Whether your business needs to build or design mobile apps, improve user experience on a website, perform testing and maintenance on existing software systems or write code, you’ll need a great software developer. In today’s market, thanks to an abundance of start-ups and the sheer necessity of business to have websites and mobile applications, software developers are in high demand and it can be difficult to locate and recruit top talent.
When hiring a software developer for your business, there are some key factors to keep in mind that may not be so obvious from the outside. To ensure your business can take on top talent, here are seven tips on how to hire the best software developers.
Take your time
Hiring in a rush can be dangerous. Software developers are currently very high in demand, locating and recruiting the best talent requires patience. Working with a specialized recruiter or a headhunter will help alleviate the stress of your human resources department and will increase the probability of a solid hire. Recruiters possess vast networks of connections that have been cultivated over the years, so they have the ability to reach talent easier and more efficiently. Recruiters LineUp is a great resource as they will match your business with the right recruiter or search firm for your hiring needs, at no cost.
Make sure to consider the cultural fit
A software developer’s skill set is undoubtedly a crucial factor in any hiring decision. However, it is important to remember that a software developer should also be a good cultural fit with the company to ensure positive team dynamics and to give potential for growth and development. During the interview process, be sure to assess the candidate’s personality and carefully consider your existing team. Just because a software developer possesses the right skills on paper, does not necessarily indicate he or she will be the right hire.
Offer room for growth and development
We are currently in an employees market, which means candidates are able to dictate and expect certain demands to be met. Additionally, so many opportunities exist today for software developers from big companies like Facebook and Google to the allure of running a startup. Companies must offer candidates more than just the position if they want to retain top talent. Conferences, seminars, and ongoing educational opportunities provided by companies will allow for talent to grow and develop their skills, and keep talent interested, engaged, and loyal.
Location, location, location
The location of your software developer will inevitably play a role in the cost. If your team is able to work with a remote software developer then you can save on cost and resources by outsourcing work to areas like Eastern Europe. Be sure the interview process is thorough as working with a remote developer will require the developer to be extra organized and independent as to complete tasks and reach goals efficiently and on time.
Know what to ask
During the interview process be sure you know what to ask the candidate in order to get a full picture of how that candidate will fit in practically and culturally to your business. Some great questions include: what are your other time commitments, tell me about your most recent project, how would you manage a project like this or a team? Another great trick to step away completely from speaking about coding, UI/UX, or any other professional details. Instead, ask the candidate to simply explain a passion or hobby of theirs. This will give you insight into the candidate’s mind and how it works, especially when speaking about something they love.
Get creative
Do not wait for talented software developers to fall from the sky, it is simply not going to happen. Conferences, hackathons, and even universities are great resources for locating and recruiting talent. This method requires more research and effort on the part of your HR team, but it’s also a great way to identify and recruit fresh talent.
It’s not just about one skill set
You want to make sure the developer has the ability and focus to take on new skill sets with ease and with confidence so that they can tackle new challenges both dynamically and with tenacity. The world of software development is evolving and progressing at rapid speed, and your business will need talent that can keep the pace. Invest not only in the now with your developer, but also for the future.
Hiring top talent in a demanding market is no easy task. It will require creative thinking and recruiting on the part of the human resources team. Due to the demands of the market, companies are stepping up and providing candidates with attractive benefits like ongoing educational opportunities and attractive company culture. Keeping these things in mind helps you to land top talent in software development.
