How to hire .NET developers: Skills to look for, plus a 5-step hiring guide

Websites and applications help you increase awareness of your organization, attract customers, and engage with them digitally. You want to produce the best software for your users, and that’s where .NET comes in.

You can hire .NET developers to reduce application development time and create dynamic content-driven websites/applications focused on improving your brand.

However, you must take a critical approach to the hiring process, from defining recruitment goals to administering an assessment. Using TestGorilla’s .NET Developer test is an excellent start for any recruiter.

In this article, we list the skills top .NET developers should have and give you practical steps for how to hire .NET developers.

What is a .NET developer?

A .NET developer is a type of software developer that specializes in Microsoft’s .NET technology. These professionals create and implement software applications for desktop computers, machine learning, or gaming platforms. They also collaborate with web developers and computer scientists to develop unique software solutions to meet your company’s needs.

.NET developers may also be called ASP.NET developers, referring to the open-source ASP.NET platform.

A .NET developer’s day-to-day tasks include things like:

• Programming .NET software and applications

• Identifying system requirements to create functional solutions

• Editing code when necessary to improve quality and efficiency

• Identifying software problems and coming up with solutions

• Providing ongoing technical support for software products

Although similar, a .NET developer isn’t the same thing as a software developer.

.NET developers are a type of software developer, but they’re more niche. Where .NET developers specialize in Microsoft’s .NET technology for Windows, generalist software engineers create, develop, and maintain a variety of software types.

Why hire a .NET developer?

If you’re looking to onboard a developer, know that there are specific use cases for hiring a .NET developer over a general software developer.

You should consider hiring a .NET web developer because they:

• Can create unique applications tailored specifically to your company

• Understand how to use the Microsoft .NET framework more efficiently to conserve company resources like time and money

• Develop applications that are more reliable and of a higher quality than standard applications

• Are versed in a number of coding languages, programming platforms, and software

• Possess versatile data access and reporting skill sets for working with SQL servers and .NET frameworks

The best .NET developers ensure that your projects meet or even exceed the standard of quality you set. They’re communicative, pleasant to work with, and deliver projects on time.

However, finding a professional .NET developer who is knowledgeable and reliable can sometimes feel like looking for a unicorn. You have to understand the fundamental skills your new .NET hire should have and know how to look for them.

In the next section, we explore the fundamental qualities a .NET developer should have.

8 fundamental skills to look for in an excellent .NET programmer

Your .NET developer works closely with clients and engineers to complete technical projects. Therefore, understanding the skills to look out for helps you identify proficient .NET developers who can succeed in your company.

.NET developer hard skills

.NET core skills for developers include a deep understanding of the .NET framework, but there are other hard skills they should possess as well, such as:

Programming languages

Programming is a process of creating back-end instructions that make a software application work. Specifically, object-oriented programming is key for .NET applications.

Look for knowledge on specific programming languages, databases, and frameworks for web apps, such as:

• C#

• F# 

• Visual Basic

• Visual Studio

• SQL Server

• NoSQL

• ASP.NET

TestGorilla’s C# assessment can help you gauge an applicant’s aptitude for object-oriented programming:

If you’re interested in more sample questions, check out the C# test preview.

In addition to these basics, this knowledge helps .NET programmers learn other miscellaneous programming scripts to serve as full-stack developers. These include:

• HTML 

• JavaScript

• Bootstrap

• Python

Coding

The ability to write clean, efficient, bug-free code is a fundamental skill every .NET developer must have. Developers who can write good code ensure that the software they create for your company performs as intended.

ASP.NET developers always seek to improve their code by constantly analyzing the performance of their applications and resolving bugs. They’re also able to perform code optimization to make things like Web API and mobile applications (both IOS and Android) run more smoothly.

Client-side technology

Developers skilled in client-side web services can build aesthetically pleasing front-end interfaces that are easy for your customers to navigate on both desktop and mobile.

One study found that 42% of people leave a website due to poor functionality. So if you don’t want potential customers to bounce, it’s imperative that you have a programmer with solid designing skills working on your development services.

You can use TestGorilla’s CSS Online test to assess this skill accurately.

Budget design

An understanding of budget design and finance management enables your .NET developer to come up with cost-effective measures when producing software. They can use this knowledge to estimate the funds and resources needed to complete the project.

This skill helps ensure that expectations are met. If a project is going to be particularly resource-intensive, your .NET developer can spot that and let you know ahead of time.

.NET developer soft skills

Hard skills aside, developers also need to be able to communicate well and solve problems on the fly. Look for these soft skills before hiring a .NET developer:

Time management

.NET developers often manage multiple projects at once, so they need to know how to organize their time to complete tasks by the deadline. With time management skills, they can ensure that your clients or users quickly receive the finished product.

