Top 7 .Net Developer Skills You Must Consider While Hiring

If there’s any development framework that doesn’t need an introduction, then it is a .NET development framework. This  .NET framework is already popular and has been pioneering the development process of many small and big enterprises. Most of the businesses are already utilizing .NET development skills and are continuously growing to deliver the best outcome possible. The IT industry in specific has a lot of technology options, and they can choose one from the many. Anyone they want, So what makes dot net a distinct choice for various clients? 

When it comes to catering .NET development services, you need technically sound and expert .NET developers to cater to the desired needs. It is not easy to contract a developer for your needs, businesses need someone who can understand the responsibilities of a .NET developer and know how to become more proficient in the role. This will enable them to perform well in the field. In this article, we discuss what a .NET developer is and the soft and technical skills their profession requires. To start with we must know, who is a .NET developer? What are his roles and responsbilties?

1. What is .NET?

.Net is a software development platform from Microsoft that offers a controlled programming environment to design, develop and deploy software. It is a combination of various types of programming languages, tools, and libraries to develop different kinds of applications. There are a wide range of implementations of the .NET code. You can also execute them in operating systems like Windows, iOSos, Android, Linux, macOS, and more. 

.NET app development framework supports running various applications, websites, desktop apps, and other services on the operating system in which it is installed. On the other hand, .NET Core is very similar to the .NET framework. But it is open-source on Github which means that .NET developers can use it for cross-platform implementation to run websites, console applications, and other web services on Windows, Linux, and macOS. 

.NET is mostly used as a backend programming language and thus, we need to understand this technology from that perspective as well.

1.1 What’s the Difference in the .NET Developer Skill Set Needed Between .NET and .NET Core?

Both the frameworks are very similar but they do vary when we dig a little into the details. .NET and .NET Core frameworks distinguish from each other in terms of libraries and components. Though a .NET developer should not have any problem using the .NET Core, there are certain features like NET C++ programming languages, ASP.NET Core Forms, and more that are not supported by .NET Core which can be very useful in web services. 

Developers use .NET Core in new projects for startups where you have to build a product that is developed right from the scratch. Developers can utilize some of the main components from the .NET framework to use in .NET Core apps. But it is not possible to do it the other way around. Many top brands also use .NET Core to make new modules or rewrite their entire software into it. But to accomplish this, enterprises  have to hire a .NET developer that is skilled in both .NET and .NET Core technology framework.

2. The Need for .NET Developers in Software Development

As we started, we already know that dot net is universally popular and one of the most common programming frameworks used by the majority of companies around the globe. Regardless of the industry in which your businesses operate, using .Net and ASP.Net to build automated apps for your organization may turn out to be quite beneficial. Expert Developers can help when you fall into one of the following circumstances:, which can also lead them to hire specialists in the league.

2.1 When a Business Wants to Develop Distinct Desktop and Mobile Apps

As per the need if a business needs to develop an app or web pages that are out of the league and different from what is already present in the market, then you must look for professionals. Unlike other object-oriented programming languages, Dot net simply works by easily syncing with Microsoft SQL server and other essential types of entity framework core to develop web applications. Entity Framework Core is a cross-platform, lightweight, and open-source version of Entity Framework that also works with ASP.NET Core. You can create web forms, webpages, user interfaces with the help of efficient dot net developers.

2.2 When There is a Need to Develop a Secured Project

Also, when you want to develop an application using ASP.NET which needs to be secure and scalable then you need the help of professionals in developing that. Developers need to have an upper hand on the open-source ASP.NET platform and an understanding of the .NET development industry to develop a secure and high-performing application. Experienced dot .net developers know and understand client-side web development needs and configure those applications accordingly with layers of security factors in them.

2.3 When the Requirements are Specific Data-Driven App

When your needs are to develop a data-driven application, companies need the expertise of .dot net developers with thorough theoretical knowledge and practical implementations of .NET. You will receive numerous benefits if you partner with diligent technology professionals with a knack for specific data-driven app development. 

As a long-serving .NET development company, when you partner with an experienced .NET development ed company, the developers  will understand all the specific requirements and deliver expected business results.

Whether you are a developer or a company who wants to either learn these skills or want to hire specialists with these skills, this section is of utmost importance for developers.

3. Most Required .NET Skill Sets

It is now time to understand what type of essential skills a .net developer must possess to offer the best interactive web applications and offer the best web services. Since .net is widely famous among developers to develop Web applications and Desktop applications, you must ensure what .net developer skills does your potential developer possess and what is his experience with .net technology. As developers, one must know the suitable Unit testing frameworks suitable for the .NET framework.

