ServiceNow Developer – Role, Responsibilities & Skills

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In the ever-evolving world of Information Technology (IT), ServiceNow has emerged as a leading platform for IT service management (ITSM).

Let’s explore some key statistics about ServiceNow to understand its impact and why ServiceNow developers are in high demand:

  1. Platform and Global Presence:

    • Fact: ServiceNow, a prominent platform-as-a-service provider, operates globally with headquarters in Santa Clara, California (Source: ServiceNow).
    • Implication: Its worldwide presence underscores the platform’s versatility and widespread acceptance in various industries.
  2. Growth and Public Recognition:

    • Achievement: Since becoming publicly traded in 2012, ServiceNow has been listed on the FORTUNE World’s Admired Companies in 2020.
    • Significance: This accolade reflects ServiceNow’s robust market presence and credibility in the ITSM sector.
  3. Workforce and Stock Valuation:

    • Data: ServiceNow boasts over 16,000 employees, with its stock price (NYSE: NOW) ranging between $467-$495 (Source: NYSE).
    • Analysis: The company’s substantial workforce and stock value indicate strong market confidence and operational scale.
  4. HR and IT Operations Solutions:

    • Service Scope: ServiceNow assists large companies with HR and technical management, including service management and help desk capabilities (Source: ServiceNow).
    • Outcome: The platform’s diverse offerings make it integral for operational efficiency in large-scale enterprises.
  5. Diverse Clientele:

    • Client Examples: Users of ServiceNow include diverse entities like Lewis, Inc., FEMA, Zendesk Inc., and Finn Partners, Inc. (Source: Thrivemyway).
    • Consequence: The varied client base illustrates ServiceNow’s adaptability across different sectors and organizational sizes.

As businesses increasingly adopt this platform to streamline their processes and improve productivity, the demand for ServiceNow developers — the tech professionals who specialize in customizing and optimizing ServiceNow applications — is on the rise. But where can you find them? 

As I’ve been blogging about tech for a long time, I was excited to explore this emerging platform’s developers, which resulted in countless hours of research for this post.  

 I dug deep into the role, responsibilities, and skills of a ServiceNow developer.  And also explored the training and certifications available for these professionals, and how companies can effectively hire and retain them. I believe whether you’re an IT manager looking to hire a ServiceNow developer, a tech professional considering a career in ServiceNow development, or simply curious about this growing field, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable insights.

Before we examine the other aspects, let’s first discuss their role.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Role of a ServiceNow Developer

At its core, a ServiceNow developer is a technical professional who specializes in the ServiceNow platform. They use their detailed knowledge of the platform and strong programming skills to customize and optimize ServiceNow applications to meet the unique needs of the business.

ServiceNow developers play a critical role in ensuring that organizations can effectively leverage the ServiceNow platform to automate their processes and enhance productivity. They work closely with other tech professionals and business stakeholders to understand their requirements, develop suitable solutions, troubleshoot issues, and provide ongoing support.  

That might seem as clear as a foggy morning right now, but delving into their key responsibilities should certainly bring it into sharper focus for you.

Key Responsibilities of a ServiceNow Developer

A ServiceNow developer wears many hats, and their responsibilities can vary widely depending on the organization and project. However, some common responsibilities include:

  • Customizing ServiceNow Applications: One of the key tasks of a ServiceNow developer is customizing ServiceNow applications to align with business needs. This could involve modifying the user interface, creating new workflows, adding new functionalities, or integrating with other systems.
  • Developing and Implementing Solutions: ServiceNow developers often work on projects to develop and implement new solutions using the ServiceNow platform. This includes designing the solution architecture, coding, testing, and deploying the solution, and providing documentation.
  • Troubleshooting and Support: When issues arise, ServiceNow developers are often the first line of support. They troubleshoot problems, fix bugs, and provide technical support to users. They also monitor the performance of the applications and make enhancements as needed.

Responsibilities

Description

Customizing ServiceNow Applications

Modifying the user interface, workflows, functionalities, and integrating with other systems

Developing and Implementing Solutions

Designing the solution architecture, coding, testing, deploying, and providing documentation

Troubleshooting and Support

Fixing bugs, providing technical support, and enhancing application performance

Now that I’ve brought their role into clearer view, let’s shift our lens and zoom in on the essential skills they bring to the table.

