10 essential things that should be consider before hiring an iOS developer

The following are some essential things that should be consider before hiring an iOS developer:

Apps similar to yours in their portfolio

Promising candidates will have already created apps with functionality like the one you’re creating. For example, if you have social networking integrated, make sure they have already done that in a previous app and are not teaching themselves how to do it on your dime.

Fluency in your native language

It’s hard enough ordering a coffee in a foreign language, let alone discussing the intricacies of latest software technologies. A Skype call is the only way to truly establish a developer’s fluency. If you’re interviewing a software shop, make sure you talk with the actual developer and not the sales rep.

Overlapping working hours

If you can manage to have 2 or 3 hours that overlap each day, your project will go a whole lot faster. Waiting 24 hours for an answer that only brings more questions can drag weeks into months; a few minutes on Skype every few days could be all you need to keep things moving.

Legitimate work

Look for at least three fully working apps in their portfolio. Download every single app they created, and then contact the owner of each one to ask about their experience with the developers. This might surprise you, but more than once I’ve had developers put my apps in their portfolios and I had never even heard of them, let alone done business with them. I found out from people contacting me as part of their due diligence interviewing the developers (and no, they didn’t get hired).

Integrity in their work

Contact every one of their references. It’s easy to skip this step, thinking that everyone lists only references that will be positive. Some shops and developers list bogus references thinking no one will bother calling them. Also, if any of the apps they created are subpar, don’t hire them. If they created a sloppy app for someone else, they’ll do it for you, too.

Responsiveness to questions and emails

They should respond to emails and queries within 24 hours. You also want to set expectations up front by requesting they commit to replying to all questions and requests within 24 hours during your project. Let them know that you’ll also commit to the same quick turnaround.

Attention to details

They should answer every question line by line and be consistent and easy to understand. Steer clear of developers or shops that give canned responses to your job listing. Anyone that refers to me as “Sir” gets the boot, no matter how enticing the shop might be.

Sample code available on request

Simple programs are okay. Don’t let your lack of programming knowledge stand in your way of requesting some sample code. If you can, ask an iOS buddy to help you review the sample. I nearly skipped this step once because I wasn’t sure what to look for. Thankfully, a friend said he’d help, and it turns out the developer I nearly hired sent code that doesn’t even run on the iPhone. My app was going to be his first project. Also, if a shop or a developer doesn’t want to share any examples, thank them for their time and move on.

Willingness to teach and offer assistance

The developers should willingly suggest their own ideas for your app. Don’t be shy to ask plenty of questions. Everyone was a newbie at some point, including your developers. They should happily take the time to explain everything to you, including confusing terminology and technical details.

Time to commit to your project

Ask how many other projects they are currently engaged in and how many programmers are working on each project. The sales reps are often paid on getting projects in the door, not on actually completing them. Make sure they have the time to commit to your project and will give it the attention it deserves.

Confirmation that you own the source code

You paid for it, so you should own it, but unless you state this fact up front, they may think they own it and can do what they please with it — including making a variation of your app and selling it off.

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