How to Hire Remote Developers: Finding the Right Talent

The art of hiring has gone through a significant transformation. 

The traditional office-based 9-to-5 grind is no longer the sole blueprint for business success. 

Companies today are casting their nets wider, searching for remote developers who can bring talent and innovation. But even with the 27.7 million developers worldwide, did you know there is still a shortage of skilled web developers?

With our expertise in connecting remote talent with businesses worldwide, we’ll share valuable facts and insight to help you with your search.

Buckle up because the future of work is remote! You're about to discover the keys to finding the perfect remote developer for your team.

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Challenges of Hiring Remote Developers

One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the shift toward remote work. As of 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home. Moreover, an Upwork study estimates that 22% of the American workforce will work remotely by 2025.

But hiring remote developers comes with its own unique set of challenges. You see, it's not your typical in-office hiring where you can shake hands. With remote hiring, you need to take extra care in assessing their skills, communication chops, and ability to thrive in a dispersed team setup. 

What makes it more challenging is that developers have a very technical job. That's why, when you hire a remote developer (no matter what type), creating a careful selection process that considers these remote-specific challenges is crucial.
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Here are five major challenges you can encounter when hiring remote developers and suggestions on how to address them.
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1. Quality of service

When you hire remote developers, ensuring the quality of their work can be daunting. How do you know if they possess the skills and expertise they claim to have?

What to do about this?

• From the start, implement rigorous interview processes. Craft an accurate job description to help as a reference when assessing candidates.
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• Aside from your first interview (where you typically get to know the applicant), make sure to conduct a more technical interview. Seek help from an experienced developer on evaluating if it’s not your expertise. You should also ask for coding samples or any previous work.
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• You can also get help from platforms or partner with remote staffing companies, like MultiplyMii, to source and vet qualified remote developers. 

2. Cost overruns

Managing costs effectively is a top concern for any business. Remote developers may seem cost-effective initially, but hidden expenses can creep up.

What to do about this?

• Create a detailed budget that includes the developer's salary and additional tools, software, or infrastructure costs. Since you’re hiring a remote developer, consider talents from countries like the Philippines and save as much as 80%. 
  
  For example, remote Filipino web developers have a salary range of $1,100 to $2,500 (depending on experience). 
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• Consider outsourcing tasks like payroll and HR to specialized services to help you manage expenses efficiently. 
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• Regularly review your budget to ensure you stay on track.
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3. Mismatched expectations

Setting clear expectations for remote developers is crucial to project success. Miscommunication can lead to frustration and project delays.
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What to do about this?

• Use well-defined project scopes, timelines, and deliverables. 
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• Establish communication protocols, including regular meetings and check-ins. 
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• Encourage open and transparent communication, where developers feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification. 
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• Document everything in writing to minimize misunderstandings.
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4. Time zone issues

When your remote development team spans different time zones, scheduling can become a logistical nightmare.
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What to do about this?

• Consider building a distributed team with members in similar or overlapping time zones to facilitate communication and collaboration. 
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• Use project management tools and communication platforms without demanding an immediate response. This will allow team members to work at their own pace while staying aligned on project goals.
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5. Team productivity

Without the physical presence of a remote team, it can be challenging to track their productivity and ensure they meet deadlines.

What to do about this?

• Implement project management and productivity tracking tools. Tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira can help you assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. Time-tracking software can help measure the time spent on specific tasks. 
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• Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly review them with your remote developers to keep everyone accountable.

By facing these challenges head-on, unlock the full potential of remote hiring and build successful and productive remote development teams.

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How to Hire Remote Developers

Now that you know the challenges of hiring remote developers, it’s time to understand how to hire one.

When it comes to hiring remote developers, there are several essential steps you should take to make sure you find great talent. 
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Step 1: Create a compelling job description

What are the skills and qualifications required for the role? Clearly outline the technical expertise, experience level, and soft skills necessary for it. Once you’ve determined these, you can create an accurate and compelling job description.

Use the job description to advertise the role. Highlight the benefits of remote work, such as work-life balance and flexibility, to attract top-notch remote developers who value these aspects of remote employment.
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Step 2: Find candidates

To find potential candidates, try these strategies:

• Job Boards: Almost 50% of all applications come from job boards. Use LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialized platforms to post your job openings.
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• Remote Staffing Companies: Partner with a remote staffing company like MultiplyMii that has access to a network of skilled developers.
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• Social Media: Post on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share your job postings and reach a wider audience.
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• Networking: Attend virtual tech conferences, webinars, and meetups to connect with potential candidates.
  
