[Updated] Hiring Remote Developers: A Complete Guide
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people must do their work online, but even in the post-pandemic world, there are a lot of people choosing this kind of work too. The IT industry does not go out of trend, as outsourcing is the new norm for projects of all sizes, more and more companies are hiring remote developers.
Hiring remote developers can be a great way to access a wider pool of talent quickly and costly. However, it’s important to carefully consider the factors involved before making the decision. This may be hard for companies new to remote employment, so that’s why we write this article. In this blog, we will guide you through the definition, advantages, challenges and then some factors in detail, and provide a complete guide for hiring remote developers successfully.
1. Who is a remote developer?
1.1. Definition
A remote developer is a software engineer who works remotely, meaning they are not required to be physically present in an office. Remote developers work from home or another location of their choosing, and they communicate and collaborate using a variety of tools, such as email, video conferencing, and instant messaging.
1.2. Why hiring Remote Developers is a Good Idea Instead of a Freelancer?
You may think that this type of working appears in freelancer, however, a full-time employee also can work remotely. The difference between a remote developer and a freelancer is that a freelancer works on short-term projects and just performs the agreed amount of work within the project, while a remote developer participates in long-term projects and is a full-fledged team member living in another location.
Full-time remote developers are more likely to be consistent and reliable than freelancers, as they have a vested interest in the success of the company they work for. Freelancers, on the other hand, may have multiple projects going on at once, or they may take breaks from work to focus on other things. This can lead to delays and inconsistencies in the quality of their work. On the other hand, in the long term, hiring full-time developers can be more cost-effective than hiring freelancers. This is because freelancers may not be able to provide the same level of consistency and reliability as full-time employees, which can lead to higher costs in the long run.
Here is a table that summarises the difference between remote developers and freelancers:
| Feature | Remote Developer | Freelancer |
| Employment relationship | Employee | Self-employed |
| Benefits | Entitled to employee benefits | Not entitled to employee benefits |
| Type of work | Long-term projects with a single company | Short-term projects with multiple clients |
Of course, there are some potential drawbacks to hiring full-time remote developers. For instance, it can be more difficult to manage and supervise remote employees. However, the benefits of hiring full-time remote developers may outweigh the drawbacks.
Related Post: How to hire a Remote iOS Developer – A step-by-step Guide in 2024
2. Why do companies need to hire remote developers?
Access to wider talent pool
By hiring remote developers, companies can access a wider talent pool than they would be able to if they were only hiring locally. This is because remote developers can be located anywhere in the world. This gives companies access to a wider range of skills and experience, and it also allows them to find developers who are a better fit for their company culture.
Reduced costs
Hiring remote developers can be more cost-effective than hiring local developers. This is because remote developers often live in countries with lower labour costs. Additionally, remote developers do not require office space or other overhead costs.
Increased flexibility
Hiring remote developers can give companies more flexibility in terms of their workforce. For example, companies can hire remote developers to work on specific projects or to cover shifts. This can be helpful for companies that have fluctuating workloads or that need to be able to operate 24/7.
Improved employee satisfaction and productivity
Remote developers often have higher job satisfaction than local developers. This is because remote developers have more flexibility and control over their work environment. Additionally, remote developers often feel more valued by their employers, as they know that their employers are willing to hire them from anywhere in the world.
Developers who have remote work experience can slice through distractions and conconquer tasks with stealth and efficiency. A study by Stanford University indicated that remote workers were 13% more productive than their in-office counterparts. This could be explained by several reasons, such as flexible working schedules, optimal work environment, lack of daily commute…
More diversity and inclusion
Remote developers come from all walks of life and from all over the world. By hiring them to build your team, you can increase diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. This can help your team create a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas and more inclusive culture.
According to a study by Buffer, remote teams are more likely to be culturally diverse, with remote workers reporting that they feel more connected to people from different backgrounds due to their remote work experience.
3. What are the challenges while hiring software developers remotely?
Communication and collaboration
Remote teams always face communication challenges due to some differences in time zones, language barriers, lack of face-to-face interactions… The teams may find it difficult to schedule meetings, know exactly what their teammates are talking about if they speak different languages, and even build relationships and trust among team members. This can lead to delays, frustration, misunderstandings and errors.
Cultural differences
As working in different locations, remote teams may also face cultural differences. For example, team members from different cultures may have different communication styles, different work customs or different expectations about work-life balance.
Security
It is important to have security policies in place to protect your company’s data and systems as remote developers have access to your company’ data and systems.
