Serverless: Scale your applications without managing servers
Serverless computing is revolutionising how businesses develop and deploy applications. It eliminates the need for managing servers, allowing developers to focus solely on writing code. This translates to faster development cycles, reduced operational costs, and improved scalability.
By hiring a serverless freelancer, you can leverage this cutting-edge technology to build robust, scalable applications without the overhead of server management.
What to look for in a serverless freelancer
When hiring a serverless freelancer, look for demonstrable experience with major cloud providers like AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, or Azure Functions. A strong understanding of serverless architecture principles, including event-driven design and microservices, is crucial. Proficiency in relevant programming languages like Node.js, Python, or Java is also essential.
Finally, experience with serverless frameworks like Serverless Framework, AWS SAM, or Google Cloud Functions Framework is highly desirable.
Main expertise areas to inquire about
Key areas of expertise to discuss with potential candidates include:
- Experience with specific cloud providers (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
- Proficiency in serverless frameworks (Serverless Framework, AWS SAM, Google Cloud Functions Framework)
- An understanding of serverless architecture patterns (event-driven architecture, microservices)
- Experience with API gateways and backend integration
- Knowledge of serverless security best practices
- Experience with serverless monitoring and debugging tools
Relevant interview questions
Here are some interview questions to help you assess a freelancer's serverless expertise:
- Describe your experience with different serverless platforms.
- Explain the benefits and drawbacks of using a serverless architecture.
- How do you approach testing and debugging in a serverless environment?
- Walk me through a serverless project you've worked on, highlighting the challenges and solutions.
- What are your preferred serverless development tools and why?
- How do you ensure the security of your serverless applications?
Tips for shortlisting candidates
- Review portfolios and GitHub repositories for practical examples of serverless projects.
- Look for clear, well-documented code and evidence of best practices.
- Check client testimonials and reviews for insights into their work ethic and communication skills.
- Prioritise candidates who demonstrate a deep understanding of serverless principles and a passion for staying up-to-date with the latest technologies.
Potential red flags to watch out for
Be wary of candidates who lack practical experience with serverless projects or demonstrate a superficial understanding of serverless concepts. A lack of familiarity with serverless security best practices or an inability to articulate the benefits and drawbacks of serverless architecture should also raise concerns.
Typical complementary skills
Serverless expertise often goes hand-in-hand with skills like:
- Cloud computing (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
- Containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes)
- CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous delivery)
- API development (REST, GraphQL)
- Database management (NoSQL, relational databases)
What problems a serverless freelancer can solve for you
A skilled serverless freelancer can help you:
- Reduce infrastructure costs by eliminating server management.
- Improve application scalability and performance.
- Accelerate development cycles and time-to-market.
- Build and deploy robust, event-driven applications.
- Focus on core business logic without worrying about server maintenance.
Real-world examples of serverless applications
- Building a real-time image processing pipeline triggered by uploads to cloud storage.
- Creating a backend API for a mobile application using serverless functions.
- Developing a scalable data processing pipeline for IoT devices.
