Tips To Find The Perfect Kotlin Developer: 2024 Kotlin Hiring Guide

Technology has constantly been evolving, since the launching of smartphones, the trend of mobile apps has been increasing day by day. But finding a good mobile app developer is a lot difficult. Recently, we have heard the term Kotlin very much. Kotlin is a modern programming language used to create high-performance mobile applications. Due to this, Kotlin developers are very much in demand.

To find a good Kotlin developer, you must specify what qualifications you want in your developer. Google selected Kotlin as the top language for developing Android apps in 2019. Kotlin is very incisive and requires less coding while typing and checking as compared to other programming languages. That’s why you should consider hiring a Kotlin developer.

First thing first, let’s know what Kotlin is; then, we will move to the advantages of Kotlin, and yes, finally, we will learn how to hire a Kotlin developer.

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is an open-source, cross-platform, statically typed programming language. In 2011, a company named Jet brains first introduced it in the market, and the first official release was in 2016. It runs on JVM, that’s why it can be used anywhere where Java is used; that means Kotlin and Java can be used side by side.

Kotlin is used to develop iOS and Android applications and is considered a highly acceptable technology. Statically typed means the type checking, and the variable type is known at the compilation time. Kotlin has all the good features of most popular languages like Scala, C#, Java etc., making it user-friendly.

In a 2020 survey by JetBrains, Kotlin was identified as the second most-used language in the enterprise, with 31% of respondents using it.

What is Kotlin used For?

Kotlin is an open-source language run on JVM and is 100% interoperable with Java. Kotlin is first developed only for Android devices, but later its community grows, and it has a wide number of applications.

Android development

As we mentioned earlier, Kotlin was first introduced for Android devices, enabling developers to write expressive and safer code. Android Studio was the first IDE of Kotlin, which helps you write the same type of code completion and type checking as you do with Java.

Back-end web development

Server-side web development with Kotlin is so much easier as compared to Java. As Kotlin is a modern programming language, it has new features for web developers to create scalable applications. Also, it is completely interoperable with Java, so you can slowly adopt it. Companies like Google have already adopted Kotlin in their server-side code.

Full-stack web development

The full-stack developers only need to know Kotlin, and they will write front-end code in the same language they used for the back-end, which will be compiled into JavaScript to run in the browser.

Data Science

Data Scientists can use all the standard Java libraries that they used for Java projects but write their code in Kotlin. Data scientists use Kotlin libraries for data visualization and exploratory research for their projects.

Advantages of using Kotlin

1. Kotlin requires less coding.

Kotlin requires less coding with excellent readability. JetBrains did a great job of making the language concise and scalable, and it requires less coding with lesser bugs. Kotlin is an advanced programming language with high readability, flexibility, and the facilitation of the app development process.

2. Simplify developer challenges

JetBrains wanted a tool less complicated than Java for their product IntelliJ IDEA. So they invented their own language Kotlin. The company’s goal was to develop a language that could be used with Java. For example, the type system helps you avoid null pointer exceptions.

3. Adopting Kotlin is easy

Suppose you want to ease product maintenance or streamline custom Android app development. In that case, you can assign some developers to shift the project to Kotlin but first start with the small codebase.

4. Kotlin is 100% interoperable with Java

It is one of the most important advantages of Kotlin. You can use Kotlin anywhere with Java. Kotlin developers can access all Java frameworks and libraries while writing more precise and concise code. So, the developers can use both languages when building a mobile app and migrate their applications from Java to Kotlin.

Also read: Java Vs Kotlin: Beyond the Basics- An in-depth look at Java and Kotlin

Are Kotlin Developers in Demand?

Kotlin was officially announced as a first-class language for Android development by Google in 2017.

Since Google announced Kotlin as its official language, it became one of the best programming languages in 2022. Kotlin mainly focuses on developing Android, web, desktop, and server-side applications. Big firms like Pinterest, Netflix, and more, have adopted Kotlin in their projects.

As we mentioned earlier, Kotlin is used by many big companies, that’s why it has become more popular. Since 2017, there has been a surge of 1400% in Kotlin developer jobs.

Expertise Required from Kotlin App Developers

Experience

The kotlin developer should be well-versed with the knowledge of Java and have a basic understanding of object-oriented programming concepts and how to implement them. They also know about the mobile app ecosystem, both front-end components and server-side frameworks.

