Let’s be honest here. Without people on your team, your startup won’t get off the ground. And the right developers are crucial to success.
Hiring developers for startup can go in two ways: you can hire junior developers, allowing them to learn on the job and grow, or you can find experienced professionals who are already well-versed in their craft.
This is the challenge with early-stage startups. You want to find the best people, but you don’t have a lot of money to offer them. So how do you compete with big companies that have the resources to pay top dollar?
The answer is you don’t. You find ways to attract talented developers who want to be part of something special. How do you do that? We’re here to help!
7 Steps in Hiring Developers for Startup
Startup owners make the mistake of rushing into the hiring process without doing their homework.
Remember that 23% of startups fail because they don’t have the right team running the business. So, if you want your startup to succeed, start by following the steps below.
1. Be Clear on What You Need
Before you hire developers, you need to be crystal clear about what roles and skills your business needs.
There are several types of software developers, each one specializing in different languages and frameworks. So, you need to determine which programming language and framework best suits your project.
It’s also important to consider the size of your team. Do you need a single developer or an entire development team?
In a development team, you will typically find:
- Front-end developers
- Back-end developers
- Full-stack developers
- UI/UX designers
- Quality Assurance (QA) engineers
2. Create a Job Description
Once you know what you’re looking for, create a job description that clearly outlines the responsibilities and requirements for the position. But you also have to stand out from the competition.
Anyone who has applied for a job knows that job descriptions can make or break a good applicant. You don’t want to scare away potential candidates by making the job description overly complicated or lengthy. So, take the time to write something tailored to your project and the skills of your ideal candidate.
The key is to describe the job in detail and let candidates see what their day-to-day tasks would be like. Specific job descriptions have been found to be more successful in attracting the right kind of people.
3. Develop a Hiring Strategy
It takes more than just posting your job description on popular sites to find the right developer for your startup. You need to execute a multi-channel recruiting strategy that casts a wide net.
Aside from job boards, think outside the box and develop a recruiting strategy that will help you discover the best talent. This might include attending meetups, hosting hackathons and other events, or joining online communities.
Some have used social media to find talent, while others have found networking to be just as effective. You can also use platforms such as GitHub to identify talented developers and find out more about their backgrounds and skills.
4. Take Time to Review Resumes
Reviewing applications is a crucial step in the recruitment process. This is a time to look for the right attitude and skill set that matches your job description. So, don’t be tempted to make a snap decision. Instead, review every resume and cover letter carefully.
Screen candidates for the skills and qualifications they have as well as their attitude. It’s important to find a person who is not only qualified but also shares the mission and ethos of your startup.
Suffice it to say a resume may not fully reflect a person’s skills and experience. So, ask good questions during the interview to get a better understanding of the candidates and their abilities.
5. Perform Technical Assessments
Just like you would for any other job, you should ask your prospective developers to take a technical assessment. Tests and assessments are the best way to determine the technical knowledge of any software developer accurately.
You can have candidates do tests that involve writing code, solving coding problems, or debugging software. This will allow you to get a better idea of their tech talent, problem-solving skills, and coding style.
You can also use project-based assessments to see how candidates approach a given task and assess their skills in teamwork.
6. Conduct an Interview
Interviews are the final step in the hiring process. This is your chance to get to know each candidate better and see if they have the enthusiasm and passion for being part of your startup.
Look for people who have an open and creative mind, are self-motivated, and strive to be better every day. Ask questions like:
- What experience do you have with the language or framework we are using?
- How did you come up with your solution to the coding problem?
- What would you do if faced with a difficult challenge?
These questions will give you a better idea of the candidate’s attitudes, abilities, and work ethic.
7. Make an Offer
Once you’ve found the right developer, it’s time to make an offer.
Don’t be tempted to offer too low of a salary. You want to make sure you’re attracting the best talent, and the best developers usually expect fair compensation for their work.
Also, consider offering a signing bonus or extra incentives such as flexible working hours and extra vacation days to stand out from other employers.
Finding the right software engineers for your startup isn’t an easy task, but with the right strategy and approach, you can find the right people who will be a great fit for your company. Use these tips and take the time to find developers who are motivated, driven, and committed to your startup’s success.
Why Should You Consider Outsourcing?
Several startups have successfully outsourced the development process to external developers, who can provide the same quality of work at a fraction of the cost.
UpWork, Slack, and Alibaba are some of the most successful companies that have adopted the outsourcing model in their early stages. Why shouldn’t you?
