Hire Developers:
Full-time, Contract, and Freelance
Companies leverage High5 to hire developers because our unbiased vetting process puts both hiring manager and candidate needs at the center, while decreasing time-to-fill by 15% on average.
Remember, you can try our total talent solution absolutely risk-free:
- Results within 3 days
- Quality matches guaranteed
- Spend 70% less time hiring
Companies Use High5 to Find In-Demand Skills, On-Demand
Full Stack, Cloud and Big Data represent 80% of all tech hires, globally
Full Stack Developer
Trusted Full Stack Developers with expertise in the most in-demand technical skill sets.
Big Data Developer
Seasoned Big Data Developers covering a wide range of tools and skills.
Look Beyond Traditional Work Models and Achieve Your Goals Faster
Numerous benefits exist when your company looks beyond traditional work models and engages with independent contractors and freelance workers in more flexible ways such as contract, contract to hire, SOW, and project based work—hiring freelance developers for software application needs when you have projects that dovetail with their unique skill sets.
Because your company would only pay freelance and contract software developers when they’re doing work for you, using them is an affordable strategy. You can choose independent professionals who already have the experience, expertise/knowledge, and track record you require, which eliminates the expensive training costs you’d incur with staff. Plus, you can select freelancers/independent professionals with the niche specializations you need from anywhere around the globe, broadening possibilities—and, at High5, you can hire talent that’s been carefully vetted by experienced professionals.
Need help assessing your technical needs?
Full Stack Developer
A full stack developer can handle both front-end (client side) and back-end (server side) applications, along with programming for browsers, databases, and more. As the name implies, they can handle a full range of software development needs for a company.
A full stack developer can handle both front-end (client side) and back-end (server side) applications, along with programming for browsers, databases, and more. As the name implies, they can handle a full range of software development needs for a company.
More specifically, front-end professionals would have expertise in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and more to make what’s visible on a website look attractive to site visitors. Front-end developers may also have user interface expertise. Back-end professionals, meanwhile, can create algorithms, handle server management tasks, and so forth, typically having experience in PHP, ASP, and more. This can be referred to working on what’s “under the hood.”
Becoming a proficient full stack developer takes time and involves a range of experiences, so their wide range of capabilities can make them especially valuable to a company. As needed, they can switch between back- and front-end tasks. Because of their flexibility, they can cost a company less than if they hired multiple freelance software developers/independent professionals with each of them taking on part of a project. Full stack developers can be a smart choice when prototypes need to be developed, for example, or when new technologies need to be explored and tested.
High5 makes it easy for employers around the world to find the high-quality full stack developers they need to get work done and for recruiters to make the right placements for their client companies. This reduces time to hire and allows companies to hire in-demand talent at a lower cost.
Cloud Engineer
When companies want to deploy services in the cloud or otherwise optimize their cloud presence, they often need the services of this type of IT professional. When seeking to hire freelance developers and contract professionals for cloud computing, it’s important to determine exactly what you need because cloud engineers often specialize in one or more of the various aspects of cloud computing.
When companies want to deploy services in the cloud or otherwise optimize their cloud presence, they often need the services of this type of IT professional. When seeking to hire freelance developers and contract professionals for cloud computing, it’s important to determine exactly what you need because cloud engineers often specialize in one or more of the various aspects of cloud computing.
For example, your company may need cloud consulting services where an IT professional analyzes your technological infrastructure and makes application-related recommendations to help you achieve goals, such as cost reductions, faster access to real-time information, scalability, flexibility, or increased security. Other services that cloud engineers can provide include designing and planning services; cloud migration and configuration services; cloud management services and/or maintenance; and ongoing technological support.
Depending on their specializations, cloud computing professionals may offer change management services and/or training sessions to guide your company through the new system, sharing how it can provide information more effectively; explain new technologies and opportunities in non-techy language to help your company make savvy decisions; determine appropriate storage amounts and security levels; design access capabilities for each company role; create documentation; and much more.
No matter what specific technological projects your company needs for cloud engineers to complete, High5 facilitates the process, making it easy for you to find the high-quality professionals you need. You can then hire the experienced talent you need more quickly on your specific timeline at a lower cost.
Big Data Developer
Companies can receive huge volumes of data, both structured and unstructured, and this large amount of information can be too complex to process using traditional means. This is when a big data developer comes in, developing technical systems that allow this information to be effectively managed and analyzed. They can use Apache Hadoop to leverage open source systems to address an organization’s big data needs throughout the big data lifecycle. This can include choosing the appropriate platform for a company, creating the technical structure, and then designing and developing the application to meet specific requirements before testing and then deploying the system.
Companies can receive huge volumes of data, both structured and unstructured, and this large amount of information can be too complex to process using traditional means. This is when a big data developer comes in, developing technical systems that allow this information to be effectively managed and analyzed. They can use Apache Hadoop to leverage open source systems to address an organization’s big data needs throughout the big data lifecycle. This can include choosing the appropriate platform for a company, creating the technical structure, and then designing and developing the application to meet specific requirements before testing and then deploying the system.
