10 Essential Tips for Hiring a Software Developer

When hiring a developer, there are a few critical elements to consider that can enhance or ruin your ideal project. When selecting the top developer for your business, this article will point you on the correct route.

You have a great idea. You think it’s brilliant. You are certain it's going to be successful. How can I turn this idea into reality? The first step is choosing the right developer for the project. There are so many developers out there, and you are bound to be confused between multiple potentially good developers.

If you are looking to hire a developer, then you need to ask them some questions first to verify if they are the kind of person who will help you out. However, there are so many developers out there that it can be tough to find someone who actually understands the technologies that your company needs! To help identify talented and experienced developers, here is a list of what kinds of questions you need to ask:

1. Can I see your portfolio?

It's usually a good idea to first go over a developer's portfolio. After all, you want to know whether the developer can create the product you envision, provide the outcomes you need, and adhere to best practices for app creation.

Also, don't let the latest trends blind you. Look for apps that are proven to have worked well in various circumstances, including stand-alone projects which will give you an understanding of the development style. To better understand the development team's skill-set, look through their app portfolio, see what works well, and try to assess any red flags that might be related to your own project needs. Take some time to check through their work, carefully evaluating anything that catches your eye without jumping to conclusions - this will help you avoid dealing with untrustworthy developers.

2. How many clients have you worked with?

Getting to know the developer prior to starting a project with them is crucial. It's pretty much a no-brainer that you want someone who loves their job and takes pride in what they create because it reflects on your business. Hopefully, if you're new to hiring a company for such projects, you've already done some research about not just their talent but how well they do their job and see if other clients are satisfied or not. However, what will really help is if you can check back with past clients and customers to verify that they are satisfied with the work performed. This will give you a valuable opportunity to ask them more pointed questions about their experience working with the specific developers so that you know who the right person(s) for your company would be.!

3. What’s your area of specialty?

Software developers will perform better on your project when they have a base level of knowledge about the technology you're planning to use. This means they should be able to give you an ironclad guarantee that these will be fixed if any further issues arise, as well as spotting potential maintenance or structural issues beforehand. In this way, it should also prevent problems from cropping up in the long term by knowing what you're going to use and how it'll ensure everything runs smoothly for everyone involved!

4. What mobile platforms and devices do you work on?

Choosing the right hardware platform is an important decision when it comes to creating apps. Cross-platform technology has been popular in the mobile market for a long time, as many consumers now also use other types of devices besides smartphones, such as tablets and computers. Your decision to build a cross-platform app can open up new doors for revenue potential and help you connect with a substantial consumer base.

Developing for iOS is different from Android, as both of these operating systems require different programming languages and development technologies with Native OS Development. The same applies to desktop system development such as Windows and macOS. Hybrid is another option that enables you to develop apps quickly, providing overall lower costs than native OS development. Hiring a developer who can provide multi-platform support for your app offers a significant advantage when you want to re-configure or port an app to another platform in the future. If your chosen developer understands the app requirements better, they can ensure your app works well on other platforms.

5. How do you manage and handle deadlines?

Work ethics is crucial to the project's success. With the assistance of a competent team, managing work and meeting deadlines become much more manageable. You should inquire about the possible developer's regular project procedure and the typical schedule for completing the project.

It's the best practice for a company to hire developers who are not only talented but also motivated and driven. Looking for a developer who has been established for a long time will tell you about their prestige and track record, which is something that should be of importance when dealing with businesses in different industries. Of course, interns can come in handy now and then! Also, make sure to ask any potential developer what their typical project process looks like because it'll give you a general idea of how they work instead of assuming this information without having concrete information.

6. What do you do when the application isn't functioning the way it's supposed to?

Problem-solving is at the heart of web development. Web developers constantly run into obstacles that require creative thinking to solve. Listen as they discuss methods they use when a browser can't connect, or an error message appears on their screen. Do they break down problems and analyze potential causes? Are they able to tell you when to ask for help, who can help and where to find answers? Good web developers stay positive when the situation seems daunting, which may encourage someone on the team to think outside the box to come up with something not only acceptable but creative as well!

7. Have you ever had a project that was a failure?

While project failures are unfortunate and make it harder to get your product off the ground, they can often provide important lessons that might make it easier to ensure you don't encounter the same problems yourself. Quite often, developers experience a failure themselves at some point or another, which certainly helps during a project when dealing with tasks like overcoming obstacles on the way to delivering your product's requirements. We believe that learning about how a developer has tackled similar problems in the past is just as essential as getting answers around why certain things failed the first time round!

8. What processes do you consider when testing?

Product testing is always an essential part of any development process. Product testing is always an essential part of any development process. It allows developers to fully grasp the intricacies of a project and determine where the problems are so that solutions can be implemented. Any time you're working with a developer, ask them about their opinions on testing and how they go about implementing tests in the product development lifecycle.

9. How will we communicate and manage resources during the duration of the project development phase?

It is important to prioritize a developer who is competent, communicative, and can guide you through the entire app-building process. The developer’s understanding of your project greatly impacts the quality of the finished application. A professional developer will provide you with an accurate project development plan upfront that shows both its vision for your solution as well as its understanding of what you need to achieve. During the process, your app will go through multiple iterations as you continue to refine its design and make changes or additions to its function.

Throughout the project's development, you should continually give advice to your designer and developer in regard to how you want your mobile app designed and developed. The developers should relay any changes that may be made to your design team, who can either make these alterations or explore more options with you. Check if they know how agile development works by asking what methods they use to ensure the best results are achieved during this process. Another good question would be whether they will be using communication means like phone calls, email, and perhaps Skype discussions to convey updates on specific tasks being performed and the progress of your mobile app's development overall.

10. Do you offer post-development support?

The last question to ask your developer is about post-development support policies. Keeping your app up-to-date and adding new features gives you a chance to get more users in the door and keep your current users happy. To do this, you’ll need to update the app over time, and sometimes that means fixing bugs or making sure it’s ready for the latest operating system. It’s relatively common for apps to undergo changes and updates, including bug fixes, modifications, new features, or functionality (like on-site ordering) - no matter what state they’re at in their lifecycle.

Ask the developer if they can provide a contract of a fixed amount of time that would include on-demand support and maintenance for your app. Select the developer who can agree with you on those terms and represents value. It is also essential to ask about their ongoing maintenance pricing and how they can create a plan to meet your app’s future changes. A good developer would always be ready to provide added value throughout the life of your app.

Winding Up

Hiring a developer is the first step in developing your company’s product and can be a daunting prospect if you don’t do it right. The best way to ensure that you hire the right person for this position is to know what you want when building your product and what questions you will ask to guarantee that the candidate’s experience is suitable for the job.

We are here to help you with that, especially when it comes to being transparent in our work.

At RaftLabs, we provide software development services for startups and businesses that require an agile team that can adjust quickly to changing business needs.

Kaushik Nath

Content Crafter at RaftLabs