A Comprehensive Guide To Hiring A Software Developer
BySarah Harris
Sarah Harris takes care of the customer support requests at Workast. She is also an avid writer.
Sarah Harris takes care of the customer support requests at Workast. She is also an avid writer.
As a business owner, finding the right employee can be a challenge. You want to hire someone with the skills and experience to do the job well and someone you can work harmoniously with the rest of the team.
Hiring a software developer is especially tricky because of the many factors to consider. While some companies seek specific technical skills, others prefer candidates who can solve problems creatively. Regardless if you belong to the former or latter, this article provides you with a guide on how to hire a software developer:
What A Software Developer Does
A software developer writes the code for a program. More broadly, they create the logic, design, and flow of the program. Sometimes, they work with other people to make a product, but most often, they work on their own or in teams of two or three.
A software developer works with the project manager and business analyst to define what the program should do, how it will be used, and how to test it. The developer then writes the program in parts that are tested as soon as they are created.
When software testing is complete, they refine the code to ensure the program runs correctly. They also write documentation so that others can use the program easily and understand how it works.
What To Look For In A Software Developer
Here are six considerations to look for when hiring a software developer:
Tech Stack Proficiency: You would want a developer who knows their way around the latest tech and has experience working with the tools of the trade. This includes programming languages, libraries and frameworks, databases, and other data storage systems. For example, if you’re creating an application requiring real-time data analysis, look for developers who understand how to use NoSQL database technologies.
Experience With Target Platforms: If your company is developing for iOS or Android devices, you’ll need a developer with experience with these platforms. Likewise, if your team builds web applications using personal homepage or Ruby on Rails, look for developers with these skill sets. It’s also important to note that if you have specific requirements around code quality (e.g., source code must be formatted according to a particular style guide), then make sure your candidates meet these expectations during the interview process.
Knowledge Of Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQQT): Another consideration depends on what your company is specializing in. The Internet of Things (IoT) has been widely applied to several fields, including but not limited to commercial, infrastructure, and industrial spaces. If your company is centered on IoT, then one more thing to look for in a software developer is a comprehensive understanding of how MQTT connection works. MQTT is one of the extensively used transport protocols in IoT, but it takes a special kind to be proficient in it. Now, if your company is looking to leverage IoT, you may find more information about MQTT here.
Portfolio Of Past Projects: Requiring a portfolio lets you check past works of a software developer. It’s also a great way to see if they have experience working with clients like yours in the past. More importantly, you can verify through their portfolio if they’re trying to sell themselves as an expert without real-world experience.
Code Quality: You need a software developer to write high-quality code. Some developers are better at writing code than others, but not all good coders write clean, understandable code every time. A great developer consistently writes high-quality code and knows how to improve their work over time.
Collaborative Nature: If the software developer has to work closely with other team members, then you must not only look into their work ethic but also see if they are a team player. This is essential so that everyone in the team is on the same page when it comes to project development and deployment.
Communication Skills: The ability to communicate effectively is crucial for a software developer. It’s through communication that they gather requirements and clarify what they need to build. A good developer can explain their ideas clearly and concisely and work collaboratively with other team members who aren’t coding. They should be able to use standard terms and avoid jargon when explaining certain stages in a project that they are in charge of.
7 Things To Do Before Hiring A Software Developer
Although you already have a clearer idea of what to look for in a software developer, you still have a few things to take care of before actually hiring one. By doing these, you’d be able to improve your company’s software development competitiveness without wasting time on unmatched candidates.
Know Your Objectives: Before interviewing potential candidates, you must know what you need from a developer. For instance, you may assess if you’re looking for an expert who can help you refine an existing program. Writing down these objectives can help guide your search when interviewing candidates so that you don’t spend time discussing irrelevant topics during interviews.
Write A Job Description: You should also write a job description describing the project and the expected results. Feel free to get specific. If you want something done in particular, mention it in your report. For example, if you want an app to help customers find products by scanning barcodes on their mobile phones, write that in your job description.
Determine Your Budget: Next, determine how much money you will spend on this project. Once you know how much you can afford to pay for the project, choosing a developer who can complete the work within your budget will be easier. Also, keep in mind that hiring an experienced developer may cost more than someone just starting—but ultimately, it can save you time and money because they have more experience working with clients and dealing with problems as they arise.
Source Candidates: It takes work to find the right candidate. The best way to get started is to look within your network. Check with friends, relatives, and colleagues who work in the tech industry. If you are still looking for a way to expand your search, you could look at specific coding websites for job seekers who may be interested in working for you. Another option is hiring an agency that specializes in recruiting software developers. According to the best MSP staffing company, a hiring agency like this in sourcing software developers can significantly streamline your hiring process. These companies can help you fill vacant positions quickly with top talent from around the world at competitive rates.
Pitch Your Opportunity: You should also create a pitch that describes what your company does and how it can benefit from using the software to be made. Then, give an overview of the features and functionality you’d like to include in the new app or website. Software developers can view it as a challenge, and they may be enticed to work with you
Do A Pre-Screening: Before interviewing candidates, make sure they’ve passed the pre-screening. Pre-screening questions can be as simple as their experience with specific programming languages or their professional background. If they don’t pass these tests, then there’s no point in interviewing them further.
Ask For References: Before hiring any developer, ask for references from previous employers and clients. These people will give you an honest opinion about the applicant’s work quality.
As a business owner or a project manager, it is essential to carefully consider your company’s software needs before deciding on who’ll be part of your development team.
How To Interview Potential Candidates
When hiring software developers, you might get caught up in the technical details of the job. But there are other things you should be asking as well—questions that help you learn about a candidate’s personality and character.
Here are some questions you can ask when interviewing software developers:
Ask About Their Previous Projects: Once you’ve looked through the candidate’s portfolio, ask them about specific projects they worked on and how they were able to help those clients achieve their goals. For instance, you may ask them what obstacles they faced and how they approached those challenges. This will give you insight into whether or not this person could be a good fit for your company or team.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: The best way to get helpful information from an interviewee is by asking open-ended questions. These are questions that require more than just a yes or no answer. Instead of asking if they know how to code, ask about how the applicant goes about learning new programming languages. This will give you a more concrete idea about their experience and skillset than if you simply asked whether they knew how to code.
When searching for a software developer to help you create programs that can very well be the key for your company to level up, getting the right person is paramount. Interviewing candidates is a task that should not be delegated to just anyone.
Key Takeaway
A software developer is likely to play a key role in the growth of your company, so your standards should be high right off the bat. You’d need patience when going through applications. Although hiring a software developer is definitely not a walk in the park, with this comprehensive guide, you can rest assured that you’ll end up with someone deserving to be part of your team.