Efficient Fullstack Developer Hiring: Skip the Headaches and Ineffectiveness

A fullstack developer is a professional who can handle every aspect of website creation, from designing the user-facing frontend to building the backend server logic. These specialists are in high demand because they can replace multiple developers and manage every stage of project development: writing external and internal code, testing usability, debugging, and maintenance.

Discover tips on where to find fullstack developers, how to craft job descriptions that grab attention, and how to hire the perfect match for your team.

Fullstack developer skill set: what to include in your search criteria

A fullstack developer must have expertise in two key areas: backend and frontend development. Each comes with its programming languages, frameworks, and libraries. Equipped with this versatile toolkit, fullstack developers build and maintain a wide range of products — from websites and mobile apps to plugins and blockchain projects.

Popular technology stacks for fullstack developers:

• JavaScript-Only Fullstack Developers. These developers work entirely with JavaScript, which they use for front and backend development. Writing on the frontend, they leverage popular frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js, while the backend is powered by Node.js. Senior-level professionals in this category are expected to master at least one of these frameworks and demonstrate proficiency in building dynamic, scalable applications.

• Fullstack Developers Using PHP for Backend. This group combines PHP backend development with frontend work in React or Vue. They typically rely on established PHP frameworks such as Laravel or Symfony to structure their backend systems. When hiring for such roles, it’s essential to prioritize candidates with strong SQL query language skills, experience with database management systems (e.g., MySQL), and hands-on knowledge of backend frameworks and ORM tools.

• Python-Powered Fullstack Developers. These developers use Python for backend work, complemented by modern JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular on the frontend. While startups often seek such specialists, they can be harder to find, as Python developers generally prefer backend-focused roles. To stand out in this niche, candidates need experience with API frameworks like Django Rest Framework (DRF) rather than Django. Look for keywords like “The Django Star” to identify professionals skilled in creating user-friendly APIs and interfaces.

Let’s take a closer look at the technical and soft skills crucial for these fullstack developer profiles:

Frontend basics

In addition to the typical trio of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS for frontend development, developers often turn to various libraries, frameworks, and platforms to speed up the process. These tools serve as pre-designed templates and structured workflows, streamlining the coding process and enabling developers to build more efficiently and effectively.

Server-side

Backend development requires proficiency in several key technologies, including: 

• Programming Languages: PHP or another backend language (e.g., Python, Ruby, or JavaScript for Node.js). 

• API Development: Expertise in designing, implementing, and integrating APIs. 

• REST Architecture: Solid understanding of RESTful principles for building scalable APIs. 

• Data Caching: Familiarity with caching tools such as Redis or Memcached to optimize performance.

• Cloud Services: Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for hosting and scaling applications.

Additionally, a senior JavaScript fullstack developer should have strong expertise in at least one backend framework that complements their frontend of choice:

• Nest.js: works seamlessly with Angular.
• Next.js: perfect for React.
• Nuxt.js: pairs perfectly with Vue.

For server-side development, proficiency in tools like Express.js (a framework for building web applications and APIs, commonly used with Node.js), Laravel (a PHP framework), and other libraries, frameworks, or platforms is also highly beneficial. These technologies help streamline backend development and ensure the creation of robust, scalable systems.

Database architecture and design

To work with the backend, it’s essential to learn SQL query language and familiarize oneself with database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, or others. As developers progress to higher grades, such as middle fullstack developer, knowledge of NoSQL databases may become increasingly important.

Working with microservices

A specialist should be proficient in technologies for working with microservices, such as message queues (e.g., Kafka) or serverless technologies (like AWS Lambda for AWS).

📌 Top-tier fullstack developers are not just technically proficient. They possess a founder’s mindset — ready to adapt to any challenge. These professionals don’t just complete their tasks but are always thinking about how to improve the product, offering their ideas, and taking ownership of implementing them.

How to spot entrepreneurial talent? Look for developers who strive to own the product and demonstrate a strong desire to continuously enhance it. They think beyond the code and focus on the product’s long-term success.

To assess a candidate’s hard skills and ability to solve practical problems, consider using tools like Amazon online assessment questions and other evaluation methods. These can help gauge their technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios.

How to write a fullstack developer job description

Research shows that 60% of professionals will leave a company’s page if the application process feels too long or complicated. Many candidates bypass poorly written job postings. And furthermore, 43% of respondents feel that job listings lack sufficient information, which can discourage them from applying. So, how can you avoid falling into these statistics?

• Use a clear and simple job title. The best options are straightforward titles like “Fullstack Developer,” “Fullstack Web Developer,” or “Fullstack Engineer.” Avoid unclear or overly creative titles. Additionally, specify the frontend framework and backend language in parentheses, such as (React+PHP), since fullstack developers work with various languages.

• Provide a brief introduction. Start with a short overview of your company and the project the developer will be working on. Be clear whether it involves web, mobile, or other types of development.

• Define key responsibilities. Include tasks such as testing or deploying applications in the job description.

• Be specific about the languages, tools, and frameworks required. Clarify whether the focus is more on the frontend, backend, or both.

• Share details about the project or company culture. Highlight the company’s goals and how the fullstack specialist’s work will contribute to achieving them. Mention whether you use modern technologies and outline the company’s values.