Plentiful experience and knowledge dealing with coding environment, code structures and system architecture areis a must-have, apart from working knowledge of at least one .NET language:

1. C# (short for “C sharp”) is a programming language.
2. VB.NET/Visual Basic
3. F# (sharp F)

Any .NET developer you partner with, must have theoretical knowledge, organizational understanding of its implications and also added commercial knowledge of the .NET developer activities. In addition, one should be able to work independently, be creative, be flexible and always be willing to learn new things. They should also be thinking customer-centric and have strong verbal communication skills to communicate timely for the defects. The developers should have the ability to do logical, computational, and arithmetic calculations and do everything that’s required in addition to .net knowledge.

Here are some of the most sought-after skills that are expected from .NET developers

3.1 Azure

Microsoft comes with its own cloud platform named Azure. And it is one of the most popular cloud platforms in the world. So, the demand for .NET developers who are skilled to use its functions is growing day-by-day. The resources needed for the project and the usage of computing power are the decisive factors in marking the price for Azure services. 

This concludes that even after the app deployment,  software development may result in increased bills. Since some developers don’t have enough time to master the solutions and web technologies that come inside the Azure package. These new ideas may not always be easier for development of the most favorable software for the users. 

Web apps, Serverless Functions, Cosmos DB, Service fabric, Blog storage, Containers, and microservices are some of the problems that a .NET developer would be familiar with regards to the Azure cloud platform. Moreover, it does come with many functionalities.

3.2 ASP.NET MVC

Developers must be aware of the MVC model as it acts like an engine to many development processes. The model View controller aspect of ASP.NET is an application framework developed using Microsoft Technologies. Though, the usage is not extensive in development because of the other advancement in web programming. Dot NET developers who want to enhance their frameworks and development pace should investigate ASP. Even if you decide to use a different component of .NET framework, in the end, the information like Net MVC, its benefits, and drawbacks is still valuable. 

The .NET MVC framework supports many programming models and allows the development of secure web applications easily. In software development, if the developer has a good understanding of .net MVC, it shows that the developers have a core understanding of how to develop interactive web applications. .NET developers can develop a web application by using ASP .NET MVC and ASP.NET Web Form. However, ASP.NET MVC is totally different from ASP.NET Web Forms let us see how:

3.2.1 Asp.Net Web Forms

Asp.Net Web Form follows a traditional event-driven development model.

• It has web server controls.
• It supports view state for state management from the client-side.
• Asp.Net Web Form has file-based URLs which means the file name that exists in the URLs must have its physical existence.
• Asp.Net Web Form follows Web Forms Syntax.
• In Asp.Net Core Web Form, Web Forms(ASPX) i.e. views are tightly coupled to Code behind(ASPX.CS) i.e. logic.This means views are integrated simply with logic. 
• It has Master Pages that give a consistent look and feels.
• It has User Controls for code reusability.
• It has built-in data controls.
• It is perfect rapid development with powerful data access.
• It is not Open Source.

3.2.2 Asp.Net MVC

Asp.Net MVC is a lightweight model that follows MVC (Model, View, Controller) pattern-based development process. 

• Asp.Net MVC has HTML helpers.
• It does not support the view state.
• Asp.Net MVC has route-based URLs which means that URLs must be divided into controllers and actions. Also, it is not based on the physical file but the controller. 
• It follows customizable syntax (Razor as default).
• Views and logic are kept separately in ASP.NET MVC.
• It has Layouts to give a consistent look and feel.
• It uses Partial Views to reuse the code.
• Asp.Net MVC is a lightweight framework that allows you to have complete control over markup. It supports a wide range of features that accelerate the development process. So, it is an ideal programming language to create an interactive web application with advanced web standards. 
• It is an Open Source framework.

3.3 Ability to Refactor Code

Yes when you look for a .net developer, they must have the ability to refactor codes. As each refactoring examines the whole scope of the code selection, it then applies the code to the whole section. This also includes cross-language code, and uses this knowledge to change code most intelligently feasible. A developer must begin work on an existing application with potentially poor code quality. He should be able to reorganize the code without altering the external behaviour for enhancing the code quality.

3.4 ASP.NET MVP

The Microsoft MVP credential is one of the most coveted in the industry. Model view presenter is a pattern that occurs between the layers and showcases the way it interacts between layers. Hire .Net developers who have the same certification in ASP.NET MVP. Because developers will have in-depth understanding and leadership qualities and a high level of expertise in the .NET framework that enables them to create robust apps with strong framework knowledge. This also provides a unique understanding of the .NET framework class library, entity framework, net web forms, and other asp.net features. Furthermore, it will improve your project’s scalability. As a result, if you hire a .Net developer with such a skill set, your project will have a mentor.

3.5 Databases

Start with looking for .NET developers who are well-versed in database technologies such as MySQL, Microsoft Cosmos DB, and Microsoft SQL server. In fact, we know that .NET developers work with multiple data sets and so proficiency in all types of datasets is a must to develop optimized web pages.

