Deciding to become a SharePoint developer can be a huge benefit for you. You want the glory and standing of an industry expert that people look up to for help. It's a good idea to grow in your career and learn new skills to land you new opportunities.
By the end of this article, you'll know what steps to take to become a SharePoint developer and whether or not it's worth your while applying for that position.
Before we delve into the details of becoming a SharePoint Developer, let’s also look at what makes a great SharePoint Developer for teams and employers seeking expertise in this area.
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What is a SharePoint Developer?
A SharePoint Developer is someone who creates applications for the Microsoft SharePoint platform. They have deep knowledge of the Microsoft SharePoint platform, including its user interface, business intelligence, collaboration, and content management capabilities. With their skills, they can create custom solutions that are SharePoint-based. They understand how to implement the necessary logic and functionality to create a custom SharePoint application.
Microsoft's SharePoint is a web-based system that supports collaboration, document management, and communication. It is highly configurable and integrates with Microsoft Office to provide organizations with a wide and eclectic range of uses.
If you want to be a SharePoint developer, there are some things you should know about first.
Before we delve into the details of what makes a great SharePoint Developer and how you can become one, let's address a crucial step for employers.
If you're looking to become a successful SharePoint developer, EliteBrains can help you take the first step. Join a global network of developers, showcase your skills with coding assessments, and connect with remote job opportunities that match your expertise.
Start Your SharePoint Developer Journey
Tasks of a SharePoint Developer
SharePoint Developers design, develop, maintain and support SharePoint websites. They are responsible for knowing the right way to use technology to meet business goals.
Some of their key responsibilities include:
- Designing and developing customized sites based on SharePoint technologies
- Writing and modifying code
- Debugging software
- Maintaining and supporting existing sites by responding to issues related to site administration, security, performance, and other technical issues
- Collaborating with other team members on planning and executing projects that involve collaboration with business users
- Providing functional training to staff and users on the architecture and functionality of SharePoint sites.
- Troubleshooting issues that may arise during use.
SharePoint Developers can be found working for SharePoint Consultants, or they can work directly for companies that specialize in using the platform for projects within their organization.
Showcasing and Validating Your SharePoint Skills
If you're serious about becoming a standout SharePoint developer, demonstrating your skills is just as important as gaining them. EliteBrains offers SharePoint-specific coding assessments designed to showcase your real-world problem-solving abilities, not just theoretical knowledge.
By completing these assessments, you validate your technical expertise in practical scenarios—exactly what employers want to see. It’s an opportunity to build credibility, strengthen your portfolio, and gain an edge in a competitive job market.
Test Your SharePoint Knowledge with a Practical Assessment
Why Become A SharePoint Developer?
Becoming a SharePoint Developer can be a rewarding career choice for those who like to design and develop websites. If you enjoy working with technology and technology-based applications, then this might be the right choice for you.
You can expect to earn great money as a SharePoint Developer. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for this position is $106,506 annually. You can even earn more than that based on your skill level and experience in the field.
The job market for SharePoint Developers is good. Just as with most IT-related roles, the number of jobs in this area is expected to grow in the next few years. It means that more opportunities will be available for people looking to get started in this industry.
How Do I Become A Successful Sharepoint Developer?
Here are the steps you need to take to make that happen:
1. Get educated
To become a SharePoint Developer, you need to have a solid working knowledge of programming and web development. A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is the best way to get started on that path. If you already have a degree in another field, pursuing certification in this area will help you develop your skills and prepare you to become a SharePoint Developer.
2. Gain experience
Once you have the education and experience required for this position, it's time to start looking for a job. The best way to get started is to look for a junior developer position, which will allow you to learn on the job and develop your skills. As you gain more experience, you will move up in the organization and be in a better position in due time.
3. Get certified
You can enhance your career prospects by becoming certified as a SharePoint Developer. There are several certification programs that you can pursue to demonstrate your knowledge of this area. Certifications can give employers confidence in your skills, which will help you land a job in this field.
