Sometimes, when all you’re in the market for is a legitimate programmer who won’t…

A. Disappear after two days’ time
B. Run off with your money
C. Fail miserably at producing the results you need
D. Sell all of your personal information

…going for anything more than “barely satisfactory” is a daunting task. You’re online for hours, scouring the darkest depths of the internet for a site that appears to be legitimate enough, trying your best to make the right decision prior to committing to a phone call with a complete stranger.

It’s a barrel full of monkeys, really.

The problem with cutting corners and settling for “just good enough” though is that there are needles in the software haystack, so to speak, that are out there for you. The issue is finding them; how do you know what you’re looking for, what budgets constitute a good deal, and…does this myriad of pop-ups mean you can’t trust them? (The answer is yes, friends.)

In short, it’s not an easy task to find a developer with the set of skills and business savvy you need; part of the issue is that, when developers are in such demand, even the subpar are getting work.

As Dan Tynan of InfoWorld.com puts it,

The war for developer talent is hotter than ever. Whether you’re trying to build mobile apps, redesign the user experience on your public website, or keep business-critical applications on the cutting edge, everyone needs code.

So, what are you looking for?

– Multi-tasking

Is this developer able to hold a conversation, while emailing, while juggling his team? Holding your potential project manager to the same standards you hold yourself is a fair way to handle hiring choices, and in 2015 the inability to multi-task means a near guarantee that a project will be either lacking or come out past deadline.

– Concentration/attention to detail

This is an industry in which every tiny a, b and c counts. One great way to avoid those developers tackling large numbers of projects/clients at once for maximum profit is to embed a job application term within an inquiry:

“In search of an apt PHP programmer capable of XYZ…(if you’ve gotten this far, write “I love huskies” in the subject line of your email)…must also hold normal work hours…”

Are they interested enough in what you have to say to soak in every aspect, without skipping or skimming through the middle? This hack should do the trick.

– Good communicator

Perhaps the most vital of abilities. Here at vteams, we not only have a daily communication requirement but maintain real-time project management software so that our clients see what we’ve completed, what we’re doing that day and what we’ll be starting on.

So even if Sam from “SuperDevelopers” does a bang-up job on his initial presentation, if he’s unable to keep his team quiet while briefing you on his latest efforts and calls you by the name “Frank” (your name is Bob) more than twice, it’s time to move on.

When your own company is excellent, after all, “barely satisfactory” should never be part of the equation.

Images: morgueFile (1), Giphy (1)