How To Hire a Remote Developer For your Small Business

The demand for qualified remote developers has skyrocketed during these years. A report by Indeed revealed that the number of job postings for remote developers has increased by more than 25% in the last three years. 

However, finding the right programmer to work from home for your small business can be challenging. It's key to have a well-thought-out process, from identifying key qualifications to evaluating technical and soft skills during the interview.

This article provides a comprehensive roadmap to help you find and hire remote developers, from the first steps to defining the role to making the final offer, regardless if you´re a small business or an established company. 

Key Qualifications to Look for in a Remote Developer

The first step in the hiring process is to identify what qualifications your developer should have. 

Once you´ve written this list, divide them into negotiable and non-negotiable, this will allow you to vet easier and faster candidates that do not have what you´re looking for.

When it comes to qualifications, there are two different categories to consider: 

1. Technical Skills

Technical skills are a given, so it's essential to look for candidates proficient in JavaScript for example if you’re looking to hire a Javascript dev. Additionally, they should have a deep understanding of web development principles and be able to build robust, scalable applications.

The skills will depend on the job role and responsibilities, but in general, these are the skills every developer should have in a general scope:

2. Soft Skills 

Developer responsibilities go beyond writing code or their technical abilities. Soft skills, also known as personality traits, are equally important. 

Good communication and collaboration skills are essential as developers will be working with a team of designers, product managers, and other stakeholders. Adaptability and problem-solving skills are also important, as developers need to respond quickly to changing requirements and unexpected challenges.

Similarly, soft skills also encompass personal qualities. Passion for technology and coding is an excellent indicator of a candidate's drive and commitment to their craft. A willingness to learn and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field is also essential, as technology is constantly evolving.

How to Hire a Remote Developer in 7 simple Steps

Hiring the right candidate is crucial for the success of your app solution development, as a talented developer can bring new ideas, skills, and energy to your team. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you through the process of hiring a remote developer.

Step 1: Define The Role And Requirements

As mentioned, the first step involves defining your needs for the role. This will help you identify the right candidates and save time on candidates who don't meet your requirements.

When defining the role, consider the following:

Step 2: Source Candidates

Once you have defined the role and requirements, you can start sourcing candidates. There are several ways to find JavaScript developers; the most common ones include the following:

Step 3: Screen Resumes And Portfolios

After sourcing a pool of candidates, the next step is to screen their resumes and portfolios. AI-enabled predictive analytics in HR can be a valuable tool for facilitating candidates casting and filtering. 

This step helps you identify the most qualified candidates and eliminates those who don't meet your requirements. When screening resumes and portfolios, look for the following:

Step 4: Conduct Technical Assessments

The next step consists in conducting technical assessments. This helps you determine a candidate's technical abilities and assess their problem-solving skills. It's also where you identify if they have the required skills for that specific role.

There are several ways to conduct technical assessments, including:

Step 5: Evaluate Soft Skills

In addition to technical abilities, evaluating a candidate's soft skills is important. These skills, such as communication, teamwork, and time management, can greatly impact a candidate's success on your team.

When evaluating soft skills, consider the following:

A good way to evaluate soft skills for technical positions is by doing group exercises. This way, you can see firsthand how the candidate expresses and interacts with the team. 

Step 6: Make The Final Decision

After evaluating both the technical assessments and soft skills, it's time to make the final decision. Here's when you should consider the candidate's technical abilities and fit with your team's technology stack, their soft skills and how they work with other team members, and their experience and passion for the IT  field.

Keep in mind that when it comes to these types of positions, the best way to hire skilled candidates is by understanding the programming language. Your HR team or hiring manager should know what questions to ask to test their skills and to identify the candidates understanding. 

If you do not have technical knowledge, you could consider working with remote recruitment agencies specializing in IT to help you go over the process. 

Step 7: Make The Offer

Once you've identified which candidate you would like to move forward with for the position is time to make the offer. 

In this stage, be transparent about compensation and the benefits you offer, as well as provide a clear understanding of the role and your expectations. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Remote Developer? 

The cost of hiring a remote developer can vary greatly depending on several factors, including experience, location, and the type of project.

1. Level of Experience

The most significant factor influencing the cost of hiring a JavaScript developer for example is their experience level. Junior developers typically have less experience and can command a lower salary than mid-level or senior developers. 

Junior developers generally have a salary range of $50,000 to $80,000 per year. In comparison, mid-level developers can command a salary of $80,000 to $120,000 per year, and senior developers can earn upwards of $120,000 to $200,000 per year.

2. Location

Location is another key factor that can impact the cost of hiring a JavaScript developer. Developers in major cities like San Francisco, New York, and London tend to have higher salaries compared to developers in smaller cities or rural areas. 

For example, a junior developer in San Francisco can earn a salary of $80,000 to $100,000 per year, while a junior developer in a smaller city can earn a salary of $60,000 to $80,000 per year. 

Additionally, hiring remote developers from other countries can significantly reduce the cost. 

3. Type of Project

The type of project can also impact the cost of hiring a developer. 

For example, a simple website project might require a junior developer and a budget of $50,000 to $80,000, while a complex web application project might require a senior developer and a budget of $120,000 to $200,000.

Wrapping Up

Finding the right remote developer can be a challenging process, but following this guide will help ensure that you find the right fit for your team. 

You can increase the chances of a successful hiring outcome by considering key qualifications, following a structured hiring process, and following best practices.