How to Hire Developers - 11 Tips to Attract the Best Talent

Great developers can take a software development company to heights by helping them build products that lead to maximum engagement. However, hiring such developers is not an easy task. Hiring a new developer takes around 42 days and £4,000 - £20,000. In addition, there are so many developer roles in the market that you can easily feel overwhelmed and make wrong hiring decisions.

So, how to attract and hire developers who can do justice to your project? It is difficult if you’re not following a well-planned approach and relying on mere luck instead of strategy. This blog covers hiring developers with the necessary skills and experience to fulfil your business requirements. Let’s begin:

11 tips for hiring software developers for your projects

1. Identify your hiring needs

Assessing your hiring needs is the first and essential step to hiring talented developers for your project. Only if you get your requirements right can you hire developers who can maximise your contribution to your project with their experience and technology expertise.

Let’s understand how:

When you know your hiring needs, you can create a job description that accurately reflects what skills, experience, and qualifications you need for the project. You can decide where you should hire full-time or freelance developers.

Clarifying your hiring requirements also helps you set realistic expectations and ensure you easily find software developers with what the role demands.

Related Read: How to Hire Employees

Here are a few questions you must ask yourself to identify your business requirements to hire full-time or freelance developers:

• What are your requirements for the project?
• What skills do you need to fill those requirements? Does your in-house team have those skills?
• What level of experience do you need in the developer?
• Are there any scope, timeline, and budget limitations?
• Will you face any technical challenges in your project? If yes, does the development team you want to hire have the technology and expertise to handle those challenges?
• Do you need to hire a single developer or a dedicated team?
• Will the developers work independently or with a team?

These questions will help you determine your hiring needs and find the right software developer for your projects.

2. Define the technology stack

The tech stack refers to the programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools you need to develop your project. Defining the tech stack needed for your project is essential because it can help you attract and hire software developers who have worked with the technologies you need and can work with the tools and processes you will use in your project. This way, you don’t need to spend time training your development team after hiring it. Instead, you can get your project up and running from day one.

Besides, by defining your tech stack, you can:

• Create a clear job description that outlines the skills and experience you need for the project. For example, if you're looking to hire app developers for a project, defining the tech stack would ensure that the job description is not so confusing that even web developers and Java developers are applying for the role.
• Assess the proficiency of developers during the hiring process and decide whether they’re the right fit for your project.
• Ensure the development process goes smoothly and the project completes on time and within the budget.

Here are a few things you can do to define the tech stack for your project:

• Understand your project’s requirements, including its features, functionalities, and technical specifications. Do you need front-end developers, back-end developers, a project manager, or an entire development team?
• Research programming languages, frameworks, libraries, and tools you can use to work on your project and prioritise them based on the maturity of the technology, community support, and availability of talent.
• Evaluate all the available technologies and choose the one that best suits your project requirements. You can use factors like compatibility, scalability, security, and performance for evaluation.
• Ensure that the technologies are compatible with each other. You can seamlessly work on your project irrespective of the programming language, operating system, or database you’re using.
• Choose flexible technologies that you can easily adapt to evolving business requirements.

3. Use market research

The market is swarmed with many developers. Hence, it can be difficult to distinguish good from no so good ones. To overcome this challenge, you can take the help of sites like Clutch.co or Business of Apps. These websites rank software development agencies based on their technology skills, expertise, and quality of work. This way, you can easily find the right developer in a chosen technology or language.

You even don’t need to worry if you’re looking to hire a freelancer instead of a fully-fledged software development company. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr rank developers based on their ratings and quality of work.

Here are a few tips you can leverage to use market research for hiring the right developers for your project:

• Start by understanding the market based on factors like salary ranges and job postings to understand the availability and quality of developers.
• Use your market research to understand specific areas or industries where you are more likely to find the type of developer you need.
• Use online tools like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Stack Overflow to evaluate potential candidates. It would help you find the right developers with the necessary skills, technologies, and a track record of successful projects.
• Evaluate potential candidates for both cultural fit and technical skills. You must look for developers who share your company's values and match your team culture well.
• Conduct interviews with potential candidates, asking questions to test their technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Then, you can use the gathered information to evaluate each candidate's suitability for the position.