Legal challenges
There are a number of legal challenges that can arise when hiring remote developers. For example, you need to comply with the employment laws of the country where the remote developer is located. Moreover, you also need to conduct research or find a legal consultant to know about its intellectual property law, tax law, insurance law to make sure your employment contract is valid and enforceable in that country.
Developers’ Background Check
It can be difficult to verify the developer’s employment history if they have worked for companies in different countries. You must interview online with the developers and assess the developer’s coding skills without face-to-face interaction. When evaluating potential remote software engineers, you should conduct a detailed process to ensure they are honest with their CVs.
Considering something below to hiring the most suitable developers:
- References check: This is a standard step in any hiring process, and it can be a good way to learn about the developers’ skills and experience.
- Work samples/ Portfolios: To see the quality of the developer’s work and to get a better sense of their skills and experience.
- Credentials: If your business is working on a complex project, you may need to see the developers’ credentials in order to verify their skills and experience.
- Coding challenges: Giving the developer a coding challenge is a good way to assess their coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
Read more: Hire Flutter Developers – Interview Questions, Salaries & Requirements?
4. Which factors of remote developers should be considered?
Skills & Experience
This is the most important factor to consider when hiring any developer, regardless of whether they are remote or not. You need to make sure that the developer has the skills and experience necessary to do the job effectively.
Communication & Collaboration Skills
Remote developers need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the team, even though they are not physically located in the same office. You should look for developers who have good communication and collaboration skills, and who are comfortable using video conferencing, instant messaging, and other communication tools.
Locations
Developers’ location is an important factor, as it may affect the time zone and culture differences, communication and work style. It will help you make sure that the developer can communicate with your team, work during hours that are convenient for the team. You also need to choose remote developers who are aware of cultural differences and willing to adapt to your company’s culture.
Language Proficiency
If you want to hire a remote developer to work on a project that requires communication with clients or other team members in a language that is different from their mother tongue, then consider their language proficiency. This could help you hire a suitable developer that is able to communicate effectively, follow instructions, write code that is compatible with international standards and troubleshoot problems.
You can test the candidate’s language proficiency by conducting an interview in the desired language.
5. Step-by-step Guide for Businesses to Hire Remote Developers
How to hire remote developers? These are 6 steps of hiring remote developers. Following for more information:
5.1. Define your businesses’ needs
What skills and experience do you need in a remote developer? Which kind of work will they be doing? Which kind of cultural fit are you looking for? Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can start to look for candidates.
5.2. Find candidates
There are a number of ways to find remote developers. Here are a few options:
- Job boards: There are a number of job boards that cater specifically to remote workers, such as Remote.co and WeWorkRemotely.com. You can also post job openings on more general job boards, such as Indeed and LinkedIn.
- Recruiting agencies: There are a number of recruiting agencies that specialise in placing remote workers. These agencies can help you to find qualified candidates and screen them on your behalf.
- Referrals: Ask your network of contacts for referrals to remote developers. This can be a great way to find talented candidates who are already familiar with your industry and your company.
- IT Staff Augmentation companies: These companies specialize in providing on-demand access to qualified IT professionals. They can help you to find and hire remote developers for a variety of projects.
Don’t just rely on one job board or freelance marketplace, using a variety of sources to find the best candidates. Using keywords in your job description would be a good way to quickly find your best-suited candidates.
5.3. Screen candidates
Once you have a pool of candidates, you need to start screening them. This may involve reviewing their resumes and portfolios, conducting phone interviews, and giving them coding challenges. Remember to scan carefully and choose the candidates that have the skills and experience that you are looking for.
5.4. Interview candidates
Once you have screened the candidates, you need to interview them in more depth. This is your chance to ask them more about their skills, experience, and work style. You should also ask them about their experience working remotely.
5.5 Make an offer
Once you have found the right candidate, you need to make them an offer. This offer should include the salary, benefits, and other terms of employment. Remember to be clear, concise and competitive as well as possible.
5.6. Onboard the new hire
Once the candidate has accepted your offer, you need to onboard them. This includes providing them with access to the necessary tools and resources, and introducing them to the team. You can schedule a video call to introduce them to the rest of the team.
6. Conclusion
To wrap up, remote developers bring various benefits to businesses, helping them scale project teams more quickly. That’s why businesses should carefully consider the factors involved before making the decision to hire remote developers.
By considering the factors and following the guidelines, companies can increase the chances of hiring qualified and experienced remote developers who will be a valuable asset to the entrepreneur.
However, if you need services right here and now, then we offer you our expertise. When you choose to work with AgileTech, you will receive huge tech support as we got 10 years of IT Staff Augmentation experience. We have a proven record of building high-quality products for clients around the world. If you need further information and consultation for your project, then feel free to fill out this form to meet our IT experts!