Hiring competent developers for building a software development team is challenging for any tech company. Skilled developers are also a vital part of any business, as they create the products and services that we use every day. The ever-growing demand for qualified developers has led to a rise in the number of remote developers who are willing to work for companies all over the world.
The demand for remote developers has grown in recent years as companies are looking to save on traditional office space and infrastructure costs. In addition, the pandemic of COVID-19 has also forced businesses to consider or move to a remote work setup.
Hiring remote developers can be the solution to numerous problems organizations are facing, but hiring them is not always easy. Many business owners do not know how to hire and manage remote developers. In this blog post, we’ll go through some expert advice on how to hire a remote developer. So, let’s get started.
Identify Your Business Requirements
Every organization has unique requirements when it comes to the software development process. Identifying various factors such as the business domain, project type, and development methodology will help you decide whether or not to hire a remote developer, says Slava Vaniukov, expert and CEO of Softermii.
While determining your business requirements, decide which development platform or framework you need to use for your project. You need to determine whether you want to hire a remote developer for a short-term project or an ongoing one. A short-term project may not need the same level of commitment as an ongoing project. You also need to decide whether you want to hire a single developer or a team of developers.
Create a Job Description
The job description is a vital part of the hiring process as it will help you find the right candidate for the job. The job description should include all the necessary information such as job title, job responsibilities, required skills, etc.
When creating a job description for a remote developer, you need to add a brief description of your company to help the candidates understand your business domain. Include what product you want to create and what platforms or frameworks they have to use. You should also list the technologies that the candidate should be familiar with.
For example, if you want to create a VR simulator, you need someone who knows how to build a VR driving simulator. While writing a job description for a remote VR simulator developer, you need to add all the technical requirements such as expertise in Unity, C++, networking protocols, etc.
Search Developers on Job Portals
Once you have created a job description, the next step is to find developers who match your requirements. Various online job portals help you reach out to a vast pool of developers. When searching for remote developers on job portals, use the right keywords.
Popular job portals for finding remote developers include Flexjob, Upwork, Toptal, and Freel. Publish the job description on these portals and wait for the candidates to apply. You can also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter to find developers looking for remote jobs. Use relevant hashtags to search for candidates.
Screening the Application of Remote Developers
Once you have received applications from various developers, the next step is to screen the applications and shortlist suitable candidates. The screening process may vary depending on the company’s needs.
For screening the application, you need to check the developer’s resume and portfolio. The resume will give you an overview of the developer’s work experience, education, skills, etc. The portfolio will give you an idea of the developer’s past projects. You should also check the developer’s online presence to see if they are active on social media and blogging.
Conduct Video Interviews
After screening the applications, you need to conduct interviews with the shortlisted candidates. Video interviews give you a chance to assess the candidate more personally. It also allows you to ask questions that cannot be asked in a written interview.
The interview process will help you assess the developer’s technical knowledge and communication skills. When conducting video interviews with remote developers, make sure to ask technical questions related to the technologies they will be working with.
For example, if you want to hire a mobile app developer, you need to ask questions about the development process, app store submission, etc. You can ask them if they can share any project they have worked on in the past. You can also ask them to code a simple problem during the interview.
Ask Candidates for References
Asking candidates for references can help you choose the right candidate for the job. When asking for references, make sure to ask for at least two references from the candidate’s past projects. These references can be from the client, project manager, or team members.
References will help you verify the developer’s work experience and skills. They will also give you an idea of the developer’s working style and professionalism.
Make an Offer to The Candidate
After conducting interviews and checking references, you can make an offer to the candidate. When making an offer, make sure to include the salary, benefits, and other perks such as equity or stock options. You should also include the project details, timeline, and other expectations in the offer letter.
After the candidate accepts the offer, you can start working with them. Make sure to have regular check-ins with the developer to see how they are progressing with the project.