4. Estimate your budget

Budgeting is crucial whether you’re a startup with limited resources or an enterprise with enough capital to spare. It would decide whether you’ll attract top talent or settle with mediocre developers who charge you less. Hence, allocate the budget wisely while hiring talent. It should be so that you can hire the right developer while not spending your entire budget on filling just one position.

Budgeting is essential because you compete against enterprises with enough budget and resources to spare. They can easily sweep away top talent if your offer doesn’t match theirs.

Here are a few tips for attracting top talent on a limited budget:

• Don’t blindly invest in recruitment agencies. Instead, look for recruitment software that can significantly reduce the cost of hiring.
• Minimise hiring costs by recruiting developers from less competitive regions. You can work with these developers remotely while not going heavy on your hiring budget.
• Compensate developer's salary packages with perks like flexibility, stock options, and special bonuses.
• Hire from regions where developers charge less. For example, in the US, developers charge between $75 and $150/hour. On the other hand, you can hire the same developers for $24-$65 in Asia, which is way more affordable.
• Consider the hourly rates while making a hiring decision. Senior developers charge you more than new ones. While it's great to have them on your team, you wouldn't want to spend your entire money on hiring a single senior developer

5. Check out reviews

Reliability is a primary concern when hiring software engineers. You would certainly not want to hire a developer who’s not trustworthy and delays work deliberately to charge you more. That’s why you must study reviews to ensure their trustworthiness.

You can check reviews from platforms like Clutch.co and Goodfirms.co to study company reviews. They display client testimonials and reviews, giving a fair idea of the company's performance on previous projects. You can also reach out to former clients to ask for their experience with the developer. This way, you can better decide whether to hire a developer.

6. Utilise freelance platforms to search for developers

To hire the right developers for your project, you must look at places where they’re most active. Most software engineers are active on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, offering freelance services. You can leverage their expertise to make the right hiring decisions for your project and hire the best developers.

Here’s why you should leverage freelance platforms to search for the right software developers:

• Freelance platforms have a vast network of software developers worldwide – offering access to an extensive talent pool and making it easier to find the right person for the job. It means you can easily find remote developers if you feel your current software developer doesn't fit the expertise to handle a project.
• Hiring a full-time developer can be expensive, especially if you're a small business or startup. Freelance platforms allow you to hire remote developers on a project-by-project basis, which can be more cost-effective.
• Freelance platforms offer flexibility in the type of work you need to do. You can hire a freelance developer for a short-term or long-term project and adjust the hours they work based on your needs.
• Freelance platforms simplify the hiring process by providing a pre-vetted pool of candidates. You don't have to spend time sifting through resumes or conducting interviews, which can be time-consuming.
• Freelance platforms typically have a rating system that allows you to see the quality of work a software developer has done in the past. This can help you choose the right person for the job and ensure that you get high-quality work.

Apart from using freelance platforms to find freelance programmers, you can use job boards to hire good developers. Many startups have found good developers on a job board. You can try these platforms to find potential developers for your project.

7. Attend developer conferences, meetups, and tech events

Developer conferences, meetups, and tech events are a good way to forge strong connections and find the best developers close to home.

Here are a few reasons why attending these events can be a great shot at hiring the right talent:

• Developer conferences offer an opportunity to meet and network with developers. You can connect with them, learn about their skills and experience, and decide whether they fit your company well. You can hire the best developers without jumping into too many details.
• Conferences and events offer insights into the latest trends and technologies in the software development industry – thus helping you identify the skills you need in your team and find developers who might be the best fit for your organisation.
• Attending events and conferences can help you showcase your company’s brand, values, and culture. You can establish yourself as an active member of the tech community and establish yourself as an employer of choice.
• By attending developer conferences, meetups, and tech events, you can tap into a passive talent pool (developers who’re not actively looking for a new role but may take a new job opportunity if it’s great).

