How To Hire a Junior PHP Developer
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Junior PHP Developer hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
Junior PHP Developer Recruitment Guide
What does a Junior PHP Developer do?
A Junior PHP Developer needs to have a very good fundamental knowledge and be trained in developing and testing various PHP scripts. This needs to be combined with communication skills to enable them to effectively solve problems and work with their colleagues that form development teams. A Junior PHP Developer will be responsible for writing and maintaining source code using the PHP language.
Day to day tasks of a Junior PHP Developer
- Write and implement PHP code and use PHP libraries
- Troubleshoot and managing preexisting PHP code
- Write, test and maintain source code
- Assist senior resources analyze technical needs for websites and other applications
- Securely interact with databases
Junior PHP Developer definition
Junior PHP Developers use their knowledge of the PHP programming language to help senior resources create back-end code which provides critical functionality for website end-users. PHP developers need to be extremely precise and security focused as a common use of PHP is to facilitate a website that is processing a request to enter the data into a database.
HIRING PROCESS
Junior PHP Developer Hiring Process
Build the Ideal Candidate Profile
Write A Job Description Based On Skills
Selecting The Ideal Candidate
Interview Top Performers
Making An Offer
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a Junior PHP Developer
Junior PHP Developers need to be highly proficient in PHP but also other web languages like JavaScript and SQL. Furthermore, they will also need to know fundamental OOP principles as this will help them write code which is suitable for enterprises. Communication is extremely important as they will be interacting with different stakeholders on a regular basis.
- Communication
- Write Scripts
- PHP
Pro Tip
For entry level roles, you should ask the candidate about their experience with PHP and where they’ve used this language in the past and their portfolio of work.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Junior PHP Developer job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Junior PHP Developer job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, a Junior PHP Developer who wants to adequately test their software should know how to use selenium.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a Junior PHP Developer
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Question 1
PHP
Question Type: Text
What is the difference between a session variable versus a cookie? (In terms of where the information is stored).
Question 2
Communication
Question Type: Audio
You’re working for a start up and the CEO gazes towards you and asks you a question about SQL injection attacks. Last night he read a post on Linkedin about data breaches and wants to make sure the company is using all the proper PHP techniques to mitigate such an attack. Explain in two minutes or less the practices you’ve used to make sure your inputs are sanitized.
Question 3
Write Script
Question Type: Code
Create a function named ‘math’. In this function you will multiply the two input variables and see if the result is divisible by 2, if it is return 1, otherwise return 0.
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Junior PHP Developer
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a Junior PHP Developer?
Junior PHP Developers in the USA can expect salaries in the median neighbourhood of $58,789 as reported by Indeed.com and $55,876 according to Glassdoor.com. Ninety percent of Junior PHP Developers can expect to earn up to $81,289 and the lowest ten percent are paid up to $51,143 according to Salary.com.
Junior PHP Developer Salary United States
The United States has a median salary of $64,073 USD for Junior PHP Developers. This figure will change based on many different elements when a salary is made for employees, for instance, the performance of an employee and location of the organisation.
Junior PHP Developer Salary United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom a Junior PHP Developer can be expected to receive a yearly salary of approximately £24,930. This figure will change based on a number of factors such as the location of the organization and seniority of the position.
Junior PHP Developer Salary Australia
Junior PHP Developers in Australia have a reported yearly wage of $100,000 AUD. There are a handful of factors which need to be taken into consideration when this number is offered to candidates, for example, the industry of the organisation, salary share options and depth of knowledge.