How To Hire a Software Developer
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Software Developer hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
Software Developer Recruitment Guide
What does a Software Developer do?
Software Developers will write, reformat and test code that they have written for software applications on a daily basis. Software developers work with various stakeholders, internally and externally, to understand application requirements in order to implement and build.
Day to day tasks of a Software Developer
- Staying up to date with the latest software languages
- Analyse users/customers needs and design software to ensure those needs are met
- Write & reformat code
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to understand user requirements
- Ensure existing software is maintained and working
Software Developer definition
Software Developers primary responsibilities are to design, program, document and test pieces of software of systems that they make. Often software developers work in teams where they will contribute small components that when all pulled together comprises the final software product. They are responsible for the entire development process.
HIRING PROCESS
Software Developer Hiring Process
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a Software Developer
A Software Developer must think about the end user when writing their code in order to ensure user experience is positive. They must be excellent communicators as they are required to collaborate with many teams, and need to be able to look at the bigger picture when creating software and solving problems.
- Communication
- Python
- Java
Pro Tip
It’s imperative to test Software Developers technical and soft skills. They will be required to write and execute code, as well as liaise with a range of people and manage large amounts of information.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Software Developer job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Software Developer job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, a Software Developer must be a very good critical thinker and a high level of problem solving skills.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a Software Developer
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Question 1
Communication
Question Type: Audio
You are having a meeting with the CEO (who is non-technical) about an upcoming partnership with another platform. They are struggling to understand how our platform will be able to plug into the other without creating a whole new software.
Please explain an API to a non-technical person.
Question 2
Python
Question Type: Code
Write some python code to print all the prime numbers between two input variables, we will label them as var1 and var2.
Eg: var1 = 4 and var2 = 12.
= [5, 7, 11]
Question 3
Java
Question Type: Multiple Choice
What is the purpose of the function ‘function.identity()’?
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Software Developer
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a Software Developer?
The USA average for a Software Developer is $95,004 according to Glassdoor.com whilst the average on Indeed.com is reported as $106,013. As reported by Payscale.com, the lowest ten percent are paid up to $51,000, and whilst ninety percent of software developers earn up to $106,000.
Software Developer Salary United States
In the USA a software developer gets paid between $51,000 – $106,000 (USD) per year. This number will be heavily influenced by the location of the company, eg: Silicon Valley.
Software Developer Salary United Kingdom
Software Developers in the UK have salaries ranging from £24,000 – £66,000 (GBP). This salary will mostly be based on what industry the organisation operates in.
Software Developer Salary Australia
In Australia you can expect the salary for a Software developer to be between $60,000 and $130,000 (AUD). The three main factors of this salary will be, location, seniority and industry of the organisation.