8. Visit code challenge websites for hiring developers

The first and the essential thing you should look for in a developer while hiring them is proof of their work. Without the proof of work, they’re just all talk, no show. The easiest way to find proof of work is to visit coding challenge websites. These websites feature developers who’ve won coding challenges; hence, they can be the right place to find developers with the necessary skills and expertise to see a piece of work.

Coding challenge websites can also help you:

• Evaluate developers’ coding ability, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail – thus helping you decide whether they’re right for your project.
• Objectively evaluate developer skills, reducing the chances of biases and letting subjective judgments affect your hiring decisions.
• Save time that you otherwise had to spend screening resumes or conducting lengthy interviews. Instead, you can quickly and efficiently evaluate candidates to determine if they fit your project.
• Assess a developer’s ability to solve problems and work on projects similar to the one you're hiring.

Top Coder, Coderbyte, HackerRank, and CodeChef are some coding challenge websites you can visit to hire the right developers for your project.

9. Use graduate outreach

Graduates are your best bet if you want to hire the right talent. It is because graduates are dedicated and hardworking. They have the drive to prove themselves and advance in their career. Also, fresh graduates stay committed to your organisation in the long run.

Here are a few other reasons why fresh graduates make excellent hires:

• Fresh graduates are eager to learn, open to new ideas, and have a fresh perspective on the industry. They can be valuable assets to your team with the right training and mentorship.
• Fresh graduates are more adaptable to change than experienced hires. Hence, they can be valuable, especially in fast-paced, evolving industries.
• Graduates are more cost-effective as you need to pay lower salaries and benefits. They even put additional effort into gaining experience.
• Fresh graduates can easily fit into your company’s culture as they haven’t yet become rigid in their ways.
• With fresh graduates, you can build a robust talent pipeline as they stay committed to the company for a long time.

Here are a few ways you can use graduate outreach to hire fresh talent:

• Partner with universities to forge relationships with students and attract top talent.
• Offer internships and co-op programs to help students gain real-world experience in a professional setting.
• Develop a strong online presence as most students are active on social media, and a strong online presence can help you reach and engage with them.
• Offer mentorship and training to help graduates develop their skills, gain confidence, and become valuable team members.
• Attend hackathons and coding competitions to engage with students, assess their technical skills, showcase your company’s brand, and build strong relationships with potential hires.

10. Leverage Q&A platforms to find talented developers

Q&A platforms are a great way to find the right developers for your project. It is because developers showcase their technical expertise and soft skills on Q&A forums. They answer complex queries and share their expertise with others. This way, you can identify and hire developers who have the necessary skills and knowledge you need for the job.

Besides, Q&A platforms can:

• Help you identify developers who’re passionate about their work, invested in their industry, and willing to collaborate with others. Such candidates are often the right fit.
• Since Q&A platforms let developers demonstrate soft skills like communicating clearly and collaborating, they can help you identify and hire developers with strong communication skills.
• Q&A forums can help you identify candidates who can think critically, analyse complex issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Developers participating in Q&A forums are passionate about learning and expanding their knowledge base. Such developers can be the right fit for your organisation.

Here are a few tips to use Q&A platforms to hire the right developers:

• Identify Q&A platforms relevant to your industry and the specific skills and knowledge you are looking for in a developer, e.g., Stack Overflow, GitHub, and Quora.
• Evaluate the activity of potential candidates on Q&A platforms. Look for candidates who are active, engaged, and have a strong reputation in the community. This can positively indicate their technical skills, communication skills, and work ethic.
• Review the candidate's responses to questions on Q&A platforms. Look for well-written and detailed responses demonstrating technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication ability. You can also assess the candidate's willingness to collaborate and help others.
• Look for candidates who have made significant contributions to the community, such as writing articles, creating open-source projects, or participating in hackathons. This can positively indicate their passion for their work and ability to innovate and contribute to your team.
• Engage with potential candidates on Q&A platforms. You can start by asking questions or commenting on their responses to gauge their interest and suitability for your team. This can help you build relationships with potential hires and establish a positive employer brand.