Big data developers are responsible for the Hadoop coding and may use Java, Ruby, C++, and other applications for their programming. The goal is to create a streamlined system that efficiently extracts, processes, organizes, and stores large volumes of data in ways that allow organizations to spot relevant trends and patterns, glean value from these patterns, and then leverage this information to achieve company goals and strategies. This can involve investigating and comparing multiple solutions along the pathways to select the ones that can best accomplish corporate requirements, including with data privacy and security methodologies.
When your company needs a big data developer to create efficient and effective systems and processes to manage huge volumes of data, High5 streamlines the selection process. You can quickly find the professionals you need with the technological skills required to complete your projects on time and on budget.
FAQs About Hiring Software Developers
We created High5 because we knew there had to be a better way to connect employers and recruiters looking for technologically savvy talent with independent professionals having those in-demand skills. The result is a platform that features quality professionals, with each freelancer/contractor in our network having been vetted by one of High5’s 18,000 subject matter experts. We recognize that when you need software developers, you need them now. So we source, screen, and vet candidates 24/7/365—which gives your company the ability to get trusted talent on demand.
We recognize that not all companies have the same needs, so we provide a comprehensive range of options, allowing you to connect with contract and contract-to-hire candidates, either on site or remote. (We also have candidates who are available for full-time or part-time work.)
High5 makes the process 15 to 25% more cost effective as you obtain better talent more quickly from around the globe. As we like to say, we know we’re the highest value solution in the market—and we won’t sleep until you know it, too!
In addition to all that, we focus on the customer experience, with our candidate response being 17 minutes. In short, we cut out 70% of the screening time and have an interview-to-hire ratio of 2:1. Plus, we’ve decreased the time to fill average by 15%. The result: a hiring solution that’s both lower in cost and higher in quality. Here are even more reasons why it makes sense to hire a developer at High5.
On average, traditional staffing companies take one to two weeks to deliver results, while we have a speed to deliver time of fewer than three days. When looking at time to fill rates, the difference is even more dramatic: Traditional staffing can take four weeks or more, while our timeline is under one week. Costs and fees can be twice as much at traditional staffing companies when compared to High5 and, in the end, traditional companies don’t have our quality guarantee.
Other ways in which High5 is the better choice include how we offer global coverage and significantly more vetting, along with process transparency, global talent pooling, global payroll/EOR services, engagement opportunities, diversity hiring, D&I reporting, and SOW, IC, FL hiring, and gigwork.
In many ways, but here’s the heart of it all. Using High5 trusted talent means you can cut out 70% of the screening time because resumes you receive are from talent who are the right fit for you.
Yes. There are a large number of organizations of all sizes, from startups to large corporations, that hire freelance developers and software engineers for their various technological initiatives. The economy today relies heavily on the contributions of freelance workers.
If you hire freelance developers, you can stretch your budget farther than ever by eliminating excessive overhead fees. This allows you to recruit more skilled workers, take on a greater number of tasks, and then reinvest your savings directly into your business. Additionally, it is far easier to hire developers who specialize in a specific area for a particular project as opposed to hiring a generic developer for multiple projects.
The number of developers on your team will vary depending on the size of the project, but in general, your team should include three to four developers. More developers may be required if your startup is building an enterprise-level product. You should also hire developers based on the type of project or product your startup is working on.
Let’s say your startup builds a product or project with a front-end component, and the product has an online presence. In that case, a front-end developer, a backend developer, and perhaps even a full-stack developer should be on your team.
Software engineers are well-paid and can afford the flexibility to be picky about what projects they take on. Even if your business or project has great possibilities, you may need to be innovative when looking to hire developers at the senior level.
Here are a few tips:
- Look for industry-specific developers: A company’s industry affects how developers see a project. For example, education, HR, finance, or high-tech are top choices among developers, and you may find it easier to attract senior developers to your project if you’re in one of those industries. On the other hand, media, entertainment, internet payments, gaming, advertising, and eCommerce are less popular, so you might have to look harder. However, there is still a niche for most industries, so be sure to look for industry-specific developers.
- Have good investors: The senior software engineers you attract to your startup may depend on your investors and funding. If you have high-profile investors, add their full bios to your company, project description, or pitch to gain attention during your developer search.
- Pay competitive compensation: While money isn’t a top consideration, studies show it definitely matters. Top companies pay more, so if you can hire a few developers and pay them a competitive price, you’ll attract top talent.
The answer to this question is dependent on your company. For instance, large, enterprise-level companies like Amazon may have developer numbers in the thousands. However, a smaller company may only have a junior, mid-level, and senior-level developer. Generally, a team of five developers is ideal for an established company. However, that number may increase or decrease with the work that developers take on.