Essential Skills for a ServiceNow Developer

Being a successful ServiceNow developer requires a mix of technical and soft skills. Some of the key skills include:

  • Technical Proficiency: ServiceNow developers need to be proficient in the ServiceNow platform, including its features, capabilities, and architecture. They should also have strong programming skills, particularly in JavaScript, which is heavily used in ServiceNow development. Knowledge of web technologies like HTML, CSS, and XML is also beneficial.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Given the nature of their work, ServiceNow developers often need to solve complex problems. They should be able to think critically, analyze problems from different angles, develop effective solutions, and make decisions under pressure.
  • Communication Skills: ServiceNow developers often need to collaborate with other IT professionals and business stakeholders. Strong communication skills are therefore essential to effectively convey ideas, understand requirements, provide support, and present their work to non-technical audiences.
  • Project Management Skills: ServiceNow developers often work on multiple projects simultaneously. They need good project management skills to plan their work, manage their time, meet deadlines, and deliver quality work.

Training and Certification for ServiceNow Developers

While hands-on experience is crucial, formal training and certification can enhance a ServiceNow developer’s knowledge and credibility. ServiceNow offers a range of training courses and certifications that cover various aspects of the platform.

For instance, the Certified ServiceNow System Administrator certification is a great starting point for aspiring ServiceNow developers. It covers the basics of the ServiceNow platform and prepares individuals to manage, configure, and implement the platform. There are also more advanced certifications like the Certified Implementation Specialist and Certified Application Developer, which delve deeper into specific areas of ServiceNow.

And finally, let’s delve into strategies to successfully attract and recruit these talented developers into your organization.

Hiring a ServiceNow Developer

When hiring a ServiceNow developer, it’s important to look beyond their technical skills. While proficiency in the ServiceNow platform and JavaScript is essential, other qualities like problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a passion for continuous learning are equally important.

Companies may find it challenging to attract, recruit, and retain ServiceNow developers, given that it is an emerging platform, competitive job market and the specialized skills required.   One solution I often recommend to eliminate this challenge is to partner with a staff augmentation or staffing services company. 

Staff augmentation is a flexible outsourcing strategy, enables businesses to hire tech talent globally and manage them within their in-house framework. This strategic approach allows you to scale your team up or down as per the project requirements, adding depth and breadth to your talent pool, including ServiceNow developers. 

Companies like TurnKey, a Silicon Valley Staff Augmentation Company,  specialize in finding remote developers and programming teams, including ServiceNow developers, for companies across the globe.

We'll help you build the best offshore software development team for the job.

The Future of ServiceNow Development

I don’t need to pull out my crystal ball for this prediction.  I believe as businesses continue to recognize the value of ServiceNow in streamlining IT services and operations, the demand for ServiceNow developers is likely to grow. Moreover, as ServiceNow expands its offerings beyond ITSM to areas like HR, customer service, and security, ServiceNow developers with a broader skill set will be in high demand.

ServiceNow developers who continuously update their skills and stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the platform will be well-positioned to seize these opportunities.

Key Takeaways

ServiceNow developers play a critical role in customizing and optimizing ServiceNow applications to meet business needs. Their responsibilities include customizing applications, developing and implementing solutions, troubleshooting issues, and providing ongoing support.

Being a successful ServiceNow developer requires a mix of technical and soft skills, including proficiency in the ServiceNow platform and JavaScript, problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills, and good project management skills. Formal training and certification can further enhance their knowledge and credibility.

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When hiring a ServiceNow developer, consider both their technical skills and other qualities like problem-solving abilities and communication skills. Staff augmentation companies like TurnKey Labs can assist in finding skilled ServiceNow developers.

As the demand for ServiceNow continues to grow, so will the opportunities for ServiceNow developers, especially those who continuously update their skills and broaden their knowledge of the platform.

FAQ

What is a ServiceNow developer?

A ServiceNow developer is a technical professional who specializes in the ServiceNow platform. They customize and optimize ServiceNow applications based on business needs.

What are the key responsibilities of a ServiceNow developer?

ServiceNow developers are responsible for customizing ServiceNow applications, developing and implementing solutions, troubleshooting issues, and providing ongoing support.

What skills does a ServiceNow developer need?

ServiceNow developers need to be proficient in the ServiceNow platform and JavaScript. They also need strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and good project management skills.

How can I hire a ServiceNow developer?

When hiring a ServiceNow developer, consider both their technical skills and other qualities like problem-solving abilities and communication skills. Staff augmentation companies like TurnKey Labs can assist in finding skilled ServiceNow developers.

June 10, 2023

TurnKey Staffing provides information for general guidance only and does not offer legal, tax, or accounting advice. We encourage you to consult with professional advisors before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or legal rights.

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