What to Look for When Hiring Your Next Java Developer?

As we all know, Java is still gaining popularity in today's digital transformation market thanks to its stability & portability. Hiring Java developers has become a top priority for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve. 

Most popular brands like Google, Amazon, and Instagram use Java for web apps and back-end web systems development. Hiring a talented Java programmer is more challenging than it sounds, as the market is filled with several fake people.

In this blog, you will explore things to look for when hiring Java developers. In addition, you will know where to hire developers, interview questions, and costs.

Things to Look for When Hire Java Developers for Your Next Project

#1 - Java Skill Set That Reflects Your Specs 

Java developers play an essential role in the software development market. Before committing to the process of hiring developers, you need to check out the skill set that fits your business needs. 

If you want to hire java developers in the United States, here are technical and non-technical skills you need to look at when hiring Java programmers: 

Technical (Hard) Skills: 

• Proficiency in Java programming language, including a solid understanding of core concepts such as data types, control structures, and object-oriented programming principles. 
• Experience with Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, or Struts. 
• Knowledge of web development technologies like Servlets, JSP, and JSTL. 
• Familiarity with relational database management systems (RDBMS) like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle, including SQL querying and database design. 
• Competence in using version control systems like Git for collaborative development. 
• Proficiency in debugging and troubleshooting Java applications. 
• Experience with testing frameworks like JUnit for unit testing and Mockito for mocking dependencies. 
• Knowledge of web services technologies such as RESTful APIs and SOAP. 
• Familiarity with building tools like Maven or Gradle for dependency management and project automation. 
• Awareness of security best practices in Java application development. 
• Proficiency in using Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse. 
• Understanding of Java memory management, garbage collection, and performance optimization techniques. 

Non-Technical (Soft) Skills: 

• Communication skills 
• Problem-solving skills 
• Adaptability 
• Time management 
• Accountability 
• Team player 
• Leadership 
• Adaptability to feedback 
• Customer focus

#2 - Portfolio & Previous Project

Ask candidates to share their previous projects, open-source contributions, or personal coding projects. It will help you understand their coding style, problem-solving skills, and work quality. 

#3 - A Good Grasp of Java Framework

Here's a list of Java frameworks that developers you want to hire should be familiar with:

Spring Framework:

• Spring Core: Dependency Injection and Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) 
• Spring MVC: Model-View-Controller architecture for web applications 
• Spring Boot: Makes the setup and configuration of Spring-based software easy 
• Spring Data: Simplifies data access with support for relational databases, NoSQL databases, and more 
• Spring Security: Provides authentication, authorization, and other security features

Hibernate:

• Object-relational mapping (ORM) framework for simplifying database interactions in Java applications 
• Expertise in Hibernate annotations, Hibernate Query Language (HQL), and Criteria API is beneficial

Struts:

• Web app framework as per the MVC design pattern 
• Knowledge of Struts actions, forms, and configuration is essential for legacy projects

JavaServer Faces (JSF):

• Component-based MVC framework for building user interfaces for web applications 
• Understanding JSF lifecycle-managed beans and Facelets is advantageous

#4 - Familiarity with Java Build Tools

Each programming language has specific software development tools that are unique to them and perform different tasks. Having knowledge and efficiency in various Java build tools will increase the chances of Java developers getting hired by growing businesses. 

These build tools help to automate the source code applications. A few of these build tools are Apache, Sonatype, Gradle, Nexus, and Cmake.

#5 - Have Knowledge of Additional Languages and Technologies

Hiring a Java developer skilled in additional languages and technologies is always an added advantage to the team. Being proficient in other languages and technologies, such as SQL and JavaScript, is the upper hand. 

Since different languages and technologies are meant to perform other tasks, being efficient in them will come in handy for a Java developer. 

#6 - Prior Experience with Java Development

Evaluate the developer's work history and projects they have contributed to, especially those relevant to your project's domain.

Consider both the total years of experience in Java development and the specific duration of experience with relevant technologies and frameworks.

Interview Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring Java Developers

Here are interview questions tailored to different experience levels of Java developers for Hire: 

For Junior Java Developers: 

• Can you explain the basic principles of object-oriented programming (OOP)? 
• Have you worked with any Java libraries or frameworks? If so, which ones were chosen, and what was your experience? 
• How do you handle exceptions in Java? Can you provide an example? 
• Describe your understanding of the Java Collections framework. Which collection types have you used?

For Mid-Level Java Developers:

• Have you worked on any multithreaded applications? 
• How do you optimize Java code for performance? Can you provide examples of your used technologies 
• Have you worked with any Java Persistence API (JPA) frameworks like Hibernate? Can you discuss your experience with ORM? 
• Describe your experience with web development in Java. Which servlet containers or application servers have you used? 
• Can you explain the principles of dependency injection and inversion of control (IoC)? Have you used any dependency injection frameworks in Java?

For Senior Java Developers:

• How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in large-scale Java projects? 
• Can you discuss your experience with microservices architecture and any related frameworks like Spring Boot? 
• Have you been involved in designing and implementing RESTful APIs in Java? What factors do you consider? 
• How do you approach database design and optimization in Java applications? 
• Can you describe a challenging technical problem you encountered in your previous projects and how you resolved it using Java?

Customizing questions to the experience level will help you check candidates' proficiency accurately and assess their suitability for the role effectively. 

Where to Look for Java Developers to Hire?

Here are several places where you can look for Java developers for Hire:

IT Staffing Company 

Partnering with IT staffing companies can streamline the hiring process. These firms specialize in IT staff augmentation services. They can help you find candidates that match your specific requirements.

Here are several benefits you will get from IT staffing companies: 

• Get access to a broad talent pool, 
• Specialized expertise in IT staffing 
• Faster hiring process 
• High flexibility in staffing arrangements

If you are looking for a dedicated IT staffing company in the United States to hire Java developers, VLink is the right choice! Here, you can get expert developers within 48 hours and with a 7-day free trial.

Outsourcing Agency

Outsourcing agencies provide access to global talent, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and specialized expertise. They handle administrative tasks, offer flexibility in project management, and often provide round-the-clock development support. It allows for efficient project delivery while reducing operational overheads.

So, if you want to hire Java programmers, go with the outsourcing agencies that provide access to skilled programmers as per your project.

Referrals and Networking 

Check professional network and ask for referrals from colleagues, and friends. Employee referrals often result in high-quality hires, as they come with a level of trust and endorsement.

Specialized Job Boards

Explore niche job boards that cater specifically to tech professionals, such as Dice, GitHub Jobs, and AngelList. Posting your job openings on these platforms can help you target candidates with specific Java development skills.

What is the Cost to Hire Java Developers?

The rough rates for hiring Java developers can range from USD $25-$250+ per hour or USD $60,000 to $150,000 annually for full-time employment. Junior developers charge around USD $25-$75 per hour, mid-level developers USD $50-$125 per hour, and senior developers USD $100- $250+ per hour.

The exact cost to hire Java programmers depends on several factors, such as location, experience level, and project requirements. Prices of experts may be higher in regions with high demand or for specialized skills.

By following the abovementioned steps, you can find and hire Java developers within 48 hours. If you are looking for pre-vetted Java developers for Hire, VLink is the right choice. 

Hire Java Developers in Just 2 Days from VLink!

VLink is a trustworthy IT staffing company that enables businesses to hire Java developers in just a few easy steps. We have an extensive network of talent, a streamlined hiring process, a rigorous pre-vetting process, faster hiring and a 7-day free trial.

With us, you can interview pre-vetted candidates and build a world-class dedicated team within 48 hours. 

To hire developers for Java development projects, contact us.