If you’re looking to hire Ruby on Rails developers, you’ll need to make sure that you know what makes the perfect Ruby developer for your business. Hiring the wrong developers can cost you time and money in the long run, so it’s important to do your research before you start looking at resumes. In order to help ensure that your company hires only the best Ruby developers, we’ve compiled a list of ten tips below that will help point you in the right direction.
How much budget do you have?
This question should come at some point before you’re talking with developers, so you can get a sense of what they offer and whether they’re in your budget. If someone doesn’t want to talk money first, ask them why they don’t want to know what it will cost; that might give you a clue as to how professional or experienced that person is. How many people do you need?: You may have a general idea of how many people you need, but if not, be sure to learn more about how many people are typically involved in each step of development (for example: one front-end engineer for design mockups and another for coding) versus one full-stack engineer who handles both design and development. Also be sure to think about other support staff (like project managers) who may be involved in larger projects.
Where are they based?
First, you’ll want to look for ruby developers who are located near you. When you’re working face-to-face with a programmer in an office or co-working space, it’s easier for everyone involved if there aren’t any logistical issues. That said, remote work is becoming more and more common; and in some cases may be a better choice for your business. If you’re looking for someone to hire remotely, however, make sure they have experience working remotely before hiring them. If they don’t seem comfortable with it at first, they probably won’t get used to it over time.
What platform are you using?
There are a lot of hiring platforms for Ruby developers, but what works best for you? This may depend on your business or personal needs. If you’re looking for a freelancer, Git is an excellent resource; however, if you’re hiring full-time employees and want to maintain team cohesiveness, consider using a platform that fosters communication. For example, Hired is a great place to post job listings and have candidates apply directly through your company page. Whatever hiring platform you choose, make sure it’s reputable and easy to use—you don’t want to spend time searching for new candidates!
How should they be communicating with you?
If you want your hired developer to be doing their job at peak performance, then you should keep them in the loop as much as possible. Always make sure they know what’s going on, and set aside plenty of time for updates and questions. Having constant communication will help ensure that your developers are always working with up-to-date information and have everything they need to get their jobs done.
How often will they be working?
Hiring a freelance developer means you can bring someone in for a few hours a week and ramp up or slow down as needed. Working with an agency may cost more upfront, but many agencies offer clients access to regular developers who will come into your office every day or two. Either way, make sure you know how often they’ll be working before moving forward. While freelancers can work whenever they want, it’s best to set up dedicated days and times so everyone is clear on expectations.
What do their references say about them?
Another good way to figure out if a freelancer is right for you is by checking their references. If they’re eager and responsive with their email, it’s likely that they will be dedicated and hardworking as well. Asking your candidate for at least three references can give you more insight into how they work with others. References should be able to speak about what kind of worker your potential hire is, how long they worked together and whether or not there were any conflicts or disagreements. If there are any red flags in what your references say about them, it might be best to move on from hiring them.
What training do they need?
Before you hire a developer, make sure they’re willing and able to do what you need. If you need a dev who can write tests, check references and ask whether or not they have experience with TDD. More? Ask! Interviewing devs is just as much your responsibility as it is theirs; don’t be afraid to dig into their past work, watch them code in person if possible (take notes!) and weigh all your options before making an offer. Hiring someone who doesn’t understand what you want will cost you time and money—and possibly reputation. Do your homework first, and you won’t regret it later.