Assessing time management skills is even more critical when hiring freelancers, as they set their own schedules and may not work typical business hours. You also may not know how many other clients they’re juggling, so it’s important to get a feel for their reliability.

Using TestGorilla’s Time Management test helps you find an agile developer to ensure your .NET project needs never lag.

Problem-solving

.NET developers constantly seek to fix issues in prototypes and complete applications alike. It’s common for complex and subtle problems to crop up throughout the development process.

For example, a simple mistype in source code could cause your app development to malfunction completely. Your .NET developer must be able to assess the code to find and fix the error.

If you want to see an applicant's problem-solving skills in action, use TestGorilla’s Code Debugging test.

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Customer relations

A .NET developer with top customer relations skills can retain and satisfy your customer base in the following stages of the development process.

Developers must exercise courtesy and professionalism during all stages of the project to maintain and support a long-term relationship with clients.

For example, they should be able to communicate clearly and determine what the client needs, what is realistically achievable, and how to keep them updated throughout the project.

Communication

.NET developers require communication skills to pass important messages to their team members and clients. This skill is fundamental for .NET developers because it enables them to keep the entire team informed about the project’s status.

When hiring .NET coders, you can assess communication skills by considering things like:

• How long do they typically take to respond to emails?

• Are they willing to meet with you via web conference or phone?

• Is their communication clear and honest?

Without effective communication, it’s difficult to build a clear understanding of the client’s needs, which is necessary to create an app they’re satisfied with.

5 steps on how to hire .NET developers

Evans Data Corporation estimates that there are 28.7 million software developers in the world. With such an enormous pool of developers to choose from, identifying and hiring top .NET developers who fit your exact bill can be a challenge.

Follow these steps to avoid mis-hires and find the best .NET professionals for your organization:

1. Outline your ideal developer

Before you begin sending out applications, you must have an idea of what kind of developer you are looking for. For example, what specific skills would your .NET developer need to help your business thrive in its industry?

From there, outline the objectives you want your .NET developer to achieve. Do you need someone who can build your website or product from scratch, or are you looking for someone who can maintain and update your existing framework?

These considerations tell you what level of skill you’re looking for in each area. In the former case, you’d want a developer well-versed in budget management, while for the latter, you might look for a strong problem solver.

Finally, talk to your current .NET development team to see what skill gaps they’re looking to fill. This might include things like experience with cloud-based programs like Microsoft Azure, working with Linux, or someone who’s good with mobile apps.

2. Choose a recruiting model 

Next, you need to decide what employment model you’ll be going with. For example, do you plan to hire developers on a full-time, part-time, or milestone basis?

Before making your decision, you should consider your project’s requirements and what kind of employees your business needs to grow.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each of these recruiting models looks like:

• Full-time: Hired to work 8 hours per day, 5 days a week. Ideal if you have core long-term development needs.

• Part-time: Hours can vary, but typically hired to work 4 hours per day, 5 days a week. Ideal for startups and if you have small to medium-sized tasks that need to be completed on an ongoing basis.

• Milestone: Hired on a per-project basis and paid after each “milestone” is completed.

Although part-time developers are typically cheaper, they’re working on their own time (or for another development company), so if you have an immediate technical issue, you may have to wait to get a response from them. If your company has particularly intensive software needs or regularly works on big development projects, a full-time in-house developer is the better choice.

3. Write an informative .NET developer job description

You might think a .NET developer job description needs to have cool-sounding words like “tech master,” but a weird term like that tends to scare some of the best candidates away. A good job description requires one major thing: a clear explanation of why you require a .NET developer and what you need them to do.

You should be informative and straightforward when drafting your job description to attract top candidates for your .NET developer role.

Be as specific as possible in what you’re looking for, including all specific programming languages and software knowledge a candidate needs. This transparency improves your chances of capturing high-quality candidates. 

Below, we’ve included a .NET developer job template for you to start with. Feel free to copy and edit for your specific needs.

• Job title: [Junior/Mid-level/Senior] .NET Developer

• Job summary: [Company] is looking for a skilled .NET developer to help us develop software using the .NET framework. You’ll be responsible for creating new applications, maintaining existing ones, and providing user support. If this sounds like the role for you, please send your resume to [hiring manager].

