Hiring Remote Software Developer
11 min readToday's job market is far from ideal. Any recruiter will tell you that they use a lot of creative thinking to bridge the supply-demand gap. However, this disparity is nowhere near as wide as it is in the IT industry. Even when the world is your oyster, finding an excellent remote software developer is one of the most difficult challenges for any startup or established company.
Development teams are struggling to keep up with increasing work requests and quality output demands, and many compromises must be made so that the client does not suffer. But does it have to be this way?
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The request for remote developers has increased significantly
The answer, we believe, is no. It is possible to attract, hire, and retain quality developers in order to grow your remote teams, meet revenue targets, and have happy customers.
In 2021, Hired tracked 224,367 interview requests for software engineering roles, up from 106,101 in the heavily pandemic-affected 2020.
Below is a detailed information that will lead you to your desired result of hiring remote developers. Let's get started.
What Is A Remote Software Developer?
A remote software developer is responsible for the same tasks as a regular developer. The only significant difference is that remote software developers are physically separated from the rest of their teams.
This means they may work at a different client site, at a co-working facility such as a We Work location, or from home. Remote jobs are almost entirely virtual, with little emphasis on physical, face-to-face interaction.
To understand the various aspects of being a remote software developer and whether it is the right career for you, it is necessary to understand what a remote developer does. Software developers work with computers and other electronic devices to create programs and applications that allow people to perform tasks on these devices. They specialize in creating programs for any device that has an operating system.
Advantages of hiring remote software developers
The benefits of hiring remote developers are well known in the business community. When a company has the option of hiring a remote software developer, it gains access to talent worldwide. Hiring remote software developers from countries with highly competitive markets can also save money.
This section will discuss the key benefits that continue to persuade businesses to hire remote developers for their app projects.
Capability to Implement the Ideal Model
In terms of increasing team capacity, businesses were looking for alternative models that would allow them to maintain high productivity levels while also ensuring the safety, health, and happiness of their employees. A great work environment strikes a delicate balance between employee happiness and productivity.
Businesses could not take the risk of in-house work, especially during global pandemic situations like Covid-19, despite the lack of control over productivity for employees working from home. Contractual assignments given to offshore development companies can help ensure a better balance in this situation. When you hire remote software developers for your project, they usually come with a strong desire to succeed.
Obtaining Access to the Appropriate Skills
How hiring remote developers could help tech companies solve their talent problems is best understood in the recent Covid pandemic, which effectively shut down many businesses, including tech companies. IT companies in many parts of the world could increase productivity by hiring remote programmers in addition to their
In-house teams. This could help companies get the right developer skills and solve the workforce crisis. Remote hiring has also proven effective for most businesses due to the availability of appropriate tools and technologies that enable smooth and easy collaboration between in-house and remote developers.
Adapting to Changing Business Needs
The growing popularity of mobile commerce and on-demand apps can demonstrate how the digital space is evolving, and new business opportunities are emerging due to digitization. To meet these changing demands and challenges, businesses rely on developers who are well-versed in new skills and app models. This is one of the reasons why multinational corporations hire remote teams.
Businesses increasingly focus on digitizing their business channels while improving core business efficiency through enterprise software systems. Seasoned developers with experience with enterprise software projects and various business models can play a critical role in such a competitive and demanding scenario.
Pushing the Future Technology Barrier
Any company that wants to innovate to continually create value for its customers cannot rely on local talent. To come up with unique solutions, they must reach out to talent from all over the world. This is yet another reason for forward-thinking businesses to hire remote software engineers.
As the IT industry becomes more competitive due to new technologies and skillsets, having advanced developer resources is essential. A development company can acquire the cutting-edge skills required to hire remote developers to cater to innovative app projects.
Key Advantages For Employees
Let's take a quick look at the key benefits of hiring remote developers from the employee's point of view.
Better job satisfaction: By eliminating the entire commute time and transportation difficulties, as well as the strict timing requirements, remote working developers can be more at ease, resulting in more positive inputs in their job.
