The #1 Tip for Scouting Coders

As a leading Kansas City IT staffing firm, Morgan Hunter knows that the competition for IT talent is fierce, particularly for coders. So if your organization is looking to hire top-notch talent, you’ve got your work cut out for you. That said, there is one step you can take to make your job a whole lot easier.

So what is it? Attend a hack-a-thon.

Also known as a hack day, hackfest, and codefest, a hack-a-thon is simply an event during which coders and other IT industry talent (think programmers, software engineers, designers, etc.) interact and collaborate on software projects.

These sessions take place all over the world and even some nearby. There are also plenty of websites, like http://hackatopia.com/, on which you can find events that are appropriate for your needs.

So whether you’re looking to hire one coder or 10, here are some simple tips to consider to help you leverage the power of your next hack-a-thon:

Know Your Coding Needs.

What kind of coder are you looking for? Apps, websites, open source coders? You need to figure this out before you decide on which specific hack-a-thon to attend. After all, you don’t want to attend an Android app hack-a-thon when you need a website coder. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time.

Know Some Coding Basics.

Learn some basics about coding languages. Anything from websites to books (e.g. Programming for Dummies) can be helpful, depending on your preference. You certainly don’t have to become an expert in computer code – that’s why you need to hire a coder. But the more you can speak their language, the more responsive a potential recruit will be to your pitch.

Know What Kinds of Questions to Ask.

It’s not going to do you much good to attend a hack-a-thon if you don’t interact with coders and ask them questions. So have a list prepared. One question you should always have on your list is to see their portfolio. Whether it’s apps they’ve designed or websites they’ve worked on, a portfolio can demonstrate that they can do what they say they can do.

Know What Your Next Steps Will Be.

If you’ve found a coder you think is a good match for you, be prepared to talk about next steps. For instance, it’s a good idea to have a coder complete a project, on a contract basis, so that you can get a feel for their personality, how they work, and whether they can complete the project within a set timeframe. Choose a small project that can be done in a few days time. If the coder passes the test, then you’ve just found your next hire!

Need Help Hiring Your Next Coder?

Let Morgan Hunter know. As a leading Kansas City IT staffing firm, we specialize in recruiting IT talent – from coders to Chief Information Officers – for organizations large and small. Contact Morgan Hunter today and tell us about your IT recruiting and staffing needs.