• Main responsibilities:

  • Collaborate across departments to develop cross-platform architecture

  • Write clean, efficient code using .NET programming languages

  • Identify bugs and debug/update code as necessary

  • Improve existing software within the .NET framework

  • Communicate regularly with clients to keep them updated on projects

  • Provide ongoing technical support

• Experience and qualifications:

  • [X] years of experience with the .NET framework

  • Knowledge of .NET programming languages, including C# and F#

  • Familiar with programming databases, including SQL Server and NoSQL

  • Proficiency in Entity Framework and ASP.NET MVC

  • Excellent communication skills and project management experience

  • Attention to detail

• Salary: $80,000

4. Prioritize pre-employment tests

The average job opening receives 250 applications. This means that if you take a resume-screening approach, you will likely spend countless hours sorting through applications to find the candidates who only seem to have the right skill set.

Pre-employment tests save you time by helping you avoid mis-hires. According to our State of Skills-Based Hiring Report for 2023, 70% of employers believe a skills-based hiring process is more effective than the traditional resume-based approach.

With TestGorilla, you can build a custom assessment for .NET developers that includes specific skills as well as a general .NET test.

For example, you could create a .NET developer assessment that evaluates soft skills like critical thinking as well as fundamental technical skills:

You’re then able to select questions from TestGorilla’s custom library or create your own from scratch to personalize your assessment further.

Doing this makes your recruitment process a lot easier, saving you valuable time by objectively determining which candidates should make it to the interview stage.

5. Organize interviews and prepare questions

It’s important to conduct a one-on-one interview with your top applicants to discover what it may be like to work with an applicant.

It’s best to use structured interviews, in which you ask candidates a set of predetermined questions based on the role’s requirements.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some examples of tailored .NET interview questions to ask a candidate:

1. Can you explain what the .NET framework is?

2. Which skills do developers need to use .NET?

3. Can you name the different .NET components?

4. Can you explain what a stack is?

5. How would you set user-defined values?

6. What are some advantages of using sessions?

Don’t make the mistake of only focusing on technical interview questions. Although gauging a developer’s technical expertise is important, a factor that’s often overlooked is how they work and how they could fit into your overall company culture.

To figure this out, ask questions that probe into their previous job experiences, how they work and interact in a team environment, and their problem-solving techniques.

Where to find .NET developers

The best place to search for a suitable .NET developer largely depends on your company’s specific needs. For example, freelancers tend to hang out on freelance platforms like Upwork, whereas typical full-time developers usually use job boards to look for work.

To get you started, here are some of the top platforms for finding .NET developers:

How much do .NET developers cost?

The average .NET developer salary depends on whether you hire a junior, mid-level, or senior developer. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

These averages generally only apply if you’re hiring a full-time employee. The cost of hiring a freelance developer, on the other hand, can vary wildly because they’re contractors who set their own prices.

Some freelance developers prefer to charge by the hour, while others charge per project. Here’s an indicative hourly rate you can expect when hiring a .NET freelance developer:

How to hire the best .NET developers with TestGorilla

High-performing .NET developers understand how to efficiently build applications using Microsoft’s .NET framework to save your company time and money. But finding the right developer for your needs can be challenging.

It also isn’t enough to simply outline your needs and screen resumes. You need to know that the developer you’re hiring can do what they say they can do – and talent assessments, such as the Clean Code test, give the most accurate measure of a candidate’s skills.

TestGorilla offers a library of pre-screening assessments specific to programming and coding. Schedule a live demo with our specialists, or get started with our free forever plan to try them out yourself!

FAQs on hiring .NET developers

Have more questions about how to find and hire the best .NET developers? Find out more below.

How do I recruit a .NET developer?

Recruiting a .NET developer starts with selecting a recruiting model and then crafting a straightforward, informative job description without buzzwords.

From there, select your top candidates and conduct screenings like test projects and pre-employment tests. Once you’ve decided on a candidate, be sure to offer them appropriate compensation and attractive employee benefits to win them over.

How do I find .NET developers?

The best places to search for .NET developers are job boards, freelance platforms, and developer-specific communities and forums. Keep in mind that the route you choose depends on whether you need a full-time, part-time, or freelance .NET developer.

How do I hire the right developer?

• Prioritize pre-screening tests to assess personality and technical ability

• Conduct a test assignment to see how they work in action

• Hire them for a few milestone projects to get a better idea of their workflow and how they fit into your company culture

What is the hourly rate for dotnet developers?

The hourly rate for .NET developers typically ranges from $20 – $90/hour. However, the cost of .NET developers varies greatly depending on employment type and years of experience. For example, freelance developers set their own rates, while senior developers tend to command a higher salary.

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when hiring .NET programmers?

• Not setting realistic expectations upfront

• Hiring a freelancer when you actually need a full-time developer, or vice versa

• Failing to conduct pre-screening tests and trial projects

• Overlooking cultural fit