It doesn’t matter whether you built your first computer when you were six, or you still think Java is just about coffee. At some point, most founders need to hire an app developer. When that day comes, how will you know you’re hiring the right person for the job?
Luckily, you don’t need to be fluent in a laundry list of languages to hire a suitable programmer. I work with hundreds of developers from across the globe to deploy apps and websites for our clients. Along the way, I’ve picked up three best practices for pairing the right developer with the right project and client that you can use in your own hiring process.
Understand the Basics
This infographic outlines different programming languages and what they’re best used for.
Before hiring a developer, consider the people who will be using your app. Narrowly define your user base and research the devices this group commonly uses. Does your target audience largely own iPhones? Do users mostly browse on desktop computers?
By zeroing in on your consumer base, you can more accurately target the platforms these users engage with and, therefore, the right language to hire for. Using that information, find someone who has the know-how to bring your vision to life by using the programming language as a keyword to search sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork for developers.
Seek Experience
When hiring for any position, you want to choose a candidate who’s done the job before. While a developer needs to be capable of performing new tasks, you shouldn’t bring on someone with zero experience on the Android platform to develop an Android app.
However, a developer with an eagerness to learn will often serve you better than one who is fluent in an impressive number of programming languages, but can’t adapt to the dynamic needs of your business. The best developers have a solid grasp on a programming language, so check out GitHub for a measuring stick. Ask applicants to submit sample apps so you can examine the quality.
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Kuty Shalev is the founder of Clevertech, a New York City-based firm that designs, develops, and deploys strategic software for startups.
BusinessCollective, launched in partnership with Citi, is a virtual mentorship program powered by North America’s most ambitious young thought leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and small business owners.