Top platforms for finding fullstack specialists

To attract the best fullstack developers, it’s crucial to choose the right hiring channels. Keep in mind that top candidates stay on the market for only about 10 days, so it is essential to act fast. Here is a curated list of resources to help you find the right talent:

Upwork

The largest freelance platforms are great for finding developers from all over the world. However, this approach is better suited for short-term projects.

Events and Communities

Another effective way to connect with fullstack engineers is by engaging with various professional communities. Some options include:

Events

• Developer Conferences
• Javascript Conference
• Grace Hopper Conference
• Vue Conference

Communities

• GitHub Community
• Stack Overflow
• DEV Community

Discord Channels

• Programmer’s Hangout
• SpeakJS
• JavaScript Mastery
• The Coding Den
• Python

Hackathons

• Devpost
• HackerEarth

LinkedIn

With access to thousands of tech experts, finding a fullstack specialist on LinkedIn becomes significantly easier. To refine your search, use Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT. For instance, a query such as “Node.js” AND Python will help you identify developers skilled in both technologies. 

When searching for fullstack talent, recruiters often focus on the backend language and include “fullstack” in the title, as frontend skills are typically easier to match. Additionally, keep in mind that search engines often ignore everything after a period, so terms like .NET should be enclosed in quotes or written simply as NET. Here are a few examples of Boolean search queries for LinkedIn:

• React AND Ruby
• (React AND Redux) AND “.NET”
• (Angular OR Angular2 OR “angular 2” OR “Angular 2+”) AND (NoSQL OR Mongo OR mongodb OR Redis OR Elasticsearch OR Cassandra) AND (Nest OR Nest OR Nestjs) AND (“micro frontend” OR microfrontend OR micro-frontend) AND (node OR nodejs)
• (Node OR Node OR NodeJS) AND React AND (AWS OR Amazon OR amason) AND SQL
• (“Full Stack” OR Fullstack OR Full-stack) AND “.NET Core” AND SQL
• (Java OR Scala OR C# OR Node OR Node OR “.NET” OR PHP OR Python OR Ruby) AND (React OR Vue OR Angular OR JavaScript)

The challenges of solo searching for a fullstack developer

Thinking of hiring a fullstack developer on your own? Be prepared for these challenges:

A competitive market

Fullstack developers are among the most in-demand professionals in the tech industry, especially for startups. While many developers are upgrading their skills to meet the rising demand for versatile expertise, the market still faces a shortage of specialists with the exact skills you are looking for.

Nick Kliestov

CTO and co-founder at ITExpert

“The search for a fullstack developer can become more challenging depending on the technology stack used in the project. For example, finding a fullstack developer proficient in Java can be particularly difficult. Java is quite different from JavaScript, making it harder for developers to learn and effectively use both languages in their work. 

Additionally, modern Java frameworks are not well-suited for straightforward web development — they are more geared towards enterprise-level server solutions. Java was originally designed for interface development, making it a less flexible tool for other use cases. While Spring MVC is an option, it’s not particularly popular these days, and finding candidates with these skills is a challenge in itself.”

✅ Solutions:

• Consider sourcing through donor companies. 
• Experiment with different sourcing strategies and search query variations. 
• Reach out to an IT recruitment agency with a proven track record in filling complex and unconventional positions.

Complicated CV analysis

A fullstack developer’s CV can sometimes feel like an intricate novel, full of details that are tricky to decode. Not everything listed may reflect their current expertise. For example, they may have worked with JavaScript three years ago but are now using different technologies. By understanding the specifics of the project, you’ll be able to assess how well the candidate aligns with your needs.

✅ Solutions:

• Use pre-screening questions when candidates apply for the job. This feature is available through LinkedIn Job Slots and other platforms. 
• Review the pre-screening questions with a tech expert to raise the bar for candidate requirements during the selection process. 
• Consider partnering with a professional IT recruitment agency to delegate part of the task.

Request for experience in corporations/startups

When reviewing a candidate’s past experience, it’s important to consider the type of companies they have worked for. In startups, there is often less infrastructure and fewer resources compared to large corporations. This can mean a lack of multiple project managers, different key roles within the IT team, and less formalized processes.

Additionally, in a large company, a fullstack specialist may have clearly defined tasks, whereas, in a startup, the expectation is often that specialists will juggle multiple aspects of the project at once and quickly adapt to changes.

Finding candidates with experience in a specific type of company is not always easy, as not every candidate highlights this in their CV. Recruiters often have to manually verify each name listed.

✅ Solutions:

• Conduct direct searches — focus on headhunting target specialists.
• Leverage donor companies to source talent, identifying businesses with similar tech stacks to attract IT professionals from there.
• Build a network with representatives from relevant companies.
• For more efficient searching, consider partnering with an IT agency that owns a database of candidates with the required experience.

How ITExpert can help you find a fullstack developer

Our IT recruiting agency specialists have been hiring tech/non-tech IT specialists for companies in Ukraine and all over the world since 2015. Our clients include Sony, Deloitte, and Depositphotos.

Forget about long, exhausting searches and screening the wrong candidates. Hire fullstack developers and quickly scale your team!