6 Strategies to Hire a Programmer: A Complete Guide

Computer programming is the cornerstone of every industry, from banking, finance, e-commerce, and marketing to healthcare, gaming, manufacturing, and technology. Whether it’s a local business, a start-up, or a multinational corporation, highly skilled professionals in programming languages are needed everywhere.

The main responsibility of a computer programmer is to write, modify, and test written programs and codes to make software or applications function smoothly. This blog will make your hiring process easier by presenting the best strategies to hire a programmer suitable for your business needs.

The Best Strategies to Hire a Programmer

There is no single strategy to hire a programmer. However, by following tested and proven hiring strategies, you will find the desired candidate for your job opening. The strategies are as follows.

1. Clearly Outline Your Job Position Needs

Understanding why you need a programmer and defining the role and responsibilities will clarify what level of experience you expect from an applicant. You need to decide whether you need a beginner or an experienced programmer. 

When you clearly outline this aspect, it will be the first step towards implementing the most suitable strategy to hire a programmer. You can specifically look for the following skills in a programmer:

a. Technical Skills

As an employer, there are mainly two factors you should consider before you look for specific technical knowledge in a programmer. 

• First, the technology you are working on at your company. 
• Second, the nature of the project. 

It will determine the necessary technical skills you will want in a candidate.

Some common technical skills include: 

• Proficiency in coding languages (Java, C++, Python, etc.).
• Understanding of web development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
• Knowledge of databases and database management systems (MySQL, Oracle).
• Understanding of system development and architecture.

b. Soft Skills

The following are the basic soft skills that every programmer should have.

• Good communication skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Ability to prioritize and manage tasks

2. Choose the Option that Best Fits Your Requirements

After determining the budget and the specific skills needed for the position, you can choose the hiring option that best fits your project’s objectives. 

a. Remote Hire

You can hire a programmer remotely. It is a cost-effective option and saves on overhead expenses, such as office equipment and space. Through the remote hire option, you can either hire a full-time or part-time employee. This option also allows for greater access to talent across the world.

Internshala is one of the best platforms to hire a remote programmer. Employers can sign up for free and create a free job posting. There is a paid subscription available that allows you to sort through the best applicants with cutting-edge ATS. 

b. Freelance Hire

Choosing a freelancer is also one of the best strategies to hire a programmer for your company. They can also be hired short-term if you need a specific project done quickly. 

Some popular platforms to hire freelance programmers are UpWork, Freelancer, and Guru. To know more, check out this blog on the best platforms to hire freelancers.

c. Full-Time Hire

The benefits of hiring a full-time programmer are incomparable to other hiring options. You have direct access to the expertise you need. Moreover, a full-time employee is more familiar with the company’s values and culture and would offer a more productive outcome. It also allows you to collaborate better with other teams.

Aside from Internshala, you can use Naukri.com, Indeed, LinkedIn, and other such platforms for hiring a full-time programmer.

3. Create a Perfect Job Description

Following the decisions on hiring requirements, the next step is to write a well-informed job description. You can check out our blog on how to write a job description to draft an eye-catching one.  

Here is a sample job description template.

About the Company XYZ Pvt. Ltd. is a leading software application development company in the financial services sector. It is based in [location].  Job Position Software Application Developer [Full-Time] Qualifications * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field. * A professional certificate in Python programming is a plus. Role and Responsibilities * The Python programmer will be responsible for developing and maintaining software applications for the XYZ agency. * This includes developing new features, fixing bugs, and optimizing existing code for financial service applications. * The programmer will also be responsible for maintaining and improving the codebase and software architecture. Skills Required * Strong knowledge of programming languages, such as Java, Python, C++, etc. * 3+ years of experience in software development (preferably in the banking or finance sector). * Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. * Solid understanding of software development architecture. How to Apply Send your resume, cover letter, and GitHub link of your programming assignment portfolio to xyz@gmail.com Deadline Apply before or by December 15, 2023.

4. Make the Job Posting Live

The most crucial part of the strategy to hire a programmer is to put the job description online on a targeted hiring platform suitable for your hiring needs. This will help ensure the job post is reaching the right audience.

5. Assess the Applications and Conduct Interviews

It is time to assess the applicants after you start receiving job applications for your job posting. During the interview process for a programmer, it is crucial to assess their technical knowledge by asking relevant questions. Some common questions you can ask a programmer in the interview are:

1. Share your experience and educational background.
2. What interests you about this position?
3. Do you have professional certifications in a technical field or programming language?
4. How many programming languages do you have experience with?
5. Which programming language do you feel most comfortable with?
6. What were the programming tasks that you performed in your previous job/internship?
7. Are you familiar with the workings of database management systems in the programming domain?
8. How do you follow the debugging process? 
9. What tools and resources do you think you require to perform a software development project?
10. Could you share some best practices in programming that make it easier for you to code?

6. Double-Check for Final Decision-Making

Having interviewed the shortlisted candidates, it is important to further review their interview performance before you take the final call. Here is what you need to thoroughly examine their profile.

a. Ask for Referrals and a Portfolio

Whether you are hiring a remote, freelance, or full-time programmer, ask for references from previous clients and review their past work experience by requesting a portfolio. This will showcase and restate their skills.  

b. Consider Proper Screening Tests

Most importantly, the best part of the strategy to hire a programmer is to ensure a proper screening test. Here is how you can do this:

• Give the candidate a practical programming challenge relevant to the job. 
• Ask to code a specific algorithm.
• Give the candidate a challenge to solve a logic problem.

Conclusion

This blog has covered the best strategies to hire a programmer for your company. The interview and screening test hold the utmost importance in the selection process. Each of these strategies will help you uncover the hiring process successfully. Lastly, don’t forget to highlight the needs in detail in the job description.

Was this blog helpful to ease your hiring process for a programmer? Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out how to hire software developers in India to find the best programmer for software application development.