehensive reports on each candidate's performance, offering a well-rounded assessment.

One-way interviews

TestGorilla’s one-way video interviews enable candidates to respond to your technical interview questions at their convenience, providing you with insights into their communication skills and thought processes.

Be conscious of experience

Given Drupal's complexity, prioritize candidates with at least two to three years of experience. It’s possible to consider developers with less experience of the CMS, but expect them to require more initial guidance and take longer to get to grips with your project.

Review portfolios and verify references

Assess candidates' portfolios for a sense of their skill level and work quality. Also, check references from previous employers to understand their work ethic and performance.

Common mistakes when hiring a Drupal developer

When hiring a Drupal developer, common mistakes can make it difficult to find the right candidate.

• Not focusing on Drupal experience: Drupal's unique framework sets it apart from other CMS platforms. A developer with generalized web development experience might struggle with the unique way things are done with Drupal. Therefore, emphasize Drupal experience in your hiring criteria. This ensures that the developer is already familiar with Drupal's structure and community norms.

• Ignoring Drupal version familiarity: Different Drupal versions (such as Drupal 7, 8, or 9) have varied features and functionalities. Overlooking a candidate's experience with specific Drupal versions can lead to compatibility issues in your project. Hiring someone proficient in the Drupal version your project uses or plans to migrate to is essential.

• Neglecting module expertise: Modules are integral to Drupal, offering extended functionalities. A developer lacking expertise in handling and customizing these modules might not fully leverage Drupal's capabilities. Assess their experience in module selection, customization, and development.

• Underestimating theming skills: Theming is not just about aesthetics but also usability and performance. A developer skilled in Drupal theming can create a user-friendly interface that aligns with your branding and improves user experience. Therefore, evaluate their theming capabilities, including their ability to create responsive, accessible, and visually appealing designs.

• Overlooking Drupal security expertise: Security is paramount in web development. Drupal developers must be knowledgeable about common security risks and best practices. Hiring a developer with a strong understanding of Drupal’s security features can prevent vulnerabilities, ensuring the safety and integrity of your website.

Avoiding these mistakes can lead to a more successful hire, ensuring your Drupal project is handled with the requisite expertise and attention to detail.

Start hiring great Drupal developers with TestGorilla

Incorporating these steps into your hiring process, especially focusing on pre-interview testing, enables a thorough understanding of a candidate's skills. This approach ensures you select the best Drupal developer candidates who align with your technical requirements and company culture.

TestGorilla’s comprehensive test library offers a range of scientifically validated technical and soft skills tests and personality assessments that can be tailored to evaluate Drupal developer roles. Combine these tests to gain insights into a candidate's overall fit for your project.  

Sign up for a free TestGorilla account to try out the platform yourself, or sign up for a free live demo with a member of our team to learn how our skills tests can help you find top developers.