How To Hire A Drupal Developer

Drupal developers design and implement the visual aspects of a website by creating custom themes or templates. They use HTML, CSS, and Drupal's theming system to ensure that the website's appearance aligns with the client's brand and design preferences. Drupal's modular architecture allows developers to extend its functionality by creating custom modules or integrating existing third-party modules. This enables them to add specific features and functionalities to a website, such as user authentication, e-commerce capabilities, and integration with external systems.

Drupal, which originated in 2000 as an open-source project by Dries Buytaert, was developed to address the need for a versatile and extensible platform for managing online content. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust CMS that solves various challenges related to web content management, scalability, and customization.

Drupal Developers: Why are they needed?

Drupal developers are indispensable in the web development industry, serving crucial roles by leveraging their specialized knowledge of the Drupal content management system. They are in demand for their ability to customize Drupal to meet the unique requirements of clients, ensuring scalability, security, and efficient content management. Their responsibilities encompass theme and module development, security implementation, integration of third-party services, and optimizing performance.

E-commerce companies rely on Drupal for customizable and feature-rich online stores. Media and publishing industries prefer Drupal for content-heavy websites. Technology companies use Drupal for corporate web presence and documentation due to its flexibility.

Skills required

  • PHP programming
  • Drupal CMS
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Theming and template customization
  • Module development
  • Database management (e.g., MySQL)
  • Problem-solving and debugging

Job titles

  • Drupal Engineer
  • Drupal Front-end Developer
  • Drupal Back-end Developer
  • Drupal Module Developer
  • Drupal Theming Specialist
  • Drupal Solutions Architect
  • Drupal CMS Developer

How to Search for Drupal Developers

LinkedIn

With thousands of professionals and technical experts, it’ll be easier to look for a Drupal Developer that fits in your team.


While searching on Google, use Boolean operators like "AND," "OR," and "NOT" to refine your search. For example, "Drupal Developer" AND "PHP" will show results for Drupal Developers with PHP as their preferred programming language.


Some of the most popular LinkedIn communities where you can find Drupal Developers are "Drupal", "Drupal Jobs", "Drupal Developers", "Drupal Community Network", etc. These communities will make it easier for you to find Drupal Developers.

Online job boards

Post job openings on Indeed, LinkedIn, Naukri, Glassdoor, and Stack Overflow Jobs. You can use filters and search functionalities to narrow down the search and find Drupal developer with the necessary skills and experience. It will help you hire Drupal developer with the right skillset.

Developer communities and forums

Engage with Drupal Developers on platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and other related forums. Developers who actively participate in these communities are often dedicated and passionate. In order to hire Drupal developer, these are the qualities that you should look for. Because it suggests strong work ethics and commitment for the job.

Tech conferences and meetups

Attend Drupal, PHP, and web-dev events to network with talented developers. Search for the upcoming regional or global Drupal related conferences online. Conferences and meetups attract a diverse group of professionals. Thus making it more likely to find Drupal developer for your specific needs.

HackerEarth hiring challenges

Sponsor online coding challenges to find competitive developers. For instance, SysCloud collaborated with HackerEarth to run the PHP Developer Hiring Challenge in 2017, to hire PHP Developers with experience in Drupal and related open source projects.

Open source communities

Developers actively contribute to open source projects like Drupal. By reviewing their contributions and interactions within the community, you can gauge their expertise and commitment. These are valuable resource for identifying and help you hire Drupal developer who is not only skilled but also passionate about the platform.

Online learning platforms

Candidates often showcase their work on online learning platforms, allowing you to assess their Drupal projects, code quality, and overall expertise. Connect with Drupal and PHP enthusiasts through online learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera. These can be a valuable resource in order to find Drupal developer who is committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Local universities and coding boot camps

By leveraging the resources and talent pipelines of local universities and coding boot camps, you can find and hire Drupal developer who is not only trained but also have a strong foundation in web development.

Social media channels

Use platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to share projects and job openings. Engage with Drupal communities such as drupal.org.

Referrals and employee networks

Promote employee referrals and leverage existing networks to gather recommendations. Additionally, referrals often result in candidates who align with the values and work ethic of your organization, improving the likelihood of a successful hire. It can increase the chance to hire Drupal developer who has all the values that your organzation needs.

Lightbulb Pro-Tip

Reddit is a great place to look for various Drupal-related communities, including r/drupal, r/Drupal_Modules, r/PHP, r/webdev, r/Drupal_Themes, etc. You can also join related Communities on Discord with thousands of members.

Drupal Developers Hiring Assessment

The most common assessment framework for Drupal Developers on HackerEarth includes

A combination of technical evaluations, coding exercises, and behavioral assessments. Here are some common components of the assessment framework:

Code completion tasks

Code completion tasks are highly beneficial and essential during the Drupal developer hiring assessment. They provide a tangible assessment of a candidate's coding skills and their ability to work effectively within the Drupal framework. These tasks offer insights into a developer's understanding of Drupal-specific libraries, modules, and best practices. By evaluating a candidate's proficiency in crafting clean, error-free code and their familiarity with Drupal's unique tools and structures, you can ensure that the developer is well-equipped to contribute effectively to Drupal projects. In order to hire Drupal developer who can maintain code integrity, and deliver high-quality solutions tailored to your specific needs, these code completion tasks are crucial.

