Technology companies hiring remote developers in far-off locations is not a new phenomenon. Many of them went remote because it made sense financially, whereas others simply aimed to tap into ever-green global talent pools. Given the recent large-scale transition to the remote modes of work and soaring tech talent demand, a reasonable question arises: What’s the best way to hire remote programmers in 2022? In this article, we take a look at the three ways to build a remote tech team, including their pros and cons so that you can weigh your options and make the best choice for you.
Without further ado, here are what we consider to be the top three ways to hire remote programmers and build your tech team in 2022:
Now, let’s dive in and consider each option individually.
Going for talent repositories is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you need to bring extra hands on deck. Below, we’ve listed the benefits and shortcomings of hiring freelance developers.
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Another option is to hire remote programmers by turning to an outsourcing vendor who will use their in-house team to develop software based on your vision and requirements. This model assumes being locked in a deal from the project’s start to finish, receiving deliverables outlined in the contract. While this is one of the most viable options to develop software on the market, it’s not necessarily a universal recipe for success. Let’s take a look at its pros and cons.
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In essence, a Dedicated Team model is a way to access remote developers for hire and set up a development office on the vendor’s premises. Within this model, remote software engineers report to you or someone on your side directly. They also act as parity to your in-house engineers, seamlessly expanding your in-house development unit.
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Before you dive into one of the options mentioned above, answer the following questions.
How big of a team do you need? Complex projects typically require a full-fledged development team, and as your project grows, chances are you’ll need to hire more remote programmers. A Dedicated Team model is a perfect fit for projects that require adding new team members as the scope of work grows. Conversely, traditional outsourcing doesn’t offer this level of flexibility, as it is centered around deliverables outlined in the contract. The only way to hire remote developers and add them to the team would mean treating it as a separate project. Hiring an army of freelancers to handle complex projects isn’t the best idea because of the enormous management effort it will require.
Is there someone with technical expertise to manage the project on your side? If you have a specialist in-house with the requisite technical background to oversee the development process and conduct technical interviews, then hiring remote programmers off freelance platforms or going with a Dedicated Team through companies that hire remote developers are the best options. Traditional outsourcing will work if you don’t have people with substantial tech expertise in-house. Within this model, the vendor will rely on their internal technical expertise to develop your product.
Does your project have sensitive information? Hiring remote programmers on a freelance basis is the least reliable option for projects where protecting sensitive data is critical, as they aren’t obliged by a formal contract. There’s a risk that freelancers will expose your data because of poor device security or disclose your project details to someone else. On the other hand, when you hire remote developers through a Dedicated Team model or traditional outsourcing it is much more secure as vendors usually ensure that the necessary security measures are in place.
Do you prefer long-term or short-term engagements? Many companies hire remote programmers as part of their long-term strategies, integrating them deeply into their processes. Each of the three ways we’ve described here allows companies to do that. However, we can say that a Dedicated Team model offers a more focused approach when it comes to long-term objectives. This model fosters close cooperation between in-house and offshore/nearshore units as well as promotes a better understanding of the client’s business and high commitment levels, which eventually brings amazing results. For example, when you hire remote app developers through nCube on a Dedicated Team model, they will become an indispensable cog in your app development workflows. That is hard to achieve within freelance and outsourcing models, where developers are constantly moved between projects.
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Hiring remote programmers off freelance platforms can be relatively easy, but it’s far from being a one-size-fits-all solution. However, there is a significant difference between hiring a remote developer as a freelancer and a full-time remote employee through a Dedicated Team or a traditional outsourcing model.
If we were to put the three options on a scale in terms of their reliability, freelancers would probably be ranked the lowest, as this model is associated with high levels of unpredictability.
Traditional outsourcing would take second place, given that when you hire remote programmers within this model you rarely know who works on your project and if the people handling it are skilled enough and you only receive the deliverables bespoke on the contract. Still, this option is more secure and transparent, as the vendor is formally obliged to stick to the contract and is accountable for the results.
With this in mind, a Dedicated Team model would be the most reliable option. Technically, you’ll work with a company that hires remote developers for you, but the hiring decision is always yours. That way, you eliminate a great deal of uncertainties by selecting and hiring all of the team members yourself. The team will be integrated into your workflow and report directly to you, giving you full control over the development process.
When it comes to hiring remote programmers, many factors are at play. At the end of the day, you need to explore all the possibilities out there to make an informed decision. If you’re interested to find out more, especially given a Dedicated Team model, let’s connect.