Hiring remote developers can be a great way to build a team with the right set of skills to achieve your business goals. However, evaluating technical skills in remote candidates can be challenging. Unlike in-person interviews, remote hiring requires a different approach to assessing technical ability. In this blog, we'll explore some strategies for evaluating technical skills when hiring remote developers.
Define the Technical Skills Required for the Role:
Before you start evaluating candidates, you need to have a clear understanding of the technical skills required for the role. This includes the programming languages, frameworks, and other tools that the candidate should be proficient in. By having a clear list of requirements, you can focus on candidates who have the right skills for the job.
Use Online Coding Tests:
Online coding tests can be a great way to evaluate a candidate's technical skills. There are many platforms available, such as HackerRank and Codility, that provide coding tests for different programming languages and frameworks. These tests can help you assess a candidate's coding abilities and problem-solving skills. You can also customize the tests to fit the requirements of the job.
Ask for Sample Projects:
Asking candidates to complete a sample project is another effective way to evaluate their technical skills. This approach allows you to see how candidates approach a real-world problem and assess their ability to deliver high-quality code. You can also get a sense of the candidate's communication skills and how they work with others, which is important for remote teams.
Review Code Repositories:
Many developers have public code repositories on platforms such as GitHub or Bitbucket. Reviewing a candidate's code repositories can give you a sense of their coding style, the quality of their code, and their level of experience. This approach can also help you evaluate whether the candidate is passionate about coding and whether they have a strong track record of delivering high-quality code.
Conduct Video Interviews:
Video interviews can be an effective way to evaluate a candidate's technical skills. During the interview, you can ask the candidate to demonstrate their coding abilities and walk you through their code repositories or sample projects. You can also ask technical questions to assess the candidate's knowledge of specific programming languages or frameworks.
Test for Problem-Solving Skills:
In addition to technical skills, problem-solving skills are also important for remote developers. Testing a candidate's problem-solving skills can help you assess their ability to identify and resolve complex technical challenges. This approach can also help you evaluate a candidate's ability to work under pressure and creativity when approaching complex problems.
Consider Culture Fit:
While technical skills are important, it's also important to consider the cultural fit when evaluating remote candidates. Cultural fit includes factors such as communication style, work ethic, and values. A candidate who fits well with your team culture is more likely to be successful in a remote environment.
In conclusion, Evaluating technical skills when hiring remote developers requires a different approach compared to in-person interviews. By defining the technical skills required for the role, using online coding tests and sample projects, reviewing code repositories, conducting video interviews, testing for problem-solving skills, and considering culture fit, you can effectively evaluate remote developers and build a skilled and productive team. With the right team in place, you can achieve your business goals and compete in today's global economy.