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) play a pivotal role in the hiring process for Drupal developers. They serve as a structured means to evaluate a candidate's knowledge in key technical areas. When using MCQs, focus on topics like Drupal core functionality, module development, theming, database management, and security best practices. This approach allows you to efficiently assess a candidate's expertise and familiarity with the essential aspects of Drupal development. It will help you find Drupal developer who can contribute effectively to your projects.

Project-specific questions

Project-specific questions are integral in hiring a Drupal developer as they provide insights into a candidate's practical experience and their ability to apply Drupal concepts to real-world scenarios. These questions should focus on topics such as custom module development, theming, database optimization, site scalability, and security considerations. By delving into specific project experiences, you can evaluate a candidate's problem-solving skills, adaptability, and technical proficiency. It will help you find Drupal developer who is well-suited to tackle the unique challenges of your projects and contribute effectively to your team.

Language-specific questions

Language-specific questions are crucial in hiring a Drupal developer. They assess a candidate's familiarity with the languages commonly used in Drupal development, such as PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. These questions should cover topics like PHP object-oriented programming, JavaScript frameworks commonly used with Drupal (e.g., jQuery), CSS for theming, and SQL for database interactions. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective Drupal development. It will help you find Drupal developer who can navigate the technical intricacies of Drupal, develop custom modules, and create seamless web experiences within the Drupal framework.

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Steps to Create a Drupal Developer Interview Assessment on HackerEarth

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Sample Questions to Ask a Drupal Developer

  • Can you describe the process of creating a custom Drupal module?
  • How would you retrieve specific data from the Drupal database using database queries?
  • Can you walk me through the steps to create a custom Drupal block?
  • How would you go about building a custom form in Drupal using the Form API?
  • Could you provide an example of a situation where you needed to create a custom view with specific filtering or display requirements?

  • Which programming language is primarily used for Drupal module development?
    1. Java
    2. PHP
    3. JavaScript
    4. Python

  • What is the purpose of the Drupal watchdog function?
    1. Logging PHP errors
    2. Storing user passwords
    3. Managing user sessions
    4. Creating content types

  • Which Drupal module is commonly used for creating and managing custom content types?
    1. Views
    2. Panels
    3. Pathauto
    4. Content Types

  • What are data types in PHP? Can you give examples of different data types in PHP?
  • What is an array in PHP, and how do you create and access elements in an array?
  • What is a function in PHP, and how do you define and call functions?
  • What is a PHP class, and how do you create a class and instantiate objects from it?
  • Explain the concept of inheritance in PHP classes. How does it facilitate code reuse?

  • Explain the difference between a base theme and a subtheme in Drupal theming. When would you use each?
  • How do you override a template file in a Drupal theme? What's the naming convention for template file overrides?
  • How can you include CSS and JavaScript files in a Drupal theme?
  • What is the purpose of a .info.yml file in a Drupal theme?
  • How can you create a custom page template for a specific content type in Drupal?

File Note

These sample questions provided here are for interviewing early-experience talents. For more customized assessments for candidates with higher experience, you can contact our team at contact@hackerearth.com. or request a demo here.

Guidelines for Writing Job Description for Drupal Developers

Job title

Drupal developer job description should begin with a clear and concise job title that reflects the role, such as "Drupal Module Developer", "Drupal Engineer", and “Drupal CMS Developer”. Having a clear job title will help you hire Drupal developer with the right skilllset.

Job summary

In the Drupal developer job description you should include a brief overview of the position, focusing on the essential responsibilities and objectives. In order to hire Drupal developer for your organization, you should clearly describe the main aspects of the role and how it contributes to the company's goals.

Responsibilities

The Drupal developer job description should outline the specific tasks and responsibilities that the developer will be expected to handle. This may include:

  • Building, configuring, and maintaining Drupal websites
  • Creating and customizing content types, fields, and taxonomies
  • Developing custom Drupal modules to extend functionality
  • Designing and customizing Drupal themes to match project requirements
  • Managing database schema and content
  • Debugging and troubleshooting problems efficiently

Before you hire Drupal developer it's important to consider all these points.

Skills and qualifications

List the essential Drupal developer skills and qualifications that candidates must possess, including, but not restricted to:

  • Proficiency in Drupal CMS
  • Strong PHP programming skills
  • Front-end development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Database management, particularly MySQL
  • Drupal theming and template customization
  • Custom module development

Listing all the essential skills that the role requires will help you hire Drupal developer for your organization.

Preferred skills

Mention any additional Drupal developer skills or qualifications that would be beneficial but not mandatory for the role. The Drupal developer job description can also ask for experience with specific tools, libraries, or frameworks.

Education and experience

Specify the educational background and professional experience required for the position. This could range from a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field to several years of relevant experience. These are important points that need to be considered in order to hire Drupal developer who has all the qualifications that the job requires.

