How to Hire Top Developers
Whether youโre building a website, a mobile app, or a software-as-a-service (SaaS) enterprise application, youโll need a developer who is familiar with the technology and programming languages needed to bring your project to life.
So how do you hire developers? What follows are some tips for finding top development consultants on Upwork.
How to shortlist development professionals
As youโre browsing available development consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Technology fit. You want a developer who understands the languages, developer tools, and technologies needed to bring your software project to life.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., an ASP.NET developer experienced with microservices).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what itโs like to work with a particular developer.
How to write an effective developer job post
With a clear picture of your ideal developer in mind, itโs time to write that job post. Although you donโt need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if theyโre the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what youโre looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample developer job post titles:
- Seeking a React developer to build a dynamic SPA
- Mobile developer needed for cross-platform app (Ionic)
- Need a full-stack developer for an enterprise app built with Oracle
Developer project description
An effective developer job post should include:
- Scope of work: From mobile apps to websites, list all the deliverables youโll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or developer tools, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Developer responsibilities
Here are some examples of developer job responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and deploy software
- Test and debug code and third-party integrations
- Translate technical specifications into functioning code
- Update and maintain software post-production
Developer requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications youโre looking for in a developer:
- Proficiency in desired programming languages (e.g., PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Experience with desired version control system (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, SourceForge)
- Proficiency with desired software test suite (e.g., Selenium, Karma, Jira)
- Familiarity with SDLC (software development life cycle)