More accountability: When developers work remotely, they are held more accountable for all of their tasks, which helps to build their credibility and job responsiveness.
Efficient time management: Because developers work remotely, they must adhere to different time zones and, as a result, must organize their workflow more productively.
Productivity: Because of the ease, flexibility, and accountability that remote developers provide, they are often more productive than in-house resources.
Career opportunities abound: Expert remote developers are in high demand by development firms and projects all over the world. As a result, they have more career opportunities than in-house developers.
Key Advantages for Employers
Let's take a quick look at the key benefits of hiring a remote development team from the perspective of employers.
Cost competitiveness: Employers can save the entire cost of office space, workplace utilities, IT infrastructure, and other amenities by utilizing remote engagement.
Access to a large talent pool: Remote hiring lets development firms onboard an extensive collection of experts and specialists from various backgrounds.
Flexibility: The ability to hire remote programmers for a project provides a company with a great deal of freedom and ease in workforce management and talent acquisition.
Improved employee engagement: The flexible and straightforward engagement that ensures unparalleled ease for remote developers ultimately enhances employee engagement and output.
![Groove Technology A Complete Guide to Hiring Remote Software Developer Talent pool](https://cdn.groovetechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/groove-technology-a-complete-guide-to-hiring-remote-software-developer-talent-pool.jpg)
Remote hiring enables companies to access a large talent pool
Remote Developer Types
Remote working became the norm as the world transitioned to a new way of working following the COVID pandemic in 2020.
One common misconception that people have when they hear the term “remote developers” is that they are in-house developers who work remotely. So, let's get that out of the way first.
In this guide, we will focus on remote developers who are hired by an outsourcing company in a foreign country, specifically India. We won't get into your in-house developers who are currently working remotely. Instead, we'll discuss dedicated developers who work for your company on an hourly, monthly, or project-by-project basis.
So, before we begin, we need to understand how they will work for your project.
Dedicated Developers
Most startups, enterprises, product companies, and even digital agencies seek full-time developers who can work on projects remotely. This type of collaboration or hiring of remote developers is reserved for dedicated developers.
Dedicated developers, as the term implies, are remote developers who work solely on your project. They may be bound for a set period of time, such as hours, days, or months, by outsourcing contracts or other obligations. This type of contract obligates the developers to work exclusively with you for the specified number of hours, days, or months.
You have complete control over the developer's work and can request that they perform any task or code requirement on an as-needed basis.
Freelancers
Companies prefer to hire freelancers for minor project requirements. These requirements are specific, and everyone is aware of them. They work on multiple projects at the same time and have a more extensive and varied skill set.
Developers As Extension To In-House
The next most common reason for hiring remote developers is to supplement in-house teams. When a company has a full-fledged in-house development team but a technology gap that cannot be filled within their region, they will use remote hiring. You may require the services of a technology expert or have a technological gap to fill. In this case, you hire remote developers to work as an extension of your in-house team. You hold daily scrums with them; they collaborate with the existing team and provide project expertise. You are free to hire them for that specific project.
Hybrid Working
When remote working was combined with the fear of working with offshore developers without face-to-face contact, a new type of work-hybrid working emerged. In such cases, companies in need of technology look for IT outsourcing companies in India with branch offices in their specific region. They are having a meeting with the accounts manager or the business person who is sitting in the regional office. When they are satisfied with the services provided by the company, they hire a developer from them.
Challenges of Hiring Remote Developers
While there are numerous advantages to hiring remote developers, there are also some drawbacks. These various challenges, as well as potential solutions, will be discussed further below.
Service Quality: One reason for hesitating to hire remote developers from other parts of the world is concern about the quality of service they will provide. Inexperienced hiring managers frequently make the mistake of hiring unqualified programmers because they offer lower-cost services.
Solution: You can avoid this potential issue by thoroughly evaluating and testing remote developers' coding ability and overall technical expertise before signing a contract. You could review a portfolio of their previous work to ensure they meet your needs.