The best way to hire developers and software engineers is to know your priorities and communicate them to your candidates. Doing market research is also a great way to know what types of candidates you should look for.
High5 can simplify the process of hiring developers. We know the market and have done our research, so we can help narrow down pre-vetted candidates based on your project or company needs. Contact High5 today to start hiring top-tier talent.
Comprehensive Guide to Hiring Developers
When you’re ready to hire professional software developers, one of two broad scenarios will likely exist:
- Your company is looking for developers to address a specific project.
- Your company is looking to hire freelance developers/independent professionals to handle work for you on an ongoing basis.
This matters because, when seeking a freelancer/contractor, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you need—and, if hiring for one specific project, those needs will likely be more targeted than if you’d like to hire developers for multiple projects on a continual basis as needed. Besides making sure you have clarity on your requirements, you’ll want to concisely articulate them so potential candidates can understand your needs and self-select if they’d like to pursue that opportunity with your company.
Clarifying project requirements will go a long way in helping your company to connect with the right independent professionals. If a job description is too vague, then developers who don’t fit the requirements may respond and it can take time for you to sort through all of the applications. If the description is too tightly crafted, though, you may miss out on some great long-term matches.
Besides describing project requirements, you’ll also want to brainstorm and communicate requirements of the developers themselves:
- What experiences and skill sets are required?
- What tools are important for them to understand and be able to professionally navigate?
- What language skills and cultural understanding is needed?
Other important elements of the hiring process include your budget and timeline. Freelance/contract software developers, just like applicants for on-staff positions, typically have a pay range in mind and may not go below a certain rate. It can help when companies have a good sense of fair market rates for particular skill sets and are willing to do a bit of pay rate negotiation to get the software developers they need.
Availability is also key. Software developers who work on an independent basis may be juggling multiple projects for multiple companies, so it’s important to choose ones whose schedules have room for your project and its timeline. If you are looking for developers who would do work for your company on an ongoing basis, it makes sense to understand their current availability and what they anticipate, in general, for the future.
A Note About Overseas Developers
When hiring freelancers and independent professionals, you can’t specify certain work hours for them, only timelines and deadlines. So, in general, choosing professionals who live and work in a significantly different time zone should not have an impact on meeting overall project deadlines—and considering them will definitely broaden the possibilities and help you to efficiently find professionals who have exactly the skill sets you need on your budget.
Also consider the niche specializations of a particular developer. You may find, for example, someone with significant and impressive front end experience, but they may not deliver the results you need if much of your required work is on the back end.
Once you have a list of developers, you can review their portfolios. Independent professionals who are seeking work will usually have a public portfolio for companies to review and, in some cases, developers could also have a private portfolio they only show to companies who are looking to hire them. Review work samples carefully and write down questions.
You could then talk to several freelancers/contractors who interest you, getting answers to your questions and, if desired, asking to see additional portfolio items that a developer may not be making public.
Choosing Which Developer to Hire
When choosing which contract or freelance developer to hire, much of your attention will be on the person’s technical (hard) skills. When talking to leading candidates, though, also assess their personalities and soft skills. Some will have easy-going, flexible personalities and will appreciate a bit of time to talk, while others will be ultra-focused on the task with no time to waste on chit-chat. Neither is “wrong” but one may be a better fit for you.
Once you’ve decided on the developers you’d like to use, you can present them with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and discuss project specifics with them, including the documentation you’ll require from them.
When you hire freelance and contract developers, be clear about how you’ll communicate information to them, as well as how and when they’ll get paid. Sometimes, an hourly rate makes sense. Other times, a project fee will best satisfy the software developer and your company. In still other cases, a monthly retainer will be the most acceptable payment structure. No matter what you decide, it’s important to pay independent professionals on the agreed upon schedule, just as a company would with staff members.
Make sure that information is clearly defined in the contract signed. Some companies have an ongoing contract with independent professionals, perhaps having a clause that states how either party can end the contract with 30 days of notice. Others offer an annual contract that can be renegotiated each year, as the parties desire.
Before Signing a Contract with a Developer
Before signing a contract with a software developer, some companies offer test assignments to leading candidates to see which ones are the best fit. As long as these are paid assignments and the developer is aware of the project being a test, this can be a good strategy. As part of the test, you’ll want to review technical skills and other aspects of the person’s work. These can include their ability to follow instructions exactly; meet the deadlines and specifications of the project; communicate well, both verbally and in written form; and otherwise perform the assignment to the company’s levels of quality.
Even if you don’t use the test assignment process, it often makes sense to work with a particular developer on smaller, more well-defined projects before handing over a large one—or one with an especially tight deadline—to them.
If your company has a wide range of technical needs that freelance or contract software developers can help your company to meet, it can make sense to hire several of them, each with unique specialties and skills sets. Then, strategically assign work to the independent professional who can best fulfill on a particular project.
