Expert Tips to Recruit the Best Software Developers

Introduction

What is the most essential thing required when executing a specific tech project? 

Well, it's the skillset required to perform that job. 

The growth of your business and the success of your project highly depend upon having a skilled team of developers who can meet the project goals.  

And that is where many businesses lack! 

Whether the requirement is for skill-based hiring or project-based, companies have experienced a global shortage of talent.  

According to recent stats, the global talent shortage was 77%, a 17-year high in 2023. Even in 2024, where we are already halfway, the number is 75%. 

The number can grow by the end of the year. This makes recruiting software developers difficult.

If you are also experiencing the same, then this blog is for you. Read on to learn about practical tips to recruit the best software engineers and effective ways to retain them.  

The growing demand for software development talent at a glance 

The demand for software development talent is on the rise, driven by the increasing need for digital solutions across various industries. Here are some key factors that highlight the growing demand for software developers: 

Tech talent is expensive

Recruiting tech talent is consistently increasing, and so are their requirements. However, because tech talent is expensive to acquire, hiring is difficult for mid- and small-scale companies. Due to the higher pricing, they often struggle to compete with the big players. 

The Solution

Although tech talent is expensive, there are a few ways that can help you obtain the skill level you are looking for. Let us check out:

• Broaden your talent search by opening the doors to remote talent. By expanding your talent search beyond geographical limits, you will have a better chance of accessing the best talent match for you. 
• Redefine your recruitment process to achieve maximum efficiency in your efforts. Rather than just sourcing the traditional ways to hire developers, you can also connect with offshore development service partners to ease your search process. 
• Discover the ways to reduce the cost per hire. Yes, this can also be reduced. By offshoring talent from developing countries, you can reduce your cost per hire. Recruiting software developers from a developed country is generally higher than hiring one from a developing country. For instance, the cost to hire a software engineer from the US ranges between $30-$120 per hour, and the cost to hire a developer from India ranges between $15-50 per hour.

Sourcing niche-specific or high-quality software programmers is complex 

In such a competitive landscape, just posting a job description and expecting the applications to start rolling in is not enough. Businesses must proactively recruit tech talent to access skillful developers for their projects. 

The Solution

With the technical market requirements being so competitive, businesses need to be more creative with their sourcing methods. You cannot rely on traditional methods and expect something out of the box.  

Along with the software developers actively searching for new opportunities, passive talents should also be considered. You do not need to wait until a programmer is actively searching for the role and reaches out to you themselves. 

In fact, even passive talents can also make the best teams. According to a survey, around 37.3% of the talents are passively open to new opportunities. So, when we restrict the search to active ones only, the passive ones get completely neglected. 

Recommended Read: A Complete Guide to Hire a Programmer in 2024

Attracting and retaining the software coder is challenging

Attracting and retaining software coders is challenging due to the high demand for skilled programmers. Many factors that influence a coder's decision to join or leave a company include salary, work environment, opportunities for growth and development, and work-life balance. 

The graph below appropriately depicts what parameters attract the software developers to a new opportunity. Indeed, money is the first thing that comes to the mind. But what after that? Let's delve into it. 

The Solution

Incorporate some retention strategies to attract and retain software engineers. You can include some of the compelling factors in your processes. This includes:

• Offering attractive packages
• Understanding the personal values of your potential resources
• Providing some work flexibility
• Creating a positive and strong culture 
• Ensuring leadership and growth opportunities
• Providing training and required resources

Technical skills and requirements are constantly changing

The technical world is constantly evolving. And so do the skills and qualification requirements. What if you are not from a technical background? And even if you are, how do you keep a note of all the technical variations happening around?

It is certainly difficult to keep up with all the technical stuff.

The Solution

Whether you come from a tech background or not, it's always a great idea to have some knowledge about the technical landscape. You can also opt for skill-based hiring and proceed with covering up the gap. 

To overcome this challenge, 

• Focus on hiring adaptable and continuous learners.
• Look for candidates who demonstrate a strong foundation in core programming concepts and a track record of quickly mastering new technologies. 
• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to keep your team updated with the latest trends and tools. 
• Emphasize a culture of learning and innovation within your organization. This will ensure that your developers can navigate and thrive amid changing tech requirements.

Tips to Recruit the Best Software Developers

Recruiting the right software developer is vital for the success and innovation of any tech-driven company. To find and attract top talent, you need a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you recruit the best software developers.

1. Identify your hiring requirements

So you want to recruit a software engineer! But why? What are your expectations and requirements for recruiting software engineers? 

You need to be completely clear about what you want. What type of role is most suitable for the project? 

When hiring a software developer, it is crucial to identify the hiring requirements for your project. This marks one of the best tactics to align your requirements with the goal. To do so, you must note some factors below. 

The engagement model

The engagement model defines how you will work with your development team. Choose the one that best fits your project needs and budget. You can choose a fixed-cost project model, hourly-based, or even monthly-based model.

The experience level

No one size fits all! And so do the expertise levels. Choose a skilled developer that best matches the experience level required for your project. Below are some of the experience levels that one can choose from!