We know how complicated it can be to find the perfect developer. For starters, they aren't usually very good at selling themselves. On top of that, the self-taught skills listed on CVs weren't as extensive or impressive as they seemed. To avoid surprises and find the perfect candidate the first time around, the portal CodinGame Gives some useful tips.
Review your programming portfolio. However young they may be, they're sure to have one. A portfolio is one of the best ways to assess a candidate's coding skills. On most occasions, these are personal projects and represent a unique opportunity to make a good impression. They can take various forms, from unique websites to complex software developments. Another good way to get to know the candidate is by paying attention to how they explain their projects: did they do it as part of a team, with other developers? Have they left any projects unfinished? How did they use the different tools?
Take a look at your account GitHub. Through this platform, many programmers showcase their open-source projects and contribute to others' initiatives. Having your own project on GitHub implies that the owner can write code legibly enough for others to continue it. Although it isn't a CV, it helps us get an idea of how the programmer works. Furthermore, through your GitHub profile you can discover other aspects such as, for example, their reputation (according to the number of followers), the date they joined the platform (as an indication of their experience), the number of projects they collaborate on...
Ask about their activity in Stack Overflow. This website, developed by Jeff Atwood, is used by developers who seek help with their programming problems in different languages from other developers. A great deal of knowledge can be acquired on the web, and any developer uses it daily. Measuring their participation in the community and knowing their reputation is a good indicator for understanding what the candidate is like.
However, if there are still doubts as to whether they are the right candidate or not, the best course of action is to give them a programming test. The candidate will have to deal with real, practical problems they might encounter in their job.