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Step 3: Sort through applications and start screening

Use remote-specific interviewing techniques to assess your candidates. 
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For soft skills interviews

Soft skills are as crucial as technical expertise when hiring remote developers. Here's how to assess these skills:

• Video interviews: Conduct video interviews to gauge a candidate's communication skills, professionalism, and remote work readiness.
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• Behavioral questions: Ask questions that reveal a candidate's ability to work independently, handle remote challenges, and collaborate effectively.
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• Culture fit: Ensure the candidate aligns with your company's values and culture. Remote team dynamics heavily rely on shared values and trust.
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For technical interviews

Technical interviews are the heart of the hiring process for developers. You can make sure that your candidates have the skills required for the role with:

• Coding challenges: Present candidates with coding challenges that mimic real-world scenarios they would encounter on the job.
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• Pair programming: Conduct pair programming sessions where candidates collaborate with your team members to solve problems.
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• Code review: Ask candidates to review and improve existing code to evaluate their ability to work with an existing codebase.
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Step 4: Review their work history

Once you have narrowed down your top candidates, review their resumes and portfolios. 

Remote work requires self-motivation, discipline, and the ability to manage time effectively. Look for relevant experience and projects that demonstrate these abilities. Pay attention to their past collaborations, communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
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Step 5: Conduct reference checks

Besides reviewing their work history, don’t miss out on reference checks. Reach out to their previous employers or colleagues for insights into their work ethic, reliability, and ability to work remotely. This step can give you valuable information you can’t see from their resumes or interviews.
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Step 6: Make an offer and onboard

After identifying the perfect remote developer for your business, it's time to make an offer and onboard them seamlessly:

• Compensation Package: Present a competitive compensation package that includes salary, benefits, and remote-specific perks.
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• Onboarding Process: Create a well-structured onboarding process that includes introducing them to your team, tools, processes, and expectations.
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• Communication Channels: Ensure remote developers can access all necessary communication channels and know how to use them effectively.
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• Ongoing Support: Provide ongoing support and feedback to help them integrate smoothly into your remote team.
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Hiring remote developers requires careful consideration. By following these steps, you can build a successful remote development team that can deliver quality work and contribute to the growth of your business. Remember that hiring is not just about finding skilled individuals. It’s also building a team that collaborates seamlessly, even from a distance.

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Should You Hire a Freelancer or Full-Time Remote Developer?

Choosing between hiring a freelancer or a full-time remote developer is a decision you must make according to your business’s needs. Each has its own merits and trade-offs, but which aligns best with what you’re looking for?
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Hiring a freelancer

Nearly 47% of workers worldwide are freelancers. Can you imagine that’s about 1.56 billion out of 8 billion people in the world? And more often than not, these workers have multiple clients.

So, while hiring a freelancer can be an excellent option for short-term projects and tasks that require specialized skills, it's important to consider these pros and cons to make an informed decision.
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Pros

1. Flexibility: Freelancers are like the chameleons of the workforce. They adapt to your project's needs, scaling up or down as you may require.
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2. Cost-efficiency: No need to worry about employee benefits, office space, or equipment costs. You pay for what you need, when you need it.
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3. Specialized skills: Freelancers often excel in specific niches you may not find in a single full-time hire.
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Cons

1. Limited availability: Freelancers have multiple clients and may not always be available when you need them urgently.
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2. Less integration: They might not become as ingrained in your company culture or a long-term strategy as full-time employees.
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3. Quality assurance: Ensuring consistent quality can be challenging. Freelancers may lack the same commitment and accountability as full-time team members.
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Hiring a full-time remote developer

Hiring a full-time developer can be a strong choice for long-term projects and building a solid remote development team. But, weigh in its benefits and drawbacks before anything else.
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Pros

1. Dedicated commitment: Full-time remote developers are all in, fully aligned with your company's mission, and available during your standard working hours.
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2. Long-term investment: They grow with your business, contributing their skills, institutional knowledge, and cultural alignment.
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3. Team integration: Full-timers can work closely with the in-house team, fostering stronger collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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Cons