At EliteBrains, certified developers have a higher chance of being featured in our Top Developer list, a curated selection of the best talent on our platform. Getting listed not only boosts your visibility but also helps attract better projects and long-term clients.
4. Stay current
In order to be successful as a SharePoint Developer, it's important to keep up with the latest trends and changes in the industry. Technology is always evolving, so it's important to ensure that you are keeping up with the latest advancements. Subscribe to industry journals and attend conferences and other events where you can learn more about SharePoint and related technologies.
5. Get involved in the community
There are many online and offline communities of SharePoint Developers that you can get involved with. It is a great way to meet other professionals in this field, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. It can also help you learn about new trends and technologies. EliteBrains also provides a growing network of global developers when you apply as a freelancer, you’re joining a trusted community focused on collaboration and professional growth.
What Skills Do I Need To Succeed As A SharePoint Developer?
To thrive as a SharePoint developer, you’ll need a solid mix of technical knowledge and practical skills. From writing code to collaborating with teams, success in this role depends on both what you know and how you apply it in real-world projects.
Technical Skills:
SharePoint requires specific technical skills and competencies. The tech stack for a SharePoint developer is a blend of skills from both the web technologies and the Microsoft stack.
Knowledge of SharePoint
Ability to use scripting, designing, and drafting tools is essential. This foundation allows developers to build custom solutions tailored to a company's collaboration and content management needs.
Programming languages
Programming languages a SharePoint developer needs to be skilled at may include .Net or Java-related development languages such as C# as well as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Server technology
Knowledge of InfoPath is required for creating basic forms. But for more advanced level development, SharePoint developers should demonstrate proficiency in REST API and jQuery.
While developers would require other technologies in a SharePoint development project, such as UI/UX design principles, the focus for most developers is on .Net and/or Java development with a focus on SharePoint development technologies.
Situational Skills:
Success as a SharePoint developer isn’t just about technical ability. You’ll also need to collaborate, solve problems, and stay organized in a fast-moving project environment. These skills help ensure you deliver solutions that are not only functional, but user-friendly and sustainable.
Collaborative Skills
Communication and working effectively with other team members are critical in a SharePoint Developer attributes. As part of a team, you will need to effectively communicate your ideas and plans and work cooperatively with other team members to achieve the common goal.
Problem-solving Skills
In any SharePoint development project, there will always be problems that need to be solved. As a developer, you will need to quickly identify and solve problems to keep the project on track.
Analytical Skills
When working with SharePoint development projects, you will need to analyze the situation and determine the best course of action.
Attention To Detail
Attention to detail is critical in a SharePoint development project. You will need to pay close attention to detail when creating layouts and coding pages, as any issues here could negatively impact the form and functionality of your site.
Organization Skills
In a SharePoint development project, organization skills are essential as you will need to keep track of different tasks and ensure they are completed properly and on schedule.
To help you assess and demonstrate these technical skills, EliteBrains offers SharePoint-specific coding tests designed to reflect real-world scenarios. Completing a coding test is a great way to show potential clients or employers that you're job-ready.
Prove Your SharePoint Skills with a Coding Test
How to land your first SharePoint job
Assuming you have the skill set required to be a SharePoint developer, how do you land your first job in this field?
One option is to look for job postings and apply for any SharePoint Developer roles available. However, given the competitive nature of the job market, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door this way.
Another option may be to target companies using SharePoint and reach out to them. You can find SharePoint users by looking on job boards for postings that mention SharePoint or other relevant keywords, networking at events, or using social media. Once you have a list of companies using SharePoint, reach out to them and introduce yourself. Explain what you do and let them know that you are interested in working with them.
Even if the company isn't actively looking for a SharePoint Developer, they may have future needs that you can help with.
By networking and targeting companies using SharePoint, you will have a much better chance of successfully landing your first job in SharePoint development.
If you’re ready to take action, start by building a strong developer profile and showcasing your skills. Platforms that connect freelancers with real project opportunities can help you gain experience, prove your capabilities, and grow your SharePoint career with hands-on work.
