Hiring the right programmer for a project is a challenging task, involving several considerations such as the project’s scope, organisational needs, budget and compensation expectations. There are primarily three types of developers for hire – front-end, back-end and full-stack. Every type has its own unique benefits to offer and can substantially enhance the web application’s performance. In this blog, our emphasis is primarily centred around the back-end developer.
To hire a back-end developer, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire recruitment process, which includes creating a job description, devising interview questions and identifying the requisite qualifications for the position.
Firstly, let us begin with the employee handbook.
What is the significance of hiring a back-end developer?
Back-end developers are accountable for the development, upkeep, testing and debugging of a web application’s server-side components and functionalities, which remain hidden from the user interface of the front-end.
Considering the adaptable needs of the project, it is advisable to hire a remote experienced back-end developer to ensure a superior user experience.
Opt for hiring proficient back-end developers who can ensure that your web application functions smoothly without any crashing or 404 errors, which may otherwise cause slow load times.
Looking for a proficient back-end developer, but uncertain about where to search?
The smooth functioning of the backend systems of your website is vital for the success of your business. Therefore, merely relying on an applicant’s past work experience and intuition while making recruitment decisions is not enough in today’s technology-focused environment.
While seeking candidates for a Back-End Software Engineer role, it is crucial to consider the company’s requirements and technical stack. Consequentially, we have divided the recruitment process into two distinct stages to ensure that the ideal candidate is chosen.
Identifying the Appropriate Back-End Developer: Key Qualities to Consider
- Should possess expertise in all commonly used programming languages, including Java, Go, and Python.
- Proficiency in various database management systems (DBMSs), such as MySQL, MongoDB, and Oracle.
- With a sound understanding of a range of technologies, including Linux, Microsoft IIS, and Apache, I possess three years of experience in server administration.
- Adeptness in effectively managing cross-device APIs, such as JSON, AJAX, and SOAP.
Recommendations for Finding and Recruiting Full-Time Back-End Developers
Assess Your Business Requirements Carefully.
To ensure a fruitful recruitment process, comprehending the requirements of your company is crucial. When searching for an ideal backend engineer, make sure that your job specifications are as detailed as possible. For instance, if your business focuses on app development, seek a candidate with expertise in PHP, Java, Ruby, Python, and other pertinent backend programming languages.
Examine Their Past Portfolio:
When hiring backend developers, it is vital to evaluate their level of proficiency and examine their prior work portfolio. This will enable you to comprehend their passion and get an insight into the programming languages they are well-versed in. Moreover, pay attention to how the candidate presents the scope and history of each project, and assess their coordination with other stakeholders. Determining whether incomplete projects exist is also advantageous.
Code Analysis:
Opting for a backend developer for hiring can be advantageous in evaluating the capabilities of prospective candidates. Employing automated assessment criteria can help to reduce the volume of possibilities to a manageable level. Conducting a coding test is an effective approach to discern whether a candidate is a good match for your organization.
Coding during Interviews:
After completion of the coding test, the final stage is conducting an interview. If you are uncertain about what to ask a developer in the interview due to inadequate technical knowledge, this may pose a challenge.
Evaluate the Candidate’s Technical Proficiency in Backend Languages such as Python, Angular, Java, and more.
- Effective Time Management Skills
- Creative Thinking Abilities are Desirable.
- Proficiency in Problem Identification and Resolution.
- Excellent Communication Skills.
- They Possess Comprehensive Domain Knowledge.
Key Backend Languages to Examine
It is common to use numerous programming languages on the backend. Below are some of the most crucial ones and the traits that a skilled developer should possess.
1. Ruby
A back-end developer’s toolkit is not complete without this modern and efficient language with a sleek syntax. It is an open-source programming language that enhances productivity and simplifies coding.
2. Python
This versatile programming language is robust and modern, with a vast range of applications that include web development with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). It is also suitable for creating fundamental applications such as desktop apps, Operating Systems, online frameworks, and business applications.
3. PHP
This programming language is a widely used and valuable tool for web development, is simplified due to its open-source and free accessibility, and is compatible with HTML.