Cost Excess: Handing off your development needs to inexperienced developers may result in cost overruns, delayed timelines, and a variety of other issues. If you hire less experienced programmers at lower rates, you may end up spending more in the long run due to mistakes, delays, or other issues that arise during the development process.
Solution: Working with an experienced, agile, and reputable offshore software development firm can help you avoid cost overruns. This way, you'll get the best services at the best prices.
Misaligned Expectations: If you don't communicate your needs and expectations clearly during the hiring and onboarding process, remote developers may believe they understand the scope of your project when they don't.
Solution: When hiring remote developers, you can avoid misaligned expectations by ensuring regular and clear communication. Always work with a developer or agency that asks probing questions and maintains open lines of communication.
Problems with Time Zones: Another significant issue for companies hiring remote development teams is time zone. A significant difference in or variety of time zones creates difficulties in communicating, scheduling meetings, and resolving issues across a team. According to the previously mentioned Buffer survey, 7 percent of respondents said that being in a different time zone than teammates was the most difficult aspect of remote work for them.
Solution: Asynchronous communication is critical in supporting a workforce that works in multiple time zones. Because async-first requires highly motivated and independent people who can manage their work and remain accountable with little or no direction, you should seek out and evaluate developer candidates who possess those characteristics.
Monitoring and Managing the Productivity of Your Team: Managing and tracking the progress of your project becomes even more difficult when your team is spread across the globe.
Solution: If you want to manage a remote team and keep your developers productive, assign your project to a dedicated project manager who will oversee productivity and task management strategically. Project managers are employed by professional outsourcing firms to work with their clients.
How To Hire Remote Software Developers For Your Business?
With access to all of the world's talents, the onus is on you to make the hire. If you follow these steps, you will be able to find the ideal candidate for your business.
Identify Your Company’s Requirements:
Each company is distinct in terms of its concept, product, services, and organizational structure. You'll need to figure out how a remote developer can help your startup get closer to its goal.
Choose The Collaboration Model:
The next step is to decide on the level of collaboration with which you are comfortable. Can you manage a freelance software developer while also taking the lead as a project manager? Will it be better to hire a dedicated team where the development is entirely managed by the outsourced team? Your decision will have an impact on task delegation, coordination, and cost.
Decide Where Do You Want To Hire Remote Developers From: Depending on the location of the remote developers, you may need to deal with cultural & language differences, rate, and ease of coordination.
Access Talent Pool: Now that you've decided on a specific country, you must begin recruiting from the various talent pools. Choosing some great places to start if you're looking for freelancers. Alternatively, you can contact reputable app development companies like Groove Technology through blog articles like this one.
Confirm That You’re Getting The Right Expert: Regardless of the platform you choose, you must still evaluate potential candidates' skills. Freelancing portals allow you to review the developer's profile and work history.
Finalize With Interviews: Nothing beats a face-to-face interview to get a sense of who you'll be working with. Schedule a video call with the potential candidate, whether they are a freelance developer or a product manager. You'll find out if you can communicate effectively with them and if they have a design process that you're comfortable with.
Start Onboarding: Once you've decided on a shortlist of candidates, you can formalize the hire with a contract. Clearly define both parties' expectations and provide all necessary requirements to begin the job.
Why Choose Groove Technology As Your Remote Development Team?
As a result, finding a remote developer team with the necessary skills, experience, and exposure is problematic. There are far too many factors and parameters to consider when evaluating the candidates. You can always go with a development company with solid credentials, a good reputation, and a track record of successful app projects to make things easier. Groove Technology appears to be the best option, with several projects to its name.
Groove Technology – a reputable outsourcing mobile app development company with a global footprint and a portfolio full of many successful app projects. With over a decade of experience in software and mobile app development, the company has a dedicated team of well-versed developers in the most in-demand front-end, backend, and database technologies. Our developers can create value that shapes the digital success stories of brands because they have built many successful apps for all business niches.