When done right, reaching out to agencies helping entrepreneurs hire developers can bring your startup to success. But why do it now when you have a limited budget?
Here are some reasons why you should still consider outsourcing:
1. Cost savings
Outsourcing software development is usually much cheaper than hiring part-time or even full-time developers. Agencies have access to a pool of talented software engineers, so they can offer very competitive rates.
Remote developers are also a plus, as they often have fewer overhead costs and can work from any location. Startups commonly outsource development to countries with lower costs, like the Philippines.
2. Quick turnaround time
Agencies can work quickly to deliver projects on time and within budget. This can be especially important for startups that have tight deadlines or need to get to market quickly.
You can choose among the outsourcing models that agencies typically offer, such as:
- Fixed-price projects: Agencies will analyze the scope of the project and provide an estimate.
- Time & Material model: This is a more flexible approach that allows clients to modify the scope of the project if needed.
- Dedicated teams: Clients can hire a dedicated team that works full-time on their projects.
3. Access to specialized talent
If you want to discover someone with a remarkable tech stack, it’s best to outsource. You can find developers specialized in specific technologies, so you won’t have to spend time and effort recruiting and training them.
Outsourcing also gives you access to experienced developers from different cultural backgrounds who can provide unique insights into your project.
4. Focus on core competencies
Recruitment processes can last a long time, and you also have to consider the cost of onboarding and training new team members.
This will be one thing off of your mind when you hire software developers in agencies. You can focus on the core competencies of your business and delegate the tedious but necessary tasks to outsource companies.
With experts on your team, you can free up your time to focus on the things that really matter: marketing and product development. This way, you can make sure that your startup is on the path to success.
5. Easier scalability
It’s important for startups to be able to quickly increase their development capacity, especially when they need to launch a new product or service.
By hiring developers outside your company, you can easily scale up and down when needed. You won’t have to worry about the cost of recruitment, onboarding, and training when you need to add more developers.
5 Tips for Overcoming Challenges in Finding Developers for Your Startup
You will face many hurdles when looking for developers to work on your project. Whether you decide to outsource or hire in-house, here are some tips for overcoming the challenges:
1. Consider different sources
Try searching for developers on different job boards, from freelance marketplaces to employee referral networks. Don’t limit yourself to one source; explore all the options available to you.
2. Use a trial period
Most agencies offer a trial period so you can assess the developer’s performance before making a long-term commitment. This will give you an opportunity to evaluate the quality of their work and make sure you’re getting the right fit for your project.
3. Take advantage of the right tools
Remote freelance developers are used to working with online tools, and many of them are free. Make sure you use the right cloud-based project management and collaboration tools like Slack, Asana, and Dropbox to stay connected with your team.
4. Keep an eye on your budget
Recruiting software developers can be a costly endeavor, so make sure you have a budget in mind before you start looking. Set limits on the amount you are willing to spend and stick to them.
5. Establish security management protocols
When you hire remote developers, you’re trusting them with sensitive data. Make sure you have the right protocols in place to ensure that all information is secure and private. This includes non-disclosure agreements and other security measures.
With these tips, you’ll be able to find the right software developers for your startup project.
Top Companies Where You Can Hire Talented Developers
If you want the best for your project, hiring software developers from top companies is a great place to start.
Here are some of the most reputable agencies where you can outsource skilled developers that are within your budget:
StarTechUP
Based in Cebu, Philippines, StarTechUP is a software development company that offers a wide range of services, from web and mobile app development to digital transformation. We have worked with startups, small businesses, and enterprises in various industries.
Check the list of our services here.
Upwork
From junior developers to senior software engineers, Upwork is a popular job board platform where you can find talents from around the world. They offer fixed-price and hourly projects, and you can communicate with your chosen developers through their platform.
Toptal
Toptal offers a global pool of elite software developers that undergo a rigorous screening process. They offer on-demand talent for short-term or long-term, so you don’t have to spend resources on the hiring process.
Let’s Team Up for Your Software Development Project!
Managing a startup project can be challenging, but the right software developers can make all the difference.
At StarTechUP, we worked with several startup owners who were in the same position as you. We provided them with the expertise and quality assurance they needed to meet their goals.
If you’re looking for capable software developers, then look no further. Our team of experienced developers and designers is ready to help you with your project.
Contact us today to get started. We’re excited to hear about your startup idea project and look forward to helping you achieve success!