1. Fixed costs: Along with their salary, you must cover benefits, equipment, and workspace, which can be more expensive in the short term.
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2. Limited specialization: They might be versatile but could lack the specialized skills a freelancer can offer.
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3. Onboarding time: A full-time hire's onboarding process may take longer than a freelancer who can hit the ground running.
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Making a decision

So, the million-dollar question: freelancer or full-time remote developer?
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1. Project duration: A freelancer could be the perfect fit if your project is short-term or has fluctuating requirements. If not, then go for a full-time remote developer.
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2. Skill set: Freelancers often excel in highly specialized tasks like machine learning or cybersecurity. But, a full-time remote developer might be your go-to for long-term projects with diverse demands.
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3. Budget: Consider your financial resources and the sustainability of your hiring model. A freelancer can initially be cost-effective, but full-timers offer stability and long-term value.
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4. Company culture: Evaluate how important it is for your team to share the same coffee machine. Full-time remote developers can become integral to your culture, while freelancers may remain more on the outskirts.
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5. Level of control and oversight: Freelancers often work independently and may have their own preferred methodologies and workflows. This may require more effort on your part to align their work with your company's standards and processes. On the other hand, full-time remote developers can be more easily integrated into your existing team and workflows, allowing for greater control and coordination.
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The decision between hiring a freelancer or a full-time remote developer depends on your specific needs, the nature of your project, and your company's long-term objectives. Carefully consider all these factors to decide what will best support your development team's and project's success.

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Use These Interview Questions To Hire Remote Developers

Conducting effective interviews is important to help you find remote developers who are skilled and suited for remote work. Here are some questions you should ask during an interview:
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Technical and problem-solving questions

1. Can you explain a difficult technical problem you've recently solved?

• This question helps assess a candidate's technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities.
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2. What programming languages, frameworks, or tools are you most comfortable with, and why?

• Understanding a developer's preferred technologies can help determine if their skill set aligns with your project requirements.
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3. How do you keep up with the latest industry trends and updates?

• This shows a candidate's commitment to continuous learning and staying relevant in the field.
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Collaboration and communication questions

4. How do you ensure effective communication with your remote team members?
   
   Remote developers must know how to communicate to collaborate successfully.
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5. Describe a situation where you disagreed with a team member. How did you handle it?
   
   This question gives you a look at a candidate's conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
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6. What tools do you use for remote collaboration, and why do you prefer them?
   
   Understanding a candidate's familiarity with remote collaboration tools can indicate their readiness for remote work.
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Remote work environment questions

7. What does your ideal remote work setup look like?
   
   This question helps make sure that a candidate's home office environment is good for getting work done remotely.
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8. How do you manage distractions and stay focused while working remotely?
   
   Remote developers need discipline and focus to be productive outside of a traditional office setting.
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9. Can you share your experience with different time zones and managing work across them?
   
   For global remote teams, understanding a candidate's experience with time zone differences is crucial.

Time management and self-motivation questions

10. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your workload when working independently?
    
    Effective time management is important for remote developers to meet deadlines.
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11. Describe a situation where you had to work on a challenging project with minimal supervision. How did you stay motivated and on track?
    
    This question checks a candidate's ability to self-motivate and maintain productivity without constant supervision.
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12. What strategies do you use to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely?
    
    Remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life, making it crucial to see a candidate's well-being strategies.

Team and company fit questions

13. Why do you want to work remotely for our company specifically?
    
    Get to understand a candidate's motivations and alignment with your company's culture.
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14. What is your preferred style of working within a team?
    
    This question helps make sure the candidate's work style aligns with your team dynamics.
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15. How do you see yourself contributing to our company's goals and projects remotely?
    
    A candidate's vision for their role can help determine if they will be valuable to your team.
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Spot your ideal remote developers by tossing these questions across these five key areas. Gauge whether they can bring the tech know-how and have what it takes to thrive in remote work. Hiring these top-notch remote developers will play a huge role in your team's success and keeping things running smoothly.

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Hire Highly-Skilled Remote Developers With MultiplyMii

When finding the right remote developers to join your team, MultiplyMii is your trusted remote staffing partner! 

We have extensive experience in matching skilled professionals with remote positions.

We can help you build a remote development team that can help you kick off your dev projects and drive your team's success and efficiency.

With our expertise, confidently move forward, knowing you have the right people on board. 

Let's connect and find the remote developers who will take your business to the next level!

Book a discovery call to get started.