4. Java
Java is a prominent and user-friendly programming language that gives importance to object-oriented programming, allows concurrent programming with several threads, and adheres to strict typing. Its robustness and flexibility have made it a preferred choice among developers.
Where Can You Find Competent Back-End Programmers?
1. Works
The scarcity of top talent makes it challenging for companies of all sizes and reputations to fill open roles. The location of an ideal candidate is often unpredictable, whether it be a national or international search.
Works simplifies the recruitment process of competent remote back-end developers, enabling businesses to quickly grow their teams and develop their products.
2. Works
Works‘s reputation as a dependable provider of skilled back-end developers is well-established due to its meticulous screening process, accepting only 3% of applicants. Highly recommended, Works offers experts renowned for successfully matching the ideal candidate with any project.
When utilizing Works‘ services to rapidly onboard competent back-end engineers, it is crucial to avoid any errors.
3. Cyber Code Developers
Cyber Coders is a platform for IT job postings, including both freelance and permanent positions for back-end developers. Professional placement services enable businesses to find competent backend developers and engineers.
Although it may not offer as many services as the other platforms on our list, this specialized job board and tech recruitment platform is undoubtedly worth considering.
4. Placements for Ruby
If your technology stack includes Ruby or Ruby on Rails, hiring developers experienced in these areas can be advantageous. Consider exploring job posting websites that emphasize roles requiring this particular skill set.
Ruby Jobs provides an opportunity to engage with proficient back-end developers skilled in Ruby, as niche job boards like this receive less traffic.
5. WordPress Positions
It’s impressive that WordPress, the most efficient content management system (CMS) available, is used by organizations of all sizes, with over 30% of all websites built on this platform.
As WordPress employs PHP for its backend, job boards that focus on WordPress development are among the most effective platforms for finding potential hires.
Common Backend Developer Interview Questions
When evaluating an applicant’s abilities, it’s suitable to pose a variety of questions, including technical ones. Examples of such questions may include inquiries about the applicant’s soft skills and critical thinking during the interview process.
Works has provided the following general questions about the backend:
- If you had to select a single programming language to use, which one would you choose and why?
- If asked to describe the software lifecycle at your current place of work, how would you do it?
- For how long have you been working with objects in code?
- Can you describe the most complex web program you have developed?
- Could you talk about the duration you spent working on this project and the types of coding you managed?
Limitations of Ruby as a programming language:
- Can you explain what Rails is?
- Can you provide some information about Ruby’s environment variables?
- Please describe the class libraries in Ruby.
Some inquiries about the Python programming language:
- Which approaches can be used to implement call-by-reference in a function’s source code?
- How does deep copy differ from shallow copy, and why is this difference important?
- You have been tasked with developing a Python script that retrieves the name of an object.
What is the standard compensation range for freelance backend developers?
In India, a backend developer’s mean starting salary is a significant $792,000, with yearly earnings ranging from $1,733,000 to $2,733,000.
If you lack the necessary skills or work in a location that does not provide a reasonable compensation for backend developers, you may earn as little as £233,000 each year. Nevertheless, a variety of other factors, in addition to your abilities and experience, can impact your salary.
Your worth to the organization is determined by the knowledge you possess for the position. According to Indeed.com, a backend developer can anticipate an annual pay of £117,868, plus a cash incentive of £4,000. Backend developers are among the professionals who can be employed remotely (Source: Indeed.com).
Conclusion
Recruiting expert backend engineers can be a difficult undertaking due to the competitive environment. A lack of professional developers has resulted in challenges and delays in finding freelance backend developers with the appropriate skill set.
So, what’s the solution? How likely is it that you’ll be able to swiftly locate top-notch backend developers?
That is correct. All of the aforementioned resources offer businesses the ability to recruit remote backend engineers. One of the optimal solutions is to find candidates who fulfil their requirements. Works hires only the most competent remote backend engineers, evaluating their understanding of languages and frameworks like Java, Python, SQL, Git, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. With Works’ assistance, organizations can put together a team of skilled, remote backend engineers in a short amount of time.