For more detail here is the list of requirements for Kotlin App Developers

Experience with Android app development using Kotlin, Android Studio, and related tools.
Understanding of software development methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum.
Experience with version control systems, such as Git.
Knowledge of software testing principles and practices, including unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing.
Familiarity with cross-platform development frameworks like React Native, Flutter, etc. is a plus.
Knowledge of iOS app development using Swift or Objective-C is a plus.

Technical Skills

A Kotlin developer must have strong knowledge of Kotlin and Java and also have experience in Android app development. More skills like mobile app architecture, a basic understanding of design fundamentals, object-oriented programming concepts, etc.

For Technical Skills

Proficiency in Kotlin programming language.
Strong knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles and design patterns.
Familiarity with Android SDK, Android Architecture Components, and third-party libraries for Android.
Knowledge of RESTful APIs, JSON, and other data exchange formats.
Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are mandatory for every corporate job. Every company wants to hire a self-disciplined, honest and open-to-feedback kind of person. Good communication skills are necessary for an excellent job. Plus, empathizing with the team members allows them to predict how others will react. You can easily communicate your ideas with each other, and no one will judge your idea.

Soft Skills Needed for Kotlin App Developers

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Good communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a team environment.

Where to Hire Kotlin Developers?

You can hire Kotlin developer in three ways:

In-house developer
Freelance
Outsource

Let’s discuss this in detail.

Freelancer

They are an independent contractor who works on a contract basis. If your project is short-term and you also have budget issues, you can consider hiring a freelance Kotlin developer. Freelance developers can be found online on websites like Freelancers.com, Upwork, LinkedIn etc.

In-house developer

In-house development means building a solid team from the start. Companies hire full-time employees according to the necessary skills to build their teams. As in-house employees come to the office and interact with colleagues, they are comparatively motivated. The in-house employees can be hired from naukari.com, LinkedIn or by posting your job requirements online. With these layoffs and the recession, posting a job opening may attract talented developers.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is a business practice in which companies hire a third-party service provider to get their job done. They are not the in-house team but work from home and can be easily trackable. Outsourcing can be risky, but if you carefully select your outsourcing service provider, you will remain in peace. Outsourcing also provides options to choose developers worldwide.

Tips to Find The Perfect Kotlin Developer

Hiring Kotlin developers for modern requirements can be a challenging task. Here are some tips to help you find the best candidates:

Define your requirements clearly: Before you start the hiring process, define your requirements, and job description clearly. Determine the skills and experience you need for the job.
Look for Kotlin expertise: Look for candidates who have experience in Kotlin development, and have worked on similar projects.
Check for coding skills: Test the coding skills of the candidate through coding challenges or programming assignments.
Consider communication skills: Good communication skills are essential for collaboration, teamwork, and understanding the requirements. Look for candidates who have excellent communication skills.
Check for problem-solving abilities: Check for problem-solving abilities of the candidate. You can assess this through case studies or problem-solving questions during the interview.
Look for relevant education and certifications: Look for candidates who have relevant education and certifications in Kotlin development.
Check for cultural fit: Look for candidates who fit in with the company culture and values. This can improve collaboration and teamwork.
Use multiple hiring channels: Use multiple hiring channels such as job portals, social media, referrals, and recruitment agencies to reach a wider pool of candidates.

By following these tips, you can find the best Kotlin developers for your modern needs.

Kotlin Developer Interview Questions

All businesses have their interview procedures to find a suitable candidate. To ask better questions, first prepare the list of essential questions. You can ask questions like:

What are your educational qualifications?
How many years of work experience do you have?
What are your professional skills?
What are you looking for in your next position?
What projects did you complete?
What Kotlin features do you find challenging to use?
What are the advantages of Kotlin over Java?
What is the concept of null safety?
What is the difference between nullable and non-nullable types in Kotlin?
How do you handle null values in Kotlin?
What is the difference between a function and a method in Kotlin?
How does Kotlin handle inheritance and interfaces?
What are the different types of classes in Kotlin?
What is a companion object in Kotlin?
How does Kotlin handle operator overloading?
What is a higher-order function in Kotlin? Can you give an example?
How do you define a data class in Kotlin? What are some of its features?
What is a lambda expression in Kotlin?
How does Kotlin handle concurrency and multithreading?

These are the questions that you can ask the candidates.

Wrapping up

Hiring the best Kotlin developers is foremost if you want to develop high-quality applications for various business needs. Therefore, having a solid team and collaboration with efficient deep jobs platforms is essential.

You can sign up now with Invedus by filling up the form on our website and hiring the best App developers for your dream project within seven days.