Company culture and EVPs

Briefly highlight your company's culture, values, and any unique perks or benefits offered to employees that can help attract candidates who align with your company's ethos. It will help you hire Drupal developer who not only has technical skills but can also work well in the team.

Application instructions

The Drupal developer job description should provide instructions on how candidates can apply for the position. Include where to send their resume, portfolio, or other required documents. Also, specify the deadline for applications, if applicable.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Include a statement affirming that your company is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. It can help attract top talent from a broader talent pool, ensuring that your organization can access the best Drupal developers. Which can then help you hire Drupal developer who is best suited for your organization.

Lightbulb Pro tip

You can incorporate gender-neutral pronouns like 'they/them' to promote an inclusive workplace. Additionally, it's beneficial to align your developer personas with your job profiles before advertising an open position. This approach ensures that your job descriptions resonate with a diverse range of candidates.

Download our guide for writing better developer personas

How to Conduct A Drupal Developer Job Interview

Skill-first hiring requires that the developer interview process be designed to understand the candidate’s skill and experience in the given domain. You can consider the following guidelines when conducting a face-to-face interview with a Drupal Developer:

Conduct a real-time technical assessment

Usually candidates are given a remote assessment before the interview. However, using the interview platform to assess skills in real time will tell you a lot about the candidate’s communication skills and thought process.

FaceCode is HackerEarth’s flagship tech interview platform with a built-in question library you can use to test the candidate’s knowledge of Drupal concepts they claim to be familiar with. The built-in IDE environment can be used for assessing their ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code. You can also use the pair-programming method to observe their problem-solving approach, logical thinking, and attention to detail.

Learn how Facecode can make tech interviews easier

Understand the candidate’s project experience and review the portfolio

During the Drupal developer interview assessment, explore the candidate's past and present projects. Focus on their personal contributions and the skills they used. Ask them to discuss a Drupal project, detailing their responsibilities, problem-solving, and collaboration. If available, review their portfolio or code samples for coding style, documentation, and project quality.

Understand if they are a good culture and team fit

While technical skills are essential for a developer, the significance of cultural fit should not be overlooked. Hire Drupal developer who not only has good coding skills but also the ability to communicate and work well with others in a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate must possess not only accurate coding abilities but also effective communication and collaboration skills to thrive in agile and collaborative environments. Evaluating a candidate's capability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team is crucial. This assessment provides valuable insights into the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication, and adaptability, helping to determine their fit for the role and the team dynamics.

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FAQs

When hiring a Drupal developer, look for qualifications and skills such as expertise in Drupal, custom module development, theming, PHP proficiency, front-end development with HTML/CSS and JavaScript. You should also look into their active involvement in the Drupal community, and optionally, Drupal certifications. But aways prioritize skills and real world experience over certifications.

Tailor your choice based on your project's needs, seeking specialists or versatile developers, whether your project requires them to excel in theming, module development, site building, or infrastructure management.

For Drupal developers, it's not mandatory for a candidate to have experience in all the necessary tools and technologies, but having proficiency in one or more key areas is crucial. The specific requirements may vary depending on the role and the project's needs. Some roles may prioritize strong front-end theming skills, while others might require in-depth back-end development expertise.

A well-rounded full-stack developer who can work with both front-end and back-end technologies is valuable, but specialization in one area can also be a strength, especially when assembling a diverse development team with complementary skills. Ultimately, the choice should align with the project's requirements and the developer's ability to contribute effectively to the team's goals.

A Drupal CMS Developer should possess a multifaceted skill set encompassing expertise in Drupal, PHP, front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and database management (particularly MySQL). They should also be familiar with theming and template customization, module development, version control with Git, performance optimization, debugging, and familiarity with Drupal's ecosystem of contributed modules.

They should excel in building and customizing Drupal websites, creating and maintaining content types, views, and blocks, and have a strong understanding of security best practices and accessibility standards. Effective communication and collaboration skills are also essential for working within a team and understanding project requirements while adhering to Drupal coding standards and best practices.

You can start by reviewing the candidate's portfolio, examining past Drupal projects they've worked on. Assess he complexity, scale, and functionality of those projects. During the interview, ask the candidate to walk through their contributions to these projects, emphasizing their role in theming, and problem-solving.

In addition, present the candidate with a practical problem or challenge relevant to your project. You can also ask them to outline their approach and provide a solution. If possible, include a coding test or live coding session to evaluate their ability to write clean, efficient code and debug issues.

The requirement for Drupal Developer skills varies across different job roles within the field of web development. A Front-End Drupal Developer primarily focuses on theming, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills to create visually appealing and user-friendly Drupal websites. A Back-End Drupal Developer emphasizes custom module development, PHP expertise, and database management for building complex functionalities. Full-Stack Drupal Developers need a balanced skill set covering both front-end and back-end development.

Drupal Site Builders should excel in configuring Drupal sites using existing modules and site-building tools. DevOps Engineers in Drupal require expertise in server management, deployment, performance optimization, and infrastructure, often including CI/CD workflows.