The abilities multiply when a developer can work with systems like Entity Framework. With Entity Framework, .NET developers don’t have to worry about the objects and relationships in the application database, and can still use it efficiently. This is the most in-demand expertise in the .NET development business these days, making him the most sought-after professional. Specialized knowledge of databases such as MS SQL Server or Oracle may also assist you in selecting the best .NET developer.

3.6 Ability to Work in SCRUM

Scrum is one of the most preferred methodologies in agile frameworks. .Net developers with all the desired skills must have one more thing that’s  a must- the ability to work in Scrum. You can use it to develop specific functionalities of web applications and services. Any software engineer including a .net developer should be able to work in SCRUM and have a full grasp of Agile development concepts. You’ll be able to deal with Project Managers more easily if you learn this ability. Knowing anything about the waterfall method to projects might be useful in some instances.

3.7 MCSD/MCTS/MVP Certification

Microsoft certifications are perhaps the most important when it comes to .NET software development. The MCSD certification is in high demand in the market for .net developers. A .NET developer who is proficient in this area is highly regarded for developing web services and solutions. Microsoft is responsible for its development and maintenance, and the certification procedure is updated every two years. The .net developer skills are upgraded. As a result, a .net developer with experience in this field should compulsorily take this certification to be Microsoft certified solutions developer.

3.7.1 MTA – Microsoft Technology Associate

Microsoft Technology Associate is the entry point for Microsoft Certifications first level of certification for the .NET developer. It certifies that the developer has a beginner level of exposure to Microsoft technologies. To receive an MTA certificate, developers have to pass the exam. There are many courses in this particular arena alone but .NET developers can choose what kind of exam they want to give. 

3.7.2 MCSA (Web Applications, Universal Windows Platform)

Although it is the second level of certification from Microsoft, it does not need any type of prerequisites. A candidate can receive two types of certifications – web application and universal Windows platforms.

3.8 Exploring Client-Side Technologies

A diligent .NET developer should have a good understanding of the software development needs of clients. Developers should be creating highly creative online apps that are extremely innovative, engaging, and interactive. A Microsoft certified solutions developers’ market worth rises as a result of this.

 Understanding client-side technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, and Bootstrap is required to develop web applications and web services in sync with SQL server and secure web apps easily. As a result, before recruiting, make sure they are familiar with your language requirements. This is very important for the .net development team members to know how to write code efficiently for specific functionality and the web market and then deliver client-side web development apps.

3.9 Unit Testing Frameworks

Testing the product is essential and unit testing is considered to be very important in SCRUM and Test-driven development. Here, the product is tested for every functionality and every code of line added to it. So that you get to know where it went wrong in the very early stage of development which is very beneficial in comparison to when you know there are some issues in the product when you test after the product is finished. There is no way of knowing what went wrong in the latter way. It wastes both valuable time and resources. 

Also being a developer, you should be familiar with the frameworks and other tools that will be suitable for the development of the project. Create a tech stack of your own choice and include every technology you master. For instance, if you are working on a .NET project then you must be proficient at unit testing, especially with the ones that are popular for the .NET framework. And you should also know how to use SpecFlow which is used to automate all the tests in the .NET project.

3.10 Build Tools 

If you are working on any small project like a basic software or application with no advanced features or complex functionalities then you can do it all manually but if you are working on complex software or app then you should consider using the tools that can help you automate the several development functions of the project. This will not only take a huge load off of your shoulders but also provide you with a great time to work on the core functionalities of the project. .NET framework offers multiple benefits and one of its benefits is automation tools. It helps you keep everything in order. Some of the examples of automation tools used for software development are Azure DevOps, Jenkins, TeamCity, or CCnet and NAnt for .NET development. 

3.11 Problem-Solving Ability

One of the non-technical yet very important .net developer skills that a developer must possess is the ability to have a critical thinking approach to solve all the problems. A software developer should have a complex set of skills and attitudes that will help him/her pave the way through the challenges.  After all, the clients come to software developers to ask for their help in solving their business challenges and bothersome issues. To be able to rectify this, is the basic part of their job specification.  Therefore the developers must be well versed with the industry in which their client is running a business. It will give them an understanding of how things work around and how developers could find a way around their problems.

You should also be trained to have a certain amount of analytical thinking with a bit of creativity. When you use this skill set together with a proactive approach, you are bound to become a problem solver in no time. 

4. Conclusion

Finally, in a nutshell, we can say that .net developers are highly demanded. And their skills must be known in advance to get the best results from their knowledge and skill set. One must not overlook the theoretical knowledge as well as the technical skills of valued .NET professionals .NET developers create innovative and secure web applications easily. Choose .net developers with good soft skills and communication abilities, this will be helpful in the long run. With our experience, we created a list of the most important factors to consider while selecting and hiring the finest of the best candidates who are a good fit for your project. Also, for the developers, it is a checklist on which technologies should be learnt in order to have a great future as a Software developer.