How to hire an expert developer

Let’s be honest; hiring an expert developer can be a hassle. It is a competitive market and finding the right candidate takes time, effort and money.

What’s more, you need to find someone who can excel in their role and bring value to your company while also fitting into your work culture and getting along with your employees.

This article takes a closer look at the developer hiring process and how you can go about finding the perfect candidate for your company.

What does a developer do?

Before we jump into how you can hire an expert developer, it helps to know what their roles are.

A Developer is responsible for numerous tasks, which varies according to their area of expertise. In a nutshell, a Developer designs, creates, implements and manages apps and software. They may develop this from scratch or make modifications and update existing software. 

When hiring an expert developer, some of the most common coding skills to look for include knowledge on the following:

• Javascript
• Python 
• Java
• PHP
• SQL
• C
• C++
• C#
• Visual Basic

Interestingly, C topped the list as the most in-demand language of TIOBE’S Index for February 2021. This was followed by Java, Python C++, C#, Visual Basic, JavaScript, PHP and SQL.

The hiring process

Hiring a developer who is an expert in their field is a process. It’s not always as simple as posting a job description online and then conducting an interview. It helps to take these factors into account:

Decide what kind of developer you need

Software development is a diverse field with many areas of expertise. You want to make sure you hire a developer who will be proficient in their role and it helps to know what kind of developer you need. These are some of the most common developers:

• App Developer

An app developer is primarily responsible for creating, testing and programming apps for devices including computers, mobile phones, and tablets. 

• Chatbot developer:

A chatbot developer is responsible for designing programs that can communicate with humans in various scenarios via text and audio.

• Front-end developer

A front-end developer is a software developer responsible for coding the front end of a website. 

• Back-end developer 

A backend developer works behind the scenes on the back end of a website. They help build and maintain the server’s components, application, and database that a website is built upon. 

• Full-stack developer

A full-stack developer handles both the front end and back end work of a site. 

• IOS developer

IOS developers specialise in creating, fixing and maintaining apps for mobile devices that run on Apple’s iOS operating software. 

• Mobile developer

As the name suggests, mobile developers are in charge of designing, creating and implementing mobile applications.

• Remote developer

Although this is not specific to an area of expertise, it’s important to mention remote workers who may be overlooked when hiring a full-time developer. 

Remote developers are just as equipped to handle an in-house developer’s workload, but whether or not you employ someone working remotely will come down to what your requirements are for the job. 

Create the ultimate job description

Once you have decided what type of developer you require, the next step is to create a job description. 

An effective job description will draw the attention of top talents and allow you to pick from the cream of the crop. To do this, you need to be clear about what your requirements are and the best way to do so is to summarise the key responsibilities, qualifications and skills required for the job. 

When hiring a full-time developer, be sure to include the following in your job description:

• Job title

Be specific about the position with a clear job title that accurately describes the roles. Avoid generic and vague job titles as these are often overlooked.

• Job summary

Write a solid and engaging job summary that offers insight into what the expectations are for the position. Include why the candidate would love to work for you.

• Responsibilities

Detail the core responsibilities of the job but be sure to keep it concise. Also, outline the day-to-day duties and activities of the position.

• Qualifications and skills

It is important to specify education, job experience and certifications while also explaining what set of technical and soft skills the candidate should possess. 

• Salary

Many companies avoid providing salary information but doing so can set you apart. Offering a competitive salary will further enhance your chances of finding a highly skilled developer.

Ace the interview

Interviews can be stressful. You have a limited timeframe to find and hire an expert developer, so you need to make the interview count. 

Be prepared before you meet the candidate. Curate high-quality interview questions that give you a clear sense of whether to hire this person. Ask follow up questions and don’t be afraid to dig if answers are vague.

It’s essential to use the interview as an opportunity to also sell your organisation. You want your candidate to know why they should be excited to work for you.

Lastly, be friendly. It may seem obvious, but being nice during the interview will put the candidate at ease and leave them feeling like they had a fair and professional experience. The last thing you want is a reputation for being rude

Work with a digital recruitment agency

Recruitment is a lot of work for a business to handle. You have to put thought and effort into writing the perfect job posting, then you need to work through the minefield of resumes you receive, vet the candidates, arrange the interview…the list is endless. This is why teaming up with a good digital recruitment agency like Salt could be of great benefit.

We specialise in headhunting top talent and matching clients with the best individual talent. If you are looking at hiring an expert developer, or someone in another field, we can help. Simply contact us and let us know what you are looking for.