Hiring a freelance full-stack developer has a myriad of benefits including cost and time. However, the search area is large and the pool of candidates is vast. Even when you obtain a pool of candidates, identifying the right one can be daunting.
This is why it is important to know how to hire a freelance full stack developer so that you do not waste your time and money.
1. Consider utilizing full stack developer freelance pools
Businesses like Upwork, Toptal, Lemon.io and Guru have large pools of freelance developers who are vetted and tested to make sure that they are competent.
These companies can be an invaluable resource in the hunt for the right freelance developer. They go through the trouble of identifying their skill level so that you can focus on things like culture fit and personality.
This makes the process of finding the right freelance developer much simpler and much faster.
2. Write a compelling full stack developer job description
The full stack job description is one of the most essential parts of finding the best developer. However, it is oftentimes overlooked.
Some descriptions simply list the required skills and nature of the project. This, however, does not provide the information necessary to work in cooperation with the team.
Instead, focus on providing the most detailed description possible listing all technologies required and the full project document.
3. Prepare an interview script with technical full stack questions
Preparing a script is critically important when crafting the technical section of your interview. Full stack developers know a great deal of coding languages and design structures which makes it even more important to ask only those technical questions that relate to the specific project.
It is necessary to treat freelance full stack developers as full employees in order to assess them accurately. The script should contain questions that prod the intellectual base of the candidate as well as their general knowledge of the technologies required.
4. Use video conferencing software to connect with remote talent
Remote freelance talent provides certain advantages over office work that should be considered when searching for your ideal candidate.
However, some find it difficult to connect with employees through traditional email and messaging. In that case, it is essential to have video conferencing like Skype or Zoom.
These phenomenal applications allow you to video conference with multiple developers at the same time. This will allow you hire remote developers which save on cost without sacrificing efficiency.
5. Thoroughly examine their portfolio
The portfolio is, arguably, the most essential part of the hiring process. The developers’ portfolio should reflect the work that they have accomplished and their thought process.
Thoroughly examining the portfolio will tell you everything you need to know about how full stack developers organize their thoughts and how they structure their code.
This is useful for understanding the programmer and their methods of coding. These are integral pieces of information in determining if they will fit within your development system.
6. Ask full stack developers about their passions during the interview process
Ascertaining the technical prowess of your potential candidate is vital, but, it is not the only thing that should concern you. Asking about their passions will show you how important technology is to them and will give you a sense of their personality.
This will help you determine their fit within your team and will elucidate the finer points of their knowledge base. If they are passionate about history and your project is an artifact database, then that might be the perfect fit.
So, finding their passions can give you a unique perspective on their character which can pinpoint those candidates who would fit within your company.
Conclusion
Hiring freelance developers can be a frustrating task given the number of freelancers and options for services.
However, remembering to get to know them and studying their portfolios intently will give you the insight you need to make the best decision for your dev team.
Hiring a full stack freelance developer should not be an arduous process, and with sites like Guru and Toptal, it doesn’t have to be.
Using their services in conjunction with the right interview methods will guarantee that you find the right full stack developer for your company.
