The blockchain world is complex, and so is the realm of blockchain development that we will discuss in this article. Don’t fret, though. We’ll help you figure out everything you need to know.
Here’s a list of the issues we’ll cover:
- What is blockchain, and what do blockchain developers do?
- What skills are essential for blockchain developers?
- How can you hire blockchain engineers for your project?
- What are the hiring options if you don’t want to look for blockchain developers on your own?
After devouring our extended article, we bet you’ll learn much about blockchain developers and hiring them for startups.
What Is a Blockchain?
How’d you explain blockchain and its vital role in the modern economy to someone who has never read about it more than a few headlines?
Simply put, a blockchain is a ledger that stores information about all the transactions between people or businesses. All the transactions are registered and verified and can be accessed by hundreds of users anywhere in the world at any time. For what purpose? To review them, coordinate them, and verify their authenticity. When someone uses a blockchain to perform a transaction, the system encodes all the information about the transaction into a data block. This block gets added to the chain of previous transactions (recorded in the ledger, so to speak)—and all the ledger copies get updated.
In other words, when you buy an apple, the information about your purchase becomes available to all the owners of your ledger’s copy. Every ledger (blockchain network) has rules to determine which apples you can buy.
The most important detail about a blockchain ledger is that no one can change its records or otherwise manipulate them. Once the transaction is recorded, it stays there forever. That’s why blockchain transactions are considered a lot safer than traditional ones.
Sounds like a perfect accounting instrument, protected from any fraud, right?
What Does a Blockchain Developer Do?
Now, let’s clarify the next issue. What, exactly, is the job of a blockchain web engineer?
Simply put, blockchain developers create protocols under which blockchains function, design blockchain architectures, construct web apps working on blockchain technology, and create smart contracts to record agreements between people or businesses. If we’re talking about mobile blockchain developers, we need to add that they arrange everything on your smartphone.
A blockchain simplifies transactions between individuals and business entities. With a blockchain, you don’t need a middleman. You’ve got automatic verification, public visibility, and security. Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not.
Because of the technology’s advantages, people who can design and build blockchain networks are in demand. Most startup owners trying to hire blockchain developers for their projects discover that they are not easy to spot and lure to join some nascent business.
Roadblocks to Hiring Blockchain Developers
If you’re a developer, you will probably find something to relate to on the dev side. If you are an entrepreneur wishing to hire some of them quickly, here’s a list of possible reasons why it cannot be as simple as it seems.
1. Everyone’s Busy
Those who try to hire blockchain specialists discover that blockchain technology is even more popular than they thought. Professionals who can build Dapps or create smart contracts are few so they can’t fill all vacancies. Besides, they can already be engaged in more lucrative projects.
2. Not All Blockchain Developers Are Seduced by Money
A huge number of blockchain developers don’t chase paychecks and would rather work on interesting projects.
Employers have to test developers. But how should employers evaluate skills, expertise, and portfolios if they don’t have any IT background? Either you trust the one you find, or you dig deeper into the developer’s references and materials to boost your proficiency.
What Soft Skills Are Essential for an Excellent Blockchain Developer?
Let’s now compose a brief list of soft skills for an ideal blockchain developer. It’s not just about coding in blockchain development. Since programmers have to communicate with colleagues, employers, project managers, and other crucial participants in the development process, they need a lot more than just programming proficiency.
1. Creativity
The soaring blockchain market won’t let the business survive if it looks like thousands of others.
2. Time Management
Blockchain programmers should be able to find the perfect balance in terms of resources and time, allocating both soberly and rationally.
3. Leadership
A well-coordinated team is the result of a complex leadership approach. A true leader will easily glue your pro squad together and help blockchain apps skyrocket.
4. Researcher Attitude
A professional blockchain developer makes a lot of shots across the bow, but still adheres to certain rules and boundaries that keep the project in place.
What Hard Skills Are Essential for an Excellent Blockchain Developer?
Like any programmer, blockchain developers must also have extensive programming chops.
1. Knowledge of Data Structures
Data structures are the foundations for building and implementing networks. One can’t compose a blockchain block without both data structures and networks.
2. Blockchain Architecture Building Skills
Consortium, ledgers, and smart contracts—all these elements (and many more) are needed for a blockchain architecture to function properly.
3. Excellent Web Development Skills
Most blockchain applications are web-based so blockchain developers who keep up with time should be proficient in web design, development, and coding.
4. Knowledge of Different Programming Languages
Rock-solid proficiency in several programming languages is a must for blockchain developers. The best options are Java, C++, C#, Python, GoLang, and JavaScript.
5. Strong Cryptography Skills
Cryptography comes in handy for building protocols to secure data from unauthorized access.
6. Understanding of Object-Oriented Programming
Experience in troubleshooting in the areas of polymorphism and modular programming is a heavy plus for all blockchain engineers.
How Much Do Blockchain Developers Earn?
Such general questions can be answered in many different ways, depending on the meaning you assign to numerous variables that come into play.
Here are just a few of the factors that strongly influence developers’ rates.
1. Location
Yes, even for remote and freelance developers. Native markets influence their expectations, and some employers check out the geography before offering the price.
2. Workload
Part-time or full-time? How many hours a week? All these questions are essential for defining the rate and the price.
3. Project Specifications
The developers’ salaries heavily depend on the project characteristics and volume of work that separates ideals from MVPs. If it’s something more traditional, the rates and prices will be slightly (or sometimes much) lower.
Conclusion
Blockchain has been in the spotlight for quite some time now, and it won’t go back into the shadows. The more information that circulates about it, the more popular blockchain technology will be among professionals and noobs alike. We hope this article sheds some needed light on blockchain technology and helps clear up some shadow notions and subjects.
Loading ...