11. Use employee referrals

There’s no better option than employee referrals to hire a team of developers who're the right fit for your project. Here’s why:

• Since employees are more likely to refer candidates who they know have the necessary skills and fit well within the company culture, employee referrals can help you hire high-quality candidates.
• Employee referrals can help you identify and evaluate candidates quickly - thus reducing time-to-hire by eliminating the need for extensive recruiting efforts.
• Employee referrals are often more cost-effective than other hiring methods, as companies can save money on advertising, recruiting fees, and other associated costs.
• Employees referred by existing staff members are more likely to feel connected to the company culture and have a stronger sense of loyalty. This can lead to better retention rates and reduced turnover.
• Referrals can positively impact company culture by fostering community and collaboration among employees.
• Referrals can help increase diversity within a company as employees may refer candidates from different backgrounds and experiences.

Here are a few essential tips to nail employee referrals to hire a team of developers:

• Ensure that all employees know the open position and what the job entails. Providing a detailed job description and qualifications can help employees better understand the position and refer candidates who are a good fit.
• Incentivise employees who refer successful candidates can be a great way to encourage referrals. This can be in the form of cash bonuses, extra vacation days, or other rewards.
• Offer your employees training on how to spot potential candidates and what to look for in a successful referral can help employees make better recommendations.
• Follow up quickly after an employee has made a referral to show that you value their recommendation and are taking their referral seriously.
• Keep employees informed throughout the hiring process. Let them know when their referral has been received, whether or not the candidate is being considered for the position, and when a decision has been made.
• Don't forget to show appreciation to employees who refer successful candidates. A simple thank-you note or email can go a long way in fostering a culture of employee referrals.

A few additional hiring strategies for early-stage startups

Here are a few more tips to improve your recruitment process if you're an early-stage startup owner actively looking for a new hire:

• Look for the past projects of developers before you go on board with them. It would give you the much-needed social proof and an insight into their coding skills.
• Follow an extensive interview process to gain a thorough insight into your candidates, such as their core functionalities, expertise, and attitude. It would help you decide whether your hiring tech talent aligns with your company values.
• Look for tech blogs your prospective tech talent has written on various online platforms to get an insight into their communication skills. A developer who struggles to explain a simple computer science concept, let alone their area of expertise, is probably not a good hire.
• You can also choose to work with a developer on a trial period. It is essential because when the engagement between you and the developer begins with a trial period, there are fewer chances of compatibility issues rising in the future. At worst, things may not work out, and you may have to terminate the contract. But it's still better than having to pay developers for sub-par work.

Wrapping it up!

So, these were 11 effective tips most software development companies use to hire the right software developer who does justice to your project. Now that you’ve learned about them, it’s time to implement them practically and reap the maximum output from hiring a team of developers.

To summarise, here are 11 things your hiring managers can do for hiring developers as a startup:

• Identify your hiring requirements by assessing your project requirements, technical challenges, and budget constraints.
• Define your tech stack to create a clear and compelling job description that accurately reflects what you want in a role. The description should be so accurate that if you require Android app developers, only Android app developers apply for the role.
• Use market research to make finding and hiring the right software developer easy. You can take the help of platforms like Clutch.co or Business of Apps if you’re looking to hire a fully-fledged software company. Even platforms like Upwork rate developers based on skills and successful project completion.
• While hiring the best developer should be your end goal, ensure you don’t lose your entire budget. You may be tight on finances as a startup, so you must look for the most economical choice.
• Keep an active eye on developer conferences, meet-ups, and coding challenges. You’ll find the best talent at these places.
• Q&A platforms can also be a brilliant place to look for hiring developers, as they often answer complex queries and participate in discussions.
• Use graduate outreach as candidates freshly graduated from the college are driven, energetic, and stay with the organisation in the long run.
• Leverage employee referrals as your employees better know who among their connections might be a great fit in the long run.
• Leverage job boards and freelance platforms to find developers for your project. You can have direct access to professionals with a skill set and expertise to handle complex projects on the best job boards.

Use these strategies for hiring remote developers for your organisation who can efficiently handle your critical projects – irrespective of their tech stack, location, or commitment. Always remember that hiring a team of developers is a big decision. It can make or break your project. Hence, tread carefully, and if hiring the right developers feels overwhelming, take help from employment agencies